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

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

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

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

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

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

Cardin Reacts To House Sanctions Bill On Russia, Iran, North Korea

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $143,888 Grant for Bay Bridge Airport

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today announced a $143,888 Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for the Bay Bridge Airport in Stevensville, Md. The funding will help repair lighting and approach surfaces on the runway. "This funding enables necessary safety enhancements for a unique regional resource. The Bay Bridge Airport provides a key link for local communities and helps those who love the Chesapeake Bay more expediently reach their destinations, … Continue Reading

Cardin Remarks At Hearing On State Department Reorganization, Reauthorization

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following opening remarks Monday at a Committee hearing on State Department reauthorization legislation, and reorganization planning by the Trump Administration: "This is an extremely important hearing, the review of the State Department reauthorization bill for FY 2018 as well as the State Department's reorganization plans. "Chairman Corker has laid out what both of us feel very pa… Continue Reading

Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $300,000 Grant for Western Maryland Rural Health Care Development

WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded a $300,000 grant to the Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC) West in Cumberland, Maryland. AHEC West serves Appalachian counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia on health care issues. Their mission is to support healthcare practice transformation through increased collaboration among hospitals, Federally Qualified Health… Continue Reading

Cardin, Senators Introduce Legislation to Prevent Creation of Cybersecurity Unit with Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), and senators have introduced legislation to prevent the creation of a cybersecurity unit with Russia. The legislation follows the suggestion from the President that the United States should partner with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on a joint cybersecurity unit. The No Funds for Cyber Coordination with Russia Act of 2017 says that the President should publicly accepts U.S. intell… Continue Reading