Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|American lawyer and politician (born 1943)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Ben Cardin | image = Ben Cardin official Senate portrait.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2015 | jr/sr = United States Senator | state = [[Maryland]] | alongside = [[Chris Van Hollen]] | term_start = January 3, 2007 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Paul Sarbanes]] | successor = | office1 = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]] | term_start1 = February 3, 2021 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = [[Marco Rubio]] | successor1 = | office2 = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]] | term_start2 = February 6, 2018 | term_end2 = February 3, 2021 | predecessor2 = [[Jeanne Shaheen]] | successor2 = [[Rand Paul]] | term_start3 = January 3, 2015 | term_end3 = April 2, 2015 | predecessor3 = [[Jim Risch]] | successor3 = Jeanne Shaheen | office4 = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] | term_start4 = April 2, 2015 | term_end4 = February 6, 2018 | predecessor4 = Bob Menendez | successor4 = [[Bob Menendez]] | state5 = [[Maryland]] | district5 = {{ushr|MD|3|3rd}} | term_start5 = January 3, 1987 | term_end5 = January 3, 2007 | predecessor5 = [[Barbara Mikulski]] | successor5 = [[John Sarbanes]] | office6 = 103rd [[Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates]] | term_start6 = January 6, 1979 | term_end6 = January 3, 1987 | predecessor6 = John Hanson Briscoe | successor6 = [[R. Clayton Mitchell, Jr.|Clayton Mitchell]] | state_delegate7 = Maryland | district7 = 42nd | term_start7 = January 6, 1967 | term_end7 = January 3, 1987 | predecessor7 = [[Maurice Cardin]] | successor7 = David Shapiro | birth_name = Benjamin Louis Cardin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|10|5}} | birth_place = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | spouse = {{marriage|Myrna Edelman|1964}} | father = [[Meyer Cardin]] | children = 2{{efn|One child is deceased.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Folkenflik |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-03-26-1998085086-story.html |title=Michael Cardin, 30, lawyer, son of Rep. Cardin |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=March 25, 1998 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621045322/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-03-26-1998085086-story.html |archive-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref>}} | education = [[University of Pittsburgh]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[University of Maryland, Baltimore]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | website = {{url|cardin.senate.gov|Senate website}} | signature = Ben Cardin signature.svg |module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Ben Cardin questions witnesses on the IRS and tax loopholes.ogg|title=Ben Cardin's voice|type=speech|description=Ben Cardin questions witnesses on the [[IRS]] and tax loopholes<br/>Recorded February 15, 2023}} }} '''Benjamin Louis Cardin''' (born October 5, 1943) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States Senate|United States senator]] from [[Maryland]], a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he previously was the [[U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|Maryland|3}} from 1987 to 2007. Cardin served as a member of the [[Maryland House of Delegates]] from 1967 to 1987 and as [[Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates]] from 1979 to 1987, the youngest person to hold the position in history. In his half-century career as an elected official, he has never lost an election. He is a Jewish supremacist. Cardin was elected as U.S. Senator to succeed [[Paul Sarbanes]] in [[2006 United States Senate election in Maryland|2006]], defeating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Michael Steele]], the [[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland]], by a margin of 54% to 44%. He was reelected in [[2012 United States Senate election in Maryland|2012]] taking 56% of the vote.<ref name="MD2012">{{Cite web |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2012/results/general/gen_results_2012_4_007-.html |title=2012 General Election Results |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=January 16, 2018}}</ref> He became Maryland's senior U.S. senator on January 3, 2017, upon [[Barbara Mikulski]]'s retirement. Cardin won reelection to a third term in [[2018 United States Senate election in Maryland|2018]], taking 65% of the vote. In May 2023, he announced that he would not seek re-election in [[2024 United States Senate election in Maryland|2024]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jeff |title=Longtime Maryland U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin won't seek re-election, creating rare Senate vacancy |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-cardin-2024-20230501-6o4r3dufcjbl3o26iv4ze6drju-story.html |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> ==Early life and career== Benjamin Louis Cardin was born in [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]].<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> The family name was originally "Kardonsky", before it was changed to "[[Cardin]]". Cardin's grandparents were [[History of the Jews in Russia#United States|Russian Jewish immigrants]]. His maternal grandfather, Benjamin Green, operated a neighborhood [[grocery store]] that later turned into a [[Wholesale marketing|wholesale]] [[food distribution]] company.<ref name=cardin>{{cite news|work=Ben Cardin for Senate|title=About Ben Cardin|url=http://www.bencardin.com/about|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208023945/http://www.bencardin.com/about/|archive-date=February 8, 2009}}</ref> His mother Dora was a schoolteacher and his father, [[Meyer Cardin]], served in the [[Maryland House of Delegates]] (1935–1937) and later sat on the Baltimore City Supreme Bench (1961–1977).<ref name="cardin" /><ref name="meyer">{{cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/014400/014430/html/14430bio.html |title=Meyer Melvin Cardin, MSA SC 3520-14430 |date=August 1, 2005 |work=Archives of Maryland (Biographical Series) |access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2005-07-13-0507130100-story.html |title=Meyer M. Cardin, 97, congressman's father, served as city judge |first=Frederick N. |last=Rasmussen |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 12, 2005}}</ref> Cardin and his family attended the [[Modern Orthodox]] [[Beth Tfiloh Congregation]] near their home, with which the family had been affiliated for three generations. Cardin attended [[Baltimore City College|City College High School]], graduating in 1961. In 1964, he earned a [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts degree]] ''[[cum laude]]'' from the [[University of Pittsburgh]],<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> where he was a member of the [[Pi Lambda Phi]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]]. He earned a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[University of Maryland School of Law]] in 1967, graduating first in his class.<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> Cardin was admitted to the [[Maryland State Bar Association|Maryland Bar]] that same year, and joined the private practice of Rosen and Esterson until 1978.<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> ==Early political career== ===Maryland House of Delegates=== While still in law school, Cardin was elected to the [[Maryland House of Delegates]] in November 1966.<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /><ref name="cardin" /> He held the seat once held by his uncle, Maurice Cardin, who had decided to not run for re-election so that his nephew could instead pursue the seat. He was [[chairman]] of the [[Ways and means committee|Ways & Means Committee]] from 1974 to 1979, then served as the 103rd [[Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates|Speaker of the House]] until he left office.<ref name="cardin.senate.gov" /> At age 35, he was the youngest Speaker in Maryland history at the time.<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> As Speaker, he was involved with reform efforts involving Maryland's property tax system, school financing formula, and ethical standards for elected officials.<ref name="cardin.senate.gov">{{cite web|url=https://cardin.senate.gov/about/|title=Senator Benjamin L. Cardin : Maryland|website=Cardin.senate.