Benjamin Cardin

Benjamin Louis Cardin, a Democrat, has been the junior Senator from Maryland since 2007. (map)

Iraq War
Cardin voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Immigration
In May 2007, Sen. Cardin voted AGAINST an amendment to the 2007 comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have stripped it of any paths to citizenship or permanent residency for undocumented immigrants, leaving it largely an immigration-enforcement bill. The amendment was defeated, 29-66. The amendment was opposed by the groups like the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the AFL-CIO and the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy.

In October 2007, Sen. Cardin voted FOR the DREAM Act, which would have created a path to citizenship and permanent residency for young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are of "good moral character" and attend college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years. The Senate was blocked from taking up the bill when supporters could only garner 52 of the 60 votes they needed. The bill was supported by groups like the Drum Major Institute, the U.S. Episcopal Conference and the National Parent-Teacher Association. It was opposed by groups like NumbersUSA and VDare.


 * See Project Vote Smart for more information on Cardin's immigration voting record.

Background
Born October 1943, Cardin was raised in a political family, with his father and uncle active in Maryland politics.

In 1967 Cardin graduated first in his class from the University of Maryland School of Law, and he earned his B.A. degree cum laude in 1964 from University of Pittsburgh.

In 1966,a the age of 22, Cardin won the Baltimore District 5 Delegate seat formerly occupied by his uncle Maurice. Ben graduated from law school later that year. Cardin served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967-1986. He was Speaker from 1979-1986. As Speaker, he was credited with reforming Maryland's property tax system, the school financing formula and the ethical standards for elected officials.

Congressional career
In 1986 Cardin ran for U.S. Congress, winning the the general election with 79% of the vote against a perennial candidate, Republican Ross Z. Pierpont.

Cardin lists the Environment, Federal Employees, Fiscal Responsibility, Health Care, Human Rights, International Trade, Pension Reform, and Social Security as "key issues." 

According to his house biography, "In the House, Cardin has been a leader on fiscal issues, pension reform, and health care. His legislation to increase the amount Americans can put into their 401k plans and Individual Retirement Accounts was enacted into law in 2001. His proposal to expand Medicare to include preventive benefits such as colorectal, prostate, mammogram, and osteoporosis screening was also enacted into law. He also has authored legislation to provide a Medicare prescription drug benefit for chronic illnesses; fund graduate medical education; and guarantee coverage for emergency services.

"As the leading Democrat on the Human Resources Subcommittee, Cardin has introduced legislation to improve welfare reform by helping those who leave public assistance get the skills they need so they can work their way out of poverty. His bill to increase education and support services for foster care children between ages 18 and 21 was signed into law in 1999. He has authored bills to expand child support, hold fathers more accountable, improve the welfare-to-work program and increase the child care tax credit."

Redistricting has caused Cardin received the lowest vote totals of any incumbent Maryland Congressman in the 2002 and 2004 elections. Redistricting in 2002 added significant portions of more conservative Anne Arundel County, including the state capitol of Annapolis, to his Baltimore city and county-based district.

2006 elections
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 will not be running for re-election in 2006. Cardin defeated Republican Michael Steele 54%-44% in the November 2006 election to win the seat. 

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * Senate Committee on the Budget
 * Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
 * Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality
 * Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
 * Subcommittee on African Affairs
 * Subcommittee on European Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs
 * Senate Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights
 * Subcommittee on the Constitution
 * Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
 * Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Human Resources
 * Subcommittee on Trade - Ranking Minority Member

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * co-chaired the Bipartisan Ethics Task Force in an effort to reform ethics procedures in the House of Representatives.(1997)
 * Steering Committee of the Democratic Caucus
 * Senior Democratic Whip.

Boards and other Affiliations

 * St. Mary's College of Maryland Board of Trustees (1988-1999)
 * St. Mary's Advisory Board for the Study of Democracy (2002)
 * Goucher College Board of Trustees (1999-)
 * Chairman of the Special Study Commission on Maryland Public Ethics Law by the Maryland General Assembly (1998).
 * Advisory Board, The Israel Project

Contact
Washington: 509 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-4524 Fax: 202-224-1651 Web Email Website

Baltimore: Tower I, Suite 1710 100 South Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 Phone: 410-962-4436 Fax: 410-962-4156

Articles

 * Jerry Skurnik, " Congressional Elections - Good for the Jews (and the Buddhists)," Room Eight, November 8, 2006.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Official 2006 U.S. Senate Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * See how you compare to Ben Cardin