Ben Cardin actually said...

"I think that a system that puts a priority on personnel category, on tenure rather than merit, is something that seriously needs to be reexamined."

"Are we creating too many additional lines of responsibility rather than trying to coordinate things better?"

"Congress should form a bipartisan commission to examine every aspect of American diplomacy."

"First, I want to thank our ranking member Hagerty, for his cooperation and help in putting together this hearing."