Listed below are some bills that were important to us in recent months, representative of the voting records of Maryland’s senators. Following the chart, you can find fuller descriptions of each of these bills and resolutions.
| Bill | Cardin’s Position | Van Hollen’s Position | Our Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investing in Cures Before Missiles Act (S.982) |
— | Cosponsor | Yes |
| Repealing 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (SJ Res 10) |
Cosponsor | — | Yes |
| No First Use of Nuclear Weapons (S.1219) |
— | — (Cosponsor of S.1148) |
Yes |
| Iran Diplomacy Act (S.434) |
— | Cosponsor | Yes |
| Nuclear Sea Launch Cruise Missiles Ban (S.595) |
Cosponsor | SPONSOR | Yes |
| Audit the Pentagon Act (unfiled) |
— | — | Yes |
Unproposed Legislation:
> We urge the senate to amend the National Defense Authorization Act (Military Budget) to reflect the priorities of the American people, i.e. not increasing spending on unnecessary weapons and excessive military bases, when our real threats are climate collapse, infectious disease, poverty, and white supremacy.
> We urge the senate to repeal all Authorizations for the Use of Military Force. These are long standing (non-expiring) greenlights to the executive branch to commit acts of war without congressional approval or public debate, which violates the vision of checks and balances asserted by the Constitution. We commend the Senate for considering SJ Res 10 to repeal the 2002 Iraq War AUMF but they ought to consider the broader 2001 War on Terror AUMF that has allowed unilateral acts of war in at least seven countries and allows such attacks to go largely unreported and unscrutinized by lawmakers and voters.
- In addition to cosponsoring repeal of the 2002 AUMF, Senator Cardin has made clear and compelling statements on sunsetting the 2001 AUMF, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
2020
| Bill | Cardin’s Vote | Van Hollen’s Vote | Our Position |
| Iran War Powers Resolution | Yea | Yea | Yes |
| Withdrawal of US Forces from Yemen | Yea | Yea | Yes |
| National Defense Authorization Act, Last 3 Years | Yea | Yea | No |
| Oppose Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (no vote taken yet on resolution) | Sponsor | No position | No |
| “Hold the LYNE Act” | No position | Co-sponsor | Yes |
Iran: Iran War Powers Resolution — S.J.Res. 68 — This resolution prevents the President from carrying out military action against Iran unless Congress authorizes it. Passed 55-45. Supported by both Cardin and Van Hollen. Peace Action position: Support
Yemen: Override Trump’s Veto on Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from the Saudi-led War in Yemen — S.J.Res. 7 — The Senate sought to override a veto on a resolution that would have ended U.S. support of the Saudi coalition’s egregious, years-long assault on Yemen. Failed 53-45. Supported by both Cardin and Van Hollen. Peace Action position: Support
Military Budget: Every year, the Senate votes for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The budget outlined in the NDAA for each of the three years of 2018, 2019, and 2020 increased by many billions of dollars the amount of money going to the Pentagon, including for expenditures that Peace Action opposes, such as Space Force, the new so-called “low-yield” nuclear weapons, the Sea Based Deterrence Fund, the F-35 fighter jet, and the nuclear cruise missile known as the Long Range Standoff Weapon, among others. The NDAA passed the Senate for each of these years, with the following votes: 2018, 89-8; 2019, 85-10; 2020, 86-8. Peace Action opposed the NDAA for each of these years. Supported by both Cardin and Van Hollen for each of these years.
Israel/Palestine: Senator Cardin introduced S.Res.120 in 2019 – “A resolution opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.” Leadership has not brought it up for a vote. This resolution is opposed by Peace Action. It has 69 cosponsors. Sen. Van Hollen is not a cosponsor.
Nuclear Disarmament: S 401: “Hold the LYNE Act,” to prohibit the research and development, production, and deployment of the Trident D5 low-yield nuclear warhead.” Introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D, MA) Feb. 7, 2019. No vote has been allowed by Senate leadership to be taken on this bill. It is cosponsored by 7 senators, one of whom is Sen. Van Hollen. Sen. Cardin has not cosponsored it.