As he prepares to make the switch from the House of Representatives to the Senate, Ben Cardin is in the midst of hiring new staff members, changing his address and attending meeting after meeting to get ready for his five new committee assignments.
Once the Senate’s next session starts, high up on Cardin’s list of to-dos are introductions of several pieces of legislation he had brought forth in the House, such as changes in the Medicare program to allow the government to negotiate with drug companies and a master teachers plan that allows for the neediest schools to get the most instructors.
As promised during the campaign, Cardin also said he hopes to play a key role in balancing the budget, cleaning up Chesapeake Bay and improving transportation options for Marylanders.
One area of improvement he says undoubtedly cannot wait — which became his bread-and-butter issue of the election — is the war on Iraq.
Cardin says he supports the recommendations set forth in the newly released Iraq Study Group Report and now hopes President Bush will use the findings as a jumping-off point for change.
“It sets up the debate that we need a new policy in Iraq,” he said of the report, explaining he advocates a phased troop withdrawal and accelerated training of the Iraqi military and police.
The 20-year Maryland congressman told The Examiner that in the next three weeks before he’s sworn in to office, he’ll stay plenty busy, which is the pace he’s become accustomed to since November’s general election.
“The election was on a Tuesday. By the end of the week, I was already being challenged about committees and a week later had already had some orientation, was meeting with some of the new senators and getting ready to go to my transition office,” Cardin said Wednesday. “It was a pretty fast start.”
Unlike many other regional leaders stepping into new governmental roles, though, Cardin hasn’t assembled a transition staff per se to work out the kinks of his move. Instead, he’s bringing with him a camp of people who have been with him for the last two decades, including longtime communications director Susan Sullam. In addition to these 16 established staff members, Cardin also is hiring new personnel, as Senate staffs are generally larger than House staffs.
“I have offers out to senior staff people on the Hill, and depending on who accepts, that will determine how many are hired on,” the Congressman said.
