PHARMACEUTICALS IN THE NATION'S DRINKING WATER: ASSESSING POTENTIAL RISKS AND ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE

Mister Chairman:               Thank you for holding this hearing today.   While we have made considerable strides in cleaning up our Nation's drinking water by significantly reducing large-scale sources of pollution, technological advances in our ability to monitor the concentrations of contaminants in our Nation's waters have led to the some disturbing findings.     Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, insecticides, herbic… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI FIGHT TO STRIP FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS SITES

WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today joined the Senate effort, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), to rescind the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) authority to permit liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.  Senators Cardin and Mikulski have been outspoken critics of the proposed LNG facility at Sparrows Point in Baltimore.   If the Sparrows Point application is approved, LNG tankers would have to travel through the na… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR CUMBERLAND NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES

WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski both D-Md.) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $5,000 to the Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services to perform an economic analysis for the redevelopment of the Wills Creek neighborhood.     "Strong neighborhoods are the critical ingredient to the success of any community," said Senator Cardin.   "I support this federal commitment to help ensure that the… Continue Reading

CARDIN AND RUPPERSBERGER ANNOUNCE $310,479 FOR CHERRY HILL LEARNING ZONE

(Baltimore, Maryland) - Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) announced $310,479 in federal funds for the Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative.  The unique partnership between Towson University and the Baltimore City Public Schools improves the economic and educational opportunities for the Cherry Hill community by creating a community-wide network that prepares pre-schoolers for kindergarten, elementary school students for middle and high scho… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI PRAISE SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO CREATE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER TRAIL AND NEW HERITAGE AREA TO HONOR OUR REGION'S PAST

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both-D-MD) praised Senate passage of legislation to create a new National Historic Trail and a National Heritage Area to honor Maryland and our region's historic past and links to the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War.      The Senate bill contains Senator Cardin's proposal to designate the route of the British invasion during the War of 1812 as the Star-Spangled Banner National H… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, VAN HOLLEN ANNOUNCE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today announced the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association has been awarded $253,072 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).  Senator Mikulski teamed up with Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.) to create the AFGP in 2000.  As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriation… Continue Reading

CARDIN HONORED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH SYSTEMS

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) was presented with the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) Presidential Award for his longstanding leadership and firm commitment to working for those with serious mental illnesses.   Senator Cardin received the award at the NAPHS Annual Meeting in Washington, DC earlier this week.   "I am proud to be recognized by NAPHS, which has advocated for effective behavioral health treatment and … Continue Reading

CARDIN CALLS FORECLOSURE PREVENTION BILL GOOD BUT SAYS IT COULD BE BETTER

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) joined with his colleagues today approving the Foreclosure Prevention Act (H.R. 3221) by a vote of 84-12. While supporting the overall bill, Senator Cardin expressed his disappointment that two key provisions were not included in the legislation: changes to the bankruptcy laws related to primary residences and a tax-credit for first-time homebuyers to help stimulate the ailing housing market.  … Continue Reading

CARDIN REMINDS MARYLANDERS TO FILE TAX RETURNS EARLY TO RECEIVE STIMULUS REBATES

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) released a public service announcement today urging all eligible Marylanders to file their tax returns early so they can receive their stimulus rebates. "Most Americans are aware that Congress passed an economic stimulus package, including a modest rebate, to help families struggling in our slow economy. However, many, like veterans who rely on VA disability benefits, seniors who rely on Social Secu… Continue Reading

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR A NEW STRATEGY IN IRAQ

Mr. CARDIN.   Mr. Chairman, I want to join my colleagues in welcoming General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker.    I disagree with the mission to which this Administration has committed their talents, but I want to recognize their dedication and their service.   They answered their government's call to duty under the most difficult circumstances.   That took courage and we are grateful.     I also wan… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $5.8 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR HAGERSTOWN AIRPORT RUNWAY EXTENSION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Washington County an additional $5.8 million to complete the runway safety extension project at the Hagerstown Regional-Richard A. Henson Airport.   The $48.5 million runway safety project was begun in 2004 to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) safety standards.   The project extends the ru… Continue Reading

