Ben Cardin actually said...

"I think it is just the reverse with Mr. Putin. I think he likes having a proxy of Iran in Syria."

"It is beyond reasonable expectations that Syria would have traditionally free and fair elections in the near future."

"I am deeply disappointed, and I share the chairman's concern, that the Department of Defense declined this committee's invitation to testify."

"the Trump administration appears to view Syria through a military lens, making decisions on troop levels and military missions in a policy vacuum."