Ben Cardin actually said...

"the cost of these storms, in loss of life and in the cost of rebuilding communities, is enormous and beyond the capacities of governments to be able to respond to."

"Senator Cardin, you have seen the emergency shelter sheeting kits that we are currently distributing."

"the realities of more extreme weather require us to be engaged internationally on mitigating as much damage as we can with the new reality."

"We know this is going to be a long-term project--first, of course, dealing with the immediate individuals that are still in harm's way, and then looking at how the United States properly can assist in..."