CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT SECTION 5

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement today after the 8-1 Supreme Court ruling on Section 5 of The Voting Rights Act.   "A near-unanimous Supreme Court made the right decision today in not overturning a 44-year-old law created and extended to prevent discrimination at the voting booth.   However, I was disappoi… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO CLEAN UP CONTAMINATION AT FT. MEADE

WASHINGTON - After working for months to get all parties to agree, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Interior and the Architect of the Capitol have signed a federal facilities agreement (FFA) to remediate the Superfund sites that are located on or near Ft. Meade.      " I am pleased that after nine years, a formal agreement has been reached… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI AND HOYER ANNOUNCE $17.4 MILLION IN RECOVERY FUNDING FOR BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) and U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-5) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is distributing $17.4 million in Recovery funds to make building repairs and system upgrades to the Agricultural Research Service Center and the National Agricultural Library, both located on the Beltsville, MD campus.   This funding will allow for needed improvements to the two facilities and will … Continue Reading

CARDIN, HASTINGS CELEBRATE 144TH ANNIVERSARY OF JUNETEENTH

WASHINGTON-- Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statements today marking the occasion of Juneteenth.   "This day in 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned what President Lincoln had proclaimed two years prior - they were free. With the Civil War over and the issuance of an order from General Gordon… Continue Reading

CARDIN URGES SWIFT ACTION ON DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS ACT OF 2009

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), issued the following statement in response to President Obama's signing of a presidential memorandum extending some employment benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees.   "I view President Obama's move to grant benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees as an issue of basic fairness.   However, as President Obama noted, his attempt to resolve the present inequality is thwarted from … Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Conference Report on Supplemental Appropriations (H.R. 2346) by a vote of 91-5.   "We are finally focusing our attention and resources on the real threats posed by the terrorists who currently are finding safe havens in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. The funding bill passed today will give our … Continue Reading

CARDIN BILL TO PROTECT THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE AND OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

Washington, DC - The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), today approved legislation authored by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) that would amend the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to increase funding for FY2010 and reauthorize the Act for the next five years.   "Maryland's natural treasure, our environment, is a lure for millions of human tourists and avian visitors each year. Across the country, bird watchers include… Continue Reading

SENATE PANEL PASSES CARDIN BILL TO PERMANETLY REAUTHORIZE CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS & WATERTRAILS NETWORK

WASHINGTON - The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) that would permanently reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.   Originally authorized in 1998, the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program has created a partnership system of parks, refuges, museums, historic sites ands water trails spanning the Bay watershed.   In 10 years, the network has gr… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $823K FOR SILVER SPRING TRANSIT CENTER

WASHINGTON - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center an additional $823, 878 from the FTA bus and bus facilities development program.   This grant completes approximately $50 million of federal funding toward a total project cost of about $93 million.   "Silver Spring is a vibrant and growing destination for people … Continue Reading

MODERN DAY SLAVERY & THE 9th ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT

Mr. President, I take this time to share with my colleagues a problem that we thought was left in the 20th Century, as worldwide problem: Slavery. I'm talking about modern slavery, the human trafficking that takes place around the world.   Yesterday, as Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe - the U.S. Helsinki Commission - I was privileged to join Secretary of State Clinton at the State Department for the official release of the ninth annual Trafficking in… Continue Reading

SENATE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE PASSES MAJOR BILL TO DEFINE AND PROTECT AMERICA'S WATERWAYS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, lauded committee passage today of the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787), which reaffirms the historic jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.   The bill, as passed, protects America's waterways and watershed areas while protecting our agricultural areas from undue regulation.     … Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS ON AG HOLDER TO AGGRESSIVELY COMBAT PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, participated today in the first oversight hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder. During the hearing, Senator Cardin called upon the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate allegations of predatory lending across the country.   "Predatory lending has had a devastating effect on our national economy, but it seems to be no coincidence that it has … Continue Reading

CARDIN ON THE IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE TRUE RESULTS

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the Iranian government to exercise restraint in its response to those protesting the results of their recent presidential election. Speaking from the floor of the U.S. Senate, Cardin cited the systemic problems of elections in Iran's totalitarian regime.   Complete … Continue Reading

THE TROUBLE WITH THE RECENT IRANIAN ELECTIONS

MR. CARDIN:  Mr. President, as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which has had decades of experience monitoring election and promoting democracy and human rights, I would like to take this moment to speak on a troubling matter that has filled headlines around the world in the last few days. We have all seen the images. Violence and mass protests are erupting across Iran following the hasty vote count of a deeply flawed presidential election process in that country. Yet another unf… Continue Reading

COMMISSION LEADERSHIP CALLS NEW TRAFFICKING REPORT A VITAL TOOL OF DIPLOMACY

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) hailed the State Department's release today of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report as a critical tool in monitoring and raising awareness about modern-day slavery.  The 2009 report -- the 7th annual survey of its kind -- is expanded to include 175 countries this year, 26 of which have… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON IRANIAN ELECTION

I am deeply dismayed by reports that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been declared the winner of the Iran Presidential election. It is apparent that the deep flaws in this so-called election began well before the Iranian people began voting. For Ahmadinejad and the ruling powers in Iran, it is clear that an 'end justifies the means mentality' prevails. There is no doubt whatsoever as to his unfitness as a leader.   Regardless of the limited official scope of his duties, Ahmadinejad's consistent pat… Continue Reading

CARDIN HOLDS PRESS CONFERNCE TO PRAISE SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO REGULATE TOBACCO

BALTIMORE - Joining representatives from the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin today celebrated congressional passage of legislation that will empower the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products, including the power to remove harmful ingredients from tobacco products and to stop false claims made by the tobacco industry regarding the addictive natur… Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES HEARING TO REVIEW MOUNTAINTOP MINING PRACTICES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, announced that intends to hold a hearing to address "mountaintop mining" practices.  Senator Cardin's announcement comes on the same day that the Obama Administration revealed its plans to establish tougher environmental reviews for coal companies that mine the Appalachians by blasting off mountaintops and discarding the rubble in stream valleys, also know… Continue Reading

CARDIN HAILS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO GIVE FDA POWER TO REGULATE TOBACCO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised Senate passage of legislation that will empower the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products, including the power to remove harmful ingredients from tobacco products and to stop false claims made by the tobacco industry regarding the addictive nature of nicotine.   The Senate passed the bill by a vote of  79-17.   In April, the House of Representatives passed a simi… Continue Reading

CARDIN URGES SENATE TO ACT ON BEHALF OF 46 MILLION UNINSURED AMERICANS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) spoke from the floor of the Senate on Wednesday to urge his colleagues to move forward quickly with health care reform that will benefit all Americans. He spoke of the inherent value of preventive care and the critical need for a public insurance option based on choice.   Senator Cardin's full remarks are available at cardin.senate.gov . … Continue Reading