Ben Cardin actually said...

"is not Putin's assault on the free and independent press inside Russia and in the Russia periphery emboldened by President Trump's regurgitation of the Stalin-era attacks on American media?"

"I agree with Senator Portman that this committee and this Congress has acted in a very bipartisan manner, recognizing the threat of Russia."

"I understand the policy right now, you are assuring this committee that unless Russia changes its behavior, we will not only maintain all of our sanctions, you are looking for ways to strengthen those..."

"we need, obviously, to have a plan."