Chairman's Press
Cardin Statement on North Korean Missile Launch Over Japan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japan: "The latest provocation from Kim Jong-un's regime, directly threatening our treaty ally Japan, has further heightened tensions in the region and is a clear indication that the administration's approach is not working. North Korea's actions are a violation of multiple United Nations Security Cou… Continue Reading
August 17, 2017
Cardin Statement on Deadly Mud Slides in Sierra Leone
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after news reports confirmed more than 400 people lost their lives and 600 were still missing from mudslides that occurred on a hillside in Regent, a mountainous town 15 miles east of Freetown, after heavy rains struck the area. "I'm profoundly saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life in the past days due to mudslides caused by heavy rains. I offer… Continue Reading
August 16, 2017
Cardin Statement on Annual International Religious Freedom Report
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the State Department's release of the International Religious Freedom Report for 2016: "In too many places around the world, governments are implementing legal restrictions on religious communities, or failing to protect religious minorities. Based on the annual International Religious Freedom Report from the State Department, I am deeply concerned that many … Continue Reading
August 15, 2017
Cardin Asks Tillerson for Answers on Lingering Vacancies and Lack of Nominees for Senior State Department Positions
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has written to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressing his grave concerns about the vast number of high-level vacancies at the State Department. Coming within weeks of the five-year anniversary of the attack on U.S. diplomats in Benghazi, Libya, Senator Cardin is seeking details on plans to fill the vacancy of Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, as well as most other high-level positions… Continue Reading
August 14, 2017
Cardin Statement on Presidential Memorandum on China’s Trade Practices
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement in response to the President's memorandum addressing China unfair trade laws, policies, practices, and actions related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology. "We face many challenges in our economic relationship with China, especially with respect to that country's failings in Intellectual Property (IP) protec… Continue Reading
August 11, 2017
Cardin, McCain Prod Trump Administration to Use Global Magnitsky Tools to Punish Human Rights Violators and Corrupt Officials from Around the World
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, authors of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act (P.L. 114-328), have written to President Trump requesting that his Administration vet and determine whether 20 individuals and entities from across the globe meet the criteria to be sanctioned in accordance with the Global Magnitsky Act. The Global Magnits… Continue Reading
August 08, 2017
Cardin Statement on North Korea
BALTIMORE -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the President's latest response to North Korea."President Trump's comments were not helpful and once again show that he lacks the temperament and judgement to deal with the serious crisis the United States confronts. We should not be engaging in the same kind of blustery and provocative statements as North Korea about nuclear war. No one should think that a conflict with… Continue Reading
August 05, 2017
Cardin Statement on United Nations Security Council Resolution Strengthening Sanctions on North Korea
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on a new resolution to impose additional sanction on North Korea following its two recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. "Today's UN Security Council resolution sends an important signal to North Korea that if it continues down its provocative pathway of nuclear and ballistic missile proliferat… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Urges Ambassador Haley to Lead UN Campaign Against Palestinian Terror Payments
WASHINGTON - In a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today urged the U.S. to wage an international campaign against the Palestinian Authority's (PA) compensation of terrorists imprisoned in Israel. Cosigners of the letter include Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Cory Gardne… Continue Reading
August 03, 2017
Cardin Statement on Committee Passage of the Taylor Force Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Taylor Force Act was approved 17-4 by the committee. Senator Cardin is a cosponsor of the legislation, which now moves to the full Senate for consideration. "I was pleased to vote for S. 1697, the Taylor Force Act, in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. I support the objectives of the Taylor Force Act, and am pleased that Senator Corker led the c… Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Cardin Expresses Concern About Unused Funds for Countering Russian and ISIS Propaganda
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on reports that the State Department is declining to spend nearly $80 million allocated by Congress to fight ISIS and Russian propaganda: "I am dismayed by reports that the State Department may not use nearly $80 million in funds set aside to counter Russian disinformation and ISIS propaganda. These funds have been authorized and appropriated by Congress for t… Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Cardin Statement on the Signing of the ‘Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanction Act’
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the sanctions bill signed into law by President Trump. The bill, which passed the Senate twice 98-2, also had overwhelming support in the House of Representatives. "I am relieved that H.R. 3364, the 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanction Act' is now law. I thank all of our partners who worked on this legislation in the House and Senate over the… 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 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 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
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Saturday after the House of Representatives posted its version of sanctions legislation related to Russia, Iran and North Korea: "My preference over the last month had been for the House to take up and adopt the legislation that passed the Senate 98-2, however I welcome the House bill which was the product of intense negotiations. I believe the proposed change… 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 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 17, 2017
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
July 13, 2017
Cardin Mourns Death of Liu Xiaobo, Chinese Human Rights Activist and Nobel Laureate
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after the death of Liu Xiaobo, who was serving an 11-year sentence in Chinese prison after calling for peaceful political change in that country. International health experts and politicians, including Senator Cardin, had called for his release from prison for liver cancer treatment. In 2010, Liu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: "Today, the world ha… Continue Reading