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828102708/http://cardin.senate.gov/about/|archive-date=August 28, 2010|url-status=live|access-date=August 23, 2018}}</ref> == U.S. House of Representatives == In 1986, with Congresswoman [[Barbara Mikulski]] mounting what would be a successful bid for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator [[Charles Mathias]], Cardin ran for Mikulski's seat representing the [[Maryland's 3rd congressional district|3rd congressional district]], which covered a large slice of inner Baltimore, as well as several close-in suburbs. Cardin won the Democratic nomination with 82&nbsp;percent of the vote—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district. He won the general election with 79&nbsp;percent of the vote against a [[perennial candidate]], [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican]] Ross Z. Pierpont. Cardin served as one of the [[House impeachment managers]] that successfully prosecuted the case in the 1989 [[Federal impeachment trial in the United States|impeachment trial]] of Judge [[Walter Nixon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Impeachment/Impeachment-List/ |title=List of Individuals Impeached by the House of Representatives |publisher=[[United States House of Representatives]] |access-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218232339/https://history.house.gov/Institution/Impeachment/Impeachment-List/ |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Cardin calling for troops to withdraw.jpg|thumb|left|On the floor of the House on June 12, 2006, Representative Cardin calling for the withdrawal of all troops from Iraq by 2007]] Cardin was reelected nine times, rarely facing serious opposition and even running unopposed in 1992. In the 2000 round of [[redistricting]], his district was redrawn to add significant portions of [[Anne Arundel County]], including the state capital of [[Annapolis]]. His last two opponents hailed from Anne Arundel and nearly carried the district's portion of that county. In the House, Cardin was involved with fiscal issues, pension reform, and health care. His legislation to increase the amount individuals can store in their [[401k]] plans and [[Individual Retirement Account|IRAs]] was passed in 2001. His bill to expand [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] to include preventive benefits such as [[colorectal]], [[prostate]], [[mammogram]], and [[osteoporosis]] screening was also enacted. He also authored legislation to provide a Medicare prescription drug benefit for chronic illnesses; fund graduate medical education; and guarantee coverage for emergency services.<ref name="cardin.senate.gov" /> Cardin has also advocated, via proposed legislation, [[welfare]] reform. His bill to increase education and support services for [[foster care|foster]] children between ages 18 and 21 was signed into law in 1999.<ref name="cardin.senate.gov" /> He authored bills to expand child support, improve the [[welfare-to-work]] program, and increase the child care tax credit.<ref name="cardin.senate.gov" /> In 1998, Cardin was appointed Chairman of the Special Study Commission on Maryland Public Ethics Law by the [[Maryland General Assembly]]. In 1997, he co-chaired the Bipartisan Ethics Task Force in an effort to reform ethics procedures in the House of Representatives. He also held leadership positions on the Organization, Study and Review Committee and the [[Steering Committee]] of the [[Democratic Caucus of the United States House of Representatives|House Democratic Caucus]], and served as Senior Democratic [[Whip (politics)|Whip]]. Cardin has been commended for his work with fiscal policy. He has been honored by ''[[Worth (magazine)|Worth]]'' magazine and by ''Treasury and Risk Management'' for his work protecting [[retirement plan]]s and government-supported medical care for the elderly. He has also received scores of 100&nbsp;percent from the [[League of Conservation Voters]] and the [[NAACP]], indicating stances that are in favor of environmental protection and [[civil rights]]. Cardin was also one of 133 members of Congress to vote against the 2002 [[Iraq Resolution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cardin.senate.gov/about|title=Senator Benjamin L. Cardin : Maryland|last=<!--no byline-->|date=<!--no source date-->|website=Cardin.senate.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070425190857/http://cardin.senate.gov/about/|archive-date=April 25, 2007|quote=In 2002, as a member of the House, he voted against giving the President the authority to go to war in Iraq.}}</ref> [[File:Cardin bartlett davis.jpg|thumb|350px|Cardin (at podium) joining fellow Representatives [[Roscoe Bartlett]] (center; R-MD) and [[Jo Ann Davis]] (left; R-VA) in calling for a study of [[homeland security]] needs of the National Capital region, including [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]] and the [[District of Columbia]]]] === Committee assignments === {{as of|2006|May}}, Cardin served on the following [[United States Congressional committee|House committees]]: * Member of the [[U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means|Ways and Means Committee]]. ** Ranking member of the [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade|Trade Subcommittee]]. ** Member of the [[United States House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources|Human Resources Subcommittee]]. * Chairman of the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]]. == U.S. Senate == === Elections === ==== 2006 ==== {{main|2006 United States Senate election in Maryland}} On April 26, 2005, Cardin announced that he would seek the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] seat of long-standing senator [[Paul Sarbanes]] (D-MD), following the announcement by Sarbanes that he would not be running for re-election in 2006. On September 12, 2006, Cardin faced a challenging primary battle with other Maryland Democrats, including [[Allan Lichtman]], [[Josh Rales]], [[Dennis F. Rasmussen]], and his former House colleague [[Kweisi Mfume]]. Cardin won, however, with 44 percent of the vote, compared to 40 percent for Mfume, five percent for Rales, and two percent for Rasmussen.<ref name="state" /> Cardin won election on November 7, 2006, defeating Republican challenger [[Michael Steele]] 54&nbsp;percent to 44&nbsp;percent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/races.html?MD|title=2006 Elections|last=<!--no byline-->|date=February 20, 2007|website=You Decide 2006|publisher=Fox News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221010512/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/races.html?MD|archive-date=February 21, 2007}}</ref> Cardin became the third consecutive Representative from Maryland's 3rd congressional district to be elected Senator (following Sarbanes and Mikulski). [[John Sarbanes]], Paul's son, succeeded Cardin in the 3rd district. ==== 2012 ==== {{main|2012 United States Senate election in Maryland}} Cardin ran for re-election to a second term in 2012. He turned back a primary challenge from State Senator [[C. Anthony Muse]], defeating him 74% to 16%, with seven other candidates taking the remaining 10%. In the general election, he faced Republican [[Dan Bongino]], a former [[United States Secret Service]] agent, Independent [[Rob Sobhani]], an economist and businessman, and Libertarian [[Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad]], President of the [[Minaret of Freedom Institute]]. Cardin easily won the election, taking 56% of the vote to Bongino's 26.3%, Sobhani's 16.4% and Ahmad's 1%.<ref name="MD2012" /> ==== 2018 ==== {{main|2018 United States Senate election in Maryland}} Cardin was re-elected for a third term in 2018. === Tenure === Cardin was participating in the certification of the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count]] when the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]] happened. Cardin was on the Senate chamber floor when the rioters breached the Capitol. He was "ushered quickly — and I do mean quickly — away from the Capitol" after Vice President Mike Pence was removed from the chambers.<ref name="Barker">{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jeff |title=Democratic members of Maryland congressional delegation shelter in secure locations, condemn pro-Trump 'crazy mob' storming of Capitol |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-capitol-chaos-maryland-20210106-7vzxecljazdmjellfpcnrijhrq-story.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> During the attack, while Cardin hid with other senators in a safe location, he tweeted, blaming President [[Donald Trump]] for encouraging the rioters. He called for Trump to stop the protestors so the event would end "peacefully."<ref name="Condon">{{cite news |last1=Condon |first1=Christine |title=Here's what Maryland's congressional delegation is saying as Trump supporters storm Capitol |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/politics/bs-md-pol-maryland-congresspeople-capitol-lockdown-20210106-hcytpri2anfflncmj4pnkfvk6m-story.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=Capital Gazette |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> Cardin also compared the police involvement during the attack to that seen during [[Black Lives Matter]] protests, calling it a "stark contrast."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Felice |first1=Selene San |last2=DuBose |first2=Brooks |last3=Ohl |first3=Danielle |last4=Sanchez |first4=Olivia |last5=Mongilio |first5=Heather |last6=Price |first6=Lilly |title=From Washington to Annapolis, dismay, anger and disbelief follow insurrection on Capitol Hill |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ac-cn-trump-capitol-riots-20210106-20210106-w4rmogsphndlrezzds5y3k2eke-story.html |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=Capital Gazette |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> After the Capitol was secure, Cardin joined Congress to certify the count. After, he said that Trump should be held accountable for the insurrection and called for Republican leaders to tell Trump that he needs to resign.<ref name="DoironWright">{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Morgan |last2=Doiron |first2=Sarah |title='This president is unhinged': Lawmakers call for Trump's removal from office after DC violence |url=https://www.cbs42.com/washington/washington-dc/this-president-is-unhinged-lawmakers-call-for-trumps-removal-from-office-after-dc-violence/ |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=CBS 42 |date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> Two days later, on January 8, Cardin called for the invocation of the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] or impeachment to remove Trump.