Press Releases & Statements
Cardin Urges President Obama to Declassify Bergdahl Details, Seeks Answers About Marylanders Held Prisoner
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged President Barack Obama to move swiftly to declassify as much information on the details of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's release as possible. He also asked for an update on efforts being undertaken to secure the freedom of Marylanders Warren Weinstein and Alan Gross. "I was pleased to hear that Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was coming home after being held captive by the Taliban for mor… Continue Reading
June 05, 2014
Cardin, Warren Student Loan Refinancing Proposal Earns Broad Support
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and his colleagues in the Senate have received dozens of endorsements through petitions and letters in support of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act introduced on May 6, 2014, which would allow those with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at the lower interest rates currently offered to new borrowers. Student loan debt is the second highest form of consumer debt, now at a staggering $1.2 trillion, and it is weighing on the eco… Continue Reading
June 03, 2014
Cardin Statement On The Twenty Fifth Anniversary Of Tiananmen Square Crackdown
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, issued the following statement to recognize the twenty-fifth anniversary of the crackdown on dissidents in Tiananmen Square. "June 4 marks a painful history for many within China and around the world. The images of Tiananmen Square on that day, 25 years ago, are seared into our memory. We hope the tragedy of the events can be the foundation for an accounting … Continue Reading
June 03, 2014
Cardin, Mikulski Announce Funding For State Of The Art Water Taxi in Baltimore Inner Harbor
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the City of Baltimore Department of Transportation has received an $854,130 grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to fund the Charm City Circulator Harbor Connector water taxi service. This grant will allow for the continued operation of the state-of-the-art, all-electric water taxi and high-powered smart charging infrastructure. "Prioritizing public transit is good for… Continue Reading
June 03, 2014
Cardin Visits Southern Maryland for Solutions to Maryland’s Foreclosure Crisis Maryland currently has the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation
Waldorf, Md. - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, convened a gathering of local housing officials, REALTORS and others working to assist Marylanders before and during the foreclosure process. Maryland weathered the national foreclosure crisis by giving homeowners more time to develop strategies to keep their homes, but we currently have the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation, according to RealtyTrac. "Losing your home is heartbreaking. When … Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Cardin Lauds Strong But Flexible Carbon Pollution Rules As Positive For Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife and a co-chair of the Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change, applauded the proposed limits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on carbon pollution from power plants - major contributor global climate change. The proposed rules would reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants by 30 percent, using 2005 as the emi… Continue Reading
June 02, 2014
Cardin Calls For Changes To How Americans Pay For A College Education
LaPlata, Md. - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, hosted a roundtable with students, faculty and administrators at the College of Southern Maryland Monday, to discuss the growing cost of higher education. Student loan debt has ballooned to roughly $1 trillion, a sum larger than the amount of credit card debt held by Americans. At the same time, prices at public four-year institutions have risen more rapidly from 2012-13 than over either of the two precedin… Continue Reading
May 30, 2014
Cardin Statement On VA Secretary Eric Shinseki
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), released the following statement regarding the resignation of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki: "I have been deeply disturbed by the accusations and reports regarding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leadership and their failure to care for our ill and injured veterans. Like President Obama, I find these issues with the VA completely unacceptable. I am committed to meeting the obligations made to those who have sacrificed for ou… Continue Reading
May 30, 2014
Cardin “Cool Roofs” Bill Would Create Jobs By Eliminating Barriers To Energy Efficient Retrofits
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committees on Finance and Environment & Public Works, announced that he has introduced the ''Energy-Efficient Cool Roofs Act," S. 2388, which would boost job creation in the construction industry and significantly increase the energy efficiency of buildings throughout the U.S., lowering energy costs and saving money that could be better invested in local communities. Cardin's bill shortens the depreciation schedule for the … Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Cardin Statement On Dr. Maya Angelou
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement on the death of poet, actress and activist Maya Angelou: "Maya Angelou's words were powerful. She chose each one carefully and with purpose. Her life was not an easy one, but she understood that the lessons she shared with the world were important. Her stories were filled with spirit and resonance. Maya Angelou will be profoundly missed, but she will continue to be a presence, influencing generations with her word… Continue Reading
