Cardin , Mikulski Congratulate 10 Maryland Schools Receiving Blue Ribbon Awards

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today congratulated ten schools across Maryland that were designated by U.S. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan with a National Blue Ribbon Award. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. The schools include: Crofton Meadows Elementary School in Anne Arundel County Fa… Continue Reading

Cardin, Mikulski Announce $1 Million to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), headquartered in Emmitsburg, has been awarded a $1 million Fire Prevention and Safety Grant (FPS) through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Programs. Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator Cardin is a mem… Continue Reading

Cardin, Mikulski, Van Hollen Announce Federal Funding To Hire Firefighters In Montgomery County

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, along with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (all D-Md.) today announced the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has been awarded $3,646,098 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to rehire 23 fulltime firefighters. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase fed… Continue Reading

Cardin, Mikulski Announce More Than $1.3 Million in Federal Funding for Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Wicomico County has received a $1,300,899 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) for the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport. This is the first of a two part, multi-year grant designed to update and replace aging parts of two separate runways. "This grant is a commonsense investment in safety, and reflects my commitment to renovating a… Continue Reading

Statement by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin on the Death of Art Modell

"Art Modell was a visionary leader of the NFL who brought his franchise to Baltimore where they made history as the Ravens. Our city and state benefited from Art Modell's determination and leadership. Art and his wife, Pat, made Baltimore their home where they also became philanthropic leaders. Our community is better because of their commitment and devotion to making a difference. I join all Baltimoreans and Marylanders in mourning the loss of this sports giant."… Continue Reading

Cardin, Mikulski Announce $950,000 Grant to Acquire Park Land in Frederick County

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced a $950,000 matching National Parks Service (NPS) grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The state will use this grant to create a 10-mile long natural connective corridor for public recreation between Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick Municipal Forest and Gambrill State Park in Frederick County. The new parcels… Continue Reading

Cardin Announces $1.1 Million For Baltimore Hands-On Jobs Training And Education For At-Risk Youth

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will award a $1.1 million grant to Civic Works in Baltimore to provide educational programming and hands-on job skills training for at-risk youth to prepare them for jobs today and jobs tomorrow. The grant is provided by the DOL's YouthBuild program, which helps out-of school youth aged 16-24 earn a GED or high school diploma while learning critical occupati… Continue Reading

Cardin Announces $1 Million for Environmental Assessment of Martin State Airport’s 5-Year Improvement Plan

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a $1 million grant to Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) for an environmental assessment of Martin State Airport's five-year capital improvement plan. "Martin State Airport is home to the Maryland Air National Guard and it is an important relief airport for our region," said Senator Cardin, w… Continue Reading

SPOTLIGHT ON SMALL BUSINESS: CARDIN VISITS MAIN STREET LAUREL BUSINESSES AND HEARS UPDATE ON LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Laurel, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, visited Main Street in Laurel, Maryland, stopping at the Laurel Meat Market and Rainbow Florist & Delectables for a firsthand account of how the economy is doing. Senator Cardin also received a briefing on Laurel's economic development progress from Mayor Craig Moe and other local elected and city officials, as well as community and business leaders. "My message to all Marylan… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, O’MALLEY LEAD MD DELEGATION IN PRAISING APPROVAL OF DISASTER DESIGNATION ASSISTANCE FOR STATE FOLLOWING DROUGHT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) were joined by members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation along with Governor Martin O'Malley (D-Md.) and Maryland FSA today in applauding Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for issuing a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Maryland following severe drought and excessive heat which have decimated Maryland crops. Senators Cardin and Mikulski were joined by U.S. Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Roscoe E. Barlett, Chr… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $275,000 FEDERAL GRANT FOR NEW VISITOR’S CENTER IN WILLIAMSPORT

WASHINGTON-- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant of $275,000 to the Town of Williamsport for the construction of a new visitor's center in Williamsport's business district. The new visitor's center is expected to create 60 local jobs and annually bring an additional 310,000 visitors to the area who are expected to spend $3.5 million. "This is the kind of grant I like to see, it will create jobs and it will m… Continue Reading

CARDIN, HOYER ATTEND GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES AT WEBSTER FIELD

ST. INIGOES, MD - Today, and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended groundbreaking ceremonies for the Special Communications Requirements Facility and the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation Building at Webster Field Annex. "Patuxent River Naval Air Station is a national asset that is of tremendous importance to our nation's security," stated Senator Cardin. "The dedication of the new communication engineering facility and the groundbreaking for th… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE CRUCIAL INVESTMENTS FOR KENT COUNTY WASTEWATER TREATMENT TO CREATE JOBS, HELP PROTECT CHESAPEAKE BAY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced over $1.1 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program that will help the town of Betterton upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The federal funding comes through a $676,000 loan and $477,000 grant. "Upgrading Betterton's wastewater treatment facility is critical to improving the Chesapeake Bay," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Publi… Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS IN ANNOUNCING MORE THAN $9 MILLION IN GRANTS TO RESTORE HABITATS, IMPROVE URBAN ENVIRONMENTS IN BAY WATERSHED

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined officials from the Chesapeake Bay Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in announcing $9.2 million in grants for 41 restoration and outreach initiatives in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed's six states and the District of Columbia. The projects will involve 9,000 volunteers in restoring 176 miles of streamside forests and establishing 170,000 square feet of green roofs and rain gardens. The funding for these environment… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI AND SENATE COLLEAGUES CALL ON USDA TO DO MORE TO HELP POULTRY GROWERS SURVIVE DROUGHT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) along with Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Monday urging the federal government to do more to help poultry growers survive the emergency drought now gripping the nation. "As senators from poultry-producing states, we urge you to do everything you can to provide tools and assistance for the poultry industry to manage … Continue Reading

CARDIN HAILS USDA GRANTS FOR WATER QUALITY MARKETS FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED STATES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, announced more than $2.35 million of grants in Conservation Innovation Grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Chesapeake Bay region. "For several years, I have advocated for an aggressive nutrient trading program for the Chesapeake Bay region as a way to harness market forces in the restoration effort. With its announcement of more than $2.35 m… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT, JOB RETRAINING ASSISTANCE FOR RG STEEL EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that RG Steel employees and retirees will be eligible for benefits to help them seek new employment and access affordable health coverage, which will directly affect recently laid off employees, including the almost 2,000 workers at Baltimore's Sparrows Point. In June, Senators Mikulski and Cardin sent letters to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Hilda Solis and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commi… Continue Reading

CARDIN, LUGAR, LEAHY WELCOME SEC APPROVAL OF TRANSPARENCY RULES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Lugar (R-IN), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) welcomed action today by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement the "Cardin-Lugar Amendment" on extractives industry transparency. "I'm pleased that the SEC has adopted the long-overdue final rule implementing the Cardin-Lugar Amendment. Increased transparency reduces the risk for U.S. investors and allows citizens in resource-rich countries to hold their leaders accountable. Finall… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to prepare high school students to complete undergraduate and advanced degree programs in order to prepare them for careers in geosciences. "This NSF grant is an important investment in science education and in our State's future," said Senator Cardin. "It will enable UMES to … Continue Reading

CARDIN REBUKES APPEALS COURT DECISION ON CROSS-STATE AIR POLLUTION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, responded with the following remarks to the federal appeals court decision that struck down the EPA's ability to protect states from air pollution that crosses state lines. "It doesn't take a scientist to understand that air pollution doesn't stop at a state borderline. Despite today's court decision, the need to address cross-state air pollution remains as urgent as ever. Maryland, … Continue Reading