CARDIN LAUDS EXTENSION OF TAX CREDIT FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, NEW CREDIT FOR STEP-UP PURCHASES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), co-chair of the Senate Real Estate Caucus and one of the authors of the first-time homebuyers' tax credit, today praised the Senate for its timely action to keep the $8,000 credit from expiring at the end of this month. In September, Senator Cardin led a group of Senators, including Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Harry Reid (D-NV), John Ensign (R-NV), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), introducing a bill to extend the first-time homebuyers' tax credi… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CALLS SENATE PASSAGE OF UI BILL CRITICAL FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES STRUGGLING DURING THIS RECESSION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised Senate passage of a strong Unemployment Insurance (UI) bill that would extend unemployment benefits another 14 weeks to all states, including Maryland.   The House has passed a bill that would extend UI benefits only to states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher.   Senator Cardin urged the adoption of the much stronger Senate version of the bill that " guarantees an additional 14 … Continue Reading

CARDIN OPENING REMARKS AT EPW MARKUP OF THE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND AMERICAN POWER ACT

"We live in a world that is being poisoned by greenhouse gases of our own making.   Without dramatic action, we face irreversible, catastrophic climate change.   Some choose to ignore the facts and some choose to delay but I choose to act.   We face the most compelling energy challenge of our time, and I believe that the American people are ready to meet that challenge.     " Our energy indep… Continue Reading

MARKUP OF S. 1733, CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND AMERICAN POWER ACT

Madame Chairman, thank you for your extraordinary leadership on this issue. We wouldn't be here today -- with the progress that has been made -- without your leadership and I personally want to thank you.   I want to respond somewhat to Senator Voinovich's points on behalf of our Republican colleagues. I find this somewhat frustrating because I think we all want to have as much information as possible. But the issues that he raises ar… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN STATEMENT ON DEDICATION OF WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER STATUE

It is most fitting that today a statue is being unveiled in honor of William Donald Schaefer on the Inner Harbor promenade in tribute to all he has done for Baltimore and for Maryland.   It was Don Schaefer's leadership and commitment to Baltimore's renewal that changed our city and his legacy continues to inspire others who care about improving our community and continue the work he began.… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FINAL CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF $2 MILLION FOR BLACKWATER REFUGE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that both the Senate and House have approved the FY 2010 Interior and Environment Conference Report containing $2 million for the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Dorchester County.   The bill - which also includes a Continuing Resolution to fund much of the federal government through December 18 - now goes to President Obama who is expected to sign it.   … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR UPGRADES TO BLUE PLAINS TREATMENT PLANT, ENSURE FUTURE WATER SUPPLIES

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) today praised final congressional passage of the fiscal year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Conference Report, which includes $1.2 million in federal funding to help upgrade the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant. The funding is a step forward in helping reduce harmful discharges from Blue Plains into the Chesapeake Bay.   "I am committed to upgradi… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HAILS $750,000 APPROPRIATIONS FOR REHAB OF ROCKVILLE SEWER SYSTEM

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) in praising final congressional passage of $750,000 in funding for the City of Rockville's sewer rehabilitation project.   The funding was included in the bill that funds most federal environmental programs for 2010.   The bill, the Interior-Environment Appropriations Conference Report, also includes a Continuing Resolution to fund much of the rest of the federal government thr… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HAILS $500,000 IN NEW FUNDS FOR STAR-SPANGLED BANNER NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined Congressmen Elijah Cummings (MD-7) , C.A Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) and John Sarbanes (MD-3) in praising final congressional passage of $500,000 in funding for the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.   The funding was included in the Interior-Environment Conference Report, which also includes a Continuing Resolution to fund much of the federal government through December 18.   The bill now goes to… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI REQUEST OF $1 MILLION FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS & WATERTRAILS NETWORK PASSES CONGRESS

