BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement Saturday on the death of U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.):

“This is an incredibly sad day. John McCain was an honorable public servant who sacrificed greatly to serve his country in uniform and as a lawmaker proudly representing the people of Arizona. His death is a great loss for this country, his state and, above all, his family and friends. My deepest sympathies and condolences are with Cindy, their children, and family at this very difficult time.

“For nearly a dozen years in the United States Senate, Senator McCain has been my friend and my enduring partner in standing up for universal human rights and advancing other core American values. The Sergei and Global Magnitsky laws would not have been possible without our genuine bipartisan resolve to change the course of human rights accountability for the worst rights abusers in Russia and worldwide.

“Last year, Senator McCain worked with me to ensure a new, tough sanctions regime against Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs for their insidious attack on our democracy. Senator McCain fought alongside me to make sure our efforts to hold Russia accountable made it into law. Just last month, he joined a bipartisan group of senators again toward the same goal, given Putin’s persistent attacks on our democratic system.

“The United States Senate and the American people have lost in John McCain a man who was the very definition of service to country.

“I will miss John terribly, and I hope all Americans will pause today to remember his legacy and admire his courage.”

###