Press Releases & Statements
Senate Democrats Warn Against Anti-Environmental Riders in Omnibus, Secure Votes to Sustain Presidential Veto
WASHINGTON - Nearly two-thirds of the Senate Democratic Caucus, led by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, are urging Senate appropriators to keep out and remove anti-environmental policy riders in forthcoming legislation to fund the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2016. The senators also are calling on President Obama to veto any omnibus spending package that includes policy riders that threaten environmental and public … Continue Reading
December 03, 2015
Cardin, Corker Outline Iran Nuclear Deal Oversight Plan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a letter to President Barack Obama presented their plans for ongoing oversight of the Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that was reached in July with members of the P5+1 and Iran. Full text of the letter is included below and is available online here. Dear President Obama: Thank you for providing senior Adminis… Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Cardin Statement on the Mass Shooting In San Bernardino
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement: "I send my most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to families who have been impacted by this latest scourge of gun violence. I thank the first responders who are tending the wounded and placing their lives on the line to bring the perpetrators to justice. Once again, America is reeling after reports of another mass shooting. Once again, we will learn the names and stories of victims who were killed or injured for no… Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Cardin Explores Innovative Approaches to Family Health Care at Greater Baltimore Medical Center
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) this week joined the leadership and employees of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) HealthCare system to tour the recently updated Family Care Associates facility and to meet with GBMC staff and board members to discuss the continued evolution of the American healthcare system. "We know that the Affordable Care Act is working, but need to ensure that it continually evolves to best meet the needs of Maryland communities. To do this, we must l… Continue Reading
December 02, 2015
Cardin Urges Hungarian Government: Don’t Build Tribute to Architect of Hungary’s Anti-Jewish Laws
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement regarding plans by the Hungarian government to fund a statue honoring Balint Homan, one of the architects of Hungary's anti-Jewish laws and member of the Arrow Cross regime. "I am deeply distressed that… Continue Reading
December 01, 2015
Cardin and Becerra Introduce Plan to Protect Taxpayers’ Rights
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), the House Democratic Caucus Chairman and a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, today introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives the Taxpayer Rights Act of 2015 (S. 2333/H.R. 4128). The Act aims to improve Internal Revenue Service (IRS) services and procedures and to protect the rights of all U.S. taxpayers. The Taxpayer Rights Act… Continue Reading
November 30, 2015
Cardin Welcomes Launch of Mission Innovation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a senior member of Environment and Public Works Committee welcomed the launch of Mission Innovation in Paris by President Obama, President Hollande, and other world leaders. "Mission Innovation is a game changer with the potential to create brand new energy technologies that can revolutionize the world," said Senator Cardin. "The possible breakthroughs in five years thanks to this groundbreaki… Continue Reading
November 23, 2015
Cardin-Toomey Legislation Supporting Emergency Psychiatric Care Headed to President for Signature
WASHINGTON - A bill introduced by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to extend the duration of a demonstration program that allows individuals with chronic mental illnesses to seek the help they need without becoming stuck in the revolving door of emergency room visits, relapses, jail, homelessness, and death, is now on track to be signed into law. The just-passed S. 599, Improving Access to Emergency Psychiatric Care Act of 2015, will allow Medicaid to provide matching fund… Continue Reading
November 21, 2015
Cardin Statement on the Death of American Aid Worker and Maryland Resident Anita Datar in Mali
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the death of American aid worker and Maryland resident Anita Datar who was killed during the terrorist attack in Mali on November 20th. "A week of horrifying violence overseas is now painfully felt here at home in Maryland. Anita Datar strove to make the world a better, more compassionate place. Her work was important as she summoned the best of American valu… Continue Reading
November 20, 2015
Cardin, Mikulski, Delaney Announce $50,000 In Rural Development Funding For Garrett County
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, together with U.S. Representative John Delaney (all D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDARD) has awarded the Town of Deer Park in Garrett County $50,000 in federal grant funding for the purchase of a new utility service vehicle. "Rural Marylanders deserve to have roads that are clear in the winter and clear all year round, and this federal grant will help ensure that those who live i… Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Bicameral Coalition Aims To Clarify Pension Rules For Clergy And Other Religious Institution Workers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, along with Representatives Pat Tiberi (Ohio-12) and Richard E. Neal (Mass.-01), both members of the House Ways and Means Committee, have introduced the Church Plan Clarification Act of 2015 (S. 2308/H.R. 4085) to support the retirement security of our nation's clergy, church lay workers, and their families. The Church Plan Clarification Act clarifies the application of certain tax a… Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
