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Ben Cardin
United States Senator from Maryland
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2007 Serving with Chris Van Hollen
Preceded by	Paul Sarbanes
Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
In office April 2, 2015 – February 6, 2018
Preceded by	Bob Menendez
Succeeded by	Bob Menendez
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Barbara Mikulski
Succeeded by	John Sarbanes
Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office January 6, 1979 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	John Hanson Briscoe
Succeeded by	Clayton Mitchell
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 42nd district
In office January 6, 1967 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Maurice Cardin
Succeeded by	David Shapiro
Personal details
Born	Benjamin Louis Cardin (1943-10-05) October 5, 1943 (age 75)[1] Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Myrna Edelman (m. 1964)
Children	2
Education	University of Pittsburgh (BA) University of Maryland, Baltimore (JD)
Website	Senate website

Benjamin Louis Cardin (born October 5, 1943) is an American politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Maryland, first elected to that seat in 2006. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously was the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 3rd congressional district 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.

Cardin was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in 2006, defeating Republican Michael Steele, the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, by a margin of 54% to 44%. He was reelected in 2012 taking 56% of the vote.^[2] He became a senior U.S. Senator on January 3, 2017 upon Barbara Mikulski's retirement. Cardin won reelection to a third term in 2018, taking 64% of the vote.

Early life and career

Benjamin Louis Cardin was born in Baltimore, Maryland,^[1] the son of Dora (née Green) and Meyer M. Cardin (1907–2005).^[3] The family name was originally "Kardonsky", before it was changed to "Cardin". Cardin's grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants. His grandfather, Benjamin Green, operated a neighborhood grocery store that later turned into a wholesale food distribution company.^[4] His father, Meyer Cardin, served in the Maryland House of Delegates (1935–1937) and later sat on the Baltimore City Supreme Bench (1961–1977).^[4][5]

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 City College High School, graduating in 1961; In 1964, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh,^[1] where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1967, graduating first in his class.^[1] Cardin was admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year, and joined the private practice of Rosen and Esterson until 1978.^[1]

Political career

Maryland House of Delegates

While still in law school, Cardin was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in November 1966.^[1][4] 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 & Means Committee from 1974 to 1979, then served as the 103rd Speaker of the House until he left office.^[6] At age 35, he was the youngest Speaker in Maryland history at the time.^[1] As Speaker, he was involved with reform efforts involving Maryland's property tax system, school financing formula, and ethical standards for elected officials.^[6]

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 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 percent of the vote—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district. He won the general election with 79 percent of the vote against a perennial candidate, Republican Ross Z. Pierpont.

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 IRAs was passed in 2001. His bill to expand 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.^[6]

Cardin has also advocated, via proposed legislation, welfare reform. His bill to increase education and support services for foster children between ages 18 and 21 was signed into law in 1999.^[6] He authored bills to expand child support, improve the welfare-to-work program, and increase the child care tax credit.^[6]

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 House Democratic Caucus, and served as Senior Democratic Whip.

Cardin has been commended for his work with fiscal policy. He has been honored by Worth magazine and by Treasury and Risk Management for his work protecting retirement plans and government-supported medical care for the elderly. He has also received scores of 100 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.^[7]

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 May 2006^[update], Cardin served on the following House committees:

• Member of the Ways and Means Committee.
  
  
  
  • Ranking member of the Trade Subcommittee.
  
  
  • Member of the Human Resources Subcommittee.
  
  
  
  


• Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

In 2015, Cardin became the ranking Democratic member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after the departure of Senator Robert Menendez as ranking Democrat and Chairman.^[8] Two weeks after Menendez departure, Cardin was credited with facilitating achievement of a unanimous committee vote in favor of the markup for the bill on the USA's involvement in the negotiations with Iran on nuclear technology.^[8]

U.S. Senate

2006 election

On April 26, 2005, Cardin announced that he would seek the 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 Kweisi Mfume, Josh Rales, Dennis F. Rasmussen, and Allan Lichtman. Cardin won, however, with 44 percent of the vote, compared to 40 percent for Mfume, five percent for Rales, and two percent for Rasmussen.^[9] He was declared the winner after just two percent of the precincts had reported.

Cardin won election on November 7, 2006, defeating Republican challenger Michael Steele 54 percent to 44 percent.^[10] Cardin became the third consecutive Representative from Maryland's 3rd Congressional District to be elected Senator (following Sarbanes and Mikulski).

