Benjamin Louis Cardin

Democrat senior Senator of Maryland

Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 6, 1987 - January 3, 1989
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 3, 1989 - January 3, 1991
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 3, 1991 - January 3, 1993
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 5, 1993 - January 3, 1995
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 4, 1995 - January 3, 1997
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 1999
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2005
Representative
Maryland, district 3
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2007
Senator
Maryland
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2013
Senator
Maryland
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2019
Senator
Maryland
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2025

202-224-4524

@SenatorCardin

cardin.senate.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

Senate Terms

January 1, 1943 (81 years old)

Birthday

American lawyer and politician with a career spanning over half a century in elected office, never losing an election
Served in the Maryland House of Delegates, including as its youngest speaker
Represented Maryland’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives
Elected as a U.S. Senator in 2006 and reelected in 2012 and 2018
Announced retirement and will not seek reelection in 2024
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, to a family with Russian Jewish immigrant grandparents
Attended the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland School of Law, graduating first in his class
Involved in reform efforts related to Maryland’s property tax system, school financing formula, and ethical standards for elected officials
Advocated for fiscal issues, pension reform, health care, welfare reform, and environmental protection in Congress
Played a significant role in legislation related to Medicare benefits, retirement plans, and child support
Has been a Commissioner on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe since 1993
Holds honorary degrees from several institutions and has served on various boards and committees related to law, education, and public policy
Supported President Barack Obama’s legislative agenda and has been rated as one of the most liberal senators
Advocated for investigations into USDA’s actions, supports the death penalty for the “worst of the worst,” and has pushed for economic reforms to benefit workers
Supported education initiatives, environmental protection efforts, and legislation to address climate change
Advocated for gun control measures, healthcare reforms, and housing programs
Engaged in international policy, supporting strong relations with Israel and addressing human rights issues globally
Supports Net Neutrality and has proposed tax reforms to benefit middle and lower-income Americans
Has been involved in efforts to protect whistleblowers and uphold journalistic integrity