Ben Cardin actually said...

"What can we do as individual committee members or as a group to try to meet the needs you are discussing over the next couple weeks?"

"I think you will see a united effort to make sure there is appropriate funding."

"I would just hope that when we have witnesses that come before our committee, that they are prepared to testify as to their views and are not as restricted as I just heard this reply."

"We recognize the importance of our programs."