Press Releases & Statements
Cardin Says New DHS Guidelines on Immigration Will Harm National Security and Public Safety
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance on immigration released Monday. Senator Cardin toured the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend, assessing security and counter-narcotics operations as well as the processing of undocumented migrants crossing into the United States. "Like the President's executive orders on immigration, these DHS guidelines will … Continue Reading
February 21, 2017
Disturbed by Recent Incidents, Cardin Calls on Leaders at All Levels to Denounce Anti-Semitic Incidents and Other Hate-Based Threats
BALTIMORE - 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 the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, released the following statement on the growing number of threats called in against Jewish Community Centers across at least 26 states and one Canadian province. "I have been deeply disturbed by the growing number of anti-Semitic threats… Continue Reading
February 20, 2017
Senators View Security, Immigration Processing Operations at U.S.-Mexico Border
EL PASO - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) toured the U.S.-Mexico border yesterday, assessing security and counter-narcotics operations as well as the processing of undocumented migrants crossing into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security led the Senators in a number of briefings and site visits, which included the international border between Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico - known as Mo… Continue Reading
February 19, 2017
In Visit To Mexico City, Senators Reaffirm Strong U.S.-Mexico Relationship
MEXICO CITY - Three members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee concluded an official visit to the Mexican capital Sunday to reaffirm the strong security, economic, and cultural ties that bind the United States and Mexico. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the Committee's Ranking Member, led his colleagues U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) in meetings with members of the Mexican cabinet, Senate, and civil society. "We know that damage has been done to the bil… Continue Reading
February 17, 2017
Cardin To Tillerson: Address Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation In Northeast Nigeria, Lake Chad Basin
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Friday regarding his concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, and his recommendations for additional United States efforts to stem the crisis. "Countries in the Lake Chad Basin are experiencing what United Nations officials and aid workers have called a forgotten crisis as a result of the ter… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin Leads Colleagues in Dissent Cable Letter to Secretary Tillerson
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the full Democratic membership of the Committee and his fellow Marylander, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, in a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging him to take full and appropriate advantage of the State Department's 'Dissent Channel.' U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.); Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.); Chris Coons (D-Del.); Tom Udall (D-N.M.); Chris Murphy (D-Conn.); Tim Kaine… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin, Democratic Senators Demand Scott Pruitt Recuse Himself from All Issues Related to Lawsuits He Brought Against the EPA to Overturn or Weaken Clean Air and Water Pollution Rules
WASHINGTON - Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, joined 29 other senators in calling on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt to recuse himself from participating in any matter related to litigation that he pursued against the EPA as Oklahoma Attorney General. In the letter, the senators specifically call on Mr. Pruitt to recuse himself from decisions on how the EPA will defend itself against the lawsuits he broug… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin Introduces Bill to Ban Religious, Racial and Discriminatory Profiling by Law Enforcement
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with more than two dozen original cosponsors, has introduced an updated version of his legislation to ban discriminatory profiling by all levels of law enforcement nationwide. S. 411, the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2017 (ERRPA), is designed to enforce the constitutional right to equal protection of laws through changing policies and procedures for law enforcement and promoting best practices in community-based law enforcement. "… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
National Capital Region Members Introduce Joint Resolution to Establish the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), John Delaney (MD-06), Don Beyer (VA-08), Anthony Brown (MD-04), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced a joint resolution to establish the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Once Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columb… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Black History Month Floor Statement
"Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect on the many achievements and sacrifices of African Americans throughout our Nation's history. "This February, we highlight the titans of African-American history. We honor the culture-shifting accomplishments of civil rights icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Dorothy Height, and our esteemed colleague, Congressman John Lewis. "As the senior Senator from Maryland, I would be remiss if I didn't… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin, Blunt Lead Bipartisan Effort to Boost Economic Growth & Create Jobs in Low-Income Rural & Urban Communities
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced the bipartisan New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2017, S. 384. The measure would promote investments in underserved communities by permanently authorizing a 39 percent federal tax credit for businesses or economic development projects in areas with poverty rates of at least 20 percent, or median incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median. "In Maryland, the New Markets Tax Credit has been depl… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin, Rubio, Cotton Reintroduce Hong Kong Human Rights And Democracy Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), a CECC commissioner, and Ben Cardin (D-MD), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today reintroduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, bipartisan legislation that would renew the United States' historical commitment to freedom and democracy in Hong Kong at a time when its autonomy is increasingly under assault. The legislation al… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Cardin Opening Remarks At Friedman Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered the following opening remarks Thursday at the confirmation hearing of Mr. David Friedman to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel: "The U.S.-Israel relationship is a strategic anchor for the United States in the Middle East. Indeed, it is one of our most important relationships with any country. It is a deep and genuine friendship that extends across our governments and is enriche… Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Congressional Leaders Seek Release Of American Pastor Unjustly Detained In Turkey
WASHINGTON - Leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees sent a letter signed by 78 members of Congress to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an seeking the unconditional release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been unjustly detained in Turkey since October and denied regular and appropriate access to legal counsel and American consular services. The letter was led by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chairman and ranking membe… Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
Cardin: Congress Must Stand Up for America’s Values, the Right Type of Relationship with Russia
Video of CAP Action Fund Speech and Q&A WASHINGTON - At the Center for American Progress Action Fund today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered a major address on U.S.-Russian relations and key issues between the two nations. The Senator's full speech and answers to questions from the audience can be found at this link. In concluding his speech, Senator Cardin said the following: "We are very much for the Russian people. Bu… Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Cardin Statement on General Flynn’s Resignation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after General Michael Flynn resigned as the White House National Security Advisor: "General Flynn's resignation does not obviate the need for a broad investigation into Russia's interference into the 2016 election and this administration's opaque relationship with the Kremlin. I have significant questions about what President Trump knew about Mr. Flynn… Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Cardin Statement On New Venezuela Sanctions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Tuesday after the Trump Administration announced it was sanctioning Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. El Aissami is the Executive Vice President of Venezuela: "Vice President El Aissami has helped foster the entrenched corruption that sent Venezuela into a d… Continue Reading
February 13, 2017
Corker, Cardin, Alexander, Kaine Introduce Bill To Award Congressional Gold Medal To Master Sergeant Rodrick Edmonds
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today introduced a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Rodrick "Roddie" Edmonds, a lifelong Tennessean, in recognition of his heroic actions during World War II. As the senior noncommissioned officer responsible for 1,275 members of the Armed Forces at a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany, Edmonds orchestrated a remarkable show of unity when the Nazis orde… Continue Reading
February 10, 2017
Cardin, Van Hollen Respond to FTA Action Cutting MD, VA and DC Transportation Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) issued the following joint statement in response to the announcement by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Friday that it would withhold five percent of Fiscal Year 2017 transit formula funds or approximately $8.9 million from the three local jurisdictions until a new Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) was established. According to FTA, "these funds are being withheld, not forfeited. The funds will be available to the tran… Continue Reading
February 10, 2017
Cardin Statement on 9th Circuit Decision to Continue Suspension of Immigration Orders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement Friday regarding the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the suspension of President Trump's immigration orders will stay in place: "The President should immediately rescind his discriminatory executive order targeting Muslim refugees and travelers. His rush to act has made America less safe, damaged our relationships with our allies, and harmed countless numbers of law-abiding citizens, travelers, and their fa… Continue Reading
