CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $1.59 MILLION TO EXPAND BALTIMORE'S INNER HARBOR CONNECTOR COMMUTER BOAT SERVICE

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), along with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, announced today a $1.59 million federal grant to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to expand its cross-harbor commuter boat service to accommodate commuters and intra-city businesses. The funds are made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). … Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FOR INCREASED PUBLIC TRANSIT AS A PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND POLLUTION REDUCTION

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today called for greater investment in public transit to be included in the Senate-version of a climate change bill to be considered later this summer. During a hearing entitled, "Transportation's Role in Climate Change and Reducing Greenhouse Gases ," Cardin said that a more efficie… Continue Reading

CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYORTO BE AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ON THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

Judge Sotomayor, welcome to the United States Senate. I think you you'll find that each member of this Committee and each member of the United States Senate wants to do what's right for our country. Now we may differ on some of our views, as will come out during this hearing, but I think we all share a respect for your public service. Thank you for your willingness to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States and thank your family for the sacrifices they have made. I am honor… Continue Reading

CARDIN WELCOMES MARYLAND'S PERCIASEPE TO SENATE AS OBAMA NOMINEE FOR DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF EPA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), proudly introduced Maryland's former Secretary of the Environment Bob Perciasepe to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to be the Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).   "I have known Bob Perciasepe for many years. He has a 30-year history of experience that makes… Continue Reading

SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION HONORING NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised the National Eye Institute (NEI) on its 40 th anniversary, calling it " one of the most important research facilities in our nation devoted to blindness and low vision."   The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a Resolution honoring the NEI and designating 2011 through 2020 as the "Decade of Vision" as a way to increase public awareness about blindness and vision-related diseases.   The National Ey… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS CONGRESS MUST PROVIDE RESOURCES TO PREVENT FUTURE INVASIVE SPECIES AND FUTURE DISEASES FROM THREATENING THE U.S.

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), chairman of EPW's Oversight Subcommittee, led a joint hearing today examining the threats of disease and invasive species on native wildlife, as well as oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's administration of current programs to manage these threats   … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $873,068 GRANT TO IMPROVE MAJOR GARRETT COUNTY INTERSECTION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Garrett County a $873,068 grant to make intersection improvements and realign a section of Glendale Road at U.S. Rt. 219 in the Deep Creek Lake area.    "Federal investments like this ARC grant are vital because they provide important funding to stimulate economic development and create jobs in our communities," said … Continue Reading

CARDIN, WHITEHOUSE TO HOLD JOINT HEARING ON THREATS TO NATIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), and EPW's Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), will hold a joint hearing Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 AM to examine the threats of disease and invasive species on native wildlife, as well as oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's administration of current programs to manage these threats. The recent emergence of Burmese … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN VISITS FT. DETRICK FOR BRIEFING AND TOUR OF EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP CONTAMINATED LANDFILL SITES

FREDERICK -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today viewed remediation efforts to cap contaminated landfill sites at Fort Detrick.   In June, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced that it had approved plans to cap six landfill sites on Area B, which are contaminated with biological waste, testing materials, and chemical and herbicidal waste.      "This contamination is historical in nature and is not related to current activities. I ap… Continue Reading

CARDIN, U.S. DELEGATION SECURE RELEASE OF U.S. PRISONER IN BELARUS

MINSK, BELARUS-At the urging of U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a seven-member Congressional delegation in Minsk today, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka signed official documents releasing American prisoner Emanuel Zeltser.   Mr. Zeltser has been in a Belarus prison since March 2008 after being convicted in a secret trial. Arrangements are being made for Zeltser to b… Continue Reading

CARDIN URGES SWIFT PASSAGE OF MATTHEW SHEPARD HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, participated today in a hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder and other legal and civil rights experts on the critical need to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 .   Senator Cardin, who chaired the second half of the hearing, is an original cosponsor of the bill, S. 909.   "We are seeing a troubling trend i… Continue Reading

MARYLAND, VIRGINIA SENATORS ANNOUNCE $34.3 MILLION TRANSPORTATION GRANT TO WASHINGTON METRO TO REPLACE RAIL CARS

WASHINGTON, DC -  U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), along with Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner (Both D-VA) announced today that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will receive $34.3 million in additional FY2009 funding for the purchase of 52 new Metro cars. This was the last installment of a three-year, $104 million appropriations commitment.      This ann… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPING POST-ELECTION SITUATION IN IRAN

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 advance of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Roundtable entitled, "Iran at a Crossroads?"   "The Iranian people are currently engaged in a struggle to determine the future of their country.   I continue to urge the Iranian regime, in the … Continue Reading

AREA LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE FINAL MEASURE NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE DEDICATED METRO FUNDING

WASHINGTON, DC - The Members of the Washington Metro Area's Senate and House Delegation - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin, Barbara A. Mikulski, Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner, and Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Frank R. Wolf, James P. Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Van Hollen, Donna F. Edwards and Gerald E. Connolly - introduced companion resolutions this afternoon to ratify the amended interstate WMATA Regulation Compact in accordance with legislation enacted last year authorizing $1.5 billion in fe… Continue Reading

METRORAIL TRAGEDY HIGHLIGHTS FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY

Mr. CARDIN: Madame President, I rise today to offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic collision of two metro trains this past Monday evening. This accident, the most devastating by any measure in Metro history, has affected our entire region.   My prayers are with those who lost their lives and my deepest sympathies are with their families, friends and all those whose lives they touched. I also want to take a moment … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CO-SPONSORS BILL TO SAVE AUTO DEALERSHIPS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) has co-sponsored legislation to save local auto dealerships by requiring Chrysler and General Motors (GM) to continue to honor their commitments to auto dealers.   The Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009 (S. 1304) would require that auto manufacturers in which the federal government has ownership interest continue to honor their commitment to the dealers and not deprive the dealers of… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $50,000 FOR ALLEGANY COLLEGE OF MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Allegany College of Maryland to convert four traditional classrooms into interactive classrooms using Smart Classroom Technology. The College will use this new technology to provide training in healthcare, general office and business skills. It is estimated this training will result in 100 people obtaining, retainin… Continue Reading

MARYLAND & VIRGINIA SENATORS URGE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

WASHINGTON, DC -  U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD), along with Senators Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner (Both D-VA) today sent a letter to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Ranking Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) urging them to provide $150 million in federal funding for capital upgrades and improvements to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority sys… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $222K FOR US 113 IN WORCESTER COUNTY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Federal Highway Administration has awarded Worcester County $222,300 for US 113 Safety and Traffic Improvements. Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, and Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, fought to secure this funding in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This funding will be used to update the existing two-lane road … Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS ON NIH TO UTILIZE SMALL BUSINESSES FOR EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

Rockville, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), chaired a field hearing today of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Rockville, MD, entitled "Missed Opportunities: The ARRA and the NIH/SBIR exclusion." During the hearing, local and national experts in biotechnology testified about the important research and development projects that could be funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, cre… Continue Reading