CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANTS TO HELP RURAL SMALL BUSINESSES BECOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara M (both D-Md.) today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) awarded seven grants totaling $112,562 to help small businesses in rural areas improve their energy efficiency with solar panels. The grants were awarded through the Rural Energy for America grant program, which provides funding for energy audits, renewable energy development assistance and energy efficiency improvements. "Small businesses are the backbone… Continue Reading

CARDIN MEETS WITH EASTERN SHORE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATES IN A SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE FORUM

SALISBURY, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) Thursday visited Salisbury and met with leaders of the Eastern Shore's faith-based community and participated in a forum on Social Security and Medicare at Salisbury University. Senator Cardin discussed the recently enacted budget agreement, saying, the budget agreement "was not perfect," but that he supported it because it avoided a default. "I have concerns that it may not provide appropriate balance to solving our long-term deficit and debt pr… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS STUDY OF NIH GRANTMAKING REVEALS TROUBLING GAP IN RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

Washington, DC - Responding to the results of a National Institutes of Health-commissioned study published in this week's Science journal, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) called for a re-evaluation of NIH's grantmaking process that may be biased against African-American scientists applying for grants. According to the report, "black Ph.D. scientists-and not other minorities-were far less likely to receive NIH funding than a white scientist from a similar institution with the same research record.… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE SCENIC BYWAYS FUNDING FOR MARYLAND

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded several grants to the Maryland Department of Transportation to help preserve and enhance three historic scenic byways in the state under the National Scenic Byways Program. "Maryland's scenic byways are historic, natural and economic treasures," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. "Millions of visitors… Continue Reading

CARDIN VISITS KOOL SMILES CLINIC TO PROMOTE EXPANSION OF ORAL HEALTH

Ben at Kool Smiles DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today visited Kool Smiles' clinic in District Heights to thank Kool Smiles, members of the Maryland Dental Action Coalition and the Deamonte Driver Dental Project for their work in ensuring that Maryland children have access to dental care. The Senator met with Maryland parents and children who are receiving dental care and he also urged parents to make sure their children receive dental check-ups as the new school y… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Monument Bank in Bethesda, MD has received $11.4 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury as part of the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF). The SBLF, which was established under the Small Business Jobs Act that Congress passed in 2010, encourages community banks to increase their lending to small businesses, helping those businesses expand their operations and create new jobs. “Small bu… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ATTENDS DEFENSE ADJUDICATION ACTIVITIES RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AS PART OF BRAC

FORT MEADE, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the Defense Adjudication Activities facility, a new 151,000 square-foot building constructed on the Fort Meade campus as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) relocation. The new facility is a state-of-the-art LEED silver building, which provided approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase. The new facility was completed in May, 2011, and, since then, empl… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, CUMMINGS, SARBANES ANNOUNCE NEW TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR BALTIMORE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski joined Congressmen Elijah Cummings and John Sarbanes (all D-MD) today in announcing two grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation for important transit and infrastructure projects in Baltimore. A $1,560,025 grant will fund Baltimore's Charm City Circulator's new route to the Fort McHenry Monument and National Shrine in time for the bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812. A second $1,669,632 grant will reconnect portion… Continue Reading

CARDIN PUSHES ADMINISTRATION FOR ACTION TO PROTECT AIR QUALITY

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) urged the Obama Administration last week to take action to protect our air quality and public health by expressing concern for the Administration's continued delay in setting a health-protective ozone, or smog, air quality standard. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) also signed … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD APPROVAL OF GENERAL PERMITS FOR MARYLAND AQUACULTURE AS IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR BAY’S ECONOMY

Ben on general permits for Maryland aquaculture WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) today applauded approval of a streamlined permit authorizing new commercial, research and education oyster aquaculture permits by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Approval of the general permit is an important step forward for fishery jobs and new economic opportunities in Maryland's coastal communities created by promoting oyster aquaculture as a sustainable al… Continue Reading

MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP MARYLAND ESTABLISH ITS HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Reps. Steny Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Chris Van Hollen and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced Maryland was awarded $27,186,749 million in competitive grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop the state's Insurance Exchange. The Affordable Care Act requires states to have operational Insurance Exchanges - one-stop marketplaces where consumers can choose a private health insurance p… Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS GOVERNOR O’MALLEY IN ANNOUNCING FUNDS TO CRACK DOWN ON PAROLE AND PROBATION VIOLATORS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined Maryland Governor O'Malley today in announcing a $306,605 grant to the State's Attorney's Office in Prince George's County to launch an initiative aimed at criminal offenders who violate the terms of their parole or probation. "Marylanders deserve to live and raise their families in safe communities," said Senator Cardin. "Thanks to this new collaboration between federal, state and local governments, citizens of Prince George's County can rest… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO BRING NEW JOBS AND BUSINESSES TO EASTERN SHORE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced three U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) grants totaling $85,650 for economic development and job creation on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The funding will spur job growth and business development in Caroline, Somerset and Talbot counties. "This funding provides small businesses on the Eastern Shore the helping hand they need to create new jobs that will drive economic growth," said Senat… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD GRANT FOR FIRE STATION IN DORCHESTER COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Dorchester County has received a $60,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) grant to outfit a new fire station in East New Market with equipment. The station will also serve as an emergency shelter for the area. "It's critical that we ensure that our first responders have the tools they need to keep our families and communities safe," Senator Cardin said. "This grant will give th… Continue Reading

CARDIN TALKS TO FEDERAL WORKERS ABOUT BUDGET AGREEMENT

Talking to Federal Workers SUITLAND, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today met with union leaders and federal employees about the recently enacted budget compromise that raised the debt ceiling and saved the nation from default. The Senator discussed details of the budget agreement and talked about how it will affect federal workers. "Federal workers have already made a significant contribution to reducing our deficit with a two-year pay freeze," said Senator Cardin. "Our federal w… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPALLED BY CRACKDOWN IN SYRIA, CALLS ON UN TO TAKE STRONGEST POSSIBLE MEASURES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, called for the United Nations to end its tepid response to the dire situation in Syria where the Assad regime is escalating their offense against the Syrian people. In May, Senator Cardin cosponsored a key resolution that strongly condemned the growing crackdown. "I am outraged and saddened by the recent actions by the Assad regime against… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRESIDES OVER SENATE ACTION TO END FAA SHUTDOWN, TENS OF THOUSAND OF WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB

Washington, DC - One day after calling on Congressional leaders to act swiftly to return thousands of FAA workers and tens of thousands of construction workers to their jobs, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) presided over a pro forma session of the Senate that ended the 14-day shutdown. "For two weeks, 4,000 FAA employees and nearly 75,000 construction workers have been held hostage by a Republican House of Representatives that was more interested in advancing an anti-labor agenda and scoring … Continue Reading

SENATORS CALL ON SPEAKER BOEHNER TO USE PRO FORMA SESSIONS TO EXTEND FAA FUNDING, GET WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), with Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez (Both D-NJ), and Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb (Both D-VA) have written Speaker of the House John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), urging the use the pro forma sessions of Congress to extend the current FAA authorization, immediately putting tens of thousands … Continue Reading

CARDIN REASSURES SENIORS THAT BUDGET DEAL HAS PROTECTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE & MEDICAID AND FEDERAL RETIREES

SUITLAND, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today addressed the Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans about the recently enacted budget compromise that raised the debt ceiling and saved the nation from default. The Senator assured the group that the budget agreement has protections for Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid and federal retiree benefits. "The budget provides for nearly $1 trillion in deficit reduction during the next 10 years. But importantly, it protects domestic p… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC & TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CUMBERLAND

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that Cumberland, MD has received a $40,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for the Canal Place Heritage Area Plan Update project. The goal is to improve the economic climate within the heritage area of Allegany County. "The C&O Canal is a historic and economic treasure, drawing millions of visitors to Maryland each year," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public W… Continue Reading