Ben Cardin

The programs seem to be more geared towards the military security front or the police security front rather than dealing with developing safety in communities.

I strongly support the President's initiatives in Central America, but I do not think it is enough.

We are going to be insisting upon the good governance, anti-corruption issues.

We want to engage, but I would just caution that they may, in some instances, be trying to undermine the more traditional development opportunities.

I do question whether China always does what it says and whether their motives are always as pure as what we are trying to do in international development.

China has established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and it raises questions as to how it impacts the finance institutions in Asia with U.S. participation limited in how China is proceeding today.

I appreciate that answer. The call center issue is going to get some of our attention because we think you should be talking to someone in this country when you call for help.

I also want to thank these nominees for their public service and for their willingness to serve their country in these critical posts during a very trying time for this country.

Let me start by thanking Senator Gardner for arranging this hearing on these five important nominations.

We want to be able to act in an efficient manner in this committee.

There are objective tests as to how we rate countries in our TIP report, and we expect our representatives from America in these countries to use those standards.

Trafficking is a serious problem, and I must tell you, we very much want our mission in the Caribbean Islands to give us a strong report.

The Inter American Democratic Charter is very clear on the importance of freedom of expression.

We cannot accept that. What is your strategy to use the tools of our embassy to get a more open society and protecting journalists?

Panama really needs to be a country where our presence is used to help the entire region.

We want to save the children there.

So give me an idea about the priority you are going to place on dealing with the safety of the people of El Salvador.

I was in El Salvador not too long ago and experienced firsthand the way that gangs control the communities.

In our hemisphere, the countries that are represented here are all democratic countries in that they all have the institutions of democracy.

I think in a different setting we should talk about the different avenues of where we can stop the flow of revenues coming in to ISIL.

I think the impetus for reform is quite strong within the country, but there are going to be some groups that might resist that.

They were saying we want more when it comes to reform, more change, better lives, that sort of thing.

I guess I would encourage you to be specific with the Burmese as to what they need to do in order to go to the next level.

What role will you play in supporting efforts to see that next year's Presidential elections are free and fair?

Is this an appropriate balance of funding in your estimation?