Press Releases & Statements
CARDIN SUPPORTS JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR
For the last week, the United States Senate and the American public have had a unique opportunity to get to know Judge Sonia Sotomayor and her view of the rule of law in our country. Before the hearing, we knew President Obama had selected a capable jurist with a multifaceted background and immense personal story. Now, we all know that the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court has a firm understanding of the law and the role of the Courts versus the role of Congress. … Continue Reading
July 15, 2009
SENATOR CARDIN CO-SPONSORS HATE CRIMES AMENDMENT TO DEFENSE BILL
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today co-sponsored the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an amendment to the defense authorization bill that is currently under consideration by the Senate. Senator Cardin, an original co-sponsor of the hate crimes bill and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called for greater protections against hate crimes in this nation. Th… Continue Reading
July 15, 2009
CARDIN TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF CREATION OF HARRIET TUBMAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARKS
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today testified before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks in support of legislation he has written to honor the life of Harriet Ross Tubman, the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. Earlier this year, Senator Cardin was joined by Senators Barbara A. Mikulski, (D-MD), Charles Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand (both D-NY) in co-sponsoring S. 227, … Continue Reading
July 14, 2009
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $1.59 MILLION TO EXPAND BALTIMORE'S INNER HARBOR CONNECTOR COMMUTER BOAT SERVICE
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), along with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, announced today a $1.59 million federal grant to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to expand its cross-harbor commuter boat service to accommodate commuters and intra-city businesses. The funds are made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). … Continue Reading
July 14, 2009
CARDIN CALLS FOR INCREASED PUBLIC TRANSIT AS A PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND POLLUTION REDUCTION
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today called for greater investment in public transit to be included in the Senate-version of a climate change bill to be considered later this summer. During a hearing entitled, "Transportation's Role in Climate Change and Reducing Greenhouse Gases ," Cardin said that a more efficie… Continue Reading
July 13, 2009
CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYORTO BE AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Judge Sotomayor, welcome to the United States Senate. I think you you'll find that each member of this Committee and each member of the United States Senate wants to do what's right for our country. Now we may differ on some of our views, as will come out during this hearing, but I think we all share a respect for your public service. Thank you for your willingness to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States and thank your family for the sacrifices they have made. I am honor… Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
CARDIN WELCOMES MARYLAND'S PERCIASEPE TO SENATE AS OBAMA NOMINEE FOR DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF EPA
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), proudly introduced Maryland's former Secretary of the Environment Bob Perciasepe to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to be the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "I have known Bob Perciasepe for many years. He has a 30-year history of experience that makes… Continue Reading
July 08, 2009
SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION HONORING NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised the National Eye Institute (NEI) on its 40 th anniversary, calling it " one of the most important research facilities in our nation devoted to blindness and low vision." The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a Resolution honoring the NEI and designating 2011 through 2020 as the "Decade of Vision" as a way to increase public awareness about blindness and vision-related diseases. The National Ey… Continue Reading
July 08, 2009
CARDIN SAYS CONGRESS MUST PROVIDE RESOURCES TO PREVENT FUTURE INVASIVE SPECIES AND FUTURE DISEASES FROM THREATENING THE U.S.
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), chairman of EPW's Oversight Subcommittee, led a joint hearing today examining the threats of disease and invasive species on native wildlife, as well as oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's administration of current programs to manage these threats … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $873,068 GRANT TO IMPROVE MAJOR GARRETT COUNTY INTERSECTION
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Garrett County a $873,068 grant to make intersection improvements and realign a section of Glendale Road at U.S. Rt. 219 in the Deep Creek Lake area. "Federal investments like this ARC grant are vital because they provide important funding to stimulate economic development and create jobs in our communities," said … Continue Reading
July 07, 2009
CARDIN, WHITEHOUSE TO HOLD JOINT HEARING ON THREATS TO NATIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), and EPW's Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), will hold a joint hearing Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 AM to examine the threats of disease and invasive species on native wildlife, as well as oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's administration of current programs to manage these threats. The recent emergence of Burmese … Continue Reading
July 06, 2009
SENATOR CARDIN VISITS FT. DETRICK FOR BRIEFING AND TOUR OF EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP CONTAMINATED LANDFILL SITES
FREDERICK -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today viewed remediation efforts to cap contaminated landfill sites at Fort Detrick. In June, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced that it had approved plans to cap six landfill sites on Area B, which are contaminated with biological waste, testing materials, and chemical and herbicidal waste. "This contamination is historical in nature and is not related to current activities. I ap… Continue Reading
July 01, 2009
CARDIN, U.S. DELEGATION SECURE RELEASE OF U.S. PRISONER IN BELARUS
MINSK, BELARUS-At the urging of U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a seven-member Congressional delegation in Minsk today, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka signed official documents releasing American prisoner Emanuel Zeltser. Mr. Zeltser has been in a Belarus prison since March 2008 after being convicted in a secret trial. Arrangements are being made for Zeltser to b… Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
CARDIN URGES SWIFT PASSAGE OF MATTHEW SHEPARD HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, participated today in a hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder and other legal and civil rights experts on the critical need to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 . Senator Cardin, who chaired the second half of the hearing, is an original cosponsor of the bill, S. 909. "We are seeing a troubling trend i… Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
MARYLAND, VIRGINIA SENATORS ANNOUNCE $34.3 MILLION TRANSPORTATION GRANT TO WASHINGTON METRO TO REPLACE RAIL CARS
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), along with Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner (Both D-VA) announced today that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will receive $34.3 million in additional FY2009 funding for the purchase of 52 new Metro cars. This was the last installment of a three-year, $104 million appropriations commitment. This ann… Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPING POST-ELECTION SITUATION IN IRAN
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in advance of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Roundtable entitled, "Iran at a Crossroads?" "The Iranian people are currently engaged in a struggle to determine the future of their country. I continue to urge the Iranian regime, in the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
AREA LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE FINAL MEASURE NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE DEDICATED METRO FUNDING
WASHINGTON, DC - The Members of the Washington Metro Area's Senate and House Delegation - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin, Barbara A. Mikulski, Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner, and Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Frank R. Wolf, James P. Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Van Hollen, Donna F. Edwards and Gerald E. Connolly - introduced companion resolutions this afternoon to ratify the amended interstate WMATA Regulation Compact in accordance with legislation enacted last year authorizing $1.5 billion in fe… Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
METRORAIL TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY
Mr. CARDIN: Madame President, I rise today to offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic collision of two metro trains this past Monday evening. This accident, the most devastating by any measure in Metro history, has affected our entire region. My prayers are with those who lost their lives and my deepest sympathies are with their families, friends and all those whose lives they touched. I also want to take a moment … Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
SENATOR CARDIN CO-SPONSORS BILL TO SAVE AUTO DEALERSHIPS
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) has co-sponsored legislation to save local auto dealerships by requiring Chrysler and General Motors (GM) to continue to honor their commitments to auto dealers. The Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 (S. 1304) would require that auto manufacturers in which the federal government has ownership interest continue to honor their commitment to the dealers and not deprive the dealers of… Continue Reading
June 23, 2009
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $50,000 FOR ALLEGANY COLLEGE OF MARYLAND
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Allegany College of Maryland to convert four traditional classrooms into interactive classrooms using Smart Classroom Technology. The College will use this new technology to provide training in healthcare, general office and business skills. It is estimated this training will result in 100 people obtaining, retainin… Continue Reading
