Press Releases & Statements
Paying Tribute To An American Hero, Master-At-Arms Second Class Mark Mayo
Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the tragic death of a fellow Marylander, Master-At-Arms Second Class Mark Mayo. His heroic sacrifice is the truest display of the U.S. Navy's Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The United States Navy confirmed yesterday that Petty Officer Mayo put himself in harm's way to save his shipmate. On behalf of a grateful Nation and my fellow Senators, I offer my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and shipmates of Petty Officer Mayo. … Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
EPA Budget Hearing
Madame Chairman and Ranking Member Vitter thank you for holding today's hearing on the President's proposed FY 15 budget for the Environmental Protection Agency. Administrator McCarthy it is always a pleasure to see you and thank you for being here today. EPA's proposed budget for FY15 outlines a fiscal plan that will enable the Agency to continue to its important work of keeping the health of citizen's and the communities we live in healthy and safe. It would be an understatement to say… Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
Cardin Praises Bipartisan Unity in Support of Ukraine, Sanctions Against Russia
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 (CSCE), praised the full Senate passage of a package of loan guarantees for the new Ukraine government and economic sanctions on those responsible for the invasion of Crimea. "With today's vote the Senate sent a clear message of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and indignation for those responsible for the invasion of the Crimea. Russia mu… Continue Reading
March 27, 2014
State and Local Perspectives on Transportation
Good morning Madame Chairman, Ranking Member Vitter, members of the committee and our panel of witnesses. Thank you for holding today's hearing the committee the opportunity to hear local perspectives on how well our federal surface transportation programs are working for them. It's only been a couple years since MAP-21 was enacted. Much of the policy reforms put in place by MAP-21 have yet to be fully realized and, while still others are being implemented. One program that I am very p… Continue Reading
March 25, 2014
Cardin Statement on SCOTUS Oral Arguments in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), one of 19 senators who filed an amicus brief in support of the government's position in the case of Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., released the following statement after the conclusion of oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States. Whether or not a woman uses contraception should be a private decision not subject to a financial veto by her employer. The Affordable Care Act guarantees the majority of women coverage for com… Continue Reading
March 25, 2014
Cardin Praises Proposed “Waters Of The U.S.” Rule
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) for their joint proposed rule to clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands. "The health and safety of America's waters have been at risk while Congress debated a legislative fix to recent Supreme Court decisions. By restoring the pre-SWANCC jurisdiction of the Clea… Continue Reading
March 25, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski Announce Bipartisan Effort To Protect Dairy Farmers And Producers In Maryland And Across Nation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) announced a bipartisan effort in the Senate to protect dairy farmers and producers in Maryland and across the nation from an effort by the European Union to restrict their access to global dairy markets through the restriction of common food names. In a bipartisan letter signed by more than 50 of their Senate colleagues, Senators Cardin and urged Mikulski the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Unit… Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
Cardin Marks ACA’s Fourth Anniversary With Final Push For Enrollment During Open Season
FREDERICK, Md. - One day after the four-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and one week before the close of Open Enrollment for new health insurance coverage through the ACA, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) highlighted the benefits of the health care law during a roundtable discussion with community leaders, health care professionals and constituents in Frederick. Since the law's enactment, millions of Americans have benefited from increased consumer protections, free preventive service… Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
Cardin Discusses The Importance Of Stem Education At Frederick High School
FREDERICK, Md. - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), today underscored the value of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education while visiting Frederick High School. A strong advocate for the advancement of STEM learning, Senator Cardin led a discussion of STEM education projects with teachers, educators and community partners. Frederick County Public Schools has infused STEM education into every grade level and across multiple subjects. Frederick County Public Schools have built rel… Continue Reading
March 19, 2014
Cardin Hails Latest Step In U.S. Leadership In Extractive Industries Transparency
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), co-author of the Cardin-Lugar extractive industries provision in Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Reform Act, praised the latest step toward greater transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries. The White House announced that the United States has become the first G-8 country to achieve candidate status and become an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementing country. Per the White House, "we join a group of 41 countries ar… Continue Reading
March 18, 2014
