Dear Fellow Marylanders,
So much to say this week, but I want to use this space to thank my friend Joe Biden for being an incredible American patriot who made a selfless decision. Call it OG or a throwback, but when President Biden announced that he would not run for re-election, I was transported to a time when a majority of elected officials put the nation’s best interests before their own.
This should surprise no one. Joe Biden has been a passionate public servant throughout his lifetime, always putting the needs of this nation first. He and I share these values, as well as a dedication to democracy, freedom and the rule of law.
As president, he has led an administration that has dedicated four years to helping our nation, helping our people and has created hope and opportunity where there was sickness, despair and inequality.
On the very first day of the Biden-Harris administration in 2021, President Biden signed executive orders that finally created a cohesive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marylanders were given a lifeline as our state received new federal resources for vaccines, testing and personal protective equipment. Communities and individuals were helped as a whole-of-government approach kicked into gear, and the federal government agreed to pick up 100% of the cost for many critical state and local expenses in response to this one-in-a-century pandemic.
To continue addressing health challenges facing our communities today and long into the future, the Biden-Harris administration supports the continued innovation of Maryland’s unique health care model through the creation of the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model, which is built on the Maryland Total Cost of Care Model.
President Biden also is responsible for Marylanders on Medicare now only having to pay $35 a month for insulin.
Today, thanks to President Biden, Maryland’s and the nation’s unemployment are at historic lows, small businesses creation is at record highs and the Fed is on the cusp of cutting interest rates again. Wages are finally outpacing price increases and Marylanders are finding more money in their bank accounts at the end of the month.
And thanks to President Biden and his work with Congress, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (aka the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal) and the Inflation Reduction Act, billions of dollars are being invested in Maryland infrastructure – local roads, transit and more – our clean energy sector, emergency services and public health.
Each piece of legislation alone represents a monumental accomplishment for any president. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment that is expected to provide Maryland $4.1 billion for roads and bridges and $1.7 billion for public transportation, in addition to investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging, broadband, and clean drinking water.
The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant action any administration has taken on climate in U.S. history. The Inflation Reduction Act will bring an estimated $6.5 billion in investment in clean power generation and storage to Maryland within the next 10 years, in addition to investments in climate resiliency, agriculture, and clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits for families.
President Biden also has stood with Maryland when flooding overwhelmed our communities and hurricanes wrought havoc in our state. He and the full Biden-Harris administration have been partners during some of our most difficult times.
One of the greatest examples of this was that horrific day in March when the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck and collapsed into the Patapsco River. At the president’s direction, federal resources were available immediately to recover the victims, clear the wreckage and reopen the Port of Baltimore. President Biden understood the gravity of the disaster and quickly made clear that the full cost of replacing the bridge would be covered by the federal government.
As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, someone who has traveled the world on behalf of the United States, I can tell you with certainty that President Biden has earned America back the respect and leadership it deserves. He has been able to unite allies against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and he stands boldly in support of democracies around the world. President Biden has shown the utmost respect for our service members and their families.
For all this and more, Joe Biden has earned the right to determine his own future and I respect his decision. On behalf of all Marylanders, I thank him for his incredible service with all my heart.
Thank you for your time. Please feel free to reply to this email with your thoughts on this topic or any other. I value all the feedback we receive.
In solidarity,
Ben Cardin
