Rob Menendez actually said...

"Access to the ballot is a key part of the democratic process, and this makes Russia's parliamentary elections less competitive than they could be."

"We were very disappointed, for instance, when Russia vetoed the resolution on Syria last week at the U.N. Security Council."

"I think we have made progress on that."

"A commitment to sustaining democracy, supporting indigenous efforts to expand civil society and enhancing respect for human rights are issues I feel passionately about."