WASHINGTON - The Senate and House have passed the Interior-Environment Appropriations Conference Report containing a $1 million funding request by U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, (both D-MD) for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.   Funding for the Network supports both matching grants to participating Gateway sites for development of high-quality interpretation, access or conservation and restoration projects.   The legislatio… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD $72 MILLION IN FUNDING TO CLEAN UP MARYLAND'S DRINKING WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today praised final Congressional passage of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Conference Report, which will provide $72 million in new funding to improve Maryland's drinking water systems and to help communities finance local sewer improvements.    The bill also includes $50 million, the largest funding level ever, for programs to control urban, suburban and agricultural runoff in the C… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE MARYLAND ORGANIZATIONS TO RECEIVE $185 MILLION IN NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin  and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), today announced six Maryland organizations have been awarded New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC)'s totaling $185 million as part of a $5 billion total investment in NMTCs across the nation. The NMTCs will help inject capital and credit into underserved populations and communities across America. Funding for NMTCs was included in the Economic Recovery Act.   "I am pleased that the Obama Administration keenl… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR GREATER INVESTMENT IN TRANSIT TO CREATE GREEN JOBS AND LEAD TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

  Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today during the legislative hearing on S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009.   "Our transportation and energy infrastructure systems are simultaneously at a crossroads. This is no coincidence; they are connected to each other by w… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS WE MUST ACT NOW TO CREATE JOBS AND PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM REAL THREATS TO OUR NATIONAL, ECONOMIC AND ENERGY SECURITY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today during the legislative hearing on S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009.   "At this critical juncture in our nation's history, we face an economic crisis, an energy security crisis, and a global climate crisis. The go… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $200 MILLION FOR SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY IN MARYLAND

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As temperatures start to drop and Marylanders brace for heating costs this winter, U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin  and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.),today announced the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company has been awarded $200 million to develop a stronger, more reliable Smart Grid.  The development of a better grid will create new jobs, save energy and reduce Marylanders' monthly electric bills.   Funds for these grants were included in the Ameri… Continue Reading

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON THE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND AMERICAN POWER ACT OF 2009 S. 1733

"Thank you, Chairman Boxer and Chairman Kerry, for your leadership on this legislation. All of us want to make sure we get it right.   "I am confident that the work my colleagues and I have put into the legislation we are considering today will provide the legal framework, business incentives and consumer protections necessary to move America towards a more prosperous, secure, clean energy future.   "The bill sets ambitious yet essential targets for greenhouse gas emi… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR SWIFT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE BILL, INACTION WILL COST JOBS AND HARM OUR COMMUNITIES

  Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today at the start of hearings on the S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009.   "At this critical juncture in our nation's history, we face an economic crisis, an energy security crisis, and… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULKSI SAY FISKER AUTO'S DECISION TO REVAMP DELAWARE GM PLANT WILL PRESERVE 500 MARYLAND JOBS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today praised Vice President Joseph Biden's announcement that Fisker Automotive will reopen a shuttered GM plant in Wilmington, DE, preserving 500 jobs for Marylanders who worked at the facility that has been closed since the summer. At a press conference in Wilmington, Vice President Biden announced that Fisker Automotive of Irvine, CA, plans to revamp the Delaware GM Boxwood Road fa… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON INCLUSION OF A PUBLIC OPTION IN THE MERGED SENATE HEALTH REFORM BILL

      Washington, DC - After the announcement by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that a public option will be included in the health reform bill to be considered by the full Senate, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), released the following statement. Senator Cardin has been a consistent and vocal supporter of the inclusion of a public health insurance option.   "I am pleased that Majority Leader Reid will retain a public option health plan in his merged … Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF A STRONG UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENSION TO PROVIDE MARYLANDERS WITH ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined Maryland Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Alexander Sanchez at a press conference to call for congressional passage of   a strong Unemployment Insurance (UI) bill that would extend benefits another 14 weeks in all states, including Maryland.  The House has passed a bill that would extend UI benefits only to states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher.   Senator Cardin c… Continue Reading