Ben Cardin actually said...

"Well, Mr. Chairman, first let me thank you for today's hearing. I think it is extremely important."

"I think it is important that we start not with tactics but, as Senator Cardin said, with our objectives."

"We need to focus on not just preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon--I think that remains our top priority with respect to Iran--but also countering the Iranian threat to regional stability."

"I think we also need to take steps to more explicitly counter Iran's anti-access/area denial, A2AD, strategy in the Gulf."