Ben Cardin actually said...

"The amount of escalating violence in this region is a major concern and requires the attention of this committee, of the United States Senate, and the American people."

"There is a common theme of poor governance. And that is an issue that provides a vacuum and that vacuum is usually filled with instability and recruitment of extremists."

"I strongly support that."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to make sure we got through the business part in case people had to leave for other voting sessions, because I am strongly supporting this bill."