Ben Cardin

We cannot wait and allow people to be at risk the way they are.

Those who commit atrocities need to be held accountable.

Well, I thank you for your candor. I didn't particularly like the answers, but I appreciate your candor.

If Minsk II does not go forward because of the slow progress within Ukraine on reform, it is going to be difficult to extend the sanctions in Europe.

Everything we are hearing from Europe is that if Minsk II goes forward, then the sanctions are unlikely to continue.

I just really wanted to get your view on one point about Russia.

I think it is one area this committee may want to take a look at, Mr. Chairman, as we see the international organizations that we have jurisdiction over here, their involvement in this, absolutely we should be demanding that there be…

The historic term 'resource curse' applies very clearly to these countries.

These are countries that have serious corruption issues. They are not good governance countries.

At the end of day, political stability will drive economic stability, rather than the other way around.

Mr. Chairman, first of all, thank you very much for convening this hearing.

Obviously, we need to do something about this.

We have to deal with the problems that exist today before we look at how we are going to deal with multiemployer plans moving forward.

We want to take it to the next level.

I can assure you that this hearing is going to have an impact on action in this committee.

It is certainly within our jurisdiction. And, as you know, this budget provides an additional billion dollars in that regard.

Whether it is a wildlife products trafficking or human trafficking, drugs, or weapons, there are these evil transnational networks, and we need to take a stronger step to show that this country, which was founded on liberty, and which had…

If they get legal representation, then that helps us go after the trafficker

I am proud to be a cosponsor of his bill, and I think all of us are grateful for his initiative and his focus.

We may need to try to strengthen that, because your point about being able to return to your country is a issue that we may be able to handle.

And, Leah, it happens here in the United States.

Evelyn, you point out that parents want a better life for their children.

You know, we hear the millions, but they are real people. Each one is a person with a story and a family.

Well, first, I want to thank all of our witnesses, but I particularly want to thank Leah and Evelyn for putting a face on this issue.

I think [McCain] is one of the great human rights leaders in the United States Senate.