SENATOR CARDIN ATTENDS GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW FORT MCHENRY VISITORS CENTER

BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-M) today joined Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, former Senator Paul Sarbanes, and Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-3) in breaking ground for a new state-of-the-art Visitors Center at the Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine.   The new Visitors Center is expected to be completed by fall 2010, in time to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.     In 2005, then-Congressman Cardin work… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN TELLS TANEYTOWN BUSINESS GROUP THAT SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE KEY TO OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY

TANEYTOWN, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today told the Taneytown Business Breakfast that the recently enacted economic recovery package and omnibus appropriations contain important provisions that will provide them with some relief during these difficult economic times.    " Our nation's economic recovery is dependent on the growth of small businesses," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneursh… Continue Reading

CARDIN JOINS VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR EARTH DAY ANNOUNCEMENT OF $300 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS FOR CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM

LANDOVER, MD - In celebration of Earth Day 2009, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, visited the WMATA Carmen Turner Maintenance and Training Facility in Landover, MD, with Vice President Joe Biden, Governor Martin O'Malley, and Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) for the announcement of $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state and local governments, and transit… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD ANNOUNCEMENT THAT NPS WILL INVEST MORE THAN $6.6 MILLION IN PROJECTS ACROSS MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today applauded the announcement by the National Park Service (NPS) that it will invest $6,608,000 in eight Maryland national historic icons or landscapes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).    The NPS also announced additional funding of $7.2 million for projects located in Maryland and surrounding states.   "From Ft. Mc… Continue Reading

PROTECTING NATIONAL SECURITY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES: STRATEGIES FOR TERRORISM INFORMATION SHARING

            The subcommittee will come to order.   Let me note for the record that this is the first subcommittee hearing of the Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 111 th Congress.   I am privileged to have been named as chairman of this subcommittee when the Judiciary Committee organized in February.   I want to pay a special tribute to the former chairman of this subcommittee, Senator Feinstein, who has now bec… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS LAW ENFORCEMENT MUST FOCUS INFORMATION RESOURCES TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee led a hearing today entitled "Protecting National Security and Civil Liberties: Strategies for Terrorism Information Sharing." The subcommittee heard from key witnesses on the need to strengthen coordination and information sharing between government agencies charged with preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks inside the United States.  This was th… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS AGGRESSIVE ACTION NEEDED TO RESTORE THE HEALTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Annapolis, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), led a hearing today in Annapolis to receive a status report on the health of the Chesapeake Bay and recommendations on the reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Full statements and testimony will be available at http://epw.senate.gov. "The Chesapeake Bay is in trouble. Th… Continue Reading

CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION: STATUS REPORT

This hearing of the subcommittee on water and wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works will come to order.   Today's hearing will focus on the health of the Chesapeake Bay, the status of the restoration effort, and recommendations about what can be done to accelerate progress. We will hear from two panels of witnesses.     This will be the first in a series of hearings I intend t… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN APPLAUDS EPA'S DECISION THAT GREENHOUSE GASES POSE SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH RISK

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's finding that greenhouse gas emissions pose a danger to public health:   "Today's finding by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health is welcome news.   It demonstrates that good science and common sen… Continue Reading

EARTH DAY 2009

As we commemorate the 29 th annual Earth Day, we must recognize that that this is a critical time in our nation's history.   We face an economic crisis, an energy security crisis, and a global climate crisis.   The solutions to each one of these problems are intertwined with solutions to the others. Hard work and American innovation will help us rebuild our economy by creating a new and robust "green" sector of our economy. It's time for the "Green Generation" to take root. … Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES OBAMA DECISION TO RELEASE INTERROGATION OPINIONS FROM BUSH ADMINISTRATION

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) , Chairman of the Judiciary Committee's Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the release of four previously undisclosed opinions from the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice regarding interrogation techniques used by the Bush administration. … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN TOURS FT. MEADE SUPERFUND SITES WITH HEAD OF EPA AND DoD OFFICIALS

FT. MEADE, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environmental Issues Addison Davis, Congressman John Sarbanes and Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson today toured three of the most seriously contaminated sites at Ft. George G. Meade, with the federal agencies committing to put a long-standing dispute behind them and to finalize a form… Continue Reading

MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR MARYLAND HOMELAND SECURITY PRIORITIES

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-MD) today announced significant federal investments in Maryland's transit and port security following the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcement of awards for state infrastructure grants.  Maryland has received more than $6.4 million for port security in Baltimore. An additional $38 million has been awarded to the National Capital Region, which includes Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, for t… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ATTENDS MOBILIZATION CEREMONY FOR 323rd MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION - A COMPANY

FT. MEADE, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today attended the mobilization ceremony for the 323 rd Military Intelligence Battalion - A Company, which is being deployed to Iraq for one year.   The Senator told the soldiers that they are " an inspiration to our nation" and we are counting on them to provide support to the on-going global War on Terrorism.      In his remarks, the Senator pointed out Maryland's long and proud history of military s… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE EPA FOR ADDING FORT DETRICK SITE TO NATIONAL SUPERFUND LIST

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today for finalizing the addition of the Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater Site in Frederick, MD, to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). Of the 42 contaminated sites at Fort Detrick, the Area B Groundwater site was the only site without a scheduled or completed remediation. "EPA's action today is welcome news for the Frederick community, which has been … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN PRESENTS WEST CECIL HEALTH CENTER WITH CHECK FOR $119,904

CONOWINGO , MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today visited the West Cecil Health Center to present the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a ceremonial check for $119,904.   The funding was included in the recently enacted American Reinvestment and Recovery Act , which included a $2 billion boost for community health centers.   The West Cecil Health Center opened in January 2008 and is a fam… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING WITH LOWER SHORE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY

SALISBURY - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today held a town hall meeting with Lower Shore small business owners to discuss the economic downturn and provisions in the recently enacted economic recovery package and omnibus appropriations bill that could provide them with some relief.    " Our nation's economic recovery is dependent on the growth of small businesses," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepr… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS OBAMA BOLDLY MOVING FORWARD TO RESTORE U.S. LEADERSHIP AND CREDIBILITY ABROAD

Baltimore, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tonight addressed members of the Baltimore Foreign Relations Council about the foreign policy challenges facing the new Obama Administration.   "President Obama took office just three short months ago with our economy in shamb… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE TO TALK ABOUT AVAILABILITY OF NEW $8,000 FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT AND NEED FOR PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING

OWINGS MILLS, MD -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today held a press conference to discuss the new $8,000 refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers and the importance of pre-purchase counseling for potential purchasers.   Senator Cardin authored the provision in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide a refundable tax credit to new homebuyers.       The refundable tax credit is for $8,000, or 10 p… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD NOMINATION OF JUDGE ANDRE M. DAVIS TO COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) applauded President Obama's decision to nominate Judge Andre M. Davis to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.     If confirmed, Judge Davis will occupy the seat that has been vacant since the passing of Judge Francis D. Murnaghan in 2000. Since then, Senators Mikulski and Cardin have remained committed to filling this seat with a nominee who has strong ties to Maryland. … Continue Reading