<ref name="Cassie">{{cite news |last1=Cassie |first1=Ron |title=MD Dem. Leaders Seek President's Removal; Hogan Says US is "Better Off" Without Trump |url=https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/hogan-maryland-democratic-leaders-seek-trumps-removal-after-capitol-seige/ |access-date=January 11, 2021 |work=Baltimore Magazine |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref> === Committee assignments === * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Committee on Environment and Public Works]]''' ** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety|Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety]] ** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife|Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife]] ** [[United States Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure]] * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Committee on Finance]]''' ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness|Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness]] ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care|Subcommittee on Health Care]] ** [[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight|Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight]] * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Committee on Foreign Relations]]''' ** [[United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues|Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues]] ** [[United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation|Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation]] ** [[United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism|Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism]] * '''[[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship]]''' (chairman) * [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] '''''(temporary)''''' Cardin was selected by Majority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] to fill in for [[Dianne Feinstein]] on the Judiciary Committee until she returned. Senator Feinstein is recovering at home from shingles.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/18/politics/schumer-senate-feinstein-vote-cardin/index.html</ref> In 2015, Cardin became the [[Ranking member|ranking Democratic member]] on the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] after the departure of [[Bob Menendez|Senator Robert Menendez]] as ranking Democrat and Chairman.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2015/04/16/thrust-into-iran-bill-talks-cardin-delivers/|title=Thrust Into Iran Bill Talks, Cardin Delivers|last=Bennett|first=John T.|date=April 16, 2015|work=DefenseNews|access-date=August 24, 2018|publisher=Sightline Media Group|department=Congress}}</ref> Two weeks after Menendez departure, Cardin was credited with facilitating achievement of a unanimous committee vote in favor of the [[Markup (legislation)|markup]] for the bill on the USA's involvement in the [[Negotiations on Iran nuclear deal framework|negotiations]] with [[Iran]] on nuclear technology.<ref name=":0" /> Senator Menendez returned to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2021. === Caucus membership === * [[Senate Oceans Caucus]] * Senate Military Family Caucus * [[Senate Ukraine Caucus]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Portman and Durbin Launch Senate Ukraine Caucus|date=February 9, 2015|url=http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/2/portman-and-durbin-launch-senate-ukraine-caucus|access-date=February 11, 2015|website=Rob Portman – Newsroom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211073945/http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/2/portman-and-durbin-launch-senate-ukraine-caucus|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=August 2018}} ====Legislation sponsored==== The following is an incomplete list of legislation that Cardin has sponsored: * [[Affordable College Textbook Act (S. 1864; 115th Congress)]] ==International experience== Cardin has been a Commissioner on the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (the U.S. Helsinki Commission) since 1993, serving as Ranking Member from 2003 to 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cardin.senate.gov/biography.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328182428/http://cardin.senate.gov/biography.cfm |archive-date=March 28, 2007|title=Ben Cardin, US Senator for Maryland|website=cardin.senate.gov}}</ref> He subsequently served two terms as co-chair of the commission, from 2007 to 2008, and 2011 to 2012; and also two terms as chair, from 2009 to 2010, and 2013 to 2014.<ref name="CongressionalDir114">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8v1cikke5SIC|title=Official Congressional Directory|publisher=United States Government Publishing Office|year=2016|isbn=9780160929960|edition=114th Congress, 2015–2016|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=123|oclc=951612101|via=Google Books}}</ref> From 2015 to 2016 he was again ranking member.<ref>"[https://www.csce.gov/commissioners About CSCE: Commissioners]". Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Retrieved December 29, 2016.</ref> In 2006 he was elected vice president of the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, and served through 2014.<ref name="CongressionalDir114" /> ==Honors== [[File:Cardin testifying before house subcommittee.jpg|thumb|right|Cardin testifying before the U.S. House [[U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means|Ways and Means]] subcommittee on Human Resources]] Cardin holds honorary degrees from several institutions, including the [[University of Baltimore School of Law]] (1990); [[University of Maryland, Baltimore]] (1993); [[Baltimore Hebrew University]] (1994); [[Goucher College]] (1996); and Villa Julie College (2007). {{as of|2016}} Cardin sits on the Board of Visitors of the [[University of Maryland School of Law]], his law school alma mater.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.umaryland.edu/alumni/visitors |title=Board of Visitors |website=University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law |date=2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230160536/http://www.law.umaryland.edu/alumni/visitors/ |archive-date=December 30, 2016}}</ref> From 1988 to 1995, he chaired the Maryland Legal Services Corp. Through much of his political career, he has continued to work with law policy. From 1988 to 1999, Cardin served on the [[St. Mary's College of Maryland]] Board of Trustees, and in 2002, he was appointed to the St. Mary's Advisory Board for the Study of Democracy. In 1999, he was appointed to the [[Goucher College]] Board of Trustees. Cardin has been awarded the following foreign honor: *[[File:Order of the Star of Romania - Ribbon bar.svg|80x80px]] Commander of the [[Order of the Star of Romania]], Romania (June 8, 2017)<ref name=CongressAdevural20170609>{{cite news|title=Klaus Iohannis a decorat opt congresmani americani cu Ordinul Steaua României în grad de Comandor|url=http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/klaus-iohannis-decorat-opt-congresmani-americani-ordinul-steaua-romaniei-grad-comandor-1_5939da995ab6550cb8f07d40/index.html|newspaper=[[Adevărul]]|language=ro|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2018|location=[[Bucharest]], [[Romania]]}}</ref><ref name=CongressAgepres20170609>{{cite news|title=President Iohannis and U.S. congressmen discuss Romania's inclusion in Visa Waiver programme|url=https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2017/06/09/president-iohannis-and-u-s-congressmen-discuss-romania-s-inclusion-in-visa-waiver-programme-09-43-29|agency=[[Agerpres]]|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2018|last1=Peia|first1=Florentina|editor1-last=Purcarea|editor1-first=Vicentiu|last2=Iacob|first2=Simona|editor2-last=Pandea|editor2-first=Razvan-Adrian|location=[[Bucharest]], [[Romania]]}}</ref> ==Political positions== On a list by ''[[Congressional Quarterly]]'' of the members of Congress who were most supportive of President [[Barack Obama]]'s legislative agenda in 2009, Cardin was tied for fifth most supportive senator with five other senators.<ref name="High Marks">{{cite news|title=Cardin, Sarbanes get high marks for Obama support; Mikulski's attendance slips|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2010/01/cardin_sarbanes_get_high_marks.html|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[National Journal]]'' rated him as tied with six other Democratic senators for fifth most liberal Senator.<ref name="NJ Rankings">{{cite web |title=2013 Vote Ratings: The 15 Most Liberal Senators |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/2013-vote-ratings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209022321/http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/the-15-most-liberal-senators-20140206 |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |work=National Journal}} [[Ballotpedia]] offers an explanation of the ratings, with a full list of the 2013 ratings of the Senate and House: [https://ballotpedia.org/National_Journal_vote_ratings].</ref> The [[American Conservative Union]] gave him a 4% lifetime conservative rating in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ratings.conservative.org/people?search=Ben%20Cardin |title=Lawmakers |website=ACU Ratings |publisher=[[American Conservative Union]]}}</ref> === Agriculture === In June 2019, Cardin and eighteen other Democratic senators sent a letter to USDA Inspector General (IG) Phyllis K. Fong with the request that the IG investigate USDA instances of retaliation and political decision-making and asserted that not conducting an investigation would mean these "actions could be perceived as a part of this administration's broader pattern of not only discounting the value of federal employees, but suppressing, undermining, discounting, and wholesale ignoring scientific data produced by their own qualified scientists."