CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CORRIGANVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department in Allegany County has been awarded $42,370 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).   Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding.   Senator Cardin is on the Budget Comm… Continue Reading

CARDIN, HOYER, EDWARDS PRAISE SUPPORT FOR MARYLANDERS IN RECENTLY PASSED HOUSING BILL

CLINTON, MD - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5), and Rep. Donna Edwards (MD-4) today joined together in Prince George's County to highlight how the just-passed Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221) will help current and future homeowners across Maryland and help steady the nation's housing market during these difficult times.   "Marylanders are hurting today because of what's happening in the h… Continue Reading

CARDIN LAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF HOUSING BILL

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised Senate passage of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221), which will help the American housing market and provide relief to homeowners and communities burdened by foreclosures and falling property values. The House recently passed the bill by a vote of 272-151 and the President has indicated that he will sign it.   "Marylanders are hur… Continue Reading

THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008

MR. CARDIN.  Mr. President, I know it's unusual that we are here on a Saturday with a voting session of the United States Senate.  But let me tell you, I am pleased that we are here because at last we're going to have a chance to vote on the final passage of H.R. 3221, the housing legislation that is so important to the people of this country.   I first want to thank Senator Dodd and Senator Shelby for the manner in which they have handled this legislation.  It has been han… Continue Reading

TEAM MARYLAND CELEBRATES ENACTMENT OF KOREAN WAR CHARTER BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) joined with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5) and Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and members of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) today to celebrate enactment of legislation granting the group a Federal Charter.   They also joined in celebrating the 55 th Anniversary of the armistice agreement ending the Korean War on July 27, 1953.    Senator Cardin and Congressmen Hoyer and John… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $250,000 FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER IN CUMBERLAND

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission (HRDC) to construct a community center in Cumberland for low-income individuals, seniors and families.   The new 20,000 square-foot facility will consolidate a host of support services currently scattered throughout the county, and serve an estimated 7,000 county … Continue Reading

CARDIN CO-SPONSORS BILL TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES STAY WARM THIS WINTER

WASHINGTON -    U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), has co-sponsored the Emergency Energy Assistance Act of 2008 to provide emergency assistance to low-income and working families who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of escalating energy prices.   The legislation consists of three components: a temporary increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 2008, full funding of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as well as ful… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN'S STATEMENT ON ENERGY

Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, first, let me thank the assistant majority leader, the Senator from Illinois, for his comments. I was listening intently to his message, which I think is one that is very important for this Nation.    The Senator talked about the fact that there is a significant amount of land currently available for drilling, and for reasons that are a little bit unclear, the oil industry has decided not to drill in those areas.    He also expressed his… Continue Reading

CARDIN, SARBANES ANNOUNCE $328,300 IN FUNDING FOR NEW IRVINE NATURE CENTER

OWINGS MILLS, MD - Surrounded by children from Baltimore City's Recreation and Parks Summer Camp program, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin and U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-3 rd) today presented the Irvine Nature Center with a check for $328,300 to promote urban education programs.  The Irvine Nature Center has become a national model for environmental education and is constructing a new, state-of-the-art green facility for its more than 500 environmental and educational progr… Continue Reading

CARDIN EXPRESSES SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT CHILLING EFFECT OF POLICE SURVEILLANCE ON PEACEFUL PROTEST GROUPS

WASHINGTON - Responding to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland's release of documents detailing 14-months of infiltration and surveillance of Maryland peace and other activist groups, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today called for a full accounting of these surveillance activities by federal, state and local officials.    "All U.S. citizens enjoy the protection of the First Amendment to the Constitution," said S… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN VOTES TO SUPPORT GLOBAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIV/AIDS, OTHER DISEASES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today voted for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Reauthorization Act , S. 2731, which would provide $50 billion in funding over five years to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria throughout the world.  The bill, which enjoys strong bipartisan support, passed the Senate by a vote of  80 to 16.   "The AIDS epidemic has taken an unbelievable toll on the families, children and p… Continue Reading

CARDIN PRAISES ENACTMENT OF MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised the swift congressional override of President Bush veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R 6331). The House voted by 383-41 and the Senate voted 70-26 to override the President's veto.   "In addition to preventing physician reimbursement cuts caused by the flawed payment formula, this important law strengthens the Medicare program by … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI APPLAUD DOD COMMITMENT TO NAVAL BETHESDA TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that Department of Defense (DOD) Brigadier General Brian R. Layer has committed to a greater federal investment to support the 2005 Base and Realignment Closure (BRAC) related transportation improvements.    In a June 2008 letter, the Senators urged General Layer to fulfill the federal government's obligation to BRAC-impacted communities.   In General Layer's response, he agrees with the… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $35K FOR ROCK HALL VOLUNTEER FIRE CO.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded a $35,570 USDA Rural Development grant to replace old, worn emergency equipment with safer, up-to-date gear that will provide a greater level of protection for volunteer firemen and EMS responders.     "I am extremely proud of our first responders. They are on the front lines every day protecting our co… Continue Reading

STATEMENT BY SENATOR BENJAMIN L. CARDIN (D-MD) ON FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC AND THE NEED FOR SWIFT ACTION TO HELP AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS

"The mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac represent millions of individual homeowners who have a growing anxiety about the future of their mortgages and the value of their homes. We have a responsibility, on their behalf, to bring the full force of the federal government together to help stabilize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and their continued ability to support our nation's housing market."   Senator Cardin also called for swift … Continue Reading

TEAM MARYLAND FIGHTS FOR MARYLAND BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS AND FAMILIES COPING WITH HIGH GAS PRICES

BALTIMORE --   U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Barbara A. Mikulski today joined with U.S. Congressmen Elijah Cummings (D-7 th) and John Sarbanes (D-3 rd) in hearing from members of Maryland's small business and non-profit communities about the problems they face because of rising gas prices.   The Senators and Congressmen pledged to take their message back to Congress and continue their work to overcome partisan obstacles in sol… Continue Reading

CARDIN, SNOWE AND MIKULSKI INTRODUCE BILL TO PROVIDE FAIR TREATMENT OF VOLUNTEERS HURT BY RISING GAS PRICES

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) today introduced the Fair Deal for Volunteers Act , which would provide relief to volunteers who use their personal vehicles for charitable activities. Under current law, mileage rates for charitable activity is fixed under the Internal Revenue Code at just 14 cents per mile, while the average cost of a gallon of regular gas has more than doubled in the last eight y… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $150K FOR WORCESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

WASHINGTON - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Maryland Hawk Corporation, Inc. has been awarded a $150,588 USDA Rural Development grant to build a demonstration farm for growing organic fruits and vegetables using high tunnel greenhouse technology in Worcester County.     The Maryland Hawk Corp. is a non-profit foundation founded by the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore (UMES) to develop opportunities … Continue Reading

CARDIN ANNOUNCES SERVICE ACADEMY APPOINTMENTS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), today announced that 11 Marylanders have accepted appointments to the U.S. Service Academies for the 2008-2009 academic year.     The five U.S. service academies -- the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy - recruit top-notch young American men and women who will appreciate an excellent education and a chance to serve thei… Continue Reading

CARDIN QUESTIONS DOJ PREPAREDNESS FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, participated today in the questioning of Attorney General Michael Mukasey during oversight hearings for the Department of Justice. Senator Cardin repeated his call for a proactive approach to protecting the integrity of the upcoming national election and the need to eliminate obstacles to voting for eligible voters.   "If the pri… Continue Reading