Ben Cardin actually said...

"we need... a broader pool that we could utilize to meet our diplomatic missions when we have vacancies for whatever reason."

"I think we have missed opportunities where there were opportunities for us to make major advancements in building democratic states to prevent conflict."

"I think that a system that puts a priority on personnel category, on tenure rather than merit, is something that seriously needs to be reexamined."

"First, I want to thank our ranking member Hagerty, for his cooperation and help in putting together this hearing."