Ben Cardin actually said...

"we cannot leave by the wayside our commitment to promote democracy, but also respect for human rights."

"results are needed and progress needs to be made, and then you have to implement to make sure it is done after the meetings are over."

"This is a good time for us to engage the Philippines and they may be falling below the radar a little bit."

"Change is not just one way; and issues concerning the safety standards... does raise questions as to whether it is a nontariff barrier to free access to trade."