Ben Cardin actually said...

"This committee needs to make sure that the work we have done in this country, setting the global example for commitment against trafficking, remains credible and is always improving."

"It seems to me that taking them off of Tier 3 takes the pressure off."

"If it is true that the administration politicized this report, there are questions about why they chose to significantly diminish a tool that has been effective in fighting slavery around the world."

"I did not interpret from the President's remarks that he is challenging any of our independent judgments on this."