Cardin Welcomes the Launch of TechHire in Baltimore
"I applaud the Obama Administration for recognizing the value and return on investment that comes with investing in the people of Baltimore." WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today welcomed the announcement the new $100 million TechHire program to expand workforce development opportunities and provide Baltimore residents who are unemployed, underemployed or formerly incarcerated with the training and opportunities needed to expand jo… Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
Cardin, Senate Democrats Call for Immediate Federal Study on Effectiveness of Public Health Programs that Promote Gun Safety
Accountability Office (GAO) study into the effectiveness of public health and safety programs designed to improve gun safety, including the storage and security of the 300 million guns in American households nationwide. Citing the facts that 43 toddlers so far this year have shot themselves or others and that the lifetime medical costs of treating gunshot U.S. gunshot injuries is $2.3 billion, almost half borne by taxpayers, the Senators urge U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro to initiate a… Continue Reading
November 17, 2015
Cardin Statement on Syrian Refugees Coming to the United States
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the various statements from primarily Republican governors attempting to stop Syrian refugees from entering their states. A video of his remakrs can be viewed here. "As elected officials, the safety of all Americans is our highest priority. The United States should be doing everything in our power to know who we allow into this country - refugees, busines… Continue Reading
November 17, 2015
Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Paris
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously passed a resolution authored by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemning the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday and offering thoughts and prayers for the victims, condolences to their families, resolve to support the people of France, and a pledge to defend democracy and stand in solidarity with the country of France and all our allies in the fac… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Cardin Statement on Paris Attacks
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the attacks in Paris. "It is with a heavy heart that I offer my sincerest condolences to the family members of the victims who were killed in this tragedy and to the French people during this difficult period. Too frequently of late, France has suffered at the hands of terrorists seeking to cause havoc and devastation in Paris and in other cities throughout… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Cardin Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s Murder
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act (Public Law 112-208), issued the following statement ahead of the sixth anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky's murder. "November 16th marks the sixth anniversary of the brutal death of Sergei Magnitsky, the courageous voice against Russian corruption who was imprisoned and tortured in a Russian prison for 358 days before his death.… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Northeast Senators Unite in Call to Save Essential Funding for the Most Densely Travelled Region in the Country
WASHINGTON - Citing the devastating impact of a House provision in the Surface Transportation bill on the most heavily travelled and densely populated corridor in the U.S., Senators from across the Northeast Corridor have united in an urgent request to Senate leaders on the conference committee asking them to stand firm and preserve Senate language on critical funding for bus service in high density regions. The letter, led by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), was signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.)… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Northeast Senators Unite in Call to Save Essential Funding for the Most Densely Travelled Region in the Country
WASHINGTON - Citing the devastating impact of a House provision in the Surface Transportation bill on the most heavily travelled and densely populated corridor in the U.S., Senators from across the Northeast Corridor have united in an urgent request to Senate leaders on the conference committee asking them to stand firm and preserve Senate language on critical funding for bus service in high density regions. The letter, led by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), was signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.)… Continue Reading
November 13, 2015
Cardin Discusses Future of Baltimore City with the Presidents’ Roundtable, Inc.
BALTIMORE - U. S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today briefed members of the Presidents' Roundtable, Inc., an organization of 20 African-American entrepreneurs in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area that oversees more than $1.1 billion in assets and employs more than 1,750 workers, on federal efforts to help Baltimore's continued recovery from April's civil unrest. Senator Cardin and members of the President's Roundtable also discussed ways to strengthen … Continue Reading