EAST COAST SENATORS SEND LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLING FOR REVERSAL OF HIS DECISION TO EXPAND OFF-SHORE DRILLING IN THE ATLANTIC

  Washington, DC - In light of the devastating BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to reverse his decision to allow drilling for oil and gas off the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida Planning Areas. Joining him on the letter were Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bill Nelson (D-FL).    "The trag… Continue Reading

U.S. SENATOR BENJAMIN L. CARDIN STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF NAVY REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL H. MILLER AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

  U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, a member of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy, issued the following statement about the appointment of Rear Admiral Michael H. Miller to be Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. "Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy gives young men and women the academic and leadership training needed to be effective naval and marine officers. The Superintendent of the Academy has an important resp… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES NOMINATION OF MARYLANDER SARAH BLOOM RASKIN FOR FEDERAL RESERVE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today applauded President Obama's announcement that he will nominate Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation Sarah Bloom Raskin to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System:   "Sarah Raskin has been an advocate for Marylanders navigating through the toughest of economic waters in recent years. Her deep experience throughout the financial and regulatory universe, sound judgment and her ability to balance fa… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF STATE DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZATION BILL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, applauded the approval Tuesday of the first Foreign Affairs authorization bill to pass the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in five years. The legislation outlines new policies and a budget for U.S. State Department, Peace Corps, and Broadcasting Board of Governors.    "Strengthening our national security, increasing our smart power and reducing global povert… Continue Reading

CARDIN HEARING SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO SAVE WILDLIFE AND HABITATS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, chaired a hearing today examining U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiatives that promote collaborative approaches to wildlife and habitat management.     "If we are going to succeed in our efforts to save our most treasured and valuable natural resource, all of us - private and public, individuals and organizations, businessmen and co… Continue Reading

CARDIN ASKS NAPOLITANO TO PRIORITIZE CYBERSECURITY, URGES QUICK ACTION TO CONVENE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, at an oversight hearing for the Department of Homeland Security today, called on DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to elevate combating cybersecurity to a higher priority within her department and the Administration. Senator Cardin also urged Secretary Napolitano to encourage the President to expedite nominations to the reconstituted Privacy and Civil Liberties Over… Continue Reading

CARDIN, VAN HOLLEN CHAMPION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

BURTONSVILLE, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin and U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) today visited the Center for Adoption Support & Education (C.A.S.E.) in Burtonsville to commend the center for its work in providing support services for foster care and adoptive families and children.   Both Senator Cardin and Congressman Van Hollen supported $250,000 in funding in the FY 2009 budget that made it possible for C.A.S.E. to open a satellite office in Frederick, MD in Dece… Continue Reading

SENATOR ATTENDS GROUNDBREAKING FOR RESTORATON OF CATOCTIN AQUEDUCT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the Catoctin Aqueduct, a project that will receive a total of $3.6 million in combined federal-state funding, including money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).   The National Parks Conservation Association estimates that the restoration of the aqueduct will increase visitation to the area by 10,000 visitors a year and that every $1 spent on … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS WALL STREET REFORM WILL PROTECT AND EMPOWER CONSUMERS WHILE PREVENTING FUTURE FINANCIAL CRISES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) called on all Senators to allow the debate on Wall Street reform legislation to move forward to day after cloture on the motion to proceed on the bill fell short 57-41.   "Our economy is showing early signs of recovery, but Marylanders and Americans nationwide are still hurting.   After more than a year to examine the root causes of the crisis, the bill blocked from consideration today would have helped … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE OVER $900,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON INVESTIGATORS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced International Association of Arson Investigators, headquartered in Crofton, Anne Arundel County, received $986,850 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE OVER $43,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HARFORD COUNTY FIRE COMPANY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Level Volunteer Fire Company in Harford County received $43,178 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator Cardin is a member of the Budget Committ… Continue Reading

SENATORS PLEDGE NOT TO PLACE SECRET HOLDS ON LEGISLATION OR NOMINEES

WASHINGTON, DC - Following several days of heated floor debate on the issue, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and a group of at least 20 other senators are sending a letter to Senate leadership pushing to change the way the Senate does business by putting an end to rules that allow members to secretly block legislation and nominations.     Cardin and his colleagues are pledging to not place 'secret holds' and are calling upon Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE SELECTION OF MARYLAND TO RECEIVE $20 MILLION FOR INVESTMENT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) praised the selection of Maryland to receive $20 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to help Maryland families and businesses retrofit homes and businesses with clean energy and energy-efficiency technology that will help conserve energy and reduce costs.   The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has proposed a holistic, community-based approach to … Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S. AND ISRAEL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senator today to congratulate the State of Israel on the 62 nd anniversary of its independence. His remarks highlighted the sacrifices Israel has made over the last six decades and the threats and challenges ahead as Israel seeks peace with its neighbors. Excerpts of his comments are below. The full statement can be found at cardin.senate.gov. "Since Israel's founding 62 years ago, every American administrat… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S. AND ISRAEL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senator today to congratulate the State of Israel on the 62 nd anniversary of its independence. His remarks highlighted the sacrifices Israel has made over the last six decades and the threats and challenges ahead as Israel seeks peace with its neighbors. Excerpts of his comments are below. The full statement can be found at cardin.senate.gov. "Since Israel's founding 62 years ago, every American admini… Continue Reading

CARDIN LEADS SENATE IN PASSING RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. DOROTHY HEIGHT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, lauded the Senate for passing by unanimous consent a resolution honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who passed away Tuesday.   "Dorothy Height was instrumental in the civil rights movement with her insistent voice for racial justice and gender equality in America.   Known among many as the 'glue' that held the civil rights lead… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION ACTIVITY STARK CONTRAST TO PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today chaired a full committee hearing entitled " Oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division ."   The witness for the hearing was Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Tom Perez of Maryland.   "The Civil Rights Division has a proud … Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON EQUAL PAY DAY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) issued the following statement in commemoration of Equal Pay Day.   "Forty-seven years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act women are still making less than their male counterparts.  In 1963, women earned 59 cents to every dollar a man earned, but we have failed to reach parity in wages. We must do better, which is why I have co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, which will increase penalties for employers who pay differen… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DOROTHY I. HEIGHT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement upon news of the passing of Dorothy I. Height. "Dorothy Height was instrumental in the civil rights movement with her insistent voice for racial justice and gender equality in America.   Known among many as the 'glue' that held the civil rights leaders together; she fought tirelessly for more than six decades for a better more just country.  She like… Continue Reading

CARDIN, KERRY, DURBIN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), along with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that will meet the challenges of urbanization in developing countries and expand existing U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to craft better strategies for sustainable urban development.   The Sustainable Urban Development Act of 2010 (S. 3229) will target the challeng… Continue Reading