Press Releases & Statements
CARDIN URGES EXTENSION OF PROTECTED STATUS FOR LIBERIANS LIVING IN UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON -- In an effort to preserve the status of Liberians living legally in the United States, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today wrote to President Obama urging an extension and expansion of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). Thousands of Liberians could be deported if their temporary status is not extended beyond the September 30, 2011 deadline. Since 1989, thousands of Liberians legally came to the United States fleeing a brutal ci… Continue Reading
June 07, 2011
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION REAUTHORIZATION
Mr. President, I rise today to speak on the Economic Development Administration and the pending bill before the United States Senate to authorization this program. In both the 111th Congress and this Congress, I was fortunate to work with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's Chairman and Ranking Member to make improvements to this bill and report it out of Committee and am glad that he Senate is taking up this important measure. As the United States continues to recover from t… Continue Reading
June 06, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI, ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), today announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded almost $1.9 million to Maryland programs that offer job training to veterans to help them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are part of the DOL's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) and Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP). "Our veterans have sacrificed for our nation and we now have an opportunity to provide them with the tr… Continue Reading
June 06, 2011
CARDIN JOINS SENATE COLLEAGUES IN LETTER TO VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN URGING “UNWAVERING OPPOSITION” TO DISMANTLING OF MEDICARE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today said privatizing Medicare cannot be part of the bipartisan deficit reduction negotiations. In a letter to Vice President Joe Biden, who is leading these discussions, the Senators urged the administration to oppose any Republican efforts to insert their plan to dismantle Medicare into a deficit reduction package. "We are aware the Administration has re… Continue Reading
June 03, 2011
CARDIN VISITS CHARLES COUNTY; MEETS WITH SENIORS & RELIGIOUS LEADERS
LA PLATA, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today visited Charles County to talk with seniors about the importance of preserving the Medicare and Medicaid programs and to hold a roundtable discussion with religious leaders from the community. At the Richard R. Clark Senior Center, Senator Cardin called the defeat last week by the Senate of the budget plan proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) "a victory for seniors and a clear message that America will not tolerate the dismantling of th… Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
CARDIN, UDALL, WHITEHOUSE INTRODUCE BILL TO ADDRESS NATION’S WATER CHALLENGES
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, along with Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has introduced legislation to encourage the research, development and promotion of new green infrastructure technologies and designs that will help reduce polluted stormwater runoff. Companion legislation also has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Congresswoman Do… Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
CARDIN, BOXER, INHOFE CALL ON SENATE APPROPRIATORS TO SUPPORT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THAT CREATE JOBS, PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, was joined by U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and a bipartisan group of 32 additional senators on a letter to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging continued support for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. A nationwide investment in water infrastructure projects creates jobs, repairs crumbl… Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
CARDIN CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT RETIREE HEALTH COVERAGE
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has co-sponsored legislation to protect and stabilize health care coverage for retirees. The Retiree Health Coverage Protection Act would provide an additional $5 billion to the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP) to help retirees afford health insurance and costly medical expenses. "This bill provides additional needed support for a program that helps retirees keep their comprehensive employer-based health coverage. I'm pleased that many Mary… Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
ON REAUTHORIZATION OF PATRIOT ACT
Mr. President, I rise to explain why I voted against the motion to invoke cloture on S. 990, the legislative vehicle for S. 1038, the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT ACT. I opposed cloture because I believe the Senate has an obligation to consider substantive amendments to improve the Patriot Act. We are all aware that at the end of this week three provisions of the Patriot Act will expire. The three provisions are business records, roving wiretaps, and "lone wolf" terrorists. I understan… Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL TO ENCOURAGE USE OF PROPANE AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE
WASHINGTON - U. S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in introducing a bipartisan bill to encourage greater use of propane as an alternative transportation fuel, especially for large fleets of trucks and buses. Propane is a reliable, domestically produced fuel with lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. Additionally, propane supply is expected to increase over the next several decades, which would result in increased price st… Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
