I think we can really make the case that having a broader energy policy for the Germans and for all of Europe is better for security.

I would hope, upon getting your feet on the ground, that you would participate in the internal debate happening within the State Department and tell the story of the success of U.S. democracy promotion in the Czech Republic.

We look forward to working with you to try to settle some of those issues around reverse gas flows, because if we put that LNG terminal into Croatia, it does not do much good if we cannot then turn that around and help out neighboring…

This administration has opened up a pretty open war with the idea, concept, and funding for diplomacy.

I would add to that having a coordinated strategy of repercussions for Russian individuals and Russian entities that have tried to interfere in both of our elections.

This is an important hearing, given the fact that the Czech Republic is a crucial ally, one that has supported U.S. policy of making sure that Russia understands the consequences that come with invading a neighboring country and trying to…

We are very worried that support for Israel is just becoming another political football in this place.

Israel has gone from an issue that united us to an issue that is now used in political campaigns.

It is important that we find the resources to strengthen those fragile institutions.

There is no doubt that we need additional military capacity, and we have stepped up to the plate through the Europe Reassurance Initiative.

Another one of your more controversial statements was your hope that Donald Trump would fire individuals in the State Department who have opposed policies that you and he have espoused to, such as moving the Embassy.

we have been presented with a budget that is a blueprint for America walking away from all of these leadership positions.

Thank you, both of you, for your willingness to serve.

When there is a problem in the world that needs United States leadership to solve it, the first place we turn is to Europe.

I think in Ukraine, we need to come to the realization that Putin does not want to militarily own Ukraine.

It is simply not enough to suggest that you are going to follow orders.

It is one thing for our President to cheerlead Brexit. It is quite another to reward with them with a free trade agreement.

the Russian sanctions, they are going to be very serious.

It has been a little hard for many of us in Congress to get a handle on exactly how the administration wants to go about this process.

A purely military solution is never going to achieve the counterterrorism gains we need.

U.S. democracy promotion infrastructure at the State Department was an important partner during the Czech Republic's transformation process.

There is no legal question that is more consequential, or more serious, than the question of when and under what circumstances the President would be authorized to use military force.

This is where wars have started. It is a place that remains very unstable.

The hiring freeze, for instance, which had, at first, applied to almost all government agencies, now still specifically targets the State Department.

There is a worry that the core mission will become all about economic development and security, and that a focus on democracy promotion will be scrubbed from the State Department's mission.