LUGAR AND CARDIN PRAISE UK ENERGY TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), commended the parliament of the United Kingdom for introduction of an Early Day Motion which urges the United Kingdom to consider legislation similar to the Energy Security Through Transparency Act (S.1700). S.1700 strengthens international disclosure efforts, expre… Continue Reading

NOMINATION OF BARBARA MILANO KEENAN, U.S. CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

Mr. President, I rise today to urge the Senate to invoke cloture on the nomination of Barbara Milano Keenan of Virginia to be a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.               I had the privilege to chair Justice Keenan's confirmation hearing on October 7 of last year.   The Judiciary Committee reported out her nomination by voice vote on October 29 of last year.   And here we are today over four months later, just now debating the nomination. … Continue Reading

REAL PEOPLE ARE BEING HURT BECAUSE ONE SENATOR IS BLOCKING VITAL LEGISLATION

I take this time to first thank the Democratic Leadership for bringing forward a bill that would extend unemployment insurance and COBRA protection that allows unemployed to be able to get health insurance, also to extend our highway program and the reimbursement structure for our physicians under Medicare so that our seniors can continue to receive the health care that they need. We have a short-term extension that would extend these programs so that there would be no gap in the unemplo… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF THE PATRIOT ACT

The U.S. Senate passed a one-year extension of the expiring provision of the USA PATRIOT Act, which will extend the provisions until February 28, 2011. President Obama signed this legislation into law this weekend. "I am disappointed that Congress could not act this year to make improvements to the Patriot Act. As the Chairman of the Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I was pleased to work with Chairman Leahy to craft such legislation that was… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN TALKS TO WASHINGTON COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT TERRORISM

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today told Washington College students that he supported an extension of the PATRIOT Act with greater congressional oversight, "because while our first duty is to protect our nation from a terrorist attack, we also must be mindful of the challenge we face protecting Americans against terrorism while also safeguarding civil liberties." Senator Cardin's address today was part of Washington College's Goldstein Program in Public Affai… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN BLASTS HOLD UP OF VOTE ON EXTENDING UI & COBRA BENEFITS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today strongly criticized tactics that have delayed a vote on passing emergency legislation to extend unemployment insurance (UI) and COBRA health care benefits that are scheduled to expire this Sunday. One Republican senator has blocked a vote on the emergency legislation, despite the Democratic leadership's willingness to allow him to offer amendments. "This is not a game for millions of Americans who depend on their UI benefits and r… Continue Reading

CARDIN VISITS CONSTRUCTION AT ROCKVILLE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, RECIPIENT OF $1.745 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING FOR ENERGY UPGRADES

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water Subcommittee, visited the City of Rockville's water treatment plant Friday, which is using $1.745 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to make energy efficient upgrades to its facility. Senator Cardin was joined by Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, City Manager Scott Ullery, members of the Rockville City Council and other local officials. The Rockville Wa… Continue Reading

BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS PRODS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO PURSUE ALLEGATIONS THAT CHINA'S CURRENCY MANIPULATION IS SUBSIDY HARMING U.S. PAPER INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, a bipartisan group of 15 U.S. senators announced it is urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to finally move forward with an investigation of China's currency manipulation. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), joined by 13 of their colleagues from both sides of the aisle, sent a letter urging Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to launch an investigation into the U.S. manufacturing industry's allegations that China's actions with respect to its c… Continue Reading

SENATORS MOVE FORWARD LEGISLATION TO BETTER PROTECT STATE AND LOCAL WITNESSES FROM VIOLENCE

Washington, DC - With an overwhelming 18-1 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to improve state and local witness protection. The Senate substitute to H.R. 1741, the Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act, was sponsored by U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD-7) sponsored the legislation in the House of Repre… Continue Reading

