CARDIN, MIKULSKI, VAN HOLLEN ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (all D-MD) today announced the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $128,200 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase new firefighting equipment. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants progr… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE WATER RESCUE, FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN CARROLL COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Sykesville Freedom District Volunteer Fire Department won $47,610 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase vital water rescue equipment and other firefighting equipment. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO PURCHASE FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN BALTIMORE COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD.) today announced Baltimore County fire departments have been awarded $1,840,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to purchase new effective and efficient firefighting equipment. The grants include $1,750,000 for the Baltimore County Fire Department as well as $90,000 for the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department. As a member of the Homeland Sec… Continue Reading

CARDIN AND MIKULSKI CONGRATULATE MARYLAND FOR WINNING A FEDERAL PERFORMANCE BONUS TO HELP COVER COSTS OF PROVIDING MORE MARYLAND KIDS WITH HEALTH COVERAGE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today praised Maryland's dedication and innovation in improving access to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that led to winning a $23.8 million "performance bonus" from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to cover the costs of providing more Maryland kids with health coverage. This is the second year in a row Maryland has received the bonus funding. "The CHIP program makes it possi… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS NEW MERCURY RULES FROM EPA FORCE OTHER STATES TO FINALLY CATCH UP ON CLEAN AIR

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D?MD) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule, also known as the Utility MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology), for fossil fuel powered electrical generating units. The rule is supported by Maryland power suppliers Exelon Corp., Constellation Energy and the American Boiler Manufacturers Association and complies with a Consent Decree of the D.C. Court of Appeals that requires… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON THE PASSING OF RON SMITH

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement on the death of long-time WBAL-AM talk show host Ron Smith: "I have been on Ron Smith's show many times over the years and he had a unique voice that made him a Baltimore radio icon. While Ron and I often disagreed, he was always fair, he was always insightful and he was always honest with his listeners. Today, I join the many, many fans of Ron Smith in mourning the passing of someone I had enormous respect for and w… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES TO PROTECT MIDDLE INCOME AMERICANS AND PRESERVE INVESTMENTS IN JOB-CREATING PROGRAMS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, released the following remarks after the Senate passed three measures funding the government through Fiscal Year 2012, extending the payroll tax holiday for two additional months and temporarily preventing severe cuts to payments for Medicare physicians and other providers. "As we near the heart of the holiday season, Congress has finally come together to provide the American people with a mea… Continue Reading

CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE NATIONWIDE STANDARD FOR REST0RING VOTING RIGHTS AFTER PRISON

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) has introduced a bill, S. 2017, the Democracy Restoration Act that would restore voting rights to individuals after they have served their time and have been released from incarceration. This legislation is ultimately designed to reduce recidivism rates and help reintegrate ex-prisoners back into society. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). "If we truly want to break the cycle of recidivism, we… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI CONGRATULATE MARYLAND ON WINNING “RACE TO THE TOP” GRANT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski today made the following statement on Maryland being awarded a multi-million dollar U.S. Department of Education Race to the Top Challenge Fund Grant: "A quality early education makes such an overwhelming difference in a child's future, as well as our ability to compete in our global economy. I am proud that Maryland continues to be recognized as a nationwide leader in education, well earned through an ongoing commitment to helping a… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL THREATENS CIVIL LIBERTIES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) made the following remarks following passage of the Conference Report on the National Defense Authorization Act: "Every day, we celebrate the courage, excellence and dedication to country of the brave men and women who stand on the frontlines overseas and here at home to help keep every American safe and secure. We have a solemn obligation to support the health and welfare of our troops and we will continue to provide them with the tools they need… Continue Reading

“HOTELS FOR HEROES” PROGRAM PASSES CONGRESS

(Washington, DC) - Congress has passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (both D-MD) creating the "Hotels for Heroes" program that will allow Americans to donate hotel reward points to members of the Armed Forces. The bill, which will benefit troops receiving care through the military health system and their families, was included in the "National Defense Authorization Act" that passed Congress by a vote of 283 - 136 in the House on … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT NECESSARY TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET

Washington, DC - Following the defeat in the Senate of two constitutional amendments requiring a balanced budget through extreme cuts to important programs, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) made the following statement. Senator Cardin is a member of the Senate Budget Committee. "Amending our constitution is not an acceptable way to address our nation's long-term fiscal problems. It could have dire consequences on our economy, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, education, clean air and clean wa… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS U.S. MUST ADDRESS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN RUSSIA

Washington, DC - 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 strengthened his call for consequences for those in Russia who have trampled on fundamental freedoms and human rights. At a hearing of the European Affairs Subcommittee, Senator Cardin laid out his case for the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, which he and 25 other senators have sponsored. Not limited to just Russia, the Magn… Continue Reading

CARDIN, SCHUMER INTRODUCE BILL TO PROHIBIT VOTER INTIMIDATION AND VOTER SUPPRESSION

Washington, DC - Less than three weeks before the first voters cast ballots for the 2012 elections, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) have introduced their bill to create tough new criminal and civil penalties for those who create and distribute false and deceptive voting information and campaign literature. Respecting provisions of the First Amendment, the 1 is narrowly tailored to apply to only a small category of false communications that occur during the last 90 days… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES UNVEILING OF 2012 STAR-SPANGLED BANNER COMMEMORATIVE COIN DESIGNS

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today announced that the United States Mint has unveiled the designs of the of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins. On August 16, 2010, President Barack Obama signed a law -- cosponsored by Senator Cardin and U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) -- directing the U.S. Mint to create coins commemorating the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The gold and silver coin designs are emblematic of the War of 18… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS REPAIRING OUR NATION’S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS URGENT FOR CLEAN, SAFE WATER AND CREATING QUALITY JOBS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called improving our nation's water infrastructure "a national opportunity to protect human health and create jobs nationwide." Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, convened a hearing Tuesday to gain a national perspective on water and wastewater infrastructure challenges and opportunities, including approaches to financing infrastructure improvements and the potential for investments to lead to economic growth and jo… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, PRAISE FIVE-MONTH DELAY OF POSTAL FACILITY CLOSURES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today praised the announcement by the United States Postal Service to postpone the closure and consolidation of post offices and processing facilities across the country, protecting thousands of postal workers jobs. The delay impacts possible consolidation of the Easton and Cumberland Area Mail Processing Centers (AMP). "The U.S. Postal Service has made a very sensible decision because it gives Congress time to work on … Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS ANOUNCEMENT OF $3 MILLION GRANT TOWARD PUBLIC LANDS ACROSS NATION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) to announce a $3 million grant by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. to the Foundation to improve the capacity of community-based organizations supporting parks and other public lands. Senator Cardin and the NEEF were joined by U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and other officials for the announcement. This public-privat… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI JOIN BIPARTISAN SENATE COALITION URGING SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXTEND MASS-TRANSIT COMMUTER BENEFITS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski today joined a bipartisan coalition of twenty additional Senators in urging the Senate Finance Committee to include an extension of the widely used mass-transit commuter tax credit in any relevant legislation taken up by the Senate before it expires at the end of the year. The tax credit has an immediate impact on the region's federal workforce and middle-class commuters across the nation. At a savings of over $1,000 per year, it ease… Continue Reading

CARDIN VISITS CHARLES COUNTY JOBS PROJECT

WALDORF, MD - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today visited the Job Match Re-Employment Project to meet with unemployed residents of the Tri-County region and to discuss future employment and training needs. The Job Match Re-Employment Project is geared to helping individuals from Charles, Calvert or St. Mary's counties who were previously employed in jobs earning $38,000 or more a year. "I am impressed by the people who are here today because they have the talent and skills that many employer… Continue Reading