Cardin bids the U.S. Senate farewell in final speech on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Decades of public service are coming to an end for Maryland’s U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. He took to the floor to bid farewell in his final speech from the U.S. Senate.
“I come to the floor today to say goodbye, as difficult as this may be,” Senator Cardin said to begin his remarks Tuesday addressing the U.S. Senate.
The end of this Congress brings a close to 58 years of elected office for Cardin, a legacy of hard work that he told his colleagues has been worth it.
“As I look back at my time here, it’s the hardest battles that were some of the most rewarding,” Sen. Cardin stated.
Among those battles were Senator Cardin’s efforts to advance quality health care access for all Americans.
“I was proud to be a part of the Congress that passed the Affordable Care Act,” Sen. Cardin said. “That law included my legislation that elevated the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH.”
Health care wasn’t the only thing at top of mind for Cardin in his fight to make a difference on Capitol Hill. In his speech, he highlighted a bipartisan effort he led to better set American workers up with retirement plans.
“Thanks to legislation we co-authored, and has been enacted into law, more employers are providing opportunities for their employees to participate in retirement plans,” Sen. Cardin explained.
Sen. Cardin also highlighted several legislative wins to increase access to affordable housing, improve aging infrastructure, and protect the environment, specifically when it comes to the Chesapeake Bay.
“One of my top priorities as a Maryland Senator has been to promote the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” Sen. Cardin said. “And the federal partnership has been essential in this cause.”
As he prepares to leave office, with a legacy of more than have half of century of public service, Senator Cardin left his colleagues with a message of hope and encouragement.
“I ask you to let your values guide you to lead our world and our community in a better place, a fairer place, a healthier place, a more peaceful place,” Senator Cardin said. “A more prosperous place for all to benefit, let that be our North Star.”
Following Sen. Cardin’s speech, Maryland’s other U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen took to the floor to honor his colleague’s years of public service and commitment to the State of Maryland.
“You always know that the position he’s taken is one that is based in values and principles that he brings to the debate,” Sen. Van Hollen said. “And, for that, we should all be eternally grateful.”
Upon his retirement, Sen. Cardin will be replaced by Senator-elect and former Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
