Ben Cardin

I agree with Senator Corker in that, as I travel and meet people who are in Foreign Service, they are incredible, and they deserve the full support and thanks of the American people and our political system, so I strongly support their…

I do not know how we transition to a sustainable support for your mission when we are using OCO funds that will not be there.

The American people understand that the modest investment we make, less than 1 percent of the budget, is very important for national security.

I thank you, because we do share the same responsibility of this committee to oversee the State Department's handling of information.

The United Nations reform issues, it is controversial, I will admit that, but we need to deal with these issues.

There are many areas where Congress needs to act.

In certain respects, we are hamstringing the State Department by our failure to pass an authorization bill.

I just came back from the southern part of Africa where I saw firsthand some of the wildlife issues and corruption and poaching and similar issues.

In TPP we do have commitments not only on the environment and labor but also on anticorruption and good governance.

I want to recognize Senator Cantwell for her important work on ensuring that there be an enforcement trust fund that was authorized.

We have seen an evolution of our objectives in trade agreements from when we were first interested in dealing with tariffs.

Some of the proudest moments in America were to show how important access to U.S. markets can be in bringing about fundamental change.

Too many times, we have been putting that down as a second priority rather than a high priority.

There is not going to be a quick solution in Libya, and that just because the United Nations has taken action, that does not mean we are going to see an effective government any time soon.

There are two issues I at least want to put on the table.

It seems to me, from what you are saying, that the threat of ISIL or extremists is not looked upon as a unifying factor to develop a unified government.

In the meantime, there are people hurting. The humanitarian needs are dramatic.

So you all are coming back to security as the next major hurdle, if we are going to be able to get the type of buy-in necessary.

I understand the security issues have to be resolved. But is that a leverage factor for the United States?

What would it take for the U.S. to return its mission to Tripoli? Would that be pressure that could be used to bear to bring stakeholders together?

Do you believe if we could get buy-in by the representatives of the two parliaments, that the concern about the fragmentation within the local communities can be resolved by working through the leaders of the two parliaments?

So what is the next step?

So the representatives of the two factions cannot really speak for the population?

Only a negotiated political settlement can end the chaos, violence, and human suffering, and set the country on a path of inclusiveness and stability.

A united Libya is critical for restoring security and improving the well-being of its citizens.