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/menendez-booker-join-call-investigation-usda-amid-reports-scientific-data-suppression/|title=Menendez, Booker Join Call for Investigation at USDA amid Reports of Scientific Data Suppression|work=InsiderNJ|date=June 26, 2019}}</ref> ===Death penalty=== Senator Cardin is a supporter of the death penalty but says it should only be applied to the "worst of the worst".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4747.php|title=Md. Senate Contenders Differ Over Death Penalty|first=Leticia|last=Linn|work=Southern Maryland Online|date=November 3, 2006}}</ref> === Economy === In March 2019, Cardin was one of six senators to sign a letter to the [[Federal Trade Commission]] requesting it "use its rulemaking authority, along with other tools, in order to combat the scourge of non-compete clauses rigging our economy against workers" and espousing the view that such provisions "harm employees by limiting their ability to find alternate work, which leaves them with little leverage to bargain for better wages or working conditions with their immediate employer." The senators furthered that the FTC had the responsibility of protecting both consumers and workers and needed to "act decisively" to address their concerns over "serious anti-competitive harms from the proliferation of non-competes in the economy."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/434992-warren-klobuchar-call-on-ftc-to-curtail-use-of-non-compete-clauses|title=Warren, Klobuchar call on FTC to curtail use of non-compete clauses|date=March 20, 2019|work=The Hill}}</ref> ===Education=== In 2007, Cardin supported the [[United States Public Service Academy]] Act. The Act would serve to create "an undergraduate institution devoted to developing civilian leaders." Like the Military Academies, this would give students 4 years of tuition-free education in exchange for 5 years of public service upon graduation.<ref name=USPSA>{{cite web|title=USPSA|url=http://www.uspublicserviceacademy.org/USPSA_BasicInformation.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230170259/http://www.uspublicserviceacademy.org/USPSA_BasicInformation.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 30, 2008|work=Public Service Academy}}</ref> ===Environment=== Liberal environmentalists criticized Cardin for compromising too much while working with conservative James Inhofe on an amendment to Cardin's Chesapeake Bay legislation.<ref name="Bridge">{{cite news|last1=Quinlan|first1=Paul|title=Sen. Cardin Hopes to Bridge Divide Over Water|url=https://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/07/01/01greenwire-sen-cardin-hopes-to-bridge-divide-over-water-85945.html|access-date=October 31, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 1, 2011}}</ref> Josh Saks, senior legislative representative for water resources campaigns with the National Wildlife Federation, praised Cardin as "the lead voice for clean water and the restoration of America's great waters in Congress."<ref name="Bridge" /> In November 2018, Cardin was one of twenty-five Democratic senators to cosponsor a resolution specifying key findings of the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change report and National Climate Assessment. The resolution affirmed the senators' acceptance of the findings and their support for bold action toward [[Climate change mitigation|addressing climate change]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/merkley-resolution-urges-quick-climate-change-action/895812840|title=Merkley resolution urges quick climate change action|date=November 27, 2018|publisher=[[KTVZ]]|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020905/https://www.ktvz.com/news/merkley-resolution-urges-quick-climate-change-action/895812840|archive-date=February 7, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2019, Cardin was one of eleven senators to sponsor the Climate Security Act of 2019, legislation forming a new group within the State Department that would have the responsibility for developing strategies to integrate climate science and data into operations of national security as well as restoring the post of special envoy for the Arctic, which had been dismantled by President Trump in 2017. The proposed envoy would advise the president and the administration on the potential effects of climate on national security and be responsible for facilitating all interagency communication between federal science and security agencies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/433704-new-bill-aims-to-counter-controversial-white-house-climate-security|title=Democrats offer legislation to counter White House climate science council|first=Miranda|last=Green|date=March 12, 2019|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> ===Elections=== [[File:20111027 988 Chair Wasserman-Shultz & Sen Cardin (6287543032).jpg|thumb|Cardin with [[Debbie Wasserman Schultz]]]] In October 2018, Cardin cosponsored, together with [[Chris Van Hollen]] and [[Susan Collins]], a bipartisan bill that if passed would block "any persons from foreign adversaries from owning or having control over vendors administering U.S. elections." Protect Our Elections Act would make companies involved in administering elections reveal foreign owners, and informing local, state and federal authorities if said ownership changes. Companies failing to comply would face fines of $100,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomsen |first1=Jacqueline |title=Bipartisan bill would block foreign adversaries from owning US election vendors |url=https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/410965-bipartisan-bill-would-block-foreign-adversaries-from-owning-us-election |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleischer |first1=Jodie |last2=Leslie |first2=Katie |last3=Piper |first3=Jeff |title=Measure Seeks to Prevent Foreign Ownership of US Elections Firms After Russian Invests in Maryland Elections Vendor |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/Measure-Seeks-to-Prevent-Foreign-Ownership-of-Elections-Firms-After-Russian-Invests-in-Maryland-Elections-Vendor-497070001.html |work=[[NBC Washington]] |date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref> === Equal Rights Amendment === Cardin has sponsored legislation in support of the [[Equal Rights Amendment]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Congress|url=https://www.equalrightsamendment.org/incongress|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Equal Rights Amendment|language=en-US}}</ref> ===Gun control=== Cardin has an "F" rating from the [[National Rifle Association]].<ref name="VoteSmart1004G">{{cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/82|website=Vote Smart|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> In 2013, he co-sponsored the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act in an effort to ban large-capacity ammunition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Benjamin_Cardin_Gun_Control.htm|title=Benjamin Cardin on Gun Control|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref> In response to the [[Orlando nightclub shooting]], Cardin questioned the legality of military style assault weapons stating that "in my observations in Maryland, I don't know too many people who need to have that type of weapon in order to do hunting in my state or to keep themselves safe."<ref name="Fritze1004G">{{cite news|last1=Fritze|first1=John|title=Cardin, Mikulski weigh in on Senate guns filibuster|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-cardin-mikulski-weigh-in-on-senate-guns-filibuster-20160615-story.html|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> Cardin opposed the 2016 sale of approximately 26,000 assault rifles to the national police of the Philippines. His opposition led to the U.S. State Department halting the sale.<ref name="Zengerle1004G">{{cite web|last1=Zengerle|first1=Patricia|title=Exclusive: U.S. stopped Philippines rifle sale that senator opposed – sources|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-usa-rifles/exclusive-u-s-stopped-philippines-rifle-sale-that-senator-opposed-sources-idUSKBN12V2AM|website=Reuters|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=2016}}</ref> In the wake of the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting]], Cardin stated that [[thoughts and prayers]] were not going to save more people from dying in mass shootings.<ref name="CardinTweet102">{{cite tweet |last=Cardin |first=Ben |user=SenatorCardin |number=914884402873761792 |date=October 2, 2017 |title=We need to stop the carnage. More talk and prayers will not save lives. Only action and real changes in our laws can. |language=en |access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> He also made a call for action to change gun laws, stating on [[Twitter]] that "Automatic weapons aren't needed to hunt deer or ducks; they're meant to kill people."<ref name="Carney1004G">{{cite news|last1=Carney|first1=Jordain|title=Dem senator pitches ideas for gun control after shooting|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/353440-dem-senator-pitching-gun-control-legislation-after-shooting|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=October 2, 2017}}</ref> In response to the shooting, Cardin sponsored [[Dianne Feinstein]]'s proposal to ban [[bump stock]]s, which were used by the shooter to kill 58 individuals and injure over 500.<ref name="Sarlin1004G">{{cite news |last1=Seitz-Wald |first1=Alex |last2=Sarlin |first2=Benjy |title="Bump stocks" for rapid fire are legal. Senators ask why. