Ben Cardin actually said...

"it seems to me what this Congress has done in cutting your budgets makes no sense, and I am disappointed that this committee has not been a stronger advocate on your behalf, on the agency's behalf."

"What leverage will we exercise over Cuba in regard to our expectations that they will make progress on these internationally recognized human rights standards?"

"There is no question that the December 17th speech by President Obama marked a watershed moment in our relationship toward Cuba."

"Cuba is an authoritarian state where elections are neither free nor fair."