Ranking Member's Press
Cardin Condemns Killing of Civilians in Syria Hospital Bombing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, released the following statement Thursday after a Doctors Without Borders-supported hospital in Aleppo, Syria was bombed, killing dozens. There were many injuries and the death toll was likely to rise: "Today's bombing and killing of dozens of innocent civilians at a Doctors Without Borders-supported hospital in Aleppo is the clearest sign yet that the Assad regime and its Russian allies … Continue Reading
April 28, 2016
Corker, Cardin: State Department Authorization Bill for 2017 Passes Committee
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 announced committee passage of the bipartisan U.S. Department of State Authorization Act of 2017. The legislation requires U.S. leadership at the United Nations (U.N.) to end sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers, promotes efficiencies in personnel and management at the State Department, and restructures the consular fee system for issui… Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
Cardin Statement Commemorating Armenian Genocide Anniversary
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, issued the following statement commemorating the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: "This year marks 101 years since the Armenian Genocide, which claimed the lives of 1.5 million innocent men, women, and children at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Last year, the world gathered to commemorate the victims and to call on our leaders to… Continue Reading
April 27, 2016
Cardin, Gardner, Menendez, Schatz Introduce Asia-Pacific Maritime Legislation to Enhance U.S. Regional Leadership, Support Allies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of both the Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and the SFRC East Asia Subcommittee, Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Chairman of the SFRC East Asia Subcommittee, Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the SFRC, and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation Wednesday to enhance American maritime capacity and leadership and increase support to our allies in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative Act o… Continue Reading
April 26, 2016
Cardin Statement on Meeting with Vietnamese Human Rights Delegation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after meeting with members of the Vietnamese delegation to the U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet today with the Vietnamese delegation to the annual U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue. Progress on issues such as human rights, good governance, transparency, anti-corruption, and legal reform is absolutely … Continue Reading
April 25, 2016
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