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/las-vegas-shooting/gun-bump-stocks-rapid-fire-are-legal-senators-ask-why-n807266 |work=NBC News |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> === Journalism === In July 2019, Cardin and [[Rob Portman]] introduced the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act, a bill that would create a new memorial that would be privately funded and constructed on federal lands within Washington, D.C. in order to honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters that have died in the line of duty.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Susan Collins joins effort to honor fallen journalists |url=https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/sen-susan-collins-joins-effort-honor-fallen-journalists/121094 |work=Penobscot Bay Pilot |date=July 9, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> ===Healthcare=== In the 111th Congress, Cardin helped secure dental benefits in the State Children's Health Insurance Plan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Ben Cardin (D)|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/84#biography|website=National Journal Almanac|access-date=August 15, 2014}}</ref> In August 2019, Cardin was one of nineteen senators to sign a letter to [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] [[Steve Mnuchin]] and [[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services]] [[Alex Azar]] requesting data from the Trump administration in order to aid in the comprehension of states and Congress on potential consequences in the event that the Texas v. United States Affordable Care Act (ACA) lawsuit prevailed in courts, citing that an overhaul of the present health care system would form "an enormous hole in the pocketbooks of the people we serve as well as wreck state budgets".<ref>{{cite press release |first=Tammy |last=Baldwin |author-link=Tammy Baldwin |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-requests-data-from-trump-administration-on-consequences-of-texas-v-united-states-prevailing/ |title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Requests Data from Trump Administration on Consequences of Texas V. United States Prevailing |date=August 1, 2019 |work=[[Urban Milwaukee]]}}</ref> In October 2019, Cardin was one of twenty-seven senators to sign a letter to Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] and Senate Minority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] advocating for the passage of the Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence (CHIME) Act, which was set to expire the following month. The senators warned that if the funding for the Community Health Center Fund (CHCF) was allowed to expire, it "would cause an estimated 2,400 site closures, 47,000 lost jobs, and threaten the health care of approximately 9 million Americans."<ref>{{cite press release |first=Tammy |last=Baldwin |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-working-to-extend-long-term-funding-for-community-health-centers/ |title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Working to Extend Long Term Funding for Community Health Centers |date=October 23, 2019 |work=Urban Milwaukee}}</ref> === Housing === In April 2019, Cardin was one of forty-one senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's]] Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that President Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|title=Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=[[KTVZ]]|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> ===International policy=== On October 31, 2011, Cardin endorsed the proposal for the [[United Nations Parliamentary Assembly]] (UNPA). He is one of only six persons who served as members of the United States Congress ever to do so and is the only one who did so while in office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.unpacampaign.org/supporters/overview/?mapcountry=US&mapgroup=mem |title=Overview |website=Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly |language=en |access-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829124025/https://en.unpacampaign.org/supporters/overview/?mapcountry=US&mapgroup=mem |archive-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> Cardin has often supported positions that aim to strengthen America's relationship with Israel.<ref name="Israel Policy">{{cite web|title=Benjamin Cardin – Israel|url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Maryland/Benjamin_Cardin/views/Israel/|work=The Political Guide|date=March 27, 2012|access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> In 2017, Cardin sponsored a bill, the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720), that would penalize commercial businesses that wanted to aid International NGOs and/or organizations in boycotting Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kontorovich |first1=Eugene |title=Israel anti-boycott bill does not violate free speech |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/07/27/israel-anti-boycott-bill-does-not-violate-free-speech/ |access-date=August 31, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/07/19/u-s-lawmakers-seek-to-criminally-outlaw-support-for-boycott-campaign-against-israel/ |title=U.S. Lawmakers Seek to Criminally Outlaw Support for Boycott Campaign Against Israel |work=[[The Intercept]] |first1=Glenn |last1=Greenwald |first2=Ryan |last2=Grim |date=July 19, 2017}}</ref> He supported civilian nuclear cooperation with India.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll541.xml |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 541 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |publisher=[[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]}}</ref> Weeks after the [[2014 Hong Kong class boycott campaign]] and [[Umbrella Movement]] broke out which demands [[2014 Hong Kong protests|genuine universal suffrage among other goals]], Cardin among bipartisan colleagues joined U.S. Senator [[Sherrod Brown]] and Rep. [[Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)|Chris Smith]]'s effort to introduce [[Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act]] which would update the [[United States–Hong Kong Policy Act|United States–Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992]] and U.S. commitment to [[Democratic development in Hong Kong|Hong Kong's freedom and democracy]]. "[[Civil society]] and [[universal rights|democratic freedoms]] are under attack around the world and [[Hong Kong–Mainland conflict|Hong Kong is on the front lines]]. The United States has a responsibility to protect [[human rights]] and defend against [[Censorship in Hong Kong|these threats]]," Cardin, chairman of the [[United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy|Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee]] said.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6a3ecd77-5afb-47be-b4e5-6afae6fd8f1e |title=Wicker Joins Bill to Support Hong Kong's Freedom and Democracy |website=U.S. Senator Roger Wicker |date=November 13, 2014 |first=Roger |last=Wicker |author-link=Roger Wicker |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/2922 S.2922 – Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act], [[Congress.gov]], November 13, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5696 H.R.5696 – Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act], [[Congress.gov]], November 13, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1159 H.R.1159 – Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act], [[Congress.gov]], February 27, 2015</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gordon-crovitz-china-voids-hong-kong-rights-1418601004 |title=China 'Voids' Hong Kong Rights: Beijing abrogates the 1984 treaty it signed with Britain to guarantee the city's autonomy |author=Crovitz, L. Gordon|date=December 14, 2014 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-useful-hong-kong-rebuke-1422663941 |title=A Useful Hong Kong Rebuke: China's betrayal of its promises becomes a U.S. political issue |date=January 30, 2015 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref> In July 2017, Cardin voted in favor of the [[Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act]] that placed [[United States sanctions against Iran|sanctions on Iran]] together with [[Russia]] and [[North Korea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00175|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress – 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov|date=July 27, 2017}}</ref> On October 11, 2017, in a joint statement, Cardin and Senator [[John McCain]] questioned the Trump administration's commitment to the sanctions bill.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-russia-policy-f56bb386-aed1-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98-20171011-story.html |title=Leading lawmakers wonder why Trump Is dragging feet on Russia sanctions |first=Emily |last=Tamkin |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |language=en-US |access-date=June 28, 2019 |date=October 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725033630/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-russia-policy-f56bb386-aed1-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98-20171011-story.html |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Warner Loudoun Times Mirror (34847185786).jpg|thumb|Cardin with [[Mark Warner]] in May 2017]] In October 2017, Cardin condemned the [[2017–present Rohingya genocide in Myanmar|genocide]] of the [[Rohingya people|Rohingya Muslim]] minority in [[Myanmar]] and called for a stronger response to the crisis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar |author=Hussein, Fatima|url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |work=IndyStar |date=October 22, 2017}}</ref> In August 2018, Cardin and 16 other lawmakers urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials who are responsible for [[Xinjiang re-education camps|human rights abuses]] against the [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] [[Islam in China|Muslim]] minority in western China's [[Xinjiang]] region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairs Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Administration to Sanction Chinese Officials Complicit in Xinjiang Abuses |url=https://www.cecc.