Chairman's Press
Cardin Statement on Nepal Earthquake Anniversary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement marking the one year anniversary of two earthquakes that hit Nepal, killing more than 8,000 people and demolishing half a million homes: "With over 40 percent of Nepal's population living in extreme poverty, Nepal is still recovering from last year's devastating earthquake. Over the past year political tensions and resource shortages have hampered the rel… Continue Reading
April 25, 2016
Cardin Statement on Bangladeshi Murders, Including USAID Worker and LGBT Advocate Xulhaz Mannan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Monday upon news that Tanay Majumder and Xulhaz Mannan, an employee of USAID who also founded Bangladesh's first LGBT magazine, Roopbaan, were murdered last night: "I condemn in the strongest way possible the murders of Xulhaz Mannan and Tanay Majumder in Bangladesh last night. Mr. Mannan had been a pioneering LGBT advocate in the nation, and also served t… Continue Reading
April 25, 2016
Cardin Statement on World Malaria Day
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement recognizing World Malaria Day on April 25, 2016: "Despite being treatable and preventable, malaria continues to be a leading cause of death and disease in dozens of countries around the world. In 2015 alone, there were more than 214 million reported cases of malaria resulting in an estimated 438,000 deaths. Of these 438,000 deaths, 90 percent were in sub-Saharan… Continue Reading
April 21, 2016
Cardin, Delaney Lead 145 Colleagues in Letter to President Obama on Signing of Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and a senior Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Representative John Delaney (MD-06), and 145 of their Democratic colleagues from the Senate and House sent a letter to President Obama today in strong support of the United States signing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement. Secretary of State John Kerry will repres… Continue Reading
April 20, 2016
Cardin, Rubio, Colleagues Condemn Ethiopia’s Crackdown on Civil Society
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution with 11 other Senators today condemning the lethal violence used by the government of Ethiopia against protestors, journalists, and others in civil society for exercising their rights under Ethiopia's constitution. The resolution calls for the Secretary of State to conduct a review of U.S. security assistance to Ethiopia in light of allegations that Ethiopian securi… Continue Reading
April 19, 2016
Cardin Mourns Loss of Life, Welcomes U.S. Assistance in Japan Dual-Earthquakes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after a pair of major earthquakes struck the southern region of Kyushu in Japan late last week: "The people of Japan's Kyushu region have experienced tragic loss and great hardship over the past few days after a series of earthquakes left dozens dead and thousands of people injured or impacted, and I offer them my deepest condolences. I am pleased the United States i… Continue Reading
April 19, 2016
Sean Bartlett Joins SFRC Democratic Staff as Communications Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced that Sean Bartlett has joined the Democratic staff for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as Communications Director. In this role, he will serve as senior press advisor to the senator on all aspects of foreign affairs. "Sean has a strong background in communications and we are fortunate to have him join our staff. The United States must continue to take a leading role on many … Continue Reading
April 18, 2016
Cardin Offers Condolences to Ecuadoran People Following Earthquake
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after a major earthquake struck Ecuador on Saturday: "It is with a heavy heart that I join the international community in expressing my condolences to the families of the more than 350 victims who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake that struck Ecuador," said Cardin. "I commend the resiliency of the Ecuadorian people, as well as the remarkable effo… Continue Reading
April 14, 2016
Cardin Highlights State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices as an Important Tool for Holding Human Rights Violators Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the State Department's release of the annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: "The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, released on April 13 by the State Department, are critical for assessing progress on human rights globally, and for holding governments accountable for their human rights abuses," said Senator Cardin. "I am de… Continue Reading
March 31, 2016
Cardin Calls U.S.-China Climate Change Announcement an Important Signal to the World
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following in response to the U.S.-China joint statement on climate change and the Paris agreement. "Climate change represents an enormous challenge for all inhabitants of our planet. It is the preeminent national security issue for the 21st Century. We are the first generation in recorded human history to e… Continue Reading
March 27, 2016
Cardin Condemns Terror Attack in Lahore
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement condemning the Easter Sunday terror attack in Lahore, Pakistan. "I join the international community in condemning today's terrorist attack in Lahore on this holy day for Christians. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Pakistan. The United States and our allies will remain committed to countering these heinous attacks and to bringing those respons… Continue Reading
March 26, 2016
Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Visits Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel
TEL AVIV - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a bipartisan congressional delegation with Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel. In Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the senators met with national security leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. In both countries, Senat… Continue Reading
March 25, 2016
11 U.S. Senators Send Letter to Secretary Kerry Calling for a Transparent International Investigation on Berta Cáceres’ Death
WASHINGTON - Expressing their condolences to the family and friends of murdered indigenous rights activist Berta Cáceres, 11 Democratic U.S. Senators, Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a letter to U.S. Secreta… Continue Reading
March 22, 2016
Cardin Statement on U.S.-Cuba Relations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on U.S.-Cuba relations. "President Obama's historic trip to Havana and his engagement with the Cuban people provide a clear example of how the dynamism of American society can make a positive contribution to the future of Cuba. The announced arrival of U.S. businesses to the island not only advances the interests of the American people, but also offers Cuba's … Continue Reading
March 22, 2016
Cardin Statement Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Belgium
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement condemning Tuesday's terror attacks in Belgium that killed and injured dozens. "I strongly condemn today's attacks in Brussels, the largest terror strike in the city's history. I express my sincere condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones. Brussels is the 'Capital of Europe,' which many Europeans consider home. We all stand in solidarity with… Continue Reading
March 18, 2016
Cardin, Corker Continue to Discuss Legislation to Hold Iran Accountable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Iran's ballistic missile provocations, including a joint statement with Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). "We are continuing to work on bipartisan sanctions legislation," said Cardin and Corker. "Iran remains a bipartisan concern and we are committed to taking action to ensure that Iran does not become a threshold nuclear weapons state." "I am committed to … Continue Reading
March 10, 2016
Cardin Statement Commemorating the 1959 Tibetan Uprising
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement commemorating the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. "Today we commemorate the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, and recognize the ongoing injustices suffered since then by the Tibetan people. Freedom, democracy, and religious pluralism are fundamental values cherished by the American people. The recent crackdowns and troubling new legislations in China, and their deep impact on the … Continue Reading
March 09, 2016
Cardin Statement on the Continuing, Unjust Detention of Ukrainian Nadiya Savchenko
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the continued detention of Nadiya Savchenko by Russian authorities. "I join the defenders of human rights who have declared today 'International Free Savchenko Day.' The international community must continue to speak out against Nadiya's inhumane treatment by the Russian Federation. "Nadiya Savchenko, a former Ukrainian fighter pilot, has been hel… Continue Reading
March 09, 2016
Cardin Statement on Murder of U.S. Citizen Taylor Force in Jaffa Attack
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement strongly condemning Tuesday's stabbing attack in Israel that left 12 injured and Taylor Force, an American veteran and graduate student, dead. "The recent wave of terror attacks against civilians in Israel is unconscionable. Yesterday's attacks that claimed the life of Taylor Force, an American combat veteran and graduate student, are a tragic reminder of the b… Continue Reading
March 08, 2016
Cardin Statement on Latest Iran Ballistic Missile Launch
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin(D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement after reports of Iran launching ballistic missiles. "I am deeply concerned by Iran's repetitive disregard of and indifference to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls on Iran to cease any ballistic missile activities," said Senator Cardin. "The Administration should act swiftly to raise these concerns at the United Nations and take action to hold all p… Continue Reading
