CARDIN URGES THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT STRONGER SANCTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO BUSINESS WITH IRAN

Washington, DC - At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on "U.S. Strategic Objectives Towards Iran," U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) condemned Iran as "an extremely dangerous country, which supports terrorists, abuses its own people, and helps Syria abuse its citizens. "While I appreciate the efforts of the Obama Administration in implementing existing sanctions and working to gather more international support for sanctions against we've seen that many in the international community wil… Continue Reading

SENATORS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN RELEASE OF AMERICAN ALAN GROSS FROM CUBAN PRISON

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and a bipartisan group of 18 senators, including Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-MI), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Dean Heller (R-NV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), have writt… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI CALL ON FERC TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER COMMUNITY CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR IN FREDERICK COUNTY

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today sent a letter to the Commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to pay close attention to the concerns of Frederick County residents near the towns of Myersville, Middletown and Jefferson about the proposed construction of a new natural gas compressor near the three communities. Residents have expressed serious concerns about the plan of Dominion Transmission, Inc. to locate the compressor nea… Continue Reading

CARDIN CO-SPONSORS BILL TO MAKE CONGRESSIONAL INSIDER TRADING ILLEGAL

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit members of Congress from engaging in insider trading. The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, S.1903, redefines insider trading to include knowledge gained from congressional work and service, creates transparency rules and reporting requirements, and requires "political intelligence consultants" to register as lobbyists. Currently, insider trading by members of Congress and their staffs is no… Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS MARYLAND & VIRGINIA SENATORS TO ANNOUNCE $150 MILLION IN METRO SAFETY FUNDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Jim Webb (D-VA), and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced approval of $150 million for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The funding was included in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012 which passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate this evening. The legislation requires that the highest priority be given to capital projects that will i… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS SEND ANTI-BULLYING MESSAGE TO MARYLAND YOUTH

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) and all Democratic members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation today released a video message in support of the "It Gets Better Project," encouraging young people who are victims of bullying to try to stay strong and talk to someone who cares because "it gets better." Participants in the video include Senators Cardin and Mikulski, Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-7), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2)… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE OVER $23 MILLION IN FUNDING TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a total of $23,851,600 under its "Section 202" program to three nonprofit organizations to build affordable housing for low-income seniors in Maryland. "This funding exemplifies our commitment to our senior citizens, particularly when they become in need of greater assistance," said Senator Cardin. "Seniors deserve the resource… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD NEW FUNDING TO BRING JOBS, HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY TO WESTERN MD

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today applauded an additional $800,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to Washington County for construction of an access road to the Mt. Aetna Farm Technology Park. In June, Washington County received $600,000 in ARC funding to help fund construction of the access road. Construction of the road will open approximately 173-acres of the Technology Park for development and attract emerging technology … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN’S STATEMENT ON THE SUPER COMMITTEE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Finance and Budget committees, issued the following statement on the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also known as the Super Committee) to reach a plan that will bring our budget into balance. "I am enormously disappointed that the Super Committee has failed to come out with a comprehensive plan that can provide a framework that will help our nation's economy recover from this pro-longed recession. This w… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION IN WESTERN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, Inc has received a $70,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to establish an economic strategy to support investment and job creation in the region. "This funding will allow the Tri-County Council to create a roadmap for economic prosperity and job growth in Western Maryland," said Senator Cardin. "This… Continue Reading

CARDIN ENCOURAGES SHOPPERS TO SHOP LOCAL AND SHOP SMALL ON “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY”

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, is urging consumers to shop at local, independently owned businesses on the nation's second annual "Small Business Saturday," which falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday during the heaviest shopping weekend of the year. Senator Cardin recently cosponsored a resolution (S. Res. 320) that designated November 26, 2011 as Small Business Saturday. "Small businesses are the d… Continue Reading

CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR ROSLYN A. MAZER INSPECTOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to introduce Roslyn A. Mazer. I have known the Mazer family for many years, and am pleased to introduce Roslyn to you today. I must tell you that I believe that Roslyn is the ideal nominee for the position of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. I need not tell the committee the importance of this position for such a relatively new but… Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS MD VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY IN VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT CHELTANHAM VETERANS CEMETERY

CHELTANHAM, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary Edward Chow, Jr., to observe Veterans Day at Maryland's Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. The Senator also announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the cemetery a grant of $1.7 million to make improvements. "Today, we thank the millions of brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and risked their lives for our nation. We pause to remember all they have… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON NOMINATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN MARYLAND

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the announcement that the President intends to nominate Judge George Russell to the United States District Court: "Judge George Russell is an eminently qualified jurist who I supported to fill the upcoming vacancy on the United States District Court created by Judge Ben Legg, who announced his intention to take senior status in Baltimore in 2012. I was equal… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE JUDICIARY PASSAGE OF BILL TO REPEAL DOMA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after committee passage of S. 598, the Respect for Marriage Act. "I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for moving our nation a step closer to equality for all Americans with approval of the Respect for Marriage Act that would repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). As a former member of the Committee and a long-time supporter of equal rights, I am a proud co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. I b… Continue Reading

CARDIN LAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL TO BOOST HIRING OF UNEMPLOYED AND SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today issued the following statement after Senate passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act. The legislation would offer a tax credit to companies that hire veterans who have been unemployed for more than four weeks, and will increase existing tax credits for companies that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the bill would ensure that all service-members transitioning to civilian life receive the job training skills they need … Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES BY REMOVING 3% TAX ON WITHHOLDING FOR CONTRACTORS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees, today voted to repeal the 3 percent withholding tax requirement that was to be imposed on contractors who do business with the government. The Senate voted 95 to 0 to repeal the tax. The Senate-passed repeal measure will go back to the House for final passage, where it is likely to pass. The President also is expected to sign the bill into law. "Our economy is strugg… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR EASTERN SHORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) has awarded the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center a grant for $105,000 and a loan for $500,000 to stimulate economic development and job creation on the mid and lower shores of Maryland. The grant is part of the Rural Microenterprise Assistance Program, which supports rural business development, job creation and strengthens local communities… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES SENATE DEFEAT OF A MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED RAMPANT AIR POLLUTION TO CONTINUE CROSSING INTO MARYLAND UNABATED

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, gave the following remarks after the Senate defeated a measure (S.J.Res 27) that would have stifled the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have states limit their cross-border air pollution under the Clean Air Act. "It doesn't take a scientist to understand that air pollution doesn't stop at a state borderline. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule that was under attack is … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE SENATE COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF BILL TO CREATE HARRIET TUBMAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARKS

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both- D-MD) today praised Senate committee passage of legislation to create two national historical parks to honor the life of Harriet Ross Tubman, the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to report the bill favorably for consideration by the full Senate. Senator Cardin introduced the bill earlier this year along with Senators Mikulski and Senators Charles S… Continue Reading