I think it is likely, if the parties even get to the negotiating table, that the negotiations will likely not succeed.

I think that we can have a more complex strategy of negotiations combined with sanctions, of negotiations combined, as I think Senator Shelby said, with the threat of the use of force.

We need to convince the Russians and the Chinese, the Europeans, the South Koreans, the Japanese, the Arab countries that are trading partners of Iran to join us in these sanctions.

I support President Obama's initiative to engage with Iran.

I agree that the time has come for the United States and others to threaten much tougher sanctions on the Iranian regime.

It's time to give the President the tools he needs to do what is necessary to force a choice inside the halls of power in Tehran.

I worry... that nations, particularly dictatorial nations, when they are in domestic difficulty... very often look to generate an international crisis.

Now is therefore not the time, in my judgment, for the United States to consider a military approach to this dilemma.

I believe the Iranian government has been weakened by this whole episode and we should seek to diminish its strength further.

If President Obama is to offer talks to Tehran, it is only reasonable for China and Russia to pledge to join us in draconian sanctions on Iran should the talks break down.

I think that President Bush's strategy of two paths... is the correct one, and I think that President Obama is essentially following that same basic strategy.

I believe this Committee can provide much needed help, and that S. 908 is an important and useful way to move forward.

We should seek to keep it. And, we should still believe that diplomacy might yet produce an ultimately peaceful resolution of this dispute without recourse to war.

I wouldn't want, just as a former diplomat, I certainly wouldn't want to impose on President Obama an outsider's view of what his deadline is.

The only thing that the fanatical regime in Tehran cares more about today than the development of nuclear weapons is the survival of their regime.

They should make a much greater effort to join in the international pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.

I believe his instincts have been right in positioning the United States to regain the upper hand with Iran in the international arena.

The Iranian government has been weakened by the national and international furor over its dishonest handling of the elections and the protests that followed.

Our bipartisan coalition sends an unambiguous message of unity, strength, and resolve to Iran and the rest of the world.

The position of Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Homeland Security was created by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 that was authored, I am proud to say, by Senator Collins and me.

This will be one of our legislative priorities this year, which is to legislatively beef up the oversight and protection that we provide to the American people from bioterrorist attack.

I hope that, if you are confirmed, you will not simply be there waiting for the Secretary to ask you for advice.

As chief medical advisor, Dr. Garza, should you be confirmed, you will play a vital role in our Nation's response to the H1N1 outbreak, which is continuing.

It is especially important, and I know the Secretary feels this, that we fill this position right away.

I regret to say that I am not surprised we are here today.