Chairman's Press
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
July 29, 2015
Cardin Legislation, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, Approved by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
WASHINGTON - The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, legislation authored by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, passed the committee unanimously today by voice vote. The bill would ensure human rights abusers and corrupt officials are denied entry into the United States and barred from using our financial institutions. The legislation would expand the Russia-specific sanctions in the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability… Continue Reading
July 27, 2015
Senators Urge Secretary Kerry to Focus on Political Reform, Human Rights during U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Bob Casey (D-PA) wrote Secretary of State John Kerry today ahead of the upcoming U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue, urging that "political reform, human rights, and fundamental freedoms" are made a central element of the agenda. In the letter, the Senators write that while "The U… Continue Reading
July 22, 2015
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