CARDIN TELLS PETRAEUS, CROCKER: WE NEED TO STEP UP DIPLOMACY AND BRING OUR TROOPS HOME

Washington , DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, participated today in the latest questioning of General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker on the current status of U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in Iraq. Senator Cardin reiterated the need to bring our troops home as soon as possible, allowing the Iraqi's to control their own country while the United States returns to the vital mission of tracking international terro… Continue Reading

CARDIN, ENSIGN ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS TAX CREDIT

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and John Ensign (R-NV) announced their bipartisan plan to help stimulate the housing market and provide balance to the housing provisions currently under consideration in the Senate. The Cardin/Ensign First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Amendment (S. Amdt. 4421) would provide a non-refundable tax credit of $7,000, payable over two years, to eligible first-time homebuyers who purchase a principal residence. … Continue Reading

CARDIN URGES QUICK ACTION ON FORECLOSURE PREVENTION BILL; ANNOUNCES TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) reiterated his support for the foreclosure prevention legislation being considered by the full Senate and announced his plan to introduce a First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit . The tax credit would provide a targeted, timely and temporary stimulus to the housing market by offsetting down payment or closing costs for prospective home buyers with a refundable tax credit. "Whole communities are affected by the housing crisis, not just … Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI SIGN LETTER TO REID URGING FULL FUNDING FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAMS IN FINAL FARM BILL

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD), have signed a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid applauding the inclusion of $4.95 billion in new funding for conservation programs in the farm bill by House and Senate Conferees.   The letter urges the Majority Leader to ensure that the final version of the bill contains the full funding recommended by the conferees.   Last year, Senators Cardin and Mikulski introduced legisla… Continue Reading

SENATOR CARDIN CALLS FOR A NEW, MORE THOUGHTFUL APPROACH IN IRAQ

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, participated today in hearings looking at Iraq from a military and political perspective after the current "surge." An excerpt of his opening statement is below. The full statement is available here. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin: "We are here today - after more than five years, 4,000 lives lost, 30,000 wounded, and… Continue Reading

CARDIN VOTES TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS FACING BANKRUPTCY; FULL SENATE BLOCKS ACTION

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Judiciary Committee, today expressed disappointment that Republicans prevented the Senate from passing legislation that would allow judges to modify mortgages on principal residences in bankruptcy. Despite receiving preliminary approval from the Judiciary Committee earlier in the day, the Senate voted to table the Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act , authored by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) an… Continue Reading

PROTECTING AND STIMULATING HOME OWNERSHIP

Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Illinois for his statements and leadership on this issue. I serve on the Judiciary Committee with him. I thank him for bringing forward this proposal. I think it is critically important to a large number of homeowners who find themselves in bankruptcy that they get the help the bankruptcy courts were designed to create. It was to take a look at the financial ability of the person going into bankruptcy, to take a look at their assets and to make a fair arr… Continue Reading

CARDIN, MIKULSKI, BARTLETT ANNOUNCE NEARLY $1 MILLION FOR MORE FIREFIGHTERS, FIRE PREVENTION IN HAGERSTOWN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.), and Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) today announced the Hagerstown Fire Department has been awarded two fire grants totaling $987,975 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP).   Senator Mikulski teamed up with Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.) to create the AFGP in 2000.   As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subc… Continue Reading

WE NEED A NEW STRATEGY IN IRAQ

We are here today - after more than five years, 4,000 lives lost, 30,000 wounded, and six hundred billion dollars spent - to once again re-evaluate our country's strategy in Iraq. I welcome this discussion. Because I continue to believe it is imperative that we change course now, not next month, not next year.   I first want to pay tribute to our troops and diplomats serving in Iraq with such courage and competence. I am humbled again… Continue Reading