CARDIN HIGHLIGHTS THREATS TO THE HEALTH OF GREAT WATER BODIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the EPW Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today led a joint hearing to examine legislative approaches to protecting, preserving, and restoring great water bodies that are threatened by degraded water quality.   "The great water bodies of this nation deserve our… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS ALL AMERICANS MUST TAKE STEPS TO END MODERN-DAY SLAVERY IN THE U.S. AND WORLDWIDE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) made the following remarks following a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Human Rights and the Law Subcommittee, entitled " In Our Own Backyard: Child Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in the United States .   Senator Cardin is a member of the Human Rights and the Law Subcommittee.   "Today's testimony is a siren call that the problem of child t… Continue Reading

CARDIN OUTLINES BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR EPA AND INVESTING IN AMERICA'S ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, made the following remarks at today's hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing featuring Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).    "I am pleased to see that the President's Budget, as proposed, shows a real commitment to America's environmental priorities, including confronting the thre… Continue Reading

CARDIN, WHITEHOUSE, MERKLEY DISCUSS HOW BIPARTISAN SENATE JOBS BILL WILL HELP PUT AMERICA BACK TO WORK

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin, Sheldon Whitehouse and Jeff Merkley held a press conference this afternoon to discuss how the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act will strengthen America's economy and help put unemployed Americans back to work.  The HIRE Act is focused on four key job creation provisions which all enjoy bipartisan support.  Senate Democrats are committed to pursuing a job creation agenda throughout the year and are hopeful that… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN TALKS JOBS WITH BALTIMORE-AREA SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS

BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today visited the University of Maryland BioPark where he met with Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) students who are attending the Life Sciences Institute and are preparing for careers in the Maryland's growing health and life science sectors. The Senator also addressed Baltimore-area small business leaders about the economy and the need to provide small businesses with the resources they need to succeed and create jobs, particularly… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION OF THE 2001 ANTHRAX ATTACKS

Vienna, Austria - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, released the following statement upon hearing that t he 2001 Amerithrax investigation was officially ended today.    "I look forward to carefully reviewing the FBI's materials released today as part of the formal closing of the Amerithrax investigation.  I also look forward to reviewing the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on the scient… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RECOVERY FUNDS TO ENHANCE BUS AND RAIL SERVICE IN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - On the first anniversary of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today praised the award of $14.8 million in Recovery Act funds by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) to alleviate congestion and improve safety in one of suburban Maryland's busiest intersections located near the border of Prince George's and Montgomery counties.   The Senators also praised the DoT announcement of… Continue Reading

CARDIN CELEBRATES THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

  Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today congratulated the League of Women Voters on their milestone 90 th anniversary. To commemorate their founding on February 14, 1920, Senator Cardin introduced a resolution recognizing the profound impact the League of Women Voters has had on American democracy and our nation's history. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) co-sponsored the resolution.   "For the past 90 years, the League of Women Voters has played an active role in ed… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, CUMMINGS ANNOUNCE $4.9 MILLION GRANT FOR CCBC TO TRAIN 2,000 MARYLANDERS FOR JOBS IN HIGH-DEMAND, HIGH-GROWTH ALLIED HEALTH AND NURSING FIELDS

      WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Congressman Elijah J. Cummings (all D-Md.) today announced the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) has been awarded a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) to train today's workers for jobs in allied health and nursing fields currently experiencing workforce shortages.   CCBC will use the funds to train almost 2,000 studen… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN PRAISES SELECTION OF ELIZABETH MORGAN AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised the selection of Elizabeth Morgan as Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).    Dr. Morgan is in her ninth year as Superintendent of Washington County Public Schools.   "Washington County students and teachers have benefitted from Dr. Morgan's experience and leadership," said Senator Cardin. "Under her leadership, test scores have increased,… Continue Reading

THE DECEMBER 25, 2009, ATTEMPTED BOMBING OF NORTHWEST FLIGHT 253, ANTI-TERRORISM TOOLS AND INFORMATION SHARING

Mr. CARDIN: Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the December 25, 2009, attempted bombing of Northwest flight 253, and the steps we must continue to take to improve the effectiveness of our nation's anti-terrorism tools and interagency information sharing and communication. On December 25, 2009, a Nigerian national, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, attempted to detonate an explosive device while onboard Northwest flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. The device did not explode, but instead ignit… Continue Reading