CARDIN COMMENDS USDA FOR PROVIDING “EQUITABLE RELIEF” TO A GROUP OF EASTERN SHORE FARMERS

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today expressed his support for U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Appeal Division's (NAD) decision to grant equitable relief and reinstate the Conservation Security Program (CSP) contract for a group of Eastern Shore farmers referred to in case documents as the Hutchison Brothers. The NAD's ruling ends the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) efforts to make the Hutchison Brothers', Sonny Eaton, Mike Elben and the landowners of the fa… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP RECRUIT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Kensington and Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Departments in Montgomery County have been awarded grants through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to help recruit volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $866,838 and the Cabin John Park Vol… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski(both D-Md.) today announced the Potomac Valley Fire Co. has been awarded $20,150 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to recruit volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire gra… Continue Reading

UPDATE- Information on Power Outages - Help Finding a Cooling Center in Your Area

To Report a Power Outage BGE: To Report an Outage- 877-778-2222 To Report an Emergency- 800-685-0123 PEPCO: To Report an Outage- 877-737-2662 To Report an Emergency- 877-737-2662 Delmarva Power To Report an Outage- 800-898-8042 Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) To Report an Outage- 877-747-6326 FirstEnergy Power Companies To Report an Outage- 888-544-4877 Choptank Electric Cooperative To Report an Outage- 800-410-4790 Special needs- 877-892-0001 Maryland Cooling … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT SPARROWS POINT MILL WORKERS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $3 million in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funding to provide employment related services to approximately 885 workers affected by closure of the Sparrows Point Mill in Baltimore. "I applaud this Department of Labor grant to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation," Senator Cardin said. "This is absolutely the type of thing we need to do … Continue Reading

CARDIN, KIRK, MIKULSKI INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PRIORITIZE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), along with cosponsors Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), have introduced a bill that would ensure that Holocaust survivors can better access needed services, such as health care and nutrition services, without having to live in a nursing or assisted living facility. S. 3358, the ''Responding to Urgent Needs of Survivors of the Holocaust Act'' or the ''RUSH Act'' will amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide needed prote… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI JOIN TEAM MARYLAND MEMBERS IN URGING FERC TO CONSIDER COMMUNITY’S CONCERNS WHEN REVIEWING EXPANSION OF GAS PIPELINE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski today joined U.S. Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2), and John Sarbanes (MD-3) in sending a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the agency to engage the public as it considers a 21.4-mile extension of the Columbia Gas Transmission, Inc. pipeline that runs from Owings Mills through Oregon Ridge to Fallston. Many members of the Baltimore County communities that would be affect… Continue Reading

SEVERE HEAT ALERT: Click Here to Find a Cooling Center Near You

http://www.mema.state.md.us/newsroom/?tag=/cooling FOLLOW LINK TO FIND A COOLING CENTER IN YOUR AREA… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS TRANSPORTATION BILL WILL CREATE JOBS BUT CUTS TO TRANSIT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS WILL IMPACT LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, issued the following statement on passage of the Transportation Conference Report that reauthorizes federal surface transportation programs for two years. The legislation also extends the subsidy for student loans for another 12 months and reauthorizes the national flood insurance program. "We need more jobs in America today and investing in our na… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS MOUNTAIN MARYLAND ECONOMY WILL BENEFIT FROM RENEWAL OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Infrastructure Subcommittee, hailed passage of the Transportation Conference Report, for its provisions that will improve the prospects of completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) and preserves funding for the Local Access Roads program of the Appalachian Regional Commission. "Modernizing and improving transportation infrastructure will help keep Mountai… Continue Reading

CARDIN, COCHRAN STATEMENT ON FINAL PASSAGE OF THE TRANSPORTATION BILL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Thad Cochran (R-MS), lead sponsors of a critical amendment in the Transportation Reauthorization bill, S. 1813, that reforms the Transportation Enhancements program, released the following joint statement after final passage of the Transportation Conference Report: "Transportation enhancement projects improve economic development, quality of living and air quality. They help reduce traffic congestion, providing children with safe routes to… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS SUPREME COURT RULING ON HEALTH CARE LAW THE BEST POSSIBLE DECISION FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today called the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act "the best possible decision for the American people, because everyone now will have access to affordable, quality care and will be protected against the abusive practices of insurance companies." The Senator also called on Congress to put partisanship aside and to move forward on issues such as the economy and job creation. "Upholding the Affordable Care Act, in its entirety, was th… Continue Reading

Cardin-Pryor Measure to Increase Product Safety Research Headed to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mark Pryor (D-AR) today said a bill to address potential health and safety risks of certain products containing nanomaterials is headed to the President's desk for his signature. The provision is part of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act. The measure mirrors legislation they introduced last year, the Nanotechnology Regulatory Science Act of 2011, to establish a regulatory science program within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to asses… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS INTENTIONALLY DECEPTIVE PRACTICES DESIGNED TO SUPPRESS VOTES NEED TO END

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, testified Tuesday morning at a full committee hearing to review S. 1994, a bill he is sponsoring with Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to prohibit deceptive practices and voter intimidation tactics in Federal elections. The Cardin-Schumer Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011 would institute tough new criminal and civil penalties for those who create and distribute this typ… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WORLDWIDE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, called today for Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The United States has already established strong support for the rights of people with disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act and ratification of the CRPD would provide an opportunity to advance these values wor… Continue Reading

Cardin, Mikulski Announce Federal Grant to College Of Southern Maryland to Provide At-Risk Youth With Job Traning for In-Demand Industries

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D- MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will award $1.5 million to the College of Southern Maryland in La Plata for their Juvenile Offenders Building Skills (JOBS) project. This comprehensive jobs program is geared towards providing education and hands-on jobs training for at-risk youth to prepare them for jobs today and jobs tomorrow. "The Juvenile Offenders Building Skills (JOBS) program will enable j… Continue Reading

Cardin Says Magnitsky Act Is Closer to Becoming Law After Senate Committee Approval

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Senate Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, made the following remarks after a bipartisan committee vote to approve the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. "Bipartisan approval of the Sergei Magnitsky Act by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sends a message to the world that visiting the United States and having access to our financial system, including U.S. dollars… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $30,000 IN FUNDING FOR GARRETT CO. HERITAGE AREA

WASHINGTON-- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) approval of a $30,000 grant to the Garrett Country Chamber of Commerce to develop a Strategic Initiative Program that will increase tourism in the area and help create new jobs in heritage tourism. "This is exactly the kind of grant I like to see, it creates jobs and it will make it possible for more people to come to Garrett County and enjoy all the history, nature and cult… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN AND MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL COPS GRANT FOR HAGERSTOWN TO HIRE FIVE NEW POLICE OFFICERS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Hagerstown Police Department will receive a $625,000 grant to hire five new police officers through the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP). As Chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski puts funds in the federal checkbook for important Department of Justice local law enforcement grants, including CHP. "This federal fundi… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF BILL TO END RACIAL PROFILING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLLOWING SUPREME COURT DECISION ON ARIZONA SB 1070

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called it a "cautious victory for the rule of law" that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a majority of Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law. He released the following statement in response: "I am pleased that the Supreme Court struck down most provisions of Arizona's immigration law today. SB 1070 law was discriminatory and would have encouraged police officers to engage in racial profiling and make warrantless arrests by creating new state crimin… Continue Reading