Press Releases & Statements
FLOOR STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET
I take this time to talk about the budget issues and the debt ceiling vote that is approaching. It is a serious issue that we need to deal with. First, I think it is important to know how we got here. I say that because we don't want to repeat the mistakes we made in the past. It was just 10 years ago when we had not only a balanced budget, we had a budget that looked like we were going to pay off all of our privately held debt. I was part of the Congress that moved us toward that bala… Continue Reading
June 30, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI LAUD FUNDING FOR THREE NATIONAL PARKS IN MARYLAND
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the National Park Foundation (NPF) has awarded three grants totaling $39,700 to national parks in Maryland. An $18,250 grant will develop trails at Antietam National Battlefield, while $11,000 and $10,450 grants to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and the Catoctin Mountain Park, respectively, will allow teachers at area schools to develop service-learning projects and other lesso… Continue Reading
June 29, 2011
STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING U.S. COMMITMENT TO DIRECT ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATIONS
Reaffirming Support for Direct Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations Last night S. 185, a resolution that was cosponsored by about 90% of the Senate, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. And I'm very grateful to my colleagues for their help in developing this resolution. This resolution expresses the strong support of the United States for our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel. I was joined in this effort by my good friend, Senator Susan Collins from Maine. The two of us worked together… Continue Reading
June 29, 2011
CARDIN URGES DOJ TO REVIEW VOTER ID LAWS
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today requested that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) carefully review highly restrictive photo identification voter requirements that are under consideration or recently signed into law in several states that could potentially disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters. In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Cardin-along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (IL), Chuck Schumer (NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)… Continue Reading
June 29, 2011
CARDIN, COLLINS LEAD SENATE DECLARATION AGAINST ANY PUSH FOR PALESTINAN STATEHOOD EXCEPT THROUGH DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL
Washington, DC - Late Tuesday evening, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) led the Senate in unanimous passage of a resolution reaffirming the commitment of the United States to a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The resolution authored by Senators Cardin and Collins, which was cosponsored by 88 of their colleagues, also reiterated U.S. opposition to the inclusion of Hamas in any Palestinian unity government unle… Continue Reading
June 29, 2011
NOMINATION OF JAMES MICHAEL COLE TO BE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
Madam President, I am very pleased that soon we will be voting on Jim Cole to be the Deputy Attorney General of the United States. This is a person who puts principle over politics, a person who is very important in our war against terror and who will use all lawful tools to keep our Nation safe. So I am proud to take a few moments to urge my colleagues to vote for his confirmation. I think that is in our national security interests, and I know he will be and already is an incredible asset to th… Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
CARDIN STATEMENT ON COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF LIBYA WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and an original cosponsor of the War Powers Resolution approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, voiced his conditions for continued U.S. engagement in Libya today at a committee business meeting. "I support continuing a limited military role for the U.S. in Libya to protect innocent civilians. I believe the War Powers Act does apply to our Libya-related military activity a… Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
CARDIN CALLS FOR CLOSING THE TAX GAP TO ELIMINATE UNFAIR ADVANTAGES AND REDUCE ERRORS
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, renewed his call for comprehensive tax reform in the wake of the Committee's hearing "Complexity and the Tax Gap: Making Tax Compliance Easier and Collecting What's Due." Senator Cardin stressed the need to make the tax code simpler, to eliminate unfair loopholes for special interests, and to encourage economic growth-all of which would increase compliance with tax rules. "Congress must act to restore co… Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
ONE YEAR AFTER THE WORST OIL SPILL IN U.S. HISTORY, CARDIN SAYS BEST PRACTICES MUST GUIDE RESTORATION OF GULF REGION
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, today restated that BP and others would be held responsible for the immediate and long-term damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon spill last year. Senator Cardin today chaired a hearing to review the status of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA), including an examination of research findings to date and the succ… Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
CARDIN LAUDS SENATE CONFIRMATION OF JIM COLE AS DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), released the following statement praising James Cole's Senate confirmation as Deputy Attorney General of the United States. He was confirmed by a vote of 55-42 "I am proud that the Senate finally acted today to confirm Jim Cole as Deputy Attorney General. Our nation's fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban will be strengthened with Mr. Cole's expertise and experience working to help bring terrorists to justice. The President relies on the Deputy A… Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
