Press Releases & Statements
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Russia Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) today introduced the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DASKA) of 2019. The comprehensive legislation seeks to increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation in response to Russia's interference in democratic processes abroad, malign influence in Syria, and aggression against Ukraine, including in … Continue Reading
February 20, 2019
Cardin Leads Reintroduction of Bill to Improve Diversity in U.S. National Security Workforce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), recently introduced legislation to strengthen employee diversity in the U.S. national security workforce through enhanced hiring, retention, and growth practices. The National Security Diversity and Inclusion Workforce Act of 2019 (S. 497) would codify that a di… Continue Reading
February 19, 2019
Cardin, Cornyn and Jones Join Forces to Protect Military Spouses Who Are Teachers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) together have introduced legislation that will eliminate a barrier for teachers in military families to earn loan forgiveness for their years of public service. S. 532, the Preserving Teacher Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses Act, would ensure that military spouses teaching in our hardest-to-serve school districts do not lose eligibility for the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness program should they fol… Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cardin Responds to Passage of Appropriations Package and Probable Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) called today's vote by the Senate on an appropriations compromise package positive for Maryland, our country and federal workers. The legislation, which passed the Senate 83-16, next will be voted on by the House of Representatives. Senator Cardin also responded to Senator Mitch McConnell's announcement that President Trump would sign the bill and simultaneously issue an emergency declaration for the southern border. "There is no such thing as a 'goo… Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cardin Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Worker Security Clearances From Shutdown Repercussions
WASHINGTON - As the deadline looms to avoid yet another federal government shutdown, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has introduced legislation that would protect federal employees and contractors from losing their security clearances due to financial reasons, such as poor credit scores, that are attributable to a lapse in federal appropriations. This would be applicable to the recent 35-day shutdown or any future occurrences. Using the Rule XIV process, the bill, Protecting Employees Security C… Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Medicare at 50 Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) in introducing the Medicare at 50 Act to give people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old the option of buying into Medicare. Millions of Americans who are approaching retirement or are being forced to retire early due to layoffs or mandatory retirement face increasing health care needs and rising costs. "Medicare is a highly efficient and cost-effect… Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Cardin Statement on Guatemalan Amnesty Proposal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the proposal under consideration by the Guatemalan Congress that would free military officials and guerilla leaders convicted of grave crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights. "I am gravely concerned by the Guatemalan Congress' proposal to grant amnesty for war crimes. The Guatemalan people endured unimaginable horrors, abuse and violenc… Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Senators Introduce Legislation to Protect Americans with Pre-existing Conditions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) today introduced the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act to prevent the Trump Administration from promoting "junk" health care plans that lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans. "The Trump Administration's efforts to expand the use of junk insurance plans is bankrupt of all sense and mora… Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cardin, Van Hollen Historical and Conservation Priorities Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) lauded today's bipartisan Senate passage of a package of conservation and natural resources bills that will help preserve Maryland's rich historic sites and protect wildlife, such as the Baltimore Oriole. The Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) passed 92-8 and now heads to the House of Representatives. The legislative package includes measures sponsored by Senators Cardin and Van Hollen to preserve President Street Sta… Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cardin, Carper, Duckworth Lead 36 Senators Urging EPA to Extend Comment Period for Proposed WOTUS Rule
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), top Democrat of the EPW Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), top Democrat on the EPW Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, along with Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led two letters to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps o… Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Trump Admin Push to Allow Unfettered Proliferation of Untraceable, 3D Printable Guns, Weaken Controls over Foreign Arms Sales
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Ca.) in introducing legislation to block the Trump Administration's efforts to weaken controls over foreign arms sales and allow for the unfettered proliferation of untraceable, virtually undetectable, 3D printable guns that threaten public safety. The Trump Administration announced earlier this month that it has taken steps to transfer co… Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Cardin Statement on Rep. Omar’s Use of Anti-Semitic Tropes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), today issued the following statement. "One of the best ways to combat anti-Semitism is to call it out whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head. This is true in the United States and around the world. The swift, united response from congressional leaders in condemning the proliferation of anti-Semitic tropes by… Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Cardin, Velázquez Request GAO Report on Impact of Trump Shutdown on Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, and Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business, today sent a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the impact of the 35-day Trump Shutdown on small businesses. "SBA programs serve a vital role in promoting entrepreneurship, providing access to cap… Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Cardin Statement on Reports the Trump Administration Will Ignore Magnitsky Act Requirements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and lead author of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, issued the following statement regarding reports the White House will not make a determination on the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. "The Global Magnitsky Act requires the president to make a determination of responsibility within 120 days when the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Cardin Statement on John Dingell
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement on the passing of former Representative John Dingell, Jr. "John Dingell set the all-time bar for legislators. He served his constituents and his country with honor. Through his tenacity and willingness to comprise for the good of good policy, he made a lasting, positive difference in the lives of millions. John got things done like no one else, and not only because he outlasted nearly everyone he served with. Helping … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Senators Cardin and Wicker, and Reps. Clarke, Gosar, Simpson, Meng Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Tax Abatement Bill for Dental Faculty
WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Senators Cardin (D-Md.) and Wicker (R-Miss.) reintroduced the Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2019 (S. 359). H.R. 996 would exempt Title VII's dental faculty loan repayment recipients from taxation for five years during the span of their participation in the loan forgiveness program. The bill keeps dental faculty members from having to pay potentially hefty tax bills on their federal loan repayment benefits. Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Paul… Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Legislation to Protect America’s Scenic Byways Introduced by Senators Cardin, Collins
WASHINGTON - In a bipartisan effort to protect and promote America's scenic roadways, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have introduced the Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act. Senators Cardin's and Collins' legislation would restart the dormant designation process for the National Scenic Byways Program, a voluntary, community-based Federal Highway Administration program to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The roads ar… Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Cardin, Van Hollen, Cummings, Ruppersberger and Sarbanes Announce Legislation to Improve Student Access to Federal Financial Aid
WASHINGTON - Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.), along with Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) and John Sarbanes (MD-03), have announced the introduction of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416 and HR 1075). The legislation would simplify the process to apply for and receive federal student financial aid for students who do not have contact with their parents. "We want all students to have an opportunity to achieve their dream of… Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cardin Response to the State of the Union
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Environment & Public Works, and Finance committees, offered the following remarks in response to President Trump's State of the Union address. "I listened carefully to President Trump's words tonight. The president talked about serious foreign policy issues and serious domestic issues, as he should have, but his heated rhetori… Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Cardin Statement on Bipartisan Passage of S. 1
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after passage of S.1, Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. "The U.S. has had a central role in the Middle East for decades. While one of the most volatile regions in the world, it plays an important role in our national and economic security, and is host to tens of thousands of American troops. Congress, as a coequal branch of govern… Continue Reading