Cardin Joins Over 200 Members of Congress in Calling for Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workers from Workplace Discrimination
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin today signed a letter along with more than 200 Senators and Representatives to President Barack Obama calling on him to issue an executive order banning contractors from receiving federal government contracts unless they have a policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Support for such an action has grown exponentially in Congress, with 51 Senators -- or more than half the Senate -- signing the letter. "Our nation's… Continue Reading
March 14, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski Announce Federal Funding To Hire Four Additional Firefighters In Prince George’s County
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department will receive $910,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) program to hire four career firefighters. "Our first responders provide the first line of defense for our citizens and these federal funds are an important investment in keeping Maryland families and bus… Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
Cardin Says Flood Insurance Reform Will Benefit Vulnerable Marylanders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) praised bipartisan action by the Senate to provide relief from pending spikes premiums for federal flood insurance required by the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. H.R. 3370 passed the Senate 72-22 Thursday. On March 4, it was approved by the House 306-91. "Working together, the Senate took needed action to slow down and limit the unconscionable rate increases for federal flood insurance, which would have been unaffordable for many … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
Cardin Calls Investing In Quality Child Care A Prudent Investment In America’s Future
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following statement after the Senate approved S. 1086, the reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG), which is sponsored by fellow Maryland Senator Barbara A. Mikulski. Congress has not reauthorized the CCDBG in nearly two decades, dating back to comprehensive welfare reform under President Clinton in 1996. At that time, then Rep. Cardin served as the Ranking Member of the Human Resources Subcommittee of the … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
Cardin Welcomes Strong U.S. Action To Support Ukraine And Hold Accountable Those Who Have Victimized Its People
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 (CSCE), lauded approval Wednesday of a package of loan guarantees for the new Ukraine government and economic sanctions on those responsible for the invasion of Crimea and massive corruption in Ukraine. Shortly after the SFRC vote, Senator Cardin joined other members of the Committee for a meeting with Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. … Continue Reading
March 12, 2014
Cardin Applauds Senate Confirmation of Marylander Sarah Bloom Raskin as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee applauded the confirmation of Sarah Bloom Raskin of Maryland to become the next Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. "I am proud to have a fellow Marylander among the financial leaders that are guiding our economy towards future growth and stability. Sarah Bloom Raskin's impressive résumé and reverence for public service make her particularly well-suited to be at the upper ranks of America's fis… Continue Reading
March 12, 2014
Taking A Principled Stand On Venezuela
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I would like to express my strong support for S.Res. 265, a resolution I co-sponsored deploring the violent repression of peaceful demonstrators in Venezuela, calling for full accountability for human rights violations taking place in Venezuela, and supporting the right of the Venezuelan people to the free and peaceful exercise of representative democracy. Since February 4, 2014 the Venezuelan people have taken to the streets on a daily basis to express frus… Continue Reading
March 10, 2014
Cardin Mourns The Passing of Holocaust Survivor and Activist Leo Bretholz
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement expressing his deepest respects for the late Leo Bretholz who passed Saturday at his home in Pikesville. Bretholz was a Holocaust survivor and resistance fighter who turned his story into the memoir Leap Into Darkness. In 1947 Bretholz emigrated to Baltimore, entered the publishing business and shared his story with audiences worldwide. At the time of his death Bretholz was advocating for reparations for Holocaust surv… Continue Reading
March 10, 2014
Cardin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators Asking Pentagon to Help Identify, Bring Home Remains of Sailors Killed at Pearl Harbor for Burial
WASHINGTON- U.S Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) along with 14 Senate colleagues are seeking the assistance of the Department of Defense in an effort to have the bodies of 21 men who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 exhumed so that they can either be brought home for burial in their community, or be buried in a marked grave in Hawaii. Two of the U.S.S Oklahoma families seeking assistance from the Department of Defense are from Maryland. The families of John Lindsley and A… Continue Reading
March 07, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski Introduce Resolution Honoring International Women’s Day
WASHINGTON - In advance of International Women's Day on March 8, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-Md.), along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and a bipartisan coalition of Senators introduced a resolution Thursday commemorating the 103rd International Women's Day. Other cosponsors include: Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (Both D-Calif.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), … Continue Reading
