Ben Cardin actually said...

"To Cuba and other governments across the hemisphere, our message must be clear: nonviolent dissent is not criminal behavior."

"Opposition to the government is not criminal behavior. Exercise of free speech is not criminal behavior."

"I think it would strengthen our standing to support our allies who are dealing with some of these issues particularly in the South China Sea."

"We are running against a cliff that is going to come up very soon as to how we deal with the sequestration."