Ben Cardin is the junior U.S. Senator from Maryland. He is a supporter of net neutrality, the belief that Internet service providers should not be allowed to regulate Internet content.

A bill proposed by Cardin in March 2009 would allow newspapers to function as nonprofit organizations. The status of nonprofit would allows newspapers to become tax-exempt, though would prohibit them from endorsing any specific political candidate or party. The papers would still be able to freely report on political campaign news and issues.WBAL (Baltimore: Md. Senator Proposes Nonprofit Status For Newspapers

Cardin has a law degree from the University of Maryland which he received in 1967. While attending school, he worked at the Cardin & Cardin law firm before running for a Maryland Delegate seat that had previously been held by his uncle, Maurice Cardin.

Cardin became a Representative for Maryland's 3rd district in 1986 and was subsequently re-elected nine times. In 2006, he successfully ran for Senate, where he is now a member of six committees:

1. Budget
2. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Co-Chairman)
3. Environment and Public Works
4. Foreign Relations
5. Judiciary
6. Small Business and Entrepreneurship

• Official Site:
  • "Judiciary Committee Approves Two Cardin Amendments..." (November 15, 2007)
  • "...Federal Funding For Cecil County Firefighters" (November 15, 2007)
  • "...$6.1 Million In New Funding For Maryland Head Start..." (November 15, 2007)
  • "...Senate Passage Of Head Start Reauthorization" (November 15, 2007)
  • "...Funding To Construct Access Road To Garrett County..." (November 13, 2007)
  • "...President's Veto Of Critical Education, Nursing, Health..." (November 13, 2007)
  • "...Bill To President With Nearly $5.2 Million For Maryland..." (November 13, 2007)

• 1943, October 5: Born

• 1964: Married Myrna Edelman and earned B.A. from University of Pittsburgh

• 1967: Graduated from University of Maryland School of Law

• 1967-1986: Served in the Maryland House of Delegates

• 1974-1979: Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee

• 1986: Elected into the House of Representatives

• 1993: Elected into the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

• 2003-2006: Member in the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe

• 2006: Elected into the U.S. Senate

• 2007: Assumed U.S. Senate office