SENATOR CARDIN HOLDS TOWN HALL MEETING WITH HOWARD COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY

COLUMBIA - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today held a town hall meeting with Howard County 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 Entrep… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI INTRODUCE BILL TO CREATE COMMEMORATIVE COINS HONORING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD), today introduced legislation that would create two commemorative coins to honor the Star-Spangled Banner, our National Anthem.     The Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act would create two coins that would be minted in 2012 to coincide with the 200 th anniversary of the War of 1812.   Money from the sale of the coins would go to the Maryland War of 1812… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXTEND SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed unanimously a bill to temporarily extend the Small Business Administration's (SBA) programs through July 31, 2009. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Among the programs extended is the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which would have expired on Friday, March 20.   The temporary extension gives Congress more time to pass a comprehensive bill that will strengthen and improve SBA programs and provide … Continue Reading

Cardin Sends Letter to Obama Urging that Every Legal Avenue Be Pursued to Rescind AIG Bonuses

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today expressed outrage over the $165 million in bonus payments to American International Group (AIG) and has written to President Obama applauding his directive to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to pursue "every single legal avenue" to rescind the bonuses. The Senator also co-signed a letter to Edward Liddy, Chairman and CEO of AIG, saying he would support legislation that would allow the government to recoup these bonus payments, … Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CALLS MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS A THREAT TO U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today called the Mexican drug wars a " serious threat to our nation's homeland security and one that we must develop a strong, coordinated effort to defeat."   As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, Senator Cardin today expressed serious concern at a Judiciary subcommittee hearing about the rising violence in Mexico and its e… Continue Reading

CARDIN APPLAUDS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S STRONG EFFORT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, today applauded President Barack Obama's new plan to increase access to capital for small businesses.  The President announced that his Administration will take immediate steps to unlock frozen credit markets, temporarily roll back lending fees and bolster bank liquidity to ensure small firms can have continued access to credit.   "Pres… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN SPONSORS RESOLUTION TO REGULATE COAL ASH

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) has co-sponsored a U.S. Senate Resolution (S.Res. 64) calling for stricter standards and oversight to help prevent coal ash spills and improve the management and proper disposal of coal combustion ash.   On March 9, the New Page Corp. reported that a leaking pipe discharged approximately 4,000 gallons of coal ash slurry into the North Branch Potomac River near Luke, Md.   In December, approximately 1 billion gallons o… Continue Reading

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

We honor the contributions of women in our society throughout March during Women's History Month.   Started in 1978 as a weeklong celebration coinciding with International Women's Day, over more than three decades it has grown to highlight the great accomplishments of women past and present, as well as the growing opportunities for young girls.   The theme for 2009 is Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet, and we specifically honor women who, in the spirit of Rachel Carson, have wor… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $113 MILLION IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDS FOR WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS MARYLAND

WASHINGTON - As American families face record-high energy costs and a slowing economy, U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), today announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes more than $113 million for Maryland through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DoE) weatherization and energy assistance programs.    "Marylanders are struggling with high energy costs and these federal funds will help families meet their en… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF CHARLES FOX TO LEAD CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) made the following statement on the selection of J. Charles (Chuck) Fox as Senior Advisor to the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Anacostia River:   "Chuck Fox is passionate about the Chesapeake Bay and committed to its restoration as a vibrant and healthy part of our regional environment and local economy. I applaud President Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for appointing Chuck Fox as Senior Advisor to th… Continue Reading

SEN. CARDIN RECEIVES NATIONAL PTA AWARD FOR HIS ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today received the Congressional Voice for Children Award from the National PTA for his advocacy on behalf of children.   Also receiving awards from the National PTA were Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL).     Senator Cardin was honored for his long history of giving a voice to voiceless children.   In 1999, as a member of… Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL IS GOOD FOR MARYLAND AND GOOD FOR AMERICA

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after Senate passage of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, which finalizes funding for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.   "America has turned a corner. For eight long years, the priorities of the Whit… Continue Reading

CARDIN STATEMENT ON OBAMA REVERSAL OF BAN ON FEDERAL FUNDING OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH

Washington, DC -  U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) joined President Obama at the White House today for the signing of an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. "Potentially no decision President Obama makes will have a more profound impact on the long-term health and well-being of more Americans than the reversal of President Bush's ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Millions of Americans are suffering from chro… Continue Reading

SENATORS CARDIN AND MIKULSKI, GOVERNOR O'MALLEY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL AND STATE EDUCATION INVESTMENTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD), and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley today met with Bowie State University students and administrators and other local elected officials to discuss steps they're taking on the national and state level to make higher education more affordable for American families.   Senators Cardin and Mikulski both worked to ensure the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included … Continue Reading

CARDIN SAYS OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL IS GOOD FOR MARYLAND AND GOOD FOR AMERICA

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after Senate passage of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, which finalizes funding for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2009.   "America has turned a corner. For eight long years, the priorities of the White House were not the priorities of the American people. … Continue Reading

CARDIN SHARES DETAILS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY WITH MONTGOMERY SENIORS

Bethesda, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, to day addressed the Montgomery County's Senior Forum " Security for Seniors in an Uncertain Time," reassuring attendees that they will not be left out of America's economic recovery.   "Living on a fixed income is difficult in the best of times, but in today's economy, it is an absolute challenge," said Senator Cardin.   "No on… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES WHITE HOUSE FORUM ON HEALTH REFORM

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and long-time advocate for universal health care, lauded President Obama today for making comprehensive health care reform a priority for the opening days of his administration, recognizing the impact it has on every American.   "I applaud President Obama for keeping his promise to hold an open debate on health care reform with the American … Continue Reading

STATEMENT AGAINST CHANGES IN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I take the floor today in defense of one of our most successful environmental statutes. Since its nearly unanimous passage in 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has protected nearly 2,000 species from extinction and contributed significantly to the economic benefit of this nation. According to a Study of 2006 Fish and Wildlife Service survey, wildlife-related recreation - meaning hunting, fishing and wildlife watching - generated more than $122 billion i… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN ANNOUNCES SBA DISASTER LOANS AVAILABILE IN COUNTIES HARD HIT BY 2008 DROUGHT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today announced that the Small Business Administration is making federal economic injury disaster loans available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations located in Maryland as a result of drought that began on June 1 through September 30, 2008.     These loans are available in the following counties:   Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harfo… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR BAY BRIDGE AIRPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Benjamin L. Cardin and Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Bay Bridge Airport in Stevensville, MD $2.06 million through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to extend its runway.   "I strongly support investing in airport safety and this federal grant will provide for needed infrastructure improvements to the runway at Bay Bridge Airport," said Senato… Continue Reading