CARDIN CALLS FOR GAO STUDY OF HYDRAULIC FRACKING
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee has requested the General Accountability Office (GAO) initiate a study on several issues related to hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" for natural gas and its potential impacts on drinking water and the waters of the United States. "American families have a right to clean and safe drinking water, and we must understand the potential damage to the health of those l… Continue Reading
June 27, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD GRANT TO BRING NEW BUSINESSES, JOBS TO WESTERN MARYLAND
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced a $100,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to the nonprofit Progress Fund's Maryland Trail Town Program. The grant will help fund the start up or expansion of at least 10 new trail-serving businesses in Cumberland and Frostburg, which are expected to increase the number of visitors to the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail and business revenues by 10 percent. "The Great Allegheny Passage i… Continue Reading
June 27, 2011
CARDIN VISITS SKIMMER ISLAND TO VIEW EFFORTS TO HALT EROSION & CREATE HABITAT ENDANGERED SPECIES
OCEAN CITY, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today visited Skimmer Island for a briefing about efforts to use dredge material to replenish the eroding island and create important nesting habitat for black skimmers and royal terns. In 2009, Skimmer Island had shrunk to 2.5 acres, almost a third of its size. The erosion threatened the island's nesting habitat for black skimmers and royal terns, wh… Continue Reading
June 27, 2011
CARDIN ADDRESSES THE BALTIMORE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS ABOUT THE MOVE TOWARD DEMOCRACY IN THE ARAB WORLD
BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Senate chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today addressed the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs about the move toward democracy in the Arab world and the opportunities it presents to build democracies in that region. The Senator's speech, titled: " … To the Shores of Tripoli: Democracy on the March in a post-Bin Laden World," focused on the historic nature of what has be… Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
CARDIN COMMENDS STATE OF MARYLAND FOR EFFORT TO ERASE DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE AMONG MINORITY GROUPS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised the State of Maryland for establishing a working group to address the problem of health disparities among minority groups. Minorities comprise one-third of America's population, but make up half of the uninsured. Studies also have consistently shown that minority patients receive lower quality health care than non-minority populations. Senator Cardin authored a provision that was included in the health reform law to establish Offices o… Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI URGE NOAA TO COMPLETE APPROVAL OF OYSTER AQUACULTURE PERMITS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today they have requested that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) speed and complete approval of aquaculture permits in Maryland "without further delays." In a letter to Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Jane Lubchenco, they expressed their "frustration over the extended amount of time it has taken NOAA to approve Maryland's oyster aquaculture permits in the Chesapea… Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
CARDIN JOINS FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP TO REVITALIZE URBAN WATERWAYS
BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to announce a new federal initiative to restore and revitalize Maryland's Patapsco and Anacostia watersheds and five other watersheds around the nation. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) is a new federal partnership to stimulate regional and local economies, create local jobs, improve quality of life, and protect Amer… Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
CARDIN ADDRESSES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT MARYLAND HISPANIC YOUTH INSTITUTE
TOWSON-U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today spoke at the closing ceremony for the Hispanic College Fund's 2011 Maryland Hispanic Youth Institute, a youth empowerment program for Maryland Hispanic high school students. The Senator discussed his efforts to increase access to higher education and expand workforce development opportunities for disadvantaged Hispanic youth. "The Hispanic Youth Institute makes the American Dream more attainable for hundreds of Hispanic students in Maryland," said S… Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE GRANT TO CONSTRUCT HIKING/BIKING TRAIL, HELP TOURISM IN GARRETT COUNTY
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Garrett County to construct a hiking/biking trail. The County expects 27,000 people annually to use the trail, which will greatly benefit the area's tourism industry and other local businesses. "Expanding and developing greenways has been one of my most satisfying achievements as a member of Congress," said Senator Cardin, who is a member of the Se… Continue Reading
June 23, 2011
CARDIN URGES CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT FOR A LASTING RECONSTRUCTION OF HAITI
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the International Development Subcommittee, today endorsed a continuation of U.S. engagement in rebuilding Haiti during a hearing he co-chaired entitled, "Rebuilding Haiti in the Martelly Era." "In the first year after the catastrophic earthquake, the U.S. provided $1.1 billion dollars to meet the humanitarian needs of Haiti, which was matched by billions from other countries and… Continue Reading
