CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD FUNDING TO UPGRADE MYSTIC HARBOUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced a $2,822,000 loan and $963,000 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program to upgrade and expand the Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant in Worcester County. The Rural Development funding will be used to make crucial physical and technological upgrades to the Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was built in 1975 and fully acquired by Worcester County in 2004. A… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF MARYLANDER JIMMIE REYNA TO FEDERAL CIRCUIT BENCH

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today praised the Senate confirmation of Marylander Jimmie V. Reyna as the next U.S. Circuit Judge for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Reyna will be the first Latino to serve on the Federal Circuit in its history. Senator Cardin had recommended Reyna, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, to President Obama for this court vacancy. "As the first Latino Federal Circuit judge in our nation's history, Mr. Reyna's confirmation move… Continue Reading

CARDIN, 40 SENATORS SIGN LETTER OPPOSING ‘EXTREME’ GOP PLAN TO END SUPPORT FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), along with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and 39 other senators, sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to oppose extreme proposals by House Republicans to eliminate support for women's health and family planning programs and providers. In the letter, the Senators point out that the Title X family planning program serves about five million low-income women and men a… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HOLDS FAITH-BASED SUMMIT FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S CO. RELIGIOUS LEADERS

LANDOVER, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today sponsored a Faith-based Summit for approximately 100 Prince George's County religious leaders to discuss job opportunities and economic empowerment. Participants in the Summit included Alexia Kelly, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership and members of the Collective Empowerment Group, a group of Prince George's County African-American religious leaders who advocate for ways to increase eco… Continue Reading

INTRODUCTION OF S. 657, NATIONAL BLUE ALERT ACT

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I take this time to inform my colleagues of legislation I have introduced today to establish a national Blue Alert Act. This would establish a nationwide program for blue alert. It would be similar to what we do for AMBER alert today. With AMBER alert, when children are abducted, we use that communication system nationwide to get information out about the abductor so we can get the public assisting law enforcement in apprehending the individuals responsible for … Continue Reading

IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SPEECH, CARDIN SAYS DRILLING FOR OIL AND GAS OFF THE MID-ATLANTIC WILL NOT HELP AMERICA’S ENERGY SECURITY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech today at Georgetown University on America's energy security. "Our nation desperately needs a comprehensive energy policy that will lessen our dependence on foreign oil. As the President said today, there are no 'quick fixes' to this problem. I appla… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN ON THE RESIGNATION OF NANCY S. GRASMICK

"Nancy Grasmick has been the heart and soul of Maryland's public school system for 20 years. As Maryland Superintendent of Schools, it was her vision and determination that transformed our state's public schools into the first in the nation. On a personal note, I have always valued Nancy's judgment and advice and appreciated her dedication and commitment to the children of Maryland. She has always wanted what all parents want for their children: a quality education that will ensure future… Continue Reading

PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS

Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Graham, first let me thank you for allowing me to testify today. I want to commend you for holding this important hearing on protecting the civil rights of American Muslims. The right to freely profess and practice a faith - or not practice a faith -- is a fundamental right in our country. After more than 200 years, our First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS REGARDING LIBYA

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its International Development Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the President's Libya update. "The President's remarks tonight were welcome news that the international effort in Libya is working. The President clarified the U.S. military mission is not about regime change but helping to save the lives of innocent civilians from the wrat… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN JOINS MD ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY TO CURB URBAN FERTILIZER POLLUTION IN BAY WATERSHED

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined Environment Maryland and other Maryland advocates and business representatives to call for action to reduce urban fertilizer pollution. Environment Maryland also released their new report on the topic, Urban Fertilizers & the Chesapeake Bay: An Opportunity for Major Pollution Reduction. "We all reap the rewards from the Bay's extraordinary economic and ecological benefits," said Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the Water and Wildlife S… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN INTRODUCES “NATIONAL BLUE ALERT” BILL TO HELP APPREHEND CRIMINALS WHO INJURE OR KILL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

UPPER MARLBORO, MD -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today announced the introduction of the National Blue Alert Act to create a nationwide alert system to apprehend violent criminals who have injured or killed police officers. The nationwide alert system would be used to disseminate critical information about the suspect to law enforcement agencies, the public and the media. Senator Cardin traveled to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 in Prince George's County to join with National … Continue Reading

CARDIN CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HEALTH CARE REFORM

Washington, DC - Praising the benefits to Marylanders of health care reform, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act . "Just one year ago today, Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act , comprehensive legislation that will lead to coverage for 32 million more Americans, lower health care costs, strengthen Medicare, and reduce our deficit by more than $1 trillio… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON JERUSALEM BOMBING

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in response to the bombing at Jerusalem's main bus station: "I am deeply saddened and outraged by the terrorist bombing of a bus in Jerusalem, the first terrorist attack inside of Israel in four years.  The willful targeting of civilians and senseless loss of life is an affront to human decency and should not be tolerated by the international commun… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES BENEFITS OF HEALTH CARE REFORM LAW ONE YEAR AFTER ENACTMENT

Washington, DC -  In celebration of the one year anniversary of  enactment of the Affordable Care Act,  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke on  the floor of the United States Senate tohighlight some of the benefits that have helped Marylanders and other Americans. Videos of Senator Cardin's remarks on health care reform are available here. "One year ago, a majority in Congress took the decisive step to guarantee affordable, quali… Continue Reading

CARDIN SPONSORS BILL TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER TO 100 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a bipartisan group lead by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced the Water for the World Act late yesterday, a bill that bill builds on the success of the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act by placing clean water in the forefront of America's development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people around the world with sustainable first time access to clea… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN LIBYA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the International Development Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding current developments in Libya. "The United States already has made strong commitments across the Middle East, so now our allies and partners must step up to work with us to support the people of Libya, as they did with yesterday's 10-0 Security Council vote to authorize a no-fly zone a… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN JOINS HUD OFFICIALS IN ANNOUNCING $213,000 GRANT TO TRANSFORM CENTRAL WEST BALTIMORE NEIGHBORHOOD

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent, Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez and Deputy Assistant Secretary Carol Galante along with U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD-7) to announce that Baltimore will receive a $213,000 Planning Grant from HUD to transform Pedestal Gardens into a new viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhood. "Jubilee Baltimore, Inc. and the Baltimore House Authority,… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING TO INSTALL SPRINKER SYSTEM IN FREDERICK COUNTY FIREHOUSE

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the United Steam Fire Engine Company in Frederick County has been awarded $62,700 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program to install a new sprinkler system. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program. Senat… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS U.S. SHOULD BE PREPARED TO CUT OFF AID TO NEW MIDDLE EAST GOVERNMENTS THAT DO NOT RESPECT INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, spoke today at an SFRC hearing entitled the "Popular Uprisings in the Middle East: The Implications for U.S. Policy." Ambassador Bill Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Department of State, testified before the Committee. "As recent events in the Middle East demonstrate, the U.S. is of… Continue Reading

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department won $186,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program to hire a full time recruiter to recruit & retain volunteer firefighters. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal … Continue Reading