Chairman's Press
Cardin Urges House to Immediately Consider, Pass Iran-Russia Sanctions Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday on reports that the House of Representatives is delaying consideration and passage of bipartisan legislation to sanction Iran and Russia. The Senate passed the bill last week 98-2: "The overwhelming bipartisan resolve in the Senate for strong sanctions against Russia should carry over to the House. I'm deeply alarmed that the Republican House leadershi… Continue Reading
June 20, 2017
Cardin, Colleagues Recognize World Refugee Day
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution in the Senate Tuesday recognizing June 20, 2017 as World Refugee Day. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are approximately 65 million people displaced across the globe - the highest level in recorded human history. The resolution states that World Refugee Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the courage, strength and determina… Continue Reading
June 20, 2017
Cardin Remarks at AUMF Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening statement Tuesday at a Committee hearing entitled, "Reviewing Congressional Authorizations for the Use of Military Force": "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I totally concur in your comments about the actions last week. I think it was the United States Senate, guided by this committee that did exactly what we needed to do in regards to the appropriate role of Congre… Continue Reading
June 20, 2017
Cardin Concerned by Restrictive NGO Legislation in Hungary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the passage of a law in the Hungarian parliament to restrict NGOs who receive foreign funding: "I am concerned by news last week that the Hungarian parliament adopted a 'foreign agents' law which will stigmatize and impede the work of civil society organizations in Hungary, and I hope that this legislation will not be signed into law. While the stated ju… Continue Reading
June 20, 2017
Cardin, Rubio, Colleagues Urge Administration to Press Egyptian President on Human Rights, Anti-NGO Law
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) Marco Rubio (R-FL), Todd Young (R-IN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) urged President Trump to press Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the worsening human rights situation and restrictions on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Egypt. "A strong U.S.-Egypt relationship is important to advancing American interes… Continue Reading
June 19, 2017
Cardin Mourns Passing of Otto Warmbier after North Korean Detention, Calls for Accountability
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Otto Warmbier's family confirmed his death, days after he returned from North Korean imprisonment in grave health: "I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Otto Warmbier at this difficult time. A full autopsy may provide some technical answers in this very tragic case, but I want to be clear: Otto is dead because of Kim Jong-un's repr… Continue Reading
June 16, 2017
Cardin Statement on LGBT Pride 2017
WASHINGTON - In recognition of Baltimore Pride 2017, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. "Pride. Equality. Freedom. These values are at the core of Pride Month for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and families in Maryland and across the United States. Every American deserves the same freedoms, the same opportun… Continue Reading
June 16, 2017
Cardin Reacts to Trump’s Reversal of U.S. Policy Toward Cuba
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Friday in reaction to President Trump's reversal of U.S. policy toward Cuba: "As President Trump is abandoning American values around the globe, it is far from credible for the Administration to suggest its policy towards Cuba is driven by human rights concerns. Just last month, the President's budget proposed zeroing out funding for longstanding programs that… Continue Reading
June 15, 2017
Cardin Praises Senate-Passed Russia, Iran Sanctions Bill
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation Thursday to sanction Russia and Iran for their destabilizing activities worldwide. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote much of the comprehensive package and worked as a chief negotiator to help his colleagues reach bipartisan consensus on the path to final passage today. "Iran and Russia need to see more than rhetoric from the United States. The action the Senate has taken tod… Continue Reading
June 15, 2017
Cardin Remarks at USAID Nominee Hearing
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing Thursday on the nomination of former Ambassador and Congressman Mark Green of Wisconsin to serve as the next Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Committee's ranking member, offered the following remarks as prepared for delivery: "Ambassador Green, I welcome you to the Committee and thank you for your willingness to continue your excellent career in public s… Continue Reading
June 13, 2017
Cardin Challenges Tillerson on Administration’s State Dept., Foreign Assistance Budget Request
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing, "Review of the FY 2018 State Department Budget Request," with witness Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: "Mr. Chairman, let me also welcome the Secretary here, in order to discuss the proposed budget and other issues that are important for our national security. "I just want to make an observation before I start my formal statement that re… Continue Reading
June 13, 2017
Senators Announce Agreement on Russia Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) and Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) today announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation to strengthen and expand current U.S. sanctions on Russia. The amendment to the underlying Iran sanctions bill maintains and substantially expands sanctions against the government of Russia i… Continue Reading
June 08, 2017
Cardin Calls Comey Testimony ‘Disturbing,’ Says It Reinforces the Need for Tough New Sanctions and an Independent Commission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after former FBI director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding his communications with and firing by President Trump related to the Russia investigation: "Today, James Comey shared with the American people disturbing details of his interactions with Donald Trump before and after he was sworn in as president. There i… Continue Reading
June 07, 2017
Cardin Will Disapprove of U.S. Weapons Sale to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement ahead of Thursday's vote on S.J. Res. 42, a joint resolution of disapproval on three sales of precision-guided munitions and related equipment to the Government of Saudi Arabia: "Saudi Arabia is a critical partner of the United States and I support policies and programs that enable cooperation between our governments on counterterrorism and countering Iran's n… Continue Reading
June 05, 2017
Cardin Statement Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Jerusalem Reunification
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, entered the following statement into the Congressional Record Monday commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. The Senate will vote tonight on a related resolution: "Mr. President, this June marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. I am honored to support Senate Resolution 176, a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunificati… Continue Reading
June 01, 2017
Cardin Statement on Trump’s Withdrawal of U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after President Trump announced he would withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement: "President Trump's decision today to remove the United States from the Paris Agreement is a shocking reversal of American global leadership and transparently political, the clearest sign yet he will do whatever he can to dismantle President Obama's le… Continue Reading
May 31, 2017
Cardin Statement on Ongoing Paris Agreement Speculation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday after multiple media outlets reported that President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. President Trump later tweeted that he would decide "over the next few days": "Trump aides leak a supposed fact, and then the President picks up his phone and tweets something contrary. It is nearly impossible to know … Continue Reading
May 31, 2017
Cardin Statement on Kabul Bombing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday following a truck bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan: "I express my deepest condolences to the people of Afghanistan, especially those who were wounded or lost loved ones, in this morning's heinous truck bomb attack in the diplomatic quarter of Kabul. Inflicting violence on innocent Afghans who were going about their daily business in the capital is … Continue Reading
May 26, 2017
Cardin, Rubio Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act Passes Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statements after their Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "For over six years, Bashar al-Assad has committed horrific war crimes against the Syrian people, including women and children," said Rubio, chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, And Global Women's Issues. "Co… Continue Reading
May 25, 2017
Cardin Statement on 4th Circuit Decision to Continue Suspension of Immigration Orders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Thursday regarding the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the suspension of President Trump's immigration orders will stay in place. Senator Cardin signed onto an amicus brief with other Members of Congress in the case of IRAP v. Trump, which was an appeal from the decision of U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in the District of Maryland (Greenbelt).… Continue Reading
