Ben Cardin actually said...

"Will you work with us so that we can have a very strong position in making it clear that every country can do better with fighting corruption, that there are certain standards that need to be met?"

"Supporting democracy, human rights, and good governance, which begins with fighting corruption and must continue to be a priority of U.S. policy."

"A secure, stable, peaceful, and developing Horn of Africa is critical to U.S. economic and security interests."

"Corruption exists in every country, but unless you have a plan to deal with corruption, it becomes very corrosive to the underlying fabric of any democratic society."