Press Releases & Statements
Cardin: Omnibus Spending Bill Benefits Public Health in Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance subcommittee on health care, highlighted some of the key provisions in the $1.014 trillion funding package passed by Congress that avoids a government shutdown and advances public health initiatives in Maryland and across the nation. "Americans expect Congress to do its job and pass fiscally responsibly spending measures that invest in America and set priorities, providing maximum stability to federal agencies, prog… Continue Reading
December 16, 2014
Cardin: Omnibus Spending Bill Benefits Western Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today highlighted how the $1.1 trillion funding package passed by the Congress to fund federal government operations through Sept. 30, 2015 and avoided a government shutdown advances several key priorities for Western Maryland. "The American people are tired of lurching from government crisis to government crisis. While this spending bill is far from perfect, I am pleased at how it funds many of the programs and initiatives important to Western Ma… Continue Reading
December 15, 2014
Floor Speech on Racial Profiling
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, this week I received several requests from international advocate groups to speak out against the injustice that is taking place in other countries with regard to their judicial system. It is not unusual to get a request in the United States to speak out on those matters. Journalists are in prison solely because they were doing investigative journalism, human rights activists are in prison just because they felt it was necessary to speak out about the injustice in … Continue Reading
December 12, 2014
Cardin Introduces a Comprehensive, Progressive, Pro-Growth Approach to Tax Reform
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, has introduced groundbreaking legislation that would eliminate income tax liability for most Americans and reduce corporate income tax rate to one of the lowest among industrialized nations. Cardin's bill, S. 3005, the Progressive Consumption Tax Act (PCTA), changes the way the federal government raises revenue. Rather than taxing income, the Progressive Consumption Tax (PCT) generates reasonable revenue by t… Continue Reading
December 11, 2014
SFRC Approves Cardin Sunset of Over-Used 2001 Authorization of Force, Clearing the Way for Future Congressional Oversight of the Fight Against ISIL
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised his colleagues for thoughtful action on a resolution that would authorize the limited use of the United States Armed Forces against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Senator Cardin authored a provision included in the committee-passed resolution that will terminate the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) three years after the date of the enactment of… Continue Reading
December 10, 2014
Cardin Recognizes International Human Rights Day
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a Senior Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement recognizing Human Rights Day, which celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948. "Across the world, everyday, brave men and women work to protect and advance human rights. Some wear uniforms, some are part of non-governmental organizations,… Continue Reading
December 10, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski Lead Team Maryland In Announcing $15 Million In Federal Funding To Provide High-Quality Preschool Programs In Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, together with U.S. Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Chris Van Hollen, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Donna F. Edwards and John Delaney (all D-Md.) today announced the State of Maryland has been awarded $15 million through the Department of Education's Preschool Development Grant program to provide high-quality preschool programs in 18 school districts across Maryland. "We never get do-overs when it comes to o… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Cardin Statement on Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State
Congress and the Obama Administration are in agreement that we have to act, in coordination with the international community, to degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamic State WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) after questioning Secretary of State John Kerry at a hearing of the full Senate Fore… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Cardin Statement on the Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to the Senate Intelligence Committee's review of the CIA's detention and interrogation program: "The United States has a solemn obligation to protect human rights both abroad and at home, as we honor our Constitution and international commitments. Shortly after taking office, President Obama thankfu… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Van Hollen to Serve with Cardin as Co-Chair of Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change
WASHINGTON - Last year, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), joined forces to develop the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change. The Task Force has organized policy discussions, held public events and released white papers outlining policy options for the Executive Branch. Now, with Representative Waxman retiring at the end of this Congress, the Bicameral Task Force leadership announced today that Representative… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Cardin Lauds Compensation for Holocaust Victims Transported by National Society of French Railways
