Ben Cardin actually said...

"But when you have the livelihood exemption being interpreted in a way that China is interpreting it, it is a loophole that effectively takes China out of the equation when it comes to putting pressure..."

"But do you not agree that China could very easily put the type of pressure on North Korea that would change the equation here?"

"The current policy is not deterring North Korea's activities in acquiring greater nuclear weapon capacity."

"China has worked hard to put loopholes... and exemptions to many of the North Korea sanctions."