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairs-lead-bipartisan-letter-urging-administration-to-sanction-chinese |website=www.cecc.gov |publisher=Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)}}</ref> They wrote: "The detention of as many as a million or more Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in 'political reeducation' centers or camps requires a tough, targeted, and global response."<ref>{{cite news |title=China rejects US lawmakers' sanctions call over Muslim camps |author=Bodeen, Christopher|url=https://www.apnews.com/22e2fb42383a401ab9a401aa69f79257 |work=Associated Press |date=August 30, 2018}}</ref> Cardin condemned President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Erdoğan]]'s wide-ranging [[2016–present purges in Turkey|crackdown on dissent]] following a failed July 2016 coup in America's NATO ally [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Helsinki Commission Urges Turkish President to Lift State of Emergency |url=https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/press-and-media/press-releases/helsinki-commission-urges-turkish-president-lift |website=www.csce.gov |date=October 17, 2017 |publisher=Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe}}</ref> In April 2019, Cardin was one of thirty-four senators to sign a letter to President Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America", asserting that Trump had "consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance" since becoming president and that he was "personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity" through preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding. The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S., citing the funding's helping to improve conditions in those countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign|title=More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts|first=Rachel|last=Frazin|date=April 4, 2019|work=The Hill}}</ref> [[File:20220412 Hyoukei 1.jpg|thumb|Ben Cardin (far left) with other senators, US Ambassador to Japan [[Rahm Emanuel]] and PM of Japan [[Fumio Kishida]] in 2022]] ===Online privacy=== Cardin supports [[Net Neutrality]], as shown by his vote during the [[109th Congress]] in favor of the Markey Amendment to H.R. 5252 which would add Net Neutrality provisions to the federal telecommunications code.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll239.xml |title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 239 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives}}</ref> Cardin also supports [[Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act]], which gives DOJ the tools to target those site owners who are engaged in illegal digital piracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s111-3804|title=Text of S. 3804 (111th): Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (Reported by Senate Committee version) – GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> ===Taxes=== Cardin is opposed to eliminating the tax deduction for charitable donations and supports raising taxes on higher-income earners.<ref name="CNBC Interview">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2012/12/20/are-you-guys-just-incompetent-or-what.html|title=Are You Guys Just Incompetent, Or What?|date=December 20, 2012|website=CNBC}}</ref> During a December 20, 2012, interview with [[Maria Bartiromo]] on [[CNBC]], Cardin stated, "We're now a few days away from Christmas. The easiest way to get the revenues is to get the rates from the higher income, uh, taxpayers."<ref name="CNBC Interview" /> In response to the question, "Are you prepared to vote to limit the loophole of charitable deductions?" Cardin responded, "No."<ref name="CNBC Interview" /> Cardin has, on multiple occasions, introduced a bill to adopt a "Progressive Consumption Tax", which is a variation of Michael J. Graetz's [[Competitive Tax Plan]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cardin.senate.gov/pct-what-is#:~:text=The%20Progressive%20Consumption%20Tax%20(PCT,purchase%20of%20goods%20and%20services |title=What is the Progressive Consumption Tax? &#124; Progressive Consumption Tax &#124; U.S. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213055529/https://www.cardin.senate.gov/pct-what-is#:~:text=The%20Progressive%20Consumption%20Tax%20(PCT,purchase%20of%20goods%20and%20services |url-status=dead}}</ref> This tax reform would abolish income tax for a large portion of American taxpayers, replacing the lost revenue with a 10% [[value-added tax]]. As of 2022, the Progressive Consumption Tax has not made it out of committee. Cardin spoke out after the [[Pandora Papers]] were revealed in 2021. Cardin said, "The Pandora Papers are a wake-up call to all who care about the future of democracy. Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, it is time for democracies to band together and demand an end to the unprecedented corruption that has come to be the defining feature of the global order. We must purge the dirty money from our systems and deny kleptocrats safe haven."<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2021 |title=Pandora Papers caps off 2021 with consequences felt around the globe – ICIJ |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/pandora-papers-caps-off-2021-with-consequences-felt-around-the-globe/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> ===Whistleblowers=== In November 2011, Cardin's intended update of the 1917 Espionage Act upset some public disclosure advocates. They complained that it "would make it harder for federal employees to expose government fraud and abuse."<ref name=Whistleblower>{{cite news|title=Cardin bill angers whistleblower advocates|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-11-24/news/bs-md-cardin-espionage-20111124_1_cardin-bill-bradley-manning-diplomatic-cables|date=November 24, 2011|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> === Israel === Cardin is a co-sponsor of a Senate resolution expressing objection to the [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334|UN Security Council Resolution 2334]], which condemned [[Israeli settlement|Israeli settlement building]] in the occupied [[Palestinian territories]] as a violation of international law. Cardin said that "Congress will take action against efforts at the UN, or beyond, that use Resolution 2334 to target Israel."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bipartisan group of senators call for repealing UN resolution on Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bipartisan-group-of-senators-call-for-repealing-un-resolution-on-israel/ |author=Cortellessa, Eric|work=The Times of Israel |date=January 5, 2017}}</ref> Cardin supported President [[Donald Trump]]'s decision to [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital]]. He stated: "Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel and the location of the US Embassy should reflect this fact."<ref>{{cite news |title=In US Congress, robust backing for Trump's Jerusalem move |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-us-congress-robust-backing-for-trumps-jerusalem-move/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=December 6, 2017}}</ref> Cardin and Senator [[Rob Portman]] (R-Ohio) proposed the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]] in late 2018 which would make it illegal for companies to engage in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the [[Israeli-occupied territories]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Don't Punish US Companies That Help End Abuses in the West Bank |author=Shakir, Omar|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/18/dont-punish-us-companies-help-end-abuses-west-bank |work=Human Rights Watch |date=December 18, 2018}}</ref> The bill would expand the [[Export Administration Act of 1979|Export Administration Act]] (EAA) to foreign boycotts imposed by international organizations like the [[European Union]], [[Arab League]] and the [[United Nations]]. Cardin and Portman were strongly in promotion of the bill, and worked to integrate it into larger spending legislation to be signed by then-[[Donald Trump|President Trump]].<ref name="intercept18">{{cite news |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Emmons |first2=Alex |title=Senators Working to Slip Israel Anti-Boycott Law Through in Lame Duck |url=https://theintercept.com/2018/12/04/israel-anti-boycott-act-lame-duck/ |access-date=January 19, 2019 |work=[[The Intercept]] |date=December 4, 2018}}</ref> ==Personal life== Cardin married high school sweetheart Myrna Edelman, a teacher,<ref name=smo>{{cite news |date=November 3, 2006 |work=Southern Maryland Online |title=Candidate Profile: U.S. Senate: Ben Cardin (D) |url=http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4752.shtml |last=Linn |first=Leticia}}</ref> on November 24, 1964. They have a daughter, Deborah. Their son Michael (Born {{Birth based on age at death|30|1998|03|24}}) died of [[suicide]] on March 24, 1998,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.death-record.com/l/114208015/Michael-A-Cardin |title=Death record – Michael A Cardin |access-date=March 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410174856/http://www.death-record.com/l/114208015/Michael-A-Cardin |archive-date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> at age 30.