CARDIN ANNOUNCES $300,000 EPA/AMERICAN RIVERS GRANT TO PROTECT AND RESTORE RIVERS, STIMULATE FOOD PRODUCTION IN POTOMAC HIGHLANDS REGION

FROSTBURG, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today announced a $300,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Rivers to Frostburg State University (FSU), the Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Council (WMRCD) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reduce flooding, restore forests, and promote local food production in the Potomac Highlands region. In the past, many of the region's streams have been damaged by harmful logging, … Continue Reading

CARDIN HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO URGE HOUSE PASSAGE OF TRANSPORTATION BILL TO FUND IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE OF METRO’S RAILS & BUSES, CREATE JOBS

HYATTSVILLE, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin today joined with officials from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to urge the House of Representatives to pass the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) surface transportation bill so that WMATA can move forward with important maintenance and safety projects. On March 14, the Senate passed MAP-21 by a vote of 74-22. The $109 billion, two-year transportation bill provides funding for the nation's highway and p… Continue Reading

CARDIN, LT. GOVERNOR BROWN ANNOUNCE $1.9 MILLION IN HEALTH CARE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY CLINIC, INC.

TAKOMA PARK - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin today joined Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett for a visit to Community Clinic Inc.'s (CCI) Takoma Park Health Center to present nearly $1.9 million in grant funding, including a $280,000 grant provided by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), and an additional $1,585,000 grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. CCI is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves low-income, underinsu… Continue Reading

ON THE DEATH OF TRAYVON MARTIN AND A CALL TO END RACIAL PROFILING

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the larger issue of racial profiling. On Monday I spoke about this issue at the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore. Joining me were representatives from various faith and civil rights groups in Baltimore, as well as graduates from the Center's program. This weekend we saw numerous rallies take place across the United States, including rallies called "Million Hoodie Marches" where individuals wore hoodies in sol… Continue Reading

CARDIN RECEIVES AWARD FROM ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING AMERCIA’S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin today received the Congressional Champion Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO). Senator Cardin received the award for his work to protect voting rights and fight efforts to deliberately suppress or mislead voters. NAFEO is an umbrella organization of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). "The nation's Historically Black Colleges an… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS EPA EFFORTS TO CUT POLLUTION FROM NEW POWER PLANTS

Washington, DC -- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first Clean Air Act standard for carbon pollution from new power plants. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee that is responsible for EPA oversight, issued the following statement in response to today's action: "I applaud the years of thoughtful work and rigorous scientific study, going back to the George W. Bush administration, that EPA has done to craft today's … Continue Reading

CARDIN HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO CALL FOR END TO RACIAL PROFILING

BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today held a press conference in Baltimore to call for an end to racial profiling, which threatens African-American men and members of other minority communities. In October 2011, Senator Cardin introduced legislation, the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA), S. 1670, which would protect minority communities by prohibiting the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officials. Senator Cardin's bill also would prohibit state and local law enforcement… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES NEW MARYLAND HEALTH CARE REFORM WEBSITE

ANNAPOLIS - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today lauded the launching of HealthReform.Maryland.gov, a new website designed to provide information about what health care reform means to Maryland residents and small businesses. Today also marks the 2nd Anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). "Thanks to health care reform, all Marylanders will have access to affordable, quality health insurance," said Senator Cardin. "Our focus now must be on ensuring that Marylanders h… Continue Reading

CARDIN, CUMMINGS JOIN LT. GOV BROWN TO ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF FIRST MD ORAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN

BALTIMORE- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and other health care and government officials at the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry to announce the launch of the "Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids" awareness campaign. The campaign seeks to help children access dental care and promote awareness for critical stages of pediatric oral health care, which is critical to a child's overall health. Senator Cardin, whose… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR INVESTMENT IN NATION’S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ON WORLD WATER DAY