CARDIN CALLS ARREST OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement on the arrest of Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general accused of masterminding the massacre at Srebrenica in 1995. Mladic had been considered one of the world's most wanted fugitives for more than 15 years. Serbian President Boris Tadic has announced that Mladic will be turned over to the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. "I am enormously pleased to hear that S… Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
THE PROPANE GREEN AUTOGAS SOLUTIONS ACT OF 2011
MR. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today introduce the Propane Green Autogas Solutions Act of 2011. I am pleased to note that the junior Senators from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) and Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) are original co-sponsors of this measure. Our bill extends for five years Federal Alternative Fuel Tax Credits for Propane Used as a Motor Fuel, Propane Vehicles, and Propane Refueling Infrastructure. Propane "autogas" is a reliable, domestically produced alternative fuel with lower greenhouse ga… Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
CARDIN CALLS SENATE’S REJECTION OF RYAN BUDGET PLAN A VICTORY FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today called the defeat of the Ryan budget in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 57-to-40 "a victory for America's seniors and a clear message that Americans will not tolerate dismantling of the Medicare and Medicaid programs." The budget proposed by Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), which passed the House of Representatives in April, would jeopardize the health of seniors by reinstating the Medicare Part D coverage gap, and eliminating Medicare as we know it.… Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD FEDERAL FUNDING TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CREDIT FOR MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESSES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, both (D-Md.), today applauded the U.S. Department of Treasury's announcement that Maryland will receive $23 million in federal funding to improve access to credit for small businesses in the state. The Senators voted for the Small Business Jobs Act, which President Obama signed into law in October 2010. This law created the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) at Treasury. This program will provide $1.5 billion to st… Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON ISRAEL AND THE PEACE PROCESS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's speeches on the Middle East peace process and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a Joint Session of Congress: During the past few days, President Obama addressed the world on the challenges facing the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also address… Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today announced that 15 Marylanders have accepted appointments to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2011-2012 academic year. The five U.S. service academies -- the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy -- recruit top-notch young American men and women who will appreciate an excellent education and a chance to serve their country. "Every year, it is m… Continue Reading
May 23, 2011
CARDIN HOLDS FAITH-BASED SUMMIT FOR BALTIMORE AREA RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Baltimore Faith-based Summit BALTIMORE-- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today sponsored a Faith-based Summit for more than 100 Baltimore area religious leaders to discuss job opportunities and economic empowerment. Josh DuBois of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership participated in the Summit and discussed ways in which the federal government can assist the faith-based community. "I have organized today's Summit because the leaders of the Baltimore religio… Continue Reading
May 21, 2011
CARDIN HOLDS HEALTH CARE JOBS EXPO
LARGO, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today held a Health Care Jobs Expo at Prince George's Community College to connect Marylanders with jobs in the health care field. Maryland is one of the nation's leaders in health care, currently employing more than 290,000 Marylanders in the health care industry. The Affordable Care Act will bring approximately 30 million Americans - who currently have no health coverage -- into our health care system by 2014. The Governor's Workforce Investment Bo… Continue Reading
May 20, 2011
CARDIN ATTENDS OPENING OF WAYLAND VILLAGE SENIOR APARTMENTS
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined local officials, including Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, to celebrate the grand opening of the Wayland Village Senior Apartments. The brand new development consists of 89 affordable rental apartments for low- and moderate-income seniors and adults with disabilities. The apartments are green and sustainable with features that meet LEED standards and Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. "The Wayland Village Senior… Continue Reading
May 19, 2011
CARDIN MOVES TO SANCTION HUMAN-RIGHTS VIOLATORS IN RUSSIA
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), today joined 15 other senators to introduce a bill that would freeze assets and block visas of individuals who commit gross human-rights violations against whistleblowers and activists in the Russian Federation. Other co-sponsors of the bill include: Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Mark Begich (D-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Case… Continue Reading