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement expressing support for the establishment of a fund to compensate victims and surviving family members transported by The National Society of French Railways (SNCF) during the Holocaust. "In March, one of those who survived the war-time deportations, Leo Bretholz of Maryland, passed away. Leo escaped from a train tr… Continue Reading
December 09, 2014
Cardin Renews Call for Congressional Action to Ban Racial Profiling by All Levels of Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), took to the Senate floor today to urge his colleagues to pass legislation ending racial profiling by all law enforcement agencies in the United States. "I'm a strong supporter of our independent Judicial Branch and the grand jury system, but I understand the frustration felt by so many Americans. After the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City, which were heaped on top of incidents in Florida, California, and elsewhere around the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2014
New Motter Avenue Bridge And Travel Lanes Bring Congestion Relief To Busy Us 15 Interchange In Frederick
Commuters, local businesses, Fort Detrick employees and bicyclists and pedestrians all have reason to celebrate as crews finalize the $21.3 million Motter Avenue bridge replacement over US 15 and traffic safety project in Frederick. The project was built through a Federal, State, County and City partnership, with all levels of government providing funding to advance the gridlock-reducing project. To celebrate this partnership, and the end of major construction, Maryland Transportation Secretar… Continue Reading
December 08, 2014
U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Deeply Concerned By Arrest And Detention Of Journalist Khadija Ismayilova
WASHINGTON-Following Friday's arrest and pre-trial detention of Khadija Ismayilova, investigative journalist and contributor to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, by authorities in Azerbaijan, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Ben Cardin (MD) issued the following statement: "I am deeply concerned about the detention of Ms. Ismayilova, who has been the target of unrelenting persecution by the government of Azerbaijan because of her efforts to expose corruption within the country, as well as h… Continue Reading
December 05, 2014
Helsinki Commission Chairman Urges Russia To Cease Blatant Violations Of OSCE Principles
WASHINGTON-On the conclusion of the December 4-5 OSCE Ministerial Council in Basel, Switzerland, U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Ben Cardin (MD) issued the following statement: "The OSCE Ministerial this year has been exceptional. I welcome the fact that an overwhelming majority of OSCE countries condemned the unlawful occupation of Crimea, defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and called for Russia to end its support for violence in eastern Ukraine. Russia's… Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski, Delaney Announce Almost $43,000 In Federal Funding To Foster Job Creation In Western Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski along with Congressman John Delaney (all D-Md.) today announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $42,780 federal grant to Allegany Community College, also called the Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), for the ACM Automotive Technology Workforce Development. The program will serve 25 businesses and enroll 25 students and 15 workers in the first year. "To maintain our position as the world's strongest econo… Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Cardin, Portman Unite to Remove Bad Actors from CMS Bidding Process
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, have introduced legislation to protect seniors and those who rely on durable medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and supplies from predatory business practices. The Portman-Cardin Medicare Competitive Bidding Improvement Act (MCBIA) would ensure a fair competitive bidding program by disallowing intentional low-ball bidding for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser… Continue Reading
December 04, 2014
Cardin, Portman Unite to Remove Bad Actors from CMS Bidding Process
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, have introduced legislation to protect seniors and those who rely on durable medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and supplies from predatory business practices. The Portman-Cardin Medicare Competitive Bidding Improvement Act (MCBIA) would ensure a fair competitive bidding program by disallowing intentional low-ball bidding for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Ser… Continue Reading
December 03, 2014
Cardin, Harris Join Forces To Honor Maryland Icon Harriet Tubman
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Andy Harris (R-Md.-01) lauded action in the House of Representatives today that sets the stage for votes in both the House and Senate to establish Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Parks in Maryland and New York. Senator Cardin and Dr. Harris worked together to ensure that the park designation appropriately honors the life and work of Harriet Tubman while ensuring important protections for local property o… Continue Reading
December 02, 2014
Cardin Statement on “Super Pollutants Act of 2014”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on S.2911, the "Super Pollutants Act of 2014," which was considered at an EPW committee hearing today. "Climate change is real, and it is a threat whose magnitude is impossible to overstate. The Super Pollutants Act of 2014 is a rare example of bipartisan action to address some of the most intense greenhouse gases, like black carbon, methane and hydro… Continue Reading
