BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance, Foreign Relations and Environment and Public Works committees, issued the following statement on the results of the U.S. presidential election.
“The rule of law and our American Constitution have prevailed once again. American voters have selected their next president by casting ballots in unprecedented numbers, even during a pandemic. The votes have been and continue to be painstakingly counted following the rules set forth by each individual state, which is how our country has conducted its elections year after year after year. Our republic has survived one of its greatest challenges ever by allowing the process to work as designed. I call upon the Trump administration to work toward a peaceful and orderly transition of power as President-Elect Biden prepares to take the oath of office on January 20, 2021.
“Congratulations to my friend and former Senate colleague Joe Biden, who is now the President-Elect of the United States of America. Congratulations also to Kamala Harris, now Vice President-Elect. A Senate colleague, as well, she now has shattered one of the highest glass ceilings ever. The pair has won more votes than any other candidates in our country’s history.
“A majority of Americans, as shown by the popular vote and the Electoral College, have come together to move our country in a new direction. I am hopeful for the next four years. The new Biden-Harris administration will fight hard to renew confidence in key American institutions, including an independent and fair judiciary, a non-partisan civil service and a government that works for the people and our communities rather than the self-interest of one.
“President Biden and Vice President Harris will be straight with the American people when it comes to COVID-19 and how our country can best overcome this deadly virus, get Americans safely learning and working, and support those individuals, families, small businesses and communities who have been struggling the most during this pandemic. The new administration will use every tool available to reverse the damage caused by the Trump administration and restore integrity, decency and empathy to America’s leadership at home and abroad. President Biden will have the opportunity to restore our historic alliances and re-establish U.S. global leadership to address COVID-19 and global health, climate change, human rights and security. America will once again show itself to be a reliable partner and tough competitor. By trusting our democratic institutions, Americans have voted to embrace the future together, working to form a more perfect union and extending a hand in fellowship to our neighbors near and far.”
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