Chairman's Press
Electrify Africa Bill Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today praised committee passage of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015 (S.2152), which was also cosponsored by Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). With nearly 600 million Africans without electricity, this legislation will leverage private sector resources thr… Continue Reading
October 06, 2015
Cardin Speech on the Importance of Accountability in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, submitted the following remarks for the congressional record regarding the importance of accountability in Sri Lanka. "I rise to address the situation in Sri Lanka, a country that has endured a brutal civil war and is working to address the difficult issues of accountability and reconciliation. "Following the historic elections in January and August, Sri Lanka has a remarkable opportunity t… Continue Reading
October 05, 2015
Cardin Statement on Casualties in Kunduz
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the tragic bombing this Saturday in Kunduz, Afghanistan. "I extend my deepest condolences to the individuals and families of those killed or injured in Saturday's tragic bombing of the Doctors without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Doctors without Borders is an unparalleled organization, working in the most dangerous and difficult war zone… Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Cardin Speech on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, submitted the following remarks for the congressional record regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "I rise to address an important event that occurred this week at the United Nations, which is marking the 70th Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). "Over the weekend, over 150 world leaders gathered at UNGA to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Th… Continue Reading
October 01, 2015
Senators Introduce Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), introduced the Iran Policy Oversight Act of 2015, legislation that builds upon the bipartisan commitment to oversight outlined in the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 that passed the U.S. Senate 98 to… Continue Reading
September 25, 2015
Cardin Statement on Meeting with President Xi Jinping
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senate leaders. "The visit by President Xi serves as an important opportunity to continue and build a positive and cooperative relationship between our two nations. While we must expand upon areas of mutual interest, China must demonstrate through concrete actions its commitments to pursuing ongoing r… Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
Cardin Statement on Address of the Visit of Pope Francis to the United States
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the visit of Pope Francis to the United States and his address to Congress. "Pope Francis' visit to the United States has stirred millions of Catholics and non-Catholics through his presence and messages of humility, generosity, and service. These are universal values with extra meaning when delivered by Pope Francis who embodies genuine warmth, stea… Continue Reading
September 18, 2015
Bipartisan Leadership of Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Armed Services Committees Welcome Japan’s Passage of Collective Self-Defense Legislation
WASHINGTON - The bipartisan leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees today welcomed the Japanese parliament's passage of legislation that will permit Japan to engage in collective self-defense, including coming to the aid of an ally. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Foreign Relations Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.… Continue Reading
September 10, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Iran Vote
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Iran votes in the Senate. "The extensive debate in the Senate this week on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran (JCPOA) further makes clear that my decision to oppose the agreement was a close call. Throughout the hours of intense deliberations and speeches, Senators passionately advocated for their positions based their informed ass… Continue Reading
September 04, 2015
Senator Cardin Announces Position after Reviewing Iran Nuclear Agreement
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in an op-ed appearing in The Washington Post announced today his decision to vote to disapprove of the Iran nuclear agreement after completing an in-depth review. Senator Cardin writes, "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) does contain significant achievements. It imposes severe restrictions on Iran's nuclear program for the next 10 to 15 years. And we retain the ability to snap back in… Continue Reading
September 03, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Resignation of Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina and upcoming elections in Guatemala. "President Otto Perez Molina's resignation comes after months of peaceful protests, in which tens of thousands of Guatemalans have gathered across the country to demand an end to corruption and greater accountability from their public officials. Throughout this perio… Continue Reading
August 18, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement Regarding the Ongoing Conflict in South Sudan
Senator Cardin Statement Regarding the Ongoing Conflict in South Sudan WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. "While I welcome the signing of a peace agreement by the Sudanese People Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), I am concerned by the government of South Sudan's delay in signing the accord. The human cost of this war has been beyond measure -- … Continue Reading
August 14, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Secretary of State John Kerry’s Visit to Cuba
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Cuba and the raising of the American flag at the U.S. Embassy in Havana. "Today marks a significant milestone in the restoration of the U.S. - Cuban relationship that is long overdue. As the top U.S. diplomat, it is appropriate and meaningful that Secretary of State John Kerry is in Havana today for this momentous occas… Continue Reading
August 13, 2015
Cardin Statement On Leyla and Arif Yunus
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following in response to today's sentencing of civil society activists in Azerbaijan. Senator Cardin has been an outspoken critic of the Azerbaijani government's crackdown on civil society. Most recently, he called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to halt human rights abuses, respect the freedom of the press, and allow the reopening of Radio Free Europe. "I am deeply distu… Continue Reading
August 13, 2015
Senators Express Concern in Letter to Secretary Kerry Regarding Treatment of Dominican-born Individuals of Haitian Descent in the Dominican Republic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), wrote Secretary of State John Kerry today regarding the treatment of Dominican-born individuals of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic. In their letter, the Senators write: "As you know, in 2013, the Dominican Republic's … Continue Reading
August 11, 2015
Senators Urge President Obama to Raise Human Rights Concerns during upcoming September Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Senators Pat Leahy (D-VT), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and John Cornyn (R-TX) wrote President Obama ahead of his September visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States. In the letter,… Continue Reading
August 06, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement Regarding 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report. "Human trafficking is one of the great moral challenges of our time," Senator Cardin said. "Corruption, lack of political will, weak rule of law, and an international demand for cheap labor and services has resulting in an ever growing criminal industry. Traffi… Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Cardin Submits Resolution of Approval Regarding the U.S.-ROK 123 Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution of approval regarding the U.S. -ROK 123 Agreement. The agreement was transmitted to Congress on June 16. "The United States and the Republic of Korea have a long and positive history of safe, secure, peaceful civil nuclear cooperation," said Senator Cardin. "This Agreement will allow us to continue to deepen that cooperation, which is particularly important as we wor… Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Senators Cardin and Kirk Introduce the Nepal Recovery Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Mark Kirk introduced the Nepal Recovery Act, legislation to support Nepal after two massive earthquakes that killed more than 8,700 people struck in late April and again in early May. "The United States has a long and proud history of helping nations in need that are striving to recover from horrifying tragedies caused by natural disasters," said Senator Cardin. "Our words of symp… Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Senators Cardin and Corker Request Briefing on State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report in Letter to Secretary Kerry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote Secretary of State John Kerry to request a briefing on the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which was released on Monday. In their letter, Senators Cardin and Corker write: "The State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is an essential global tool for ensuring continued prog… Continue Reading
