CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL TO PROVIDE CLEAR DISCLOSURES AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO SURVIVORS OF VETERANS AND FALLEN HEROES

Washington, DC - In response to real problems being faced by Marylanders who have lost loved ones in service to our nation, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today introduced a bill that would ensure that beneficiaries of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program receive timely financial counseling and full disclosure information regarding life insurance payments.   Senator Cardin's bill, the " Securing America's Veterans Insurance Needs and Goals Act o… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL WHAT DAMAGE OIL DISPERSANTS MAY HAVE ON THE GULF

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and Chairman of its Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, today urged vigilance in examining the implications of the use of unprecedented volumes of oil dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico, as the full extent of their impacts on wildlife and the water may not be documented for years to come. Senator Cardin made his remarks in a prepared statement for a joint hearing of the full EP… Continue Reading

PROVIDING EDUCATION JOBS FUNDING

I rise today in support of a package that would provide critical relief to school districts across the nation.   The proposed amendment would provide $10 billion in additional support to local school districts to prevent imminent layoffs.                 It is estimated that this fund will help keep nearly 140,000 educators employed during the up-coming school year.          The American Reinvestm… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD FEDERAL FUNDS TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS IN WESTERN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) praised today's announcement of more than $1 million in federal funding for broadband infrastructure projects to create jobs and provide improved service in Western Maryland. The grant was awarded as part of the second round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's USDA broadband funding through the Recovery Act.   West Virginia PCS Alliance will use a $3.3 million grant… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON ISRAEL-LEBANON BORDER VIOLENCE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today in response to the reported violence along the Israel-Lebanese border:   "I am saddened by yesterday's violence on the Israel-Lebanon border, the most serious confrontation in four years. The United Nations forces on the ground have confirmed that Israel did nothing wrong and that Lebanese forces were r… Continue Reading

CARDIN DISTURBED BY LACK OF PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONDING TO WMD ATTACKS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, held a subcommittee hearing today to review a recent report of the Inspector General of the Justice Department.   The May 2010 report, entitled "Review of the Department's Preparation to Respond to a WMD Incident," concluded that "the Department of Justice as a whole…has not implemented adequate WMD response plans.   As a result, the Department is not ful… Continue Reading

SENATE PASSES CARDIN, MIKULSKI BILL TO CREATE COMMEMORATIVE COINS HONORING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

WASHINGTON - The Senate has approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) to create two commemorative coins to honor the nation's Second War of Independence and the Star-Spangled Banner, our National Anthem. The House has already passed the bill. The measure will now go directly to the President for his signature.     The Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act … Continue Reading

HEARING ON THE USE OF OIL DISPERSANTS IN THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL

I want to thank Chairman Boxer and Chairman Whitehouse for holding this critical hearing on dispersant use in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.    On April 20 of this year, the BP Deepwater Horizon exploded and began this nation's greatest manmade environmental disaster. This catastrophe claimed 11 lives and has left thousands of others in turmoil across the Gulf Coast region. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who d… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRESENTS CHECK FOR ALMOST $1.8 MILLION TO HCC TO EXPAND JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

HAGERSTOWN, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today visited Hagerstown Community College (HCC) to present a ceremonial check for almost $1.8 million to expand its training program for jobs in the alternative energy tech industry. HCC began the program last spring with 25 students and the grant will make it possible for HCC to increase the number of students to 675 in a three-year period.   "Jobs are the key to our economic recovery and this job training grant from the U.S. Depa… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDS IN THE FEDERAL CHECKBOOK THAT CREATE JOBS, IMPROVE SAFETY OF HEALTH CARE IN CUMBERLAND

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $1,002,620 in grant funding in the City of Cumberland, Allegany County to support construction, health information technology and business district development.   "ARC grants like those announced today for Cumberland provide targeted investments in our communi… Continue Reading

CARDIN TELLS FREDERICK COUNTY SENIORS THE NEW HEALTH CARE LAW WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH BETTER CARE AND SAVE MONEY

FREDERICK, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today told seniors and members of the Frederick County senior and health advocate community that much misinformation has been circulated about the newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and that he was there "to set the record straight" about additional benefits for seniors in the new law that will save them money and help improve access to health care.      "Seniors are the biggest users of our health ca… Continue Reading

CARDIN REPEATS CALL FOR METRO TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY FOLLOWING NTSB REPORT ON FORT TOTTEN CRASH

Washington, DC - Members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) provided a briefing today for House and Senate members of the National Capitol Region on the final investigation report on the  June 22, 2009 Metrorail Red Line crash at the Fort Totten Station in the District of Columbia.   U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) issued the following statement in response to that briefing:   "I greatly appreciate the excellent work of Chairm… Continue Reading

CARDIN INTRODUCES KEY LEGISLATION TO STOP RECURRING PASSPORT FRAUD

Washington - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee today introduced legislation to end the vulnerabilities in the passport issuance process. The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Diane Feinstein and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), responds to the latest findings of fraud by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). At the request of Senator Cardin and Senators Kyl, Feinstein, Lieberman and Susan Collins (R… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE NEW JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN MARYLAND FOR JOBS OF THE FUTURE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced federal funds for Maryland community colleges to develop training programs focusing on in-demand jobs in the high growth fields of cyber security and clean energy technology. The U.S Department of Labor today awarded two-year, competitive Community-Based Job Training grants to Hagerstown Community College and the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation totaling nearly $7 million. … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR FIREFIGHTING GEAR, EQUIPMENT IN HARFORD COUNTY

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Norrisville Volunteer Fire Company won $95,333 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program to purchase firefighting gear and other equipment. Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senat… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN SENTENCING FOR EQUIVALENT DRUGS

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Crime and Drugs Subcommittee, made the following comments after House passage of The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 . Senator Cardin was an original cosponsor of this bill, S.1789.   "The American drug epidemic is a serious problem that we must address, but our drug laws must be smart, fair and rational. I applaud the House of Representatives for taking action … Continue Reading

CARDIN QUESTIONS PROCESS FOR HOLDING BP ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THEY CAUSED IN THE GULF

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, held a hearing today reviewing damages to natural resources as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster.  The formal assessment process is critical for holding the responsible parties accountable for the environmental damage they have caused and will help determine the scope and scale of restoration work.   "BP and its partners are responsible for repairing t… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS METRO LEADERSHIP MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR LACK OF ATTENTION TO SAFETY CITED BY NTSB

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) issued the following response to today's National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) final report detailing the investigation into last June's Metrorail crash on the Red Line at the Fort Totten Station in the District of Columbia:   "Safety must be priority number one.  I recognize that Metro faces great challenges, including a lack of resources, but it is disturbing to hear NTSB's determination that… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, SARBANES & O'MALLEY ANNOUNCE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING FOR JOBS OF THE FUTURE IN MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-MD) and Governor Martin O'Malley today announced new cybersecurity job training opportunities for 1,000 Marylanders. The announcement was made at ARINC, an Annapolis-based leader in cybersecurity and a partner in the Pathways to Cyber Security Careers Consortium, a consortium of academic, industry and government partners awarded a nearly $5 million, three-year,… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HELPS DEDICATE NEW HIGHLANDTOWN HEALTHY LIVING CENTER

BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today helped dedicate the new Highlandtown Healthy Living Center , which is part of the Baltimore Medical System (BMS) network that provides health care to more than 22,000 patients a year.   Located in East Baltimore, the Highlandtown Healthy Living Center … Continue Reading