CARDIN CALLS FOR EXPANDED REGIONAL COOPERATION TO RENEW THE HEALTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) , chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today called for expanded clean water authority and more robust interstate cooperation to help renew the health of the Chesapeake Bay.   Senator Cardin made his remarks at the second in a series of hearings leading up to the introduction of legislation to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay progr… Continue Reading

CARDIN, LANDRIEU, SNOWE, SHAHEEN PUSH FOR MORE EFFECTIVE TRADE POLICIES TO HELP SMALL FIRMS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), along with U.S Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ranking Member Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), and fellow Small Business Committee member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), today wrote to Gene Dodaro, Acting Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), asking for a study on the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's (TPCC) progress in implementing an effective government-wide… Continue Reading

CARDIN, BURR INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO CLOSE THE TREATMENT GAP FOR OSTEOPOROSIS AND OTHER BONE HEALTH CONDITIONS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Richard Burr (R-NC) have introduced the "Access to America's Orthapaedic Services Act of 2009" (S. 1548) to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and trauma-related injuries. More than one in four Americans has a musculoskeletal condition requiring medical attention… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR INCREASED SUPPORT FOR DISPLACED PERSONS IN PAKISTAN TO HELP STABILIZE THIS NUCLEAR NATION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in conjunction with a hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today on the ongoing displacement crisis in Pakistan: "Over two million Pakistanis have been displaced as a result of conflict between Taliban militants and Pakistani security forces.  Pakistan's stability is of vital, strategic … Continue Reading

SENATORS FEINSTEIN AND CARDIN INTRODUCE MEASURE TO BAN INHUMANE PRACTICE OF ALLOWING HUNTERS TO SHOOT WILDLIFE FROM AIRCRAFT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced legislation to explicitly ban the inhumane practice of allowing hunters to shoot and kill wildlife, such as wolves, from aircraft.   "Hunting is a part of America's culture and history, but there is no sport in aerial practices that lead to such cruel and painful deaths for wild animals. This bill wi… Continue Reading

CARDIN LAUDS SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE FOR INCLUDING $150 MILLION FOR DEDICATED METRO FUNDING

Washington, DC - Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised his colleagues on the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, including fellow Marylander Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, for providing the first of 10-years of dedicated funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail.     "Last month's tragedy was a wake-up call to all … Continue Reading

SENATE APPROVES CHANGES TO METRO COMPACT, CONGRESS MOVES CLOSER TO PROVIDING DEDICATED FUNDING FOR METRORAIL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD), with Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner (both D-VA), praised the Senate today for adopting the final measure ( S.J.Res.19) required to authorize $3 billion in combined, dedicated federal and local funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Late Tuesday, the Senate gave its unanimous consent and approval to a… Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR A NEW APPROACH TO U.S. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY GOALS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today called for innovative reforms to our nation's foreign assistance program that match the high priority diplomacy has in enhancing our national security. Senator Cardin is an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act of 2009 (S. 1524) introduced today by … Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES US-CHINA DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CALLS LACK OF HUMAN RIGHTS DISCUSSION A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Environment and Public Works committees, and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to the inaugural Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the U.S. and China: "The significant dialogue that the United States started this week with China is a positive step in strengthening the relationship between the United States and China. I am pleased t… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN INTRODUCES GRANT PROGRAM FOR LAND PRESERVATION IN NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today introduced legislation to create a new grant program to fund land preservation in the National Capitol region, which includes portions of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Co-sponsors of the bill include Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), James Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA).   "It's critical that we preserve open space in the National Capital region and this l… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES FOR JUDGE SOTOMAYOR TO BE THE NEXT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) praised Judge Sonia Sotomayor for her legal acumen and patience today, as he and a majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in support of her nomination to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.   Following are his remarks made just prior to the vote.   "I want to thank Chairman Leahy and Senator Sessions for the positive and fair manner in which they conducted … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS CIVILIAN COURTS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TRY AND CONVICT TERRORISTS AND RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) , chairman of the Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, today called on the administration to expedite its plans to shut down the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay. To facilitate that planning, Senator Cardin chaired a hearing with representatives of the Departments of Justice and Defense, along with other legal experts, to examine how terrorists currently being held by the … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN INTRODUCES BILL TO FUND GREATER NUTRIA ERADICATION EFFORT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand nutria eradication efforts in Maryland and Louisiana and to begin eradication programs in four additional coastal states.   Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the measure.   The nutria is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that has often been described as "an eating machine" and can eat up to 25 percent of its body weight in plants per d… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN VISITS CHESAPEAKE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY FOR AWARD PRESENTATION

SOLOMON ISLAND, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today visited the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) for a briefing, tour and for the presentation of the 75 th Year Institution Award by the National Weather Service (NWS) in recognition of the partnership between the CBL and the NWS.   The Senator also recognized long-time CBL volunteer, Robert Elwell, who began as a founding docent of the CBL in 1998.   Since then, Mr. Elwell has volunteered mor… Continue Reading

CARDIN AMENDMENT TO DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION MANDATES THE STUDY OF ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUG USE, RISING SUICIDE RATE AMONG COMBAT TROOPS

Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today, by voice vote, adopted an amendment (#1475) to the National Defense Authorization Act authored by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) that would mandate a study of the increased use of antidepressants among our combat troops and what impact these drugs may be having on the mental health of our troops. All information collected by the study would be at a macro level and would in no way jeopardize the privacy of any individual's health car… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HOLDS HEALTH CARE TOWN HALL MEETING IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

LARGO, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) this evening held a Town Hall Meeting at Prince George's Community College to discuss the various health care proposals that are before Congress.   The Senator said expanding health care coverage to all Americans "is one of our nation's most pressing priorities."   "We cannot afford the current health care system we have -- a system in which last year we spent $2.4 trillion on health care while failing to provide health care to … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN JOINS MAYOR DIXON, CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS IN ANNOUNCING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GREEN JOBS

BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin today joined Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon and U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings at the Cylburn Arboretum in announcing $4.7 million in federal funding for the Baltimore City summer jobs program.   The funding includes $3.5 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $1.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor for the creation of the Green Jobs Youth Corps, a partnership with the … Continue Reading

CARDIN SUPPORTS JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR

For the last week, the United States Senate and the American public have had a unique opportunity to get to know Judge Sonia Sotomayor and her view of the rule of law in our country. Before the hearing, we knew President Obama had selected a capable jurist with a multifaceted background and immense personal story. Now, we all know that the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court has a firm understanding of the law and the role of the Courts versus the role of Congress.    … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CO-SPONSORS HATE CRIMES AMENDMENT TO DEFENSE BILL

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today co-sponsored the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an amendment to the defense authorization bill that is currently under consideration by the Senate.   Senator Cardin, an original co-sponsor of the hate crimes bill and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called for greater protections against hate crimes in this nation.     Th… Continue Reading

CARDIN TESTIFIES BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF CREATION OF HARRIET TUBMAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARKS

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today testified before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks in support of legislation he has written to honor the life of Harriet Ross Tubman, the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad.   Earlier this year, Senator Cardin was joined by Senators Barbara A. Mikulski, (D-MD), Charles Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand (both D-NY) in co-sponsoring S. 227, … Continue Reading