Ben Cardin actually said...

"We expect you to try to do what sometimes we're unable to do in this Congress, to reach a bipartisan conclusion."

"The Commission is supposed to be evenly divided politically, but instead, two of the independents, one was a former Republican, one turned Republican, that joined in the opinion."

"We need the protections that the Matthew Shepard Act provides."

"I think that changing or broadening the ability of the Federal Government to respond makes this more of a seamless approach between the Federal authorities and local authorities."