Ben Cardin

I do not know whether our ultimate policy is for a prosperous, safe, democratic country for its people, or our concern that--of the migration of people from the Northern Triangle to the United States, which I think is misguided that part…

I support the $750 million program.

I think Vice President Biden has done an incredible service to the people of the Northern Triangle.

We cannot ignore the looming challenges surrounding Sunday's elections in Haiti.

These children need to be understood because they--if they are forced to leave our country, their fate is very much in doubt.

It is a humanitarian crisis, and we have to be engaged.

I must say, though, and all due respect, Mr. Chairman, that our policies with Mexico would be much more effective if we could confirm our ambassador, Roberta Jacobson.

If this amendment is on the bill, if it gets on the floor, it will probably be the centerpiece of the discussion, not the sportsmen's package.

The current system is working. We are not hearing from the stakeholders that there is a problem.

I would urge they be included.

I hope we can work this out to the satisfaction of the members of this Committee before the bill reaches the floor.

I think, at a minimum, we have to be able to allow the agency that has the responsibility here to be able to do its public service.

I appreciate that. As I explained to the Chairman privately, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is having a hearing on Iran, and I am ranking on that committee, so I will be going back and forth.

I offer Cardin Amendment No. 2, which is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation reauthorization.

I urge the Committee to consider her nomination and to report it favorably to the floor in a timely manner.

Ms. Lerner has brought needed stability, continuity, and professionalism to the office.

It is not easy to be a whistleblower. It takes courage.

I am very proud of our Federal workforce. I think we have the best Federal workforce in the world, dedicated public servants.

The second recommendation I would put forward is for the full Senate in 2016 to pass the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, S. 284, which has been introduced by Ranking Member Cardin and a number of other members of the…

Once again, I thank my friend from Utah. We share a lot of the same objectives for a strong nation and moving our country forward. I think that is reflected in the bill we just voted on, the Omnibus appropriations bill. ____________________

While Senator Hatch is still on the floor, I thank and congratulate him on his work with regard to the tax provisions we just voted on. I am a proud member of the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Wyden and Senator Hatch, working together…

Before I talk about the Omnibus appropriations, I note that just a few minutes ago the Senate approved the resolution for the 150th anniversary of Towson University. I must admit I have a direct interest in Towson. My mother graduated from…

I think this request deals with the lands bills, not the political appointments. I just wanted to point that out. These are the bills that came out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that deal with designating certain lands. We…

We would obviously strongly urge that this be a very high-quality individual with a very strong mandate to go after corruption, after the difficulties of the previous administration.

Part of the challenge of being a development professional in a place like Afghanistan is making sure that the important initiatives that are done to achieve short-term gains correspond with and support long-term development objectives.