Chairman's Press
If Trump is going to engage Russia, he should do so on this topic
Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is House minority whip. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is the ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Last week, President Trump met in the Oval Office with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov - a staunch defender of Russian aggression abroad and repression at home. In that meeting, according to the White House's official readout, the president "emphasized his desire to build a better relationship" with Russia. The meeting came just days after Secretary of … Continue Reading
May 12, 2017
Cardin, Rubio, Colleagues Introduce North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act, legislation that would update and reauthorize the 2004 law promoting human rights and freedom in North Korea. "The human rights situation in North Korea is horrific," said Senator Rubio, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on human rights. "The regime systematically and ruthlessly… Continue Reading
May 10, 2017
Cardin, Corker, Colleagues Write to Trump About U.S. Navigation Operations in South China Sea
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote to President Trump Wednesday urging his Administration to take necessary steps to routinely exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the world's most strategically important waterways. Almost 30 percent of the world's maritime trade transits the Sea annually, including approximately $1.2 t… Continue Reading
May 10, 2017
Cardin Requests U.S. Humanitarian or Refugee Status for Persecuted LGBT Individuals in Chechnya, Russia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has written to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly requesting humanitarian or refugee status for LGBT individuals in Chechnya, Russia. Recent media and civil society reporting indicates Chechen security forces have pursued a violent campaign of intimidation, arrest, torture, detention and even death against innocent people in Chechnya because of their… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Cardin Statement on Feared Drowning of Hundreds of Refugees in Mediterranean Sea
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after reports emerged of capsized boats in the Mediterranean Sea with approximately 250 refugees feared drowned: "I am deeply troubled by this tragedy. For years, we have seen men and women, young and old, take to the sea in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats in pursuit of a better life, often with small children by their side. This is a journey only… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Cardin Statement on South Korean Presidential Election
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after exit polls and media outlets projected that Moon Jae-in was elected president of South Korea. Ahead of official certification, Mr. Moon has also claimed victory and his opponents have conceded defeat: "I would like to congratulate Moon Jae-in on his election as president of the Republic of Korea. By successfully holding this unprecedented electi… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Cardin Remarks at Sullivan Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following remarks Tuesday at a hearing on the nomination of John J. Sullivan to serve as Deputy Secretary of State: "Mr. Chairman, first of all let me thank Mr. Sullivan for his willingness to serve our country again. He seems to always want to come back to public service, and we very much appreciate that very talented person who has a distinguished record. And we thank your fam… Continue Reading
May 09, 2017
Cardin Statement on the Firing of FBI Director Comey
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement in response to the firing of James Comey, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). "There is little President Trump does anymore that surprises me, but that he would fire the lead investigator into collusion between Russia and Trump campaign officials is beyond the pale - even for him. This is the biggest evidence to date of why we need an indep… Continue Reading
May 07, 2017
Cardin Statement on French Presidential Election Results
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Sunday after French authorities declared Emmanuel Macron the winner of the country's presidential run-off election: "I congratulate Emmanuel Macron for his victory in today's French presidential election and applaud the French people's rejection of isolationism and embrace of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. France has made a clear choice in support of the … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Senate Foreign Relations Democrats Introduce Climate Resolution
WASHINGTON - The Democrats on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Ranking Member Ben Cardin of Maryland, introduced a resolution Thursday stating that the United States should work in cooperation with the international community and continue to exercise global leadership to address the causes and effects of climate change. The resolution comes as reports indicate President Trump is nearing a decision on whether the United States will remain in, or retreat from, the Paris Climate… Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Cardin, Rubio Introduce Philippines Security, Human Rights Assistance Legislation
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation Thursday to restrict the exportation of certain defense articles by the United States to the Philippine National Police, support human rights and civil society organizations in the Republic of the Philippines, and report on sources of narcotics entering that country. The Philippines Human Rights Accountability and Counternarcotics Act of 2017 notes that since the election of President Rodrigo Duterte … Continue Reading
May 04, 2017
Cardin, McCain Introduce ASEAN Resolution
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced a Senate resolution Thursday reaffirming the United States' strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the multilateral organization that promotes stronger economic and cooperative ties among 10 nations and that for 50 years has contributed to greater stability, prosperit… Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Cardin Statement on World Press Freedom Day
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday to commemorate World Press Freedom Day: "On World Press Freedom Day, we pause to celebrate and take stock of the role that free media plays in a democratic society, to condemn the public demonization of the media both at home and abroad, and to honor those heroic journalists abroad who have lost their lives while reporting. "A free, independent pre… Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Cardin, Rubio Lead Colleagues in Urging Trump to Prioritize Democracy, Human Rights, in U.S. Foreign Policy
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) today led a bipartisan group of 15 senators in urging President Trump to prioritize advocacy for democracy and respect for human rights in the administration's foreign policy agenda. U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski… Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Senators Cardin, Collins Urge State Dept. to Continue U.S. Participation, Engagement in Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Wednesday encouraging the Secretary to keep the U.S. party to the Paris Agreement, the largest multilateral cooperative agreement ever reached to address the challenge of global climate change. The Senators' letter argues that continued U.S. engagement in the Paris Agreement is critical to advancing important U.S. economic, diplomatic, and national security interests. The… Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Cardin Meets with Philippines Foreign Secretary
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday after he met with the acting foreign secretary of the Philippines, Enrique Gonzales Manalo: "I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Foreign Secretary Manalo, particularly at a time when relations between our two countries are strained because of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's inhumane campaign of the extrajudicial killing of his own cit… Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
U.S. Senators Cardin, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Venezuelan People
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday to provide humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan people, support a coordinated multilateral response to political and humanitarian challenges, and to defend democratic governance and combat widespread public corruption in Venezuela. Joining the Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017 as original cosponsors are U.S. Senators Dick Durbi… Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Cardin Statement on Israel Independence Day
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday on Israel's 69th Independence Day: "On this Yom Ha'atzmaut, I congratulate the Israeli people on the joyous anniversary of their independence. As Israelis reflect on their history and look toward the future today, they should be proud of their strong democracy, vibrant culture, and cutting-edge contributions in areas such as science and technology. To… Continue Reading
May 02, 2017
Cardin Remarks at Branstad Hearing
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks Tuesday at a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the People's Republic of China: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Mr. Branstad, once again welcome to our Committee. Thank you very much for your career in public service and your willingness to serve our country as the Ambassador to Chi… Continue Reading
April 30, 2017
Cardin Statement on Sandy Phan-Gillis’ Release from Chinese Custody, Return to U.S.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Sunday after American citizen Sandy Phan-Gillis returned to the United States after being unjustly detained by the Chinese government for two years. Cardin had been an advocate for her freedom, most recently leading a bipartisan letter with Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the Committee chairman, and their colleagues to the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., urging … Continue Reading