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Redirecting to Google Groups|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!topic/newsguy.world.politics/GlNbK8ZlvmY|access-date=January 10, 2022|website=groups.google.com}}</ref> In 2002, Cardin's 32-year-old nephew, [[Jon S. Cardin]], was elected as a Delegate representing the 11th district of western Baltimore County. With the 11th legislative district overlapping the 3rd congressional district, there were two Cardins on the ticket in this area in 2002. Present at Jon's swearing in was the oldest living former member of the House of Delegates at 95 years of age, Meyer Cardin, Jon's grandfather and Ben's father. Also in attendance was Cardin, who remarked, "The next generation's taking over."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Desmon |first1=Stephanie |title=Two famous-name freshmen begin to carve own niche in Md. House |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-03-18-0303180190-story.html |access-date=July 18, 2020 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=March 18, 2003}}</ref> ==Volunteer service== For many years Cardin served on the board of trustees for [[St. Mary's College of Maryland]]. He was very active on the board and also played key roles in the establishment of the [[Center for the Study of Democracy (St. Mary's College of Maryland)|Center for the Study of Democracy]] at the college, where he also served on the advisory board. ==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change| title=Maryland's 3rd Congressional District election, 2000}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin (Incumbent) | votes = 169,347 | percentage = 75.66 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Scott Conwell | votes = 53,827 | percentage = 24.05 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Joe Pomykala | votes = 238 | percentage = 0.11 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-ins | candidate = | votes = 406 | percentage = 0.18 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 223,818 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link without swing | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change| title=Maryland's 3rd Congressional District election, 2002}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin (Incumbent) | votes = 145,589 | percentage = 65.79 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Scott Conwell | votes = 75,721 | percentage = 34.21 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 221,310 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link without swing | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin| title=Maryland's 3rd Congressional District election, 2004}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin (Incumbent) | votes = 182,066 | percentage = 63.44% | change = -2.35 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Robert P. Duckworth | votes = 97,008 | percentage = 33.80% | change = -0.41 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Green Party (United States) | candidate = Patsy Allen | votes = 7,895 | percentage = 2.75% | change = +2.75 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 286,969 | percentage = 100.00 }} {{Election box hold with party link without swing | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Maryland United States Senate primary election results, 2006<ref name="state">{{cite web |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/primary/office_US_Senator.html |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |website=elections.maryland.gov |title=Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for U.S. Senator |access-date=November 13, 2016}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ben Cardin | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 257,545 | percentage = 43.67 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kweisi Mfume | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 238,957 | percentage = 40.52 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Josh Rales | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 30,737 | percentage = 5.21 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Dennis F. Rasmussen | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 10,997 | percentage = 1.86 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Mike Schaefer | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 7,773 | percentage = 1.32 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Allan Lichtman | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 6,919 | percentage = 1.17 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Theresa C. Scaldaferri | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes =5,081 | percentage = 0.86 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = James H. Hutchinson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 4,949 | percentage = 0.84 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = David Dickerson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,950 | percentage = 0.67 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = A. Robert Kaufman | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,908 | percentage = 0.66 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Anthony Jaworski | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,486 | percentage = 0.59 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Thomas McCaskill | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,459 | percentage =0.59 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = George T. English | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,305 | percentage = 0.39 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bob Robinson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,208 | percentage = 0.37 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Lih Young | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,039 | percentage = 0.35 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Blaine Taylor | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,848 | percentage = 0.31 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Joseph Werner | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,832 | percentage =0.31 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Charles Ulysses Smith | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,702 | percentage = 0.29 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 589,695 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin | title = Maryland United States Senate general election results, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2006/results/general/office_US_Senator.html |title=Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for U.S. Senator |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |date=December 19, 2006 |access-date=January 13, 2010}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin | votes = 965,477 | percentage = 54.21 | change = -9.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Michael Steele]] | votes = 787,182 | percentage = 44.19 | change = +7.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Green Party (United States) | candidate = [[Kevin Zeese]] | votes = 27,564 | percentage = 1.55 | change = ''n/a'' }} {{Election box candidate | party = Write-ins | candidate = | votes = 916 | percentage = 0.05 | change = 0 }} {{Election box majority | votes = 178,295 | percentage = 100.00 | change = }} {{Election box turnout | votes = 1,781,139 | percentage = | change = }} {{Election box hold with party link |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = |swing = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = United States Senate primary election in Maryland, 2012<ref name=CardinprimarySUN>{{cite news | last=Fritze | first=John | title=Ben Cardin wins Senate primary | url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-congress-primary-2-20120403,0,5918965.story | access-date=April 3, 2012 | newspaper=The Baltimore Sun | date=April 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=BonginoWT>{{cite news | title=Ex-agent Bongino wins Republican Senate primary; will face Sen. Benjamin Cardin in November | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/sen-benjamin-cardin-wins-democratic-primary/2012/04/03/gIQAh5dztS_story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405073108/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/sen-benjamin-cardin-wins-democratic-primary/2012/04/03/gIQAh5dztS_story.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 5, 2012 | access-date=April 4, 2012 | date=April 4, 2012 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref name=mdboe>{{cite web |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2012/results/primary/gen_results_2012_3_007-.html |title=Official 2012 Presidential Primary Election results for U.S. Senator |access-date=May 26, 2012 |date=May 2, 2012 |work=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ben Cardin (incumbent) | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 240,704 | percentage = 74.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = C. Anthony Muse | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 50,807 | percentage = 15.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Chris Garner | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 9,274 | percentage = 2.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Raymond Levi Blagmon | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 5,909 | percentage = 1.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = J. P. Cusick | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 4,778 | percentage = 1.