2012 election

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%.^[2]

2018 election

Cardin is running for re-election to a third term in 2018.

Committee assignments

Cardin currently serves on the following Senate Committees in the 115th United States Congress:

• Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe


• 
  Committee on Environment and Public Works
  
  
  
  • Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
  
  
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife
  
  
  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  
  
  
  


• 
  Committee on Finance
  
  
  
  • Subcommittee on Health Care
  
  
  • Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight
  
  
  
  


• 
  Committee on Foreign Relations
  
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development (Ex Officio)
  
  
  • 
    Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues (Ex Officio)
  
  
  
  


• 
  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Ranking Member)

Caucus membership

• Senate Oceans Caucus


• Senate Military Family Caucus


• 
  Senate Ukraine Caucus^{[11][not in citation given]}
  

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.^[12] 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.^[1] From 2015 to 2016 he was again ranking member.^[13] In 2006 he was elected vice president of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, and served through 2014.^[1]

Honors

Cardin testifying before the U.S. House 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^[update] Cardin sits on the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Law, his law school alma mater.^[14]

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:

• 
  Commander of the Order of the Star of Romania, Romania (June 8, 2017)^[15][16]
  

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.^[17] In 2013, National Journal rated him as tied with six other Democratic senators for fifth most liberal Senator.^[18]

Death Penalty

Senator Cardin is a supporter of the death penalty.^[19]

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.^[20]

Environmentalism

Liberal environmentalists criticized Cardin for compromising too much while working with conservative James Inhofe on an amendment to Cardin's Chesapeake Bay legislation.^[21] 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."^[22]

Elections

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 fined of $100,000.^[23][24]

Gun control

Cardin has an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association.^[25]

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."^[26]

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.^[27]

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.^[28] 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."^[29] In response to the shooting, Cardin sponsored Dianne Feinstein's proposal to ban bump-fire stocks, which were used by the shooter to kill 59 individuals and injure over 500.^[30]

Health

In the 111th Congress, Cardin helped secure dental benefits in the State Children's Health Insurance Plan.^[31]

International policy

On 31 October 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.^[32]

Cardin has often supported positions that aim to strengthen America's relationship with Israel.^[33] 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.^[34][35]

He supported civilian nuclear cooperation with India.^[36]

Weeks after the 2014 Hong Kong class boycott campaign and Umbrella Movement broke out which demands genuine universal suffrage among other goals, Cardin among bipartisan colleagues joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Rep. Chris Smith's effort to introduce Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act which would update the United States–Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 and U.S. commitment to Hong Kong's freedom and democracy. "Civil society and democratic freedoms are under attack around the world and Hong Kong is on the front lines. The United States has a responsibility to protect human rights and defend against these threats," Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee said.^{[37][38][39][40][41][42]}

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.^[43] 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.^[44]

Taxes

Cardin is opposed to eliminating the tax deduction for charitable donations and supports raising taxes on higher income earners.^[45] 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."^[45] In response to the question, "Are you prepared to vote to limit the loophole of charitable deductions?" Cardin responded, "No."^[45]

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."^[46]

Personal life

Cardin married high school sweetheart Myrna Edelman, a teacher,^[47] on November 24, 1964. They have a daughter, Deborah. Their son Michael committed suicide on March 24, 1998^[48] at age 30.^[49]

In 2002, Ben's 32-year-old nephew, Jon S. Cardin, who graduated from University of Maryland law school in 2001, was elected as a Delegate representing District 11 of western Baltimore County. With state legislative District 11 overlapping Congressional District 3, 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 Ben himself, who stated, "The next generation's taking over."^[50] After Ben announced that he would vacate his Congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate, Jon Cardin stated that he was exploring a campaign for his uncle's Congressional seat, though he ultimately decided to seek reelection to the House of Delegates.

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 at the college, where he also served on the advisory board.

Election history

Footnotes

Further reading

• 
  


• 
  Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  


• 
  Profile at Vote Smart
  


• 
  Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
  


• 
  Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
  

See also

• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress

External links

Wikisource has original works written by or about: Ben Cardin

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ben Cardin.

Wikinews has related news: Russian police to 'check' officer allegedly involved in large theft and murder

• 
  Senator Ben Cardin official U.S. Senate site


• Ben Cardin for Senate


• 
  Ben Cardin at Curlie
  


• 
  Appearances on C-SPAN