Ben Cardin actually said...

"While ISIL is the single greatest terrorist threat to our homeland security and the security of our allies worldwide..."

"I think the territorial piece for ISIL recruitment is huge, and I think nothing has had a bigger impact on setting them back, including setting back their recruitment campaigns than battlefield defeat..."

"If we have unity and resolve and leadership, we can defeat ISIL."

"It is my hope today that our witnesses can help us understand what lessons we have learned from our country's long history in countering terrorism..."