Ben Cardin actually said...

"We need to be engaged on all fronts, including not least focusing on supporting the efforts of Russians to strengthen democracy and the rule of law."

"One thing I really want to see the administration do is to make an active effort to persuade the European Union to adopt similar measures."

"If the administration won't act in this way, then the Congress should advance and ultimately enact Senator Cardin's bill."

"I appreciate the concerns some in the administration have expressed that such measures might undermine the bilateral relationship between Russia and the United States."