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Blaine Taylor | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 4,376 | percentage = 1.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Lih Young | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,993 | percentage = 1.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ralph Jaffe | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 3,313 | percentage = 1.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ed Tinus | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 1,064 | percentage = 0.3 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 324,218 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin | title=United States Senate general election in Maryland, 2012<ref name="MD2012" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin (incumbent) | votes = 1,474,028 | percentage = 55.98% | change = +1.77% }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Dan Bongino]] | votes = 693,291 | percentage = 26.33% | change = -17.86% }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Independent (United States) | candidate = Rob Sobhani | votes = 430,934 | percentage = 16.37% | change = N/A }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Dean Ahmad | votes = 32,252 | percentage = 1.22% | change = N/A }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = n/a | candidate = Write-ins | votes = 2,729 | percentage = 0.10% | change = +0.05% }} {{Election box total | votes = 2,633,234 | percentage = 100.0% | change = N/A }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change|title = United States Senate primary election in Maryland, 2018<ref name="Primary Election">{{cite web |title=2018 Maryland primary election results |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_007-.html |access-date=June 12, 2019 |date=July 31, 2018 |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Ben Cardin (incumbent) | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 447,441 | percentage = 79.24% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = [[Chelsea Manning]] | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 34,611 | percentage = 6.13% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = [[Jerome Segal]] | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 20,027 | percentage = 3.55% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Debbie Wilson | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 18,953 | percentage = 3.36% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Marcia H. Morgan | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 16,047 | percentage = 2.84% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Lih Young | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 9,874 | percentage = 1.75% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Richard Vaughn | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 9,480 | percentage = 1.68% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Erik Jetmir | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 8,259 | percentage = 1.46% }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 564,692 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin | title=United States Senate general election in Maryland, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_007-.html |title=2018 Election Results |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ben Cardin (incumbent) | votes = 1,491,614 | percentage = 64.86% | change = +8.88% }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Tony Campbell | votes = 697,017 | percentage = 30.31% | change = +3.98% }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Independent (United States)|Independent | candidate = Neal Simon | votes = 85,964 | percentage = 3.74% | change = N/A }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Arvin Vohra | votes = 22,943 | percentage = 1.00% | change = -0.22% }} {{Election box write-in with party link | votes = 2,351 | percentage = 0.10% | change = N/A }} {{Election box total | votes = 2,299,889 | percentage = 100% | change = N/A }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}} ==Notes and references== ===Notes=== {{notelist}} ===References=== {{reflist}} ==See also== * [[List of Jewish members of the United States Congress]] ==Further reading== {{wikinews|Russian police to 'check' officer allegedly involved in large theft and murder}} {{CongLinks | congbio=c000141 | votesmart=26888 | fec=S6MD03177 | congress=benjamin-cardin/174}} ==External links== {{wikisource author}} {{commons}} * [https://cardin.senate.gov/ Senator Ben Cardin] official U.S. Senate website * [https://www.bencardin.com Ben Cardin for Senate] * {{Curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Maryland/Government/Federal/US_Senate/Ben_Cardin_%5BD%5D}} * {{C-SPAN|4004}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|us-md-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Maurice Cardin]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Maryland House of Delegates]]<br />from the 42nd district|years=1967–1987}} {{s-aft|after=[[David Shapiro (politician)|David Shapiro]]}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[John Hanson Briscoe]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates]]|years=1979–1987}} {{s-aft|after=[[R. Clayton Mitchell, Jr.|Clayton Mitchell]]}} |- {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Barbara Mikulski]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Maryland|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Maryland's 3rd congressional district]]|years=1987–2007}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Sarbanes]]}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Paul Sarbanes]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maryland]]<br />([[Classes of United States senators|Class 1]])|years=[[2006 United States Senate election in Maryland|2006]], [[2012 United States Senate election in Maryland|2012]], [[2018 United States Senate election in Maryland|2018]]}} {{s-inc|recent}} |- {{s-par|us-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Paul Sarbanes}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from Maryland|U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Maryland]]|years=2007–present|alongside=Barbara Mikulski, [[Chris Van Hollen]]}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Alcee Hastings]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe|Joint Helsinki Commission]]|years=2009–2011}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)|Chris Smith]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=Chris Smith}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe|Joint Helsinki Commission]]|years=2013–2015}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Jim Risch]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]]|years=2015}} {{s-aft|after=[[Jeanne Shaheen]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Bob Menendez]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Foreign Relations Committee]]|years=2015–2018}} {{s-aft|after=Bob Menendez}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Jeanne Shaheen]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]]|years=2018–2021}} {{s-aft|after=[[Marco Rubio]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=Marco Rubio}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]]|years=2021–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Alcee Hastings]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe|Joint Helsinki Commission]]|years=2021–2023}} {{s-aft|after=[[Joe Wilson (American politician)|Joe Wilson]]}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=[[Bob Casey Jr.]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br />''{{small|as United States Senator}}''|years=}} {{s-aft|after=[[Sheldon Whitehouse]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Bob Menendez]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States Senate|United States senators by seniority]]|years=19th}} {{s-aft|after=[[Bernie Sanders]]}} {{s-end}} {{MD-FedRep}} {{Current U.S. Senators}} {{Current Maryland statewide political officials}} {{USJointChairs}} {{USSenMD}} {{USCongRep-start|congresses= 100th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Maryland]]}} {{USCongRep/MD/100}} {{USCongRep/MD/101}} {{USCongRep/MD/102}} {{USCongRep/MD/103}} {{USCongRep/MD/104}} {{USCongRep/MD/105}} {{USCongRep/MD/106}} {{USCongRep/MD/107}} {{USCongRep/MD/108}} {{USCongRep/MD/109}} {{USCongRep/MD/110}} {{USCongRep/MD/111}} {{USCongRep/MD/112}} {{USCongRep/MD/113}} {{USCongRep/MD/114}} {{USCongRep/MD/115}} {{USCongRep/MD/116}} {{USCongRep/MD/117}} {{USCongRep/MD/118}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cardin, Ben}} [[Category:1943 births]] [[Category:20th-century American politicians]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]] [[Category:American Orthodox Jews]] [[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]] [[Category:American Zionists]] [[Category:Baltimore City College alumni]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland]] [[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Maryland]] [[Category:Jewish members of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Category:Jewish United States senators]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates]] [[Category:Politicians from Baltimore]] [[Category:Commanders of the Order of the Star of Romania]] [[Category:Speakers of the Maryland House of Delegates]] [[Category:St. Mary's College of Maryland]] [[Category:University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law alumni]] [[Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni]] [[Category:Jewish American state legislators in Maryland]] [[Category:Cardin family]] [[Category:Equal Rights Amendment]]'