CARDIN PRAISES REPEAL OF 'DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL'

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after Senate passage of a stand-alone bill to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Senator Cardin is an original cosponsor of this bill to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. "The Senate has now acted to ensure that brave men and women of our military can continue to serve with honesty and integrity. I firmly believe that sexual orientation, race, religio… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO CLEAN UP CONTAMINATION AT FORT DETRICK

WASHINGTON - After months of working with Base Command at Fort Detrick, the Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) announced today that a Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) to remediate the Superfund sites that are located at Fort Detrick has been signed. " Addressing the legacy of chemical contaminants at Fort Detrick is overdue. I am very pleased that a formal agreement dictating the process, scope and responsibili… Continue Reading

CARDIN PLEASED WITH MILITARY ASSESSMENT IN AFGHANISTAN BUT CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF POLITICAL AND CIVILIAN PROGRESS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today after the Obama Administration released its strategy review of the war in Afghanistan.   "I am pleased to hear that we remain on track for beginning the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan next summer. Secretary of Defense Gate's statement earlier today that the pr… Continue Reading

CARDIN HAILS COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF INTERNATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA).   "I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), a bill specifically designed to stop the brutal violence against girls and women that afflict… Continue Reading

ON THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF JUDGE G. THOMAS PORTEOUS, JR. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE, EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Mr. President, one of the most solemn obligations of Senators is try impeachments. The Constitution provides that the Senate shall have the "sole power to try all impeachments," and that "all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment" for various offenses. Senators also take a special oath when hearing an impeachment case before the Senate holds an impeachment trial. I recently heard evidence in the case of Judge Porteous, who would have lifetime tenure… Continue Reading

CARDIN COSPONSORS STAND-ALONE BILL TO REPEAL DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL POLICY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after the Senate fell short of the required votes that would have allowed consideration of the Defense Authorization bill, including a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Senator Cardin is a cosponsor of a Senate measure that would repeal the law and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces.   "The Pentagon and our mil… Continue Reading

CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT AMERICANS FROM CYBERCRIMINALS AND CYBERTERRORISTS

MP3 AUDIO FILE ATTACHED College Park, MD - At the height of the cybershopping season and just as millions of Americans prepare to use their e-tickets to board airlines around the country for the holidays, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, has introduced major legislation that would require the government to work with the private sector to propose mini… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES TO PROTECT MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES FROM TAX INCREASES DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) , a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Senate was blocked from considering provisions that would extend tax cuts for middle class Americans.   "During these difficult economic times, as our nation is still recovering from the worst recession in generations, it is extremely important that we extend tax relief to middle-income families. At this critical time, I will do all that I can … Continue Reading

CARDIN OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO VICTIMS OF ISRAEL'S LARGEST FOREST FIRE, LAUDS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO BATTLE ONGOING BLAZE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in support of Israel.   "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel, particularly the families of those who have perished in one of the country's worst natural disasters and those who have been displaced from their homes by the ongoing fire. At this time of great national cri… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI AND CUMMINGS APPLAUD PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HONOR ROBERT BALL

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (all D-MD) praised Wednesday's Senate passage of a bill to designate the Social Security Administration Operations Building, located in Baltimore, as the Robert M. Ball Federal Building. The bill, H.R. 5773, was initially introduced in the House by Congressman Cummings, where it passed in September.   "Robert Ball was one of the unsung… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE 7-YEAR BAN ON DRILLING OFF ATLANTIC COAST, URGE PERMANENT FIX

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) lauded today's announcement by the Obama Administration that it would ban oil drilling off the Atlantic Coast through 2017. The senators have repeatedly called for a permanent prohibition on offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast, particularly in areas too environmentally sensitive or vital to our national defense.   … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF FOOD SAFETY BILL AS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF AMERICANS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today called Senate passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act "an important step that needs to be taken to protect American families from serious illness or death caused by contaminated foods."  The House passed a similar bill in 2009.      "We have all heard the news reports of   E.Coli and salmonella in foods such as s… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF THE PENTAGON'S DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL REPORT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released the following statement after Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen unveiled the results of a comprehensive, 10-month study on the potential impacts of repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Senator Cardin is a cosponsor of a Senate measure that would repeal the law and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS SENATE VOTE PROTECTS CRITICAL MARYLAND-BASED NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement regarding an earmark-related measure defeated in the Senate today that if passed would have greatly impacted key programs based in Maryland.   "I opposed the Coburn amendment because the broad way it was worded would have caused great confusion in funding necessary federal programs and it would have blocked the ability of Congr… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BENJAMIN L. CARDIN ONPROPOSAL TO FREEZE FEDERAL CIVILIAN PAY

"Our nation is recovering from the most serious recession since the 1930s.   Today we face continuing high unemployment and a $1.4 trillion federal budget deficit that threatens our economic security.   All Americans have a stake in our economic recovery.    President Obama has proposed a two-year pay freeze for federal employees to help address the deficit.  I believe any federal employee pay freeze should only be considered as part of an overall deficit reduction package. … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS ACCELERATED LEASING PLAN FOR WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OFF ATLANTIC COAST PUTS MARYLAND CLEAN ENERGY JOBS ON FAST TRACK

Baltimore, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today thanked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for choosing Maryland as the site to launch a 'Smart from the Start' wind energy initiative for the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, which will facilitate siting, leasing and construction of new projects, spurring the rapid and responsible development of this abundant renewable resource. If no significant obstacles are found, leases could be offered within a year at the end of 2011 or ear… Continue Reading

CARDIN, GRAHAM, LEAHY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PROTECT LAW ENFORCEMENT NATIONWIDE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) joined together last week to introduce S. 3972, the National Blue Alert Act of 2010, which would encourage the creation and integration of "Blue Alert" plans by State and local governments, and law enforcement agencies across the country.  The Blue Alert system would operate like the "Amber Alert" system currently used to locate abducted children, and would provide the means to sp… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS RATIFICATION OF CEDAW LONG-OVERDUE, URGES SENATE ACTION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in support of U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). His remarks came following a hearing of the Human Rights and the Law Subcommittee, of which Senator Cardin is a member. "The U.S. has always been a committed and active leader on human rights. Our nation has ratified treaties against geno… Continue Reading

BLACK FARMERS DISCRIMINATION

Mr. CARDIN : Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the Pigford II settlement pending full action by the U.S. Senate. Mr. President, we all know that farming is a difficult occupation. The hours are long, the weather unpredictable and the challenge of competing in a global marketplace intense. Tens of thousands of black farmers have had to face all those normal challenges. Tragically, they have had to deal with a challenge that was unique to them based… Continue Reading

WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

The elimination of discrimination against women is a priority issue both at home and abroad.     In the U.S., we have made great strides in advancing women's human rights and as a result many of our laws are in accord with CEDAW - the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; however, there is much more progress to be made because American women still confront issues such as lack of equity in pay, threats to economic security, inadequa… Continue Reading