Benjamin L. Cardin

But as the President and you and others have pointed out, in order to achieve a durable end to the conflict we need to build a future that has security and dignity and hope for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

That is why virtually every international aid organization that has operated worldwide for decades says they have never experienced a worse manmade humanitarian disaster than that in Gaza.

But I think we all agree that we are stronger when we work together, and when we coordinate our activities and work in unity it is a lot better for our nation.

I want to thank Senator Risch for working with me on this year's State Department authorization bill.

The Department of State and the work of our diplomats do every day has never been more important.

To be true to our founding principles we need to support those people trying to defend human rights, those rights endowed to us by our Creator.

This approach not only sees foreign policy as transactional, it also says nations only get what they want by military force or corrupt dealings.

I often speak about the importance of adhering to our values and our foreign policy.

Modernizing the Department has taken on greater urgency--from finally completing renovations at main state and our embassies abroad to sustaining the Department's diverse workforce.

This new law will oblige the Administration to publish a public report detailing which countries around the world are sustaining or making good progress in anti-corruption efforts.

In the 21st century, diplomacy has never been more important.

I believe we must do everything in our power to avoid getting into another nuclear arms race.