Press Releases & Statements
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $338,292 for Maryland Opioid Surveillance System Improvement Program
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $338,292 to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish the Maryland Opioid Surveillance System Improvement Program. The program will address the rising rate of opioid-related overdoses, with a specific focus on heroin and synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The Maryland DHMH will establish an e… Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Cardin Statement on North Korea’s Latest Missile Launch
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Friday after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that fell into the Sea of Japan: "Today's North Korea ICBM test is further evidence-if further evidence is needed - of Pyongyang's determination to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The United States stands by our allies in Seoul and Tokyo, and there should be no quest… Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Cardin Calls for Republicans to Finally Work with Democrats to Improve the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, released the following statement after Republicans failed in their attempt to send a bad bill to the president on faith that it might be improved by the House of Representatives. "Voting for a bill that you do not believe in and that you never want to become law defies logic. I'm glad my colleagues, Senator McCain, Senator Collins and Senator Murkowski, understood that it is our job as senato… Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Cardin Statement on Major Sanctions Legislation Sent to President Trump
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after the Senate passed legislation from the House to sanction Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bill was approved 98-2. The original bill was passed by the Senate in June, also by a 98-2 vote. Senator Cardin served as a chief author and negotiator of the legislation. "The Congress of the United States has sent a clear message tonight to the governme… Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Cardin Statement on President Trump’s Move to Ban Transgender Individuals from Serving in the U.S. Military
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) responded to the president's call to ban transgender individuals from serving in our armed forces with the following statement. "Once again, the president has created a problem where none existed. The U.S. Government, at any level, should not be codifying discrimination. It runs counter to our values and is counterproductive for our national security. Serving in our military should be about the safety of our nation not excluding those who are able an… Continue Reading
July 25, 2017
Cardin Response to Senate Vote on Motion to Proceed to Affordable Care Act Repeal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, released the following statement after the 51-50 vote on the Motion to Proceed to repeal, and maybe replace, the Affordable Care Act. "It is unconscionable that Republicans have forced a vote on a bill for which they have no idea what it will include. We took many Republicans at their word that they cared more for their constituents' health and wellbeing than party politics. They are now on-th… Continue Reading
July 25, 2017
Cardin Addresses NAACP National Convention, Underscores Need for Unity in Ongoing Push to Advance Civil and Human Rights
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin yesterday addressed the 108th NAACP Annual Convention, calling on its members to remain unified and unwavering in the ongoing struggle to advance civil and human rights nationwide. Noting that the current political climate is not one inclined to embrace progress on key social issues, Senator Cardin spotlighted the critical role of the NAACP as a driver for change. Specifically, Senator Cardin asked NAACP members to continue to work in support of the immediate … Continue Reading
July 24, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Statement on Kent Island Tornado
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the tornado that touched down on Kent Island overnight. "Our thoughts are with the people of Stevensville on Kent Island today as they recover from last night's storm and possible tornado. We appreciate the speed and skill of the first responders and all those working to return the community to a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of such sudden destruction. Our offices already hav… Continue Reading
July 24, 2017
Cardin Condemns Afghanistan, Pakistan Bombings, Calls For Comprehensive Strategy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Monday after bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan and Lahore, Pakistan killed scores of civilians in both countries: "I condemn the horrendous bombings today in both Kabul and Lahore and I offer my condolences to the families of those killed and wounded. These events are vivid reminders of the insecurity in that region perpetrated by violent extremist and terrorist… Continue Reading
July 22, 2017
Cardin Reacts To House Sanctions Bill On Russia, Iran, North Korea
July 21, 2017
Cardin Renews Call to Create a National Standard for Restoring Voting Rights to Formerly Incarcerated Americans
WASHINGTON - As the Trump Administration look for ways to legalize voter suppression through its Commission on Election Integrity, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has introduced legislation - the Democracy Restoration Act of 2017 that would strengthen American communities by restoring voting rights to individuals after they have returned to their communities after being released from incarceration. Studies indicate that former prisoners who have voting rights restored are less likely to reoffend… Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Cardin Renews Call to Create a National Standard for Restoring Voting Rights to Formerly Incarcerated Americans
WASHINGTON - As the Trump Administration looks for ways to legalize voter suppression through its Commission on Election Integrity, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has introduced legislation - the Democracy Restoration Act of 2017 that would strengthen American communities by restoring voting rights to individuals after they have returned to their communities after being released from incarceration. Studies indicate that former prisoners who have voting rights restored are less likely to reoffen… Continue Reading
July 21, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $499,970 National Science Foundation Grant to University of Maryland Baltimore County to Advance Understanding of Earth’s Climate
WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced that University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) will receive a $499,970 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to train graduate students, postdocs, as well as junior faculty in disciplines to advance knowledge of atmospheric radiation and the Earth's climate system. "This is a federal investment both in Maryland's students and in our ongoing efforts to fight climate change, which begins by t… Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Cardin Statement On Exxon Penalty For Sanctions Violation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after the Treasury Department announced a $2 million penalty against ExxonMobil for violations of Ukraine-related sanctions due to its business pursuits with Russia: "In 2014, U.S. sanctions were imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea. Congress played an important role in passing two sanctions bills in 2014 tha… Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $53,226 AmeriCorps Grant to Combat Opioid Epidemic on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today announced that Salisbury State University has been awarded a $53,226 AmeriCorps Grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund the ShoreCorps/Partnership for Adolescents on the Lower Shore (PALS) program to help combat the opioid epidemic on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. "This grant represents a federal investment in our fight to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, which continues to… Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $37,203 AmeriCorps Grant to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Western Maryland
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today announced that Frostburg State University has been awarded a $37,203 AmeriCorps Grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund the Conquering Opiate Abuse Together (COAT) program to help combat the opioid epidemic in Western Maryland. "This grant represents a federal investment in our fight to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, which continues to impact families in every corner of Maryland… Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Cardin, Roberts Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Retirement Savings Through Employee-Owned Companies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today introduced legislation to encourage retirement savings by fostering the growth of S corporations that are owned by Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("S-ESOPs"). Through changes to the tax code and educational outreach to companies, the bipartisan Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act would eliminate barriers that businesses and their owners currently face in establishing new S corporation ESOPs or exp… Continue Reading
July 19, 2017
Cardin Calls for Release of Amnesty International Staff, Human Rights Activists Recently Detained in Turkey
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday after the Turkey Director of Amnesty International and other human rights activists were arrested in Turkey: "I am deeply alarmed by the detention of Amnesty International's Turkey Director, Idil Eser, along with five other human rights activists earlier this week. Commitment to fundamental freedoms and an active civil society are critical to the fu… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Cardin Statement on the Latest Republican Attempts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, released the following statement: "No, Mr. President, it won't be 'easier' to let Obamacare fail. It won't be easier for the 32 million Americans who will lose their health coverage because you and Congressional Republicans are hell bent on killing a program that truly was working until you decided to throw a wrench into the system. It won't be easier for the 19 million Americans who will lose… Continue Reading
July 18, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $140,000 for Eastern Shore Economic Development
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award $140,000 to the Eastern Shore for the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). Both the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore and the Mid-Shore Regional Council for the Eastern Shore will receive $70,000, benefiting Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties. Each C… Continue Reading
