Ben Cardin actually said...

"the merit principles, which basically say we should hire people who can do the job because they have the skills to do the job and we evaluate them by how well they do that job and nothing else."

"Let me just stress, I think there are several parts to this concern."

"We need your full attention focused on restoring the integrity of the ESA process."

"The nominee is charged with restoring the role good science must play in making good public policy."