Chairman's Press
Cardin Meets with Nigerian President Buhari
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), released the following statement after meeting Wednesday with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. "The United States has high hopes for our relationship with Nigeria, which is an important partner in our counterterrorism and regional development efforts. We look forward to increasing collaboration as Nigeria takes steps to ensure civil and human rights for all Nigerians, expand eco… Continue Reading
July 20, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on the U.S. Embassy Opening in Havana
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the opening of a U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba. "Today, for the first time since 1961, the United States is opening the doors of a U.S. Embassy in Havana. As is the case across the world, our embassy in Cuba will embody the values and principles of the United States and strengthen our ability to advance our national interests, engage the Cuban people, and a… Continue Reading
July 16, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Nomination of Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson to Serve as Ambassador to Mexico
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Assistant Secretary of State Robert Jacobson to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. "As the United States' top diplomat for Latin America and the Caribbean, Assistant Secretary Jacobson has played an important role in strengthening our bilateral relationship with Mexico, and advancing our shared economic and security interests. I support… Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on the Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Iran nuclear agreement: "It is in America's national security interest that Iran is blocked from ever having a nuclear weapon. Congress has an obligation to vigorously and judiciously review the deal announced today with a seriousness of purpose. Negotiators have spent painstaking time and untold effort working on this accord. Congress in turn mu… Continue Reading
July 10, 2015
Cardin Statement Observing the 20th Anniversary of the Genocide at Srebrenica
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, issued the following statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. "This July, we solemnly mark the 20th anniversary of the worst crime against humanity committed on European soil since the Second World War. The 1… Continue Reading
July 01, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Administration Announcement to Open a U.S. Embassy in Havana
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Administration's announcement to continue normalizing relations with Cuba and open embassies in Washington, DC and Havana. "This announcement is another step forward in a common sense approach to Cuba. A U.S. Embassy in Havana will strengthen our ability to engage the Cuban people, advance our national interests, and advocate for fundamental freedoms. … Continue Reading
June 26, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on the Terrorist Attacks in France, Kuwait, and Tunisia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today's terrorist attacks in France, Kuwait, and Tunisia. "The deplorable acts of terror and violence that occurred today in three countries must be condemned in the strongest of terms. Our support for these victims, their families, and for France, Kuwait, and Tunisia will never waver. We as a nation cannot become complacent in the face of these incide… Continue Reading
June 25, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on the Department of State 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights
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 today by the State Department, is an essential benchmark for assessing progress on human rights globally, and for holding governments accountable for human rights abuses. Often encountering severe repre… Continue Reading
June 24, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on the Announcement of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the decision by the Department of Homeland Security to extend Temporary Protected Status to Nepalese currently residing in the United States. "I commend the President and Secretary of Homeland Security Johnson for responding positively to my request and extending Temporary Protected Status to Nepalese currently residing in the United States," … Continue Reading
June 23, 2015
Senators Cardin and Cornyn Introduce Legislation Establishing an Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senate Majority Whip introduced legislation today establishing an Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator, a newly established position designated to properly coordinate a unified government response to hostage situations and work to secure the release of all hostages held by terrorist groups. In addition to directing the federal government's response, … Continue Reading
June 18, 2015
Senators Cardin, Rubio Introduce World Refugee Day Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues have introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing World Refugee Day on June 20th. The resolution reaffirms the bipartisan commitment of the United States Senate to promote the safety, health, and well-being of the mi… Continue Reading
June 18, 2015
Senator Cardin Statement on Ramadan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued the following statement on the occasion of Ramadan. "Ramadan is marked by a period of fasting and self-reflection, a time defined by prayer, service, and charity. These are universal values, embraced by communities of all faiths and religions. Families across Maryland, throughout the United States, and around the world are now gathering daily to observe this holy month. Throughout this … Continue Reading
June 18, 2015
Senators Cardin, Flake, Coons and Isakson Introduce Legislation to Increase the Reach and Impact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, Senate Foreign Relations Committee members U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced the Millennium Compacts for Regional Economic Integration Act (The M-CORE Act), legislation that enables the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to address regional … Continue Reading
June 09, 2015
Corker-Cardin State Department Authorization Bill Passes Committee Unanimously
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded unanimous committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Department of State Operations Authorization and Embassy Security Act. The legislation initiates various reforms to diplomacy programs and core operations of the State Department. The bill also includes embassy security provisions to improve protection of U.S. diplomatic facilities … Continue Reading
June 09, 2015
Cardin Legislation Holding Assad and Others Accountable for War Crimes in Syria Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following committee passage of the Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act of 2015. The legislation authored by Senator Cardin would establish a Syria-specific standard of reporting and accountability for crimes against humanity. Since 2011, at the start of the Syrian conflict, Senator Cardin has been pressing to hold President Bashar al-Assad and others involved in human ri… Continue Reading
June 05, 2015
Cardin Writes President Obama Urging Steps to Prevent Further Violence in Burundi
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent the following letter to President Obama, thanking the administration for the work that they have done thus far to prevent widespread violence in Burundi and urging the President to work closely with the international community to take necessary actions to prevent further violence and a regional crisis in Burundi and the Great Lakes. In the letter, Senator Cardin thanked the administratio… Continue Reading
May 29, 2015
Cardin Statement Regarding the Rescission of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
BALTIMORE, MD - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the rescission of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. "This decision is a necessary step forward in establishing a more constructive relationship with Cuba," said Senator Cardin. "The Administration has conducted a thorough review and determined the Cuban government no longer provides support for international terrorism. This is an important step … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Cardin Statement on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
Washington, DC - Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen. "The Saudi-initiated five-day humanitarian pause was a welcome development, but there is evidence that the Houthi movement did not respect the ceasefire and continued to take aggressive actions inside Yemen," said Senator Cardin. "A political dialogue amongst all parties is required to solve this crisis. I call on Houth… Continue Reading
May 20, 2015
Senator Cardin Opening Remarks at Hearing on “U.S.-Cuban Relations – The Way Forward”
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today's full committee hearing on "U.S. Cuba Policy - The Way Forward." "There is no question that on December 17 of last year, President Obama's historical speech marked a watershed moment in U.S. policy towards Cuba. The President's action brought with it a new opportunity to forge a bilateral relationship that will streng… Continue Reading
May 15, 2015
Cardin Leads Bipartisan Letter to President Obama in Support of Tunisia’s Transition to Democracy
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a bipartisan letter expressing support for the people and government of Tunisia as they transition to democracy and representative government. The letter was co-signed by nine other senators that sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), David Perdue … Continue Reading
