CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE GEORGE RUSSELL FOR MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the Senate's confirmation of Judge George Levi Russell, III to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Senators Mikulski and Cardin recommended Judge Russell, who currently serves as a Circuit Court judge for the City of Baltimore, to President Obama for the federal bench. "I applaud today's confirmation of Judge Russell to serve on the U.S. District Court of Maryl… Continue Reading

CARDIN HOLDS HEALTH CARE CAREER EXPO IN HAGERSTOWN

HAGERSTOWN, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today held a Health Care Career Expo at Hagerstown Community College to connect Marylanders with jobs in the health care field, which is an area of high-paying salaries and expected strong job growth nationwide. Maryland is one of the nation's leaders in health care, currently employing more than 290,000 Marylanders in the health care industry. The Governor's Workforce Investment Board estimates that by 2018 more than 55,000 new jobs in the healt… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ADDRESSES AFFORDABLE CARE FORUM ON BENEFITS OF HEALTH REFORM LAW

CUMBERLAND, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today addressed a forum on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) hosted by the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission, the Western Maryland Central Labor Council and the Alliance for Retired Americans. Speakers at the forum also included Maryland Secretary of the Department of Aging Gloria Lawlah, and NAACP Chapter President Bernard Wynder. Senator Cardin highlighted that the ACA will provide health care coverage to more … Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS VEOLIA TO LAUNCH BALTIMORE’S FIRST PROPANE AUTOGAS TAXI FLEET

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today attended a special ceremony today at the headquarters of Veolia Transportation to launch Baltimore's first propane autogas taxi fleet. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot and other officials also attended the launch. Veolia Transportation -- the largest private provider of multiple modes of transportation in North America -- is converting 300 of its taxis nationwide from gasoline to propane autogas… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE GRANT FOR NEW AMBULANCE TO SERVE WORCESTER CO.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the City of Pocomoke has received a $50,000 grant and $150,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development (RD) program to purchase a new ambulance. "Now more than ever, we need to make sure that our first responders have the resources they need to keep our families and communities safe," said Senator Cardin. "These brave men and women are on the front lines every day re… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised the Senate for passing the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, S. 743, a landmark bill that would expand protections for federal employees who disclose wrongdoing and protect the public trust. "Federal workers are on the frontlines and they often are the first to spot when there is fraud or waste of taxpayer money. This bill will help ensure greater accountability and it will protect whistleblowers from retribution for doing the ri… Continue Reading

ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE PAUL WILLIAM GRIMM TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE, DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

I am pleased to join with Senator Mikulski in recommending that the Judiciary Committee favorably report Judge Paul William Grimm of Maryland to be a US District Judge for the District of Maryland. Let me also welcome Judge Grimm's family and friends to today's hearing, and thank them for the sacrifices they make. Judge Grimm was nominated to fill the upcoming vacancy that will be created when US District Judge Benson E. Legg takes senior status in less than a month. Judge Gri… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE VICTORY IN NEW POSTAL SERVICE PLAN TO PRESERVE RURAL POST OFFICES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today praised a new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) strategy that will save 137 rural mail facilities in Maryland previously slated for closure. The USPS announcement was a major victory in the Maryland Senators' fight to save rural post offices. More information about the Postal Services new plan and a list of Maryland post offices that will remain open are available in the Postmaster General's letter here. "The Postmaster G… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) release the following statement on President Obama's announcement that he supports same-sex marriage. Senator Cardin has co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. "Same-sex couples deserve the same rights and benefits as heterosexual couples. President Obama's position is consistent with the recently passed law in Maryland, and I applaud him for taking this… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today announced that nine Marylanders have accepted appointments to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2012-2013 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… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI CALL FOR USPS TO EXTEND MORATORIUM ON ALL POSTAL CLOSURES UNTIL FINAL ENACTMENT OF POSTAL REFORM BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today joined a bipartisan group of 41 Senators in calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to extend the current moratorium on the closing of post offices or processing facilities until enactment of postal reform legislation. The current moratorium is schedule to end May 15. On April 25, by a vote of 62-37 the U.S. Senate passed S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, bipartisan legislation that would pres… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $250,000 TO EXPAND BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN GARRETT CO.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Garrett County Board of Commissioners has received a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand Broadband Internet connectivity in Garrett County. "In Maryland's innovative economy, the Internet is indispensible to running businesses, schools and for personal use such as banking or paying bills," said Senator Cardin. "Broadband access is absolutely essential and th… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI INTRODUCE MARYLAND DISTRICT COURT NOMINEE GRIMM AT SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced Judge Paul William Grimm to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Grimm currently serves as a Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge in Maryland, Northern Division, located in Baltimore. "Judge Paul Grimm is a veteran of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps at Aberdeen Proving Ground and a … Continue Reading