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today called for the revitalization of our nation's public water systems on World Water Day. The Senator's remarks coincided with the release of a report by Corporate Accountability International entitled "Public Water Works!" The report found there is strong bipartisan support by Americans to invest in the nation's public water systems. "Our nation's water systems provide a critical public health function and are essential to life, economic developm… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS ALLEGIANT AIR’S DECISION TO OFFER FLIGHTS BETWEEN HAGERSTOWN AND ORLANDO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today released the following statement on the announcement that Allegiant Air will be returning to Hagerstown Regional Airport and provide service between Hagerstown, MD and Orlando, FL. "The announcement that Allegiant Air will return to Hagerstown Regional Airport is a win-win for the residents of Western Maryland and it's a sound business decision for Allegiant Air," said Senator Cardin. "Hagerstown Airport is an economic hub for the entire Tri-Co… Continue Reading

CARDIN INTRODUCES JOINT RESOLUTION TO REMOVE TIMELINE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT RATIFICATION

Ben on the Equal Rights Amendment Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today introduced a joint resolution to remove the deadline for the states' ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) are cosponsoring the bill. Representative Tammy Baldwin has introduced similar le… Continue Reading

CARDIN RELEASES HHS REPORT SHOWING THAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS HELPED MILLIONS OF MARYLANDERS

WASHINGTON - On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) , U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today released a report prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) showing the benefits to Marylanders since the law was signed. "Access to health care should be a right for all Americans," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Finance Committee. "As we celebrate the two-year anniversary of the law, millions of Marylanders have already benefited from i… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF BILL TO MAKE CONGRESSIONAL INSIDER TRADING ILLEGAL

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised final Senate passage of Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act), S. 2038. In November, Senator Cardin co-sponsored an initial version of the legislation, which prohibits federal lawmakers and their staff from trading stocks based on nonpublic information they have obtained in the course of their congressional work as a means for making a private profit. President Obama has said he will sign the bill. The legislation th… Continue Reading

CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL THAT WOULD FORCE EMERGENCY ACTION TO CUT GAS PRICES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined a group of senators today to introduce a bill by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to make federal regulators invoke emergency powers to rein in speculators responsible for rapidly-rising gasoline prices. The legislation would set a 14-day deadline for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to implement rules to stop excessive speculation by Wall Street traders in oil futures markets. Cardin joined Sen. Sanders and cosponsors Sens. Richard B… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES DOJ FOR INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF AN UNARMED FLORIDA TEENAGER

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today expressed full support for the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the avoidable shooting death of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012. An unarmed Martin, 17, was shot in Sanford, FL on his way home from a convenience store by a neighborhood watch volunteer. "I am pleased that the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice will join with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating the tragic, avoidable shooting death … Continue Reading

CARDIN, LT. GOVERNOR BROWN, MHIP LAUNCH MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO CONNECT UNINSURED MARYLANDERS TO FEDERAL INSURANCE OPTIONS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown kicked off the 2nd Anniversary Week of the Affordable Care Act by joining leadership from the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP), Congressman John Sarbanes, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, health care representatives, community members and state and local officials to announce the launch of a new marketing campaign designed to boost awareness of the federal insurance options offered by the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, … Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON THE MURDERS AT A JEWISH SCHOOL IN TOULOUSE, FRANCE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Senate Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in the wake of the tragic murder of students and a teacher outside a Jewish school in Toulouse, France. Senator Cardin, has spoken out against the growing anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim violence in France and other European nations. "I want to express my heartfelt sympathies to the families and members of the Jewish communit… Continue Reading

CARDIN, RUPPERSBERGER ANNOUNCE FIRST HOTEL PARTNERS IN MILITARY PROGRAM, URGE OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (both D-MD) today announced that three major hotel corporations have agreed to participate in a new national program that will allow American citizens to donate their hotel reward points to wounded warriors and their families. Marriott International was the first hotel company to agree to participate in the program, followed by the Wyndham Hotel Group and AmericInn. Event participants called on the rest of the lodg… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS HHS RULE WILL STRENGTHEN CHILDREN’S DENTAL COVERAGE OFFERED IN HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today lauded the forceful consumer protections for stand-alone dental plans that will be offered in health insurance exchanges, which will be available for individuals and small businesses as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) starting January 1, 2014. The ACA requires states to include pediatric oral health care as part of the Essential Benefits package, and permits that coverage to be made available through either comprehensive health plans or st… Continue Reading