May 27, 2014
Senators Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Praise USDA For Recognizing The Bay As A Critical Conservation Area
WASHINGTON - DELMARVA Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-Md.), Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (Both D-Va.), Tom Carper and Chris Coons (Both D-Del.), and Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) lauded the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the Chesapeake Bay Watershed has been officially designated as one of eight Critical Conservation Areas that is eligible for set-aside funding as part of the consolidated Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The RCPP, whic… Continue Reading
May 27, 2014
Cardin Statement On Ukrainian Presidential Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Commission, issued the following statement on the May 25 early presidential elections in Ukraine. A photo follows the statement. "Sunday's vote was a day of destiny for Ukraine and a turning point in the nation's effort to overcome Russia's interference in Ukraine's democratic development. It also offers Ukraine a chance to turn a corner on a crippling … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Cardin, Kirk Lead Senate in Honoring the Contributions of Holocaust Survivors During Jewish American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced passage by the Senate of a bipartisan resolution (S. Res. 458 ) recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month and honoring Holocaust survivors for their contributions to the United States of America. The resolution, which was cosponsored by Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Senators Urge A Return To Democratic Rule In Thailand Following Military Coup
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) issued the following statement on the military coup in Thailand. Senator Cardin is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Senator Menendez is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Leahy is Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related programs. "We are deeply disappointed by the c… Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Cardin Honors America’s Veterans And Those Who Have Supported Our National Defense For Memorial Day 2014
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following statement in advance of Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. "On this Memorial Day, we recognize our veterans who have sacrificed in the service of this great country. After a long winter, Americans are finally enjoying the outdoors and spending precious time with their loved ones. We must always remember that we enjoy these freedoms because the members of the United States Military remain diligent, ready and willing to serve. … Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Cardin, Schatz Introduce Bill To Give Federal Workers A Raise
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Brian introduced legislation in the Senate with U.S. Senator Schatz (D-Hawai'i), to provide a pay increase for federal employees who lost over a billion dollars in salary and benefits due to sequestration and a three-year pay freeze from January 2011 to December 2013. The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act would provide a 3.3 percent pay raise to federal workers in calendar year 2015. "The knowledge, expertise, skill, and commitment … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Senators Introduce Legislation to Repeal 2002 Resolution Authorizing Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Senators Introduce Legislation to Repeal 2002 Resolution Authorizing Use of Military Force Against Iraq Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Robert Ben Cardin (D-MD), Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), , and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation today repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Iraq that passed in 2002. The legislation was introduced following a hearing yesterday in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the AUMFs for Iraq and Afghanistan. … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Cardin Statement Regarding The Health Care Administration Problems At The Department Of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), released the following statement regarding the health care administration problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): "I am deeply disturbed by the accusations regarding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs leadership and failure to care of our ill and injured veterans. From disability claims processing delays to excessive appointment wait times, our veterans deserve better. I am committed to meeting the obligations made to those who… Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Cardin Responds To Russian, Chinese Veto of U.N Security Council Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), issued the following statement in response to the veto today by Russia and China of a U.N. Security Council resolution that referred the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court for investigation of possible war crimes. The conflict has resulted in the death of over 140,000 people in Syria… Continue Reading
May 20, 2014
Senators introduce bill to clamp down on ‘inversions’ tax loophole
WASHINGTON - A group of 14 senators today introduced legislation to tighten rules on corporate tax avoidance through "inversion," the practice of reincorporating offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. The Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2014 is designed to prevent the loss of billions of dollars in revenue through a flood of inversions, a loss that would add either to the deficit or to the tax burden of American taxpayers. The bill would effectively impose a two-year moratorium on inversions, th… Continue Reading
