Videos

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has released the second installment in the Committee’s documentary-style Truth to Power Series. Episode 2, titled “Defending the Defenders,” highlighting how Chair Cardin’s Human Rights Defenders Protection Act supports human rights defenders facing grave risks worldwide, providing them with security, resources, and recognition to continue their advocacy.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin started his political career in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1967. He rose to become Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and then Speaker. He served in the House of Representatives and then U.S. Senate. He is ending this distinguished career as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Following retiring Senator Ben Cardin's farewell speech to the US Senate, Senator Roger Wicker delivered remarks in tribute to his friend and colleague.

Following his farewell speech to the US Senate, Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks in tribute to retiring Senator Ben Cardin.

Following Senator Ben Cardin's farewell speech to the US Senate, his colleague, Senator Cory Booker, spoke about Cardin's character and service.

Cardin reflects on 58 years in elected office and urges his colleagues to return to a time of greater civility.

"As senators you will need to demonstrate to the American public by your actions that you can practice civility; that differences can be resolved constructively without harsh terms. We need to remember that compromise was how our nation was formed. It can be a good thing and bring people together."

"Compromise on policy but never on values. Treat people with respect even when you disagree. I have made that a guiding principle in my office."

"Whether in promoting American foreign policy or investing in domestic priorities here at home, I ask you to let your values guide you to leave our world and our community a better place, a fairer place, a healthier place, a more peaceful place, and a more prosperous place for all to benefit."

SFRC Chair Senator Ben Cardin leads a hearing examining implementation of the Global Magnitsky Law by successive U.S. administrations, as a central aspect of the wider effort to hold human rights abusers accountable and to impose costs on corrupt actors.

As the author of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act and Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, Chair Cardin has worked to hold human rights violators and corrupt foreign officials accountable through financial sanctions and travel restrictions

"They refused visits from his wife and mother and telephone calls with his children. They denied him medical care trying to get him to recant his testimony. Most people would have given in, but Sergei Magnitsky refused," said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to Senator Rand Paul’s Joint Resolution of Disapproval (JRD) on Ukraine loan forgiveness.