CARDIN AND MIKULSKI PRAISE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALMOST $15 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE FOUR MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, (both D-Md.), today praised the announcement of almost $15 million in federal funding to support the renovation, expansion and improvement of four Maryland community health centers, boosting their ability to care for additional patients and create jobs. Grantees estimate these awards will help them serve approximately 27,737 new patients in Maryland. "Community health centers provide affordable, high quality, cost-effective health … Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF REAUTHORIZATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised Senate reauthorization of a long-standing law to stop violence against women and extend protections to other groups. By a vote of 68-to-31, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, S. 1925, often referred to as VAWA. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. "I was an early co-sponsor of VAWA because it provides important legal, civil, economic and social safeguards for victims… Continue Reading

ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE DAY

It is my distinct pleasure to recognize Israel on the 64th anniversary of its founding. As we join Israel in celebrating this milestone, the shared bonds between our two countries have grown stronger over the years because of our commitment to democracy and freedom. Throughout Israel's history, our two nations have worked together to protect Israel and to promote regional peace and stability. Today, as we reflect on Israel's remarkable history, I also want to pay special tribute to the peopl… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE VICTORY IN CHANGING SENATE POSTAL REFORM BILL TO GUARANTEE THAT THE EASTON MAIL PROCESSING FACILITY WILL REMAIN OPEN

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that their advocacy to protect mail delivery service standards in the Senate's 21st Century Postal Reform Act has led to changes in the bill that would assure Maryland mail processing facilities remain open. A final vote on the bill is expected in the coming hours. The Senators today received a letter from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe outlining the Maryland postal facilities that would remain ope… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES FOR POSTAL REFORM BILL TO PRESERVE DELIVERY STANDARDS AND PUT POSTAL SERVICE ON ROAD TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

WASHINGTON - By a vote of 62-to-37, the U.S. Senate today passed the 21st Century Postal Service Act, S. 1789, which will preserve delivery standards nationwide and put the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on a path to financial stability. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called passage of the bipartisan bill a "victory for individuals and businesses throughout our nation that depend on timely mail delivery." Senator Cardin insisted that the reform bill include provisions maintaining delivery standard… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS MARKETPLACE FAIRNESS ACT WILL HELP MARYLAND AVOID TAX HIKES, PROTECT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Washington, DC -- At a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, highlighted the importance of legislation that would level the playing field for local businesses and give Maryland and other states the option to collect sales tax already owed under current law from out-of-state businesses. Senator Cardin noted that the $375 million in revenue that would be captured by Maryland through improved sales tax compliance would make… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES CUMBERLAND PROCESSING CENTER WILL NEED TO REMAIN OPEN TO MEET DELIVERY STANDARDS IN POSTAL REFORM BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced today that he has been told by the Postmaster General that the Cumberland mail processing center will remain open to meet overnight delivery standards that Senator Cardin insisted be included in the postal reform bill being considered by the U.S. Senate. The Senator received a letter from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe confirming that the Cumberland processing facility will need to remain open to "meet the overnight service standards … Continue Reading