A third-generation Marylander, Senator Ben Cardin has built a distinguished career centered on public service, principled leadership, and bipartisan problem-solving. After serving 20 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, including eight years as Speaker, he went on to serve two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives and recently concluded three terms in the United States Senate. Throughout his career, he has been widely recognized for his civility, integrity, and commitment to effective governance.
Senator Cardin’s long-standing dedication to strengthening democratic engagement is further reflected in his role as Co-Founder of the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse at Towson University.
Senator Cardin served as the Chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, playing a pivotal role in shaping American engagement abroad by emphasizing the importance of values-based foreign policy. He promoted the centrality of democracy, anti-corruption, and human rights protections in U.S. relations with foreign countries. In this capacity, he strengthened oversight of international human rights abuses, promoted good governance initiatives, and advanced global anti-corruption frameworks. His leadership consistently underscored the principle that sustainable security and prosperity depend on respect for human dignity and the rule of law.
Senator Cardin is internationally known as the principal architect of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act, landmark legislation that transformed the United States’ ability to respond to gross human rights violations and significant corruption worldwide. The Magnitsky Act empowers the U.S. government to impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for abuses, making it one of the most consequential human rights tools of the 21st century.
Connection to Maryland–BiH PartnershipSenator Cardin was instrumental in supporting the Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program with Bosnia and Herzegovina — personally advocating for its continuation and expansion. His office served as a bridge between Bosnian American communities in Maryland and federal policymakers, ensuring their voices were heard in Washington.
After its adoption in the United States, the Magnitsky Act inspired similar legislation among U.S. allies and elevated human rights enforcement as a central pillar of international diplomacy. During his Senate tenure, Cardin also advanced critical civil rights and equity initiatives through his work on the Judiciary Committee, championing efforts to prohibit racial and religious profiling, restore voting rights, and support gender equality. As a senior member of the Finance Committee and former chair of the Small Business Committee, he helped drive major bipartisan legislation including retirement security reforms, expansion of affordable health coverage, and the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided vital support to American small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across all levels of government, Senator Cardin has remained deeply committed to strengthening communities, defending democratic values, and promoting justice at home and abroad.
