WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin joined members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in approving a bipartisan resolution to commend the State Department professionals for their dedication repatriating United States citizens and legal permanent residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Resolution now moves on to the Floor for consideration by the full Senate.

The State Department’s Repatriation Task Force, along with U.S. embassy staff around the globe and in collaboration with the United States Transportation Command, have brought home over 85,000 Americans from 128 countries and territories to date. 

“COVID-19 has placed unimaginable strains on our State Department, especially the foreign service and foreign service nationals serving globally on behalf of the American people,” Senator Cardin said. “We salute their dedication and personal sacrifice during the emergence of this pandemic. Their ability to navigate the changing landscape in each country, helped bring Marylanders back home from every corner of the world, along with tens of thousands of U.S. citizens and permanent residents simply trying to get back to their families.”

Cosponsoring the Resolution were Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas). 

A copy of the resolution can be found HERE.

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