Press Releases & Statements
Cardin Votes To Support America’s Military Families, Small Business Contractors
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to support the Conference Report on HR 4310, the Defense Authorization Act, citing benefits for our military men and women and boosts for job-creating small businesses. "The brave men and women of America's military are the best in the world and they and their families deserve our respect and support. I was proud to support a modest pay raise for our troops, blocking increases in TRICARE… Continue Reading
December 21, 2012
Cardin Remarks On The Announcement Of Senator John Kerry As Nominee For Secretary Of State
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, and Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, made the following remarks in response to President Obama's selection of Senator John Kerry to be his next Secretary of State. "I have had the privilege of serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with Senator Kerry since arriving in the U.S. Senate six ye… Continue Reading
December 20, 2012
Cardin, Mikulksi Announce HHS Grant To Expand Health Services At Baltimore’s Friendship Academy
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) announced that the school-based health center at the Friendship Academy of Math, Science and Technology Information in Baltimore will receive a $414,100 upgrade and expansion made possible by the Affordable Care Act and a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Baltimore Medical System (BMS). This will be the fourth upgrade of a Baltimore school-based clinic by BMS in two years. Nationwide, … Continue Reading
December 20, 2012
Cardin Names Carleton Atkinson As State Director
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has appointed Carleton Atkinson as his new State Director, following the retirement of long-time advisor Bailey Fine. Atkinson currently serves as Deputy State Director and lead representative for Senator Cardin in Prince George's County. "Carleton has been an invaluable advisor to me for the last six years and I am proud to announce that he will be taking on the responsibilities of state director. He has been a constant presence throughout Pri… Continue Reading
December 20, 2012
30th Anniversary of Maryland Legal Services Corporation
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I want to congratulate Maryland Legal Services Corporation on their 30th Anniversary. Established in 1982 by the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Legal Services Corporation raises and distributes funds to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal assistance to low-income persons. As chairman of Maryland Legal Services Corporation from 1988-1995, I know firsthand the extraordinary service they provide to Marylanders. Maryland Legal Services Corporatio… Continue Reading
December 19, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski Announce Supplemental Appropriations Bill Includes Provisions That Would Aid Maryland Communities Recovering From Super-Storm Sandy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Super-Storm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations Bill includes provisions that would provide additional support to states like Maryland that continue struggle in recovering from the devastating storm. The Senate is currently debating the Supplemental, which is supported by the Obama Administration and would provide additional emergency federal funds to states hardest hit by Sandy. "Marylanders who have… Continue Reading
December 18, 2012
Cardin Calls For A National Discussion On Gun Control Following Newtown School Shooting
Washington, DC - Speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate Monday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called for a national discussion on how we can better protect our children from gun violence. In reiterating his support for an assault weapons ban, he also questioned the need for civilians to have access to military weapons. Video of Senator Cardin's full floor statement can be downloaded here or viewed here. "I want to express my deepest condolences, on behalf of the people of Maryland, to the fa… Continue Reading
December 18, 2012
Disaster Assistance Supplemental For Hurricane Sandy
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I know we have pending the supplemental appropriations bill. I urge my colleagues to act on this as quickly as we can. Sandy was a devastating storm. Eight million people were without power. There were over 100 deaths, including 7 in the State of Maryland. Maryland was hit hard, not as hard as New Jersey or New York--and our prayers go out to all the communities that have been affected--but Maryland was hit pretty hard. We had sustained winds for hour after hour af… Continue Reading
December 18, 2012
Statement On Shootings At Sandy Hook Elementary School
Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, first let me thank Chairman Leahy for those words in his exchange with Senator Durbin. I wish to offer my deepest condolences on behalf of all of the people of Maryland to the 20 students who lost their lives, and the 6 adults, at the hands of a single shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. It is heart-breaking to listen to the stories of innocent lives cut cruelly short. The pain and grief of the families and friends of these students and teache… Continue Reading
December 17, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski, O’Malley Announce Federal Assistance For Somerset County In Wake Of Superstorm Sandy
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 14, 2012) - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski (Both D-MD) and Governor Martin O'Malley today announced that President Obama has approved an Individual Assistance disaster declaration for Somerset County for damages from Superstorm Sandy. The Individual Assistance declaration will make federal funds available to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered property damages as a result of the storm. "FEMA and President Obama have delivered great news f… Continue Reading
