Chairman's Press
Cardin Condemns Conviction of Mauritanian Anti-Slavery Activists
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Saturday after thirteen Mauritanian anti-slavery activists were sentenced to prison: "I was dismayed to learn of the jailing by a Mauritanian tribunal of members of the Resurgence of Abolitionist Movement, the largest anti-slavery organization in Mauritania. The tribunal's verdict and sentencing of these activists, who have been fighting to eliminate the great s… Continue Reading
August 19, 2016
Cardin Statement on World Humanitarian Day
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Friday in honor of World Humanitarian Day: "Today, on World Humanitarian Day, I recognize and honor those who courageously provide aid to the millions whose lives have been torn apart by conflict or disaster. Their work often comes at great personal risk, as they endure the threat of injury, abduction, harassment, rape, arrest, and even death. In 2015, we witness… Continue Reading
August 12, 2016
Cardin Statement on Approval of U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the United Nations Security Council's approval of a stabilization force for the UN peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). "I welcome the authorization of a regional security force to stabilize the capital, Juba," said Senator Cardin. "This regional force, as part of UNMISS, must prioritize the protection of civilians. I urge swift deployment of the … Continue Reading
July 22, 2016
Cardin Statement on Ongoing Situation in Turkey
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Friday on the ongoing situation in Turkey: "I would like to offer my condolences to the Turkish people for the deaths, injuries and destruction that befell them during the failed coup one week ago. I stand with the democratically elected government of Turkey and the thousands of Turks across the nation who took to the streets to show solidarity against the… Continue Reading
July 21, 2016
Cardin, Mikulski, Van Hollen, Delaney Statement on Conviction of Fanta Jawara
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Representatives Chris Van Hollen and John K. Delaney issued the following joint statement Thursday after Fanta Jawara of Frederick, Maryland, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in The Gambia. The Maryland Federal officials have followed her case closely, releasing a statement a few weeks ago as she went to trial: "We are outraged at the conviction and sentencing of Fanta Jawara. She has done nothing wrong … Continue Reading
July 20, 2016
Cardin Statement on Killing of Ukrainian Journalist Pavel Sheremet
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Wednesday after Belarusian-Ukrainian journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed by a car bomb in Kiev, Ukraine: "I condemn the killing of award-winning journalist Pavel Sheremet in Ukraine. While we do not yet know who was responsible for this tragic murder, we do know that Mr. Sheremet was a leader on anti-corruption issues in Ukraine, where he had lived for th… Continue Reading
July 18, 2016
Joint Statement By Congressional Leaders on Violence in South Sudan
Washington, D.C. - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN), Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) released the following statement Monday regarding the escalating violence in South Sudan that has put the peace agreement at grave risk: "Urgent action is needed to prevent further bloodshed in South Sudan and to sustain the prospect of peace. Escalating violence in Juba and other … Continue Reading
July 15, 2016
Cardin, Schumer, Senate Democrats Introduce Iran Sanctions Extension
WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 12 other Senate Democrats introduced legislation yesterday to renew the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which is set to expire at the end of this year. Congress unanimously passed the 1996 legislation to stop major foreign investment in Iran's energy sector, with the goal of denying the regime the ability to financially support international te… Continue Reading
July 15, 2016
Cardin Statement on Nice Attack
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement after an attack in Nice, France Thursday night killed scores of people and injured many others, including Americans. France was celebrating Bastille Day, their independence day: "I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the innocent people who were tragically killed and critically injured celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France. A… Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Venezuela Resolution Introduced by Bipartisan Senators
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, along with original co-sponsors U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), introduced a resolution Thursday expressing the Senate's profound concern about the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, urging… Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Cardin Introduces Major Anti-Corruption Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, introduced legislation Thursday to track and analyze corruption in foreign countries, an increasingly pervasive problem around the world. The Combating Global Corruption and Ensuring Accountability Act of 2016 would require the State Department to author and publicly distribute a report, similar to its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, that summarizes the extent of corruption in count… Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Cardin Remarks at Hearing on ‘Iran Nuclear Agreement – One Year Later’
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing Thursday entitled 'The Iran Nuclear Agreement: One Year Later'. The following remarks, as prepared for delivery, were offered by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Committee's Ranking Member: "Thank you, Chairman Corker, for convening this hearing today. Mr. Nephew and Mr. Dubowitz welcome back to the Committee. During the Congressional Review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), both of you testified for many c… Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Cardin Remarks at Trafficking in Persons Report Hearing
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing Tuesday to review the State Department's 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report. The following remarks, as prepared for delivery, were offered by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Committee's Ranking Member: "I want to thank Chairman Corker for calling this hearing today. He and I share a deep commitment to this issue and to ensuring that the integrity of the TIP report and tier ranking system is maintained. This report remain… Continue Reading
July 12, 2016
Cardin Statement on Philippines v. China Law of Sea Ruling
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Tuesday after the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea issued a ruling in the case 'The Republic of Philippines v. The People's Republic of China', finding that there is no legal basis for China's claims within the 'Nine Dash Line' and that none of the features claimed by China are capable of generating an exclusive economic zone: "I welcome that a … Continue Reading
July 08, 2016
Cardin Statement on THAAD Deployment in South Korea
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, released the following statement Friday after the Department of Defense and the South Korean Defense Ministry announced a deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in response to increased aggression by North Korea: "I welcome the decision by the United States and the Republic of Korea to move forwar… Continue Reading
July 06, 2016
Cardin Statement on Arrests of Anti-Slavery Activists in Mauritania
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Wednesday after being updated on the arrests of several anti-slavery activists in Mauritania: "Last week I had the great privilege of meeting Mr. Biram Dah Abeid and Mr. Brahim B. Ramdhane at the State Department launch of the 2016 Trafficking in Persons report. These remarkable gentlemen were both born as children of slaves, and have gone on to channel th… Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
Senate Approps. Committee Passes Legislation with Significant Cardin Priorities on Democracy, Development, Governance, Human Rights
WASHINGTON - The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs bill this week with a significant number of foreign policy and national security measures authored and championed by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Provisions related to democracy and good governance, development assistance - including the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - atrocity prevention and efforts to support … Continue Reading
July 01, 2016
U.S. Senator Cardin Statement on Murder of IJM Employee, Client, Associate in Kenya
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Friday after the bodies of a client, employee and associate of the International Justice Mission were found murdered in Kenya. Mr. Josephat Mwenda and attorney Mr. Willie Kimani were last seen after a court appearance on Thursday, June 23rd when they were picked up by driver Mr. Joseph Muiruri. Mr. Kimani was representing Mr. Mwenda and working for IJM, an o… Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Cardin Statement on State Dept. Trafficking in Persons Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement Thursday after the State Department released their 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report: "The annual Trafficking in Persons Report is an essential accountability tool which assesses governments' progress on anti-trafficking efforts globally and is critical to ensuring continued progress against the scourge of human trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2016
Cardin, Mikulski, Van Hollen, Delaney Call for Release of Maryland Resident Fanta Jawara from Gambian Prison
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Representatives Chris Van Hollen and John K. Delaney, (all D-Md.), issued the following joint statement Thursday calling on the government of The Gambia to immediately release Fanta Jawara, a Maryland resident who has been jailed in that country since April. "Mrs. Fanta Jawara is an American citizen from Frederick, Maryland whose only crime appears to be visiting family in The Gambia. We are extremely concerned about her … Continue Reading