December 14, 2012
Cardin Statement On Newtown Shooting
"My prayers and thoughts of deep reflection are with all those shaken by the senseless and tragic events that took place in Newtown, Connecticut, today. Time and time again our national conscious has been rocked by tragic events such as this and time and time again we have rallied around those affected and emerged stronger. I am stricken with a sense of disbelief that such heinous attacks could be perpetrated against the most vulnerable and innocent Americans, especially in a place of learning."… Continue Reading
December 13, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski Lead Maryland Delegation In Supporting Governor’s Appeal Of Denial For Individual Disaster Assistance For Lower Shore & Western Maryland Counties Hardest Hit By Super-Storm Sandy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) were joined by members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to President Barack Obama supporting Governor O'Malley's appeal for Individual Disaster Assistance for the five Maryland counties, including Dorchester, Garrett, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, that experienced the most severe damage as a result Super-Storm Sandy. The letter was signed by Senators Cardin and Mikulski, as… Continue Reading
December 11, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski, Van Hollen Announce Release of $18.3 Million for BRAC-Related Transportation Project
Rockville, MD - Today Senators Ben Cardin, Barbara A. Mikulski, and Congressman Chris Van Hollen, (all D-MD) announced the Defense Department will release $18.3 million to the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration (SHA) to improve access to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. Maryland SHA will manage a $23.1 million project, consisting of $18.3 million grant funds and other funding of $4.8 million, to construct the Maryland Route 185 (C… Continue Reading
December 11, 2012
Cardin, Mikulksi Announce $20 Million In New USDA Funding For Bay Farmers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed with $20 million in additional funding for efforts to improve the health of the Bay. USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is setting aside these additional funds for the Chesapeake Bay region through its Landscape Conservation Initiative. The funds will be available through the Environmental Qu… Continue Reading
December 10, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski Urge President To Restore LIHEAP Funding For Fy2014
WASHINGTON -- In an effort to help millions of Americans who are struggling with their energy bills as winter approaches, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) have joined a bipartisan group of 40 U.S. Senators calling on the Obama Administration to restore vital federal heating aid funds. The letter, which had bipartisan support, urged President Obama to restore Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to at least the FY 20… Continue Reading
December 07, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski Urge Flexibility, Call On FEMA& HUD Federal Agencies To Cut Through Red Tape To Provide Aid For Lower Shore Recovering From Super-Storm Sandy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today sent a letter to Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging them to cut through red tape to provide aid for the Lower Shore in the wake of Super-Storm Sandy. Somerset, Worcester and Dorchester counties, which were denied Individual Assistance aid from FEMA earlier this week, have amo… Continue Reading
December 06, 2012
Senate Passes New International Standard To Punish Gross Violators Of Human Rights
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) praised Senate action today that will send the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act to the President to be signed into law. This landmark legislation, passed in conjunction with Permanent Normal Trade Relations for Russia, sets a precedent for future trade and other bilateral agreements by prohibiting gross violators of human rights in Russia from traveling to the U.… Continue Reading
December 05, 2012
Cardin Says All Available Resources Should Support Maryland Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today testified before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee and called for a four-pronged approach to helping Maryland residents who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Senator stated he will join efforts to appeal FEMA's denial of Individual Assistance; support a supplemental appropriations bill to help residents and small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy; and encourage and coordinate the non-profit, gove… Continue Reading
December 04, 2012
Cardin Statement On The Status Of The Magnitsky Act
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Finance committees, and author of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, made the following statement regarding his legislation: "I am pleased that the Senate finally will be voting on passage of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. In the memory of one courageous Russian, we are setting a precedent for future trade agreements that tells the world that gross violators of… Continue Reading
December 04, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski, Kirk Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Deny Navy Plan To Relocate Electronic Attack Squadron From Joint Base Andrews
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) along with Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today announced that they have introduced legislation that would prevent the Navy from implementing its plan to transfer the VAQ-209 Navy Reserve Electronic Attack Squadron from Joint Base Andrews in Prince George's County, Maryland to Washington State. The Navy's relocation proposal has not received Congressional oversight or approval and could leave the National Capital Region vulne… Continue Reading