Ben Cardin

I want to repeat what I said earlier today, and that is, we just got the bill today.

I assure you, I am going to be looking at this and taking you and the chairman at your word that we will have the opportunity to get your input so that, if we need modifications, we will have opportunity to present those during a committee…

If we could work on some language between now and mark-up, we would certainly hope we could work together in regards to that issue.

I would just urge you to consider a public hearing before we mark up, and particularly to give non-governmental stakeholders an opportunity to be heard.

At the very minimum, there needs to be a public hearing when we have the text of the legislation.

I do not know how we could proceed without giving the stakeholders an opportunity to be heard in this committee, including organized labor.

And ultimately trade sanctions?

But I must tell you I am in full agreement with Senator Menendez and Senator Schumer on the process.

Organized labor deserves an opportunity to be able to comment publicly before this committee on the provisions that are in this bill, and I would just urge you to give that opportunity.

As we are winding down our military operations, would the percentage of food aid increase since we are now transporting less military?

We should be increasing the size of the pie going to these national security issues and furthering the policies of America.

I strongly support a more robust Federal budget for development assistance, including food aid.

I strongly support our food program and our development assistance programs. I always have.

When I first came to the U.S. Congress in 1987, we could not pass a foreign aid bill.

Using U.S.-flagged vessels not only helps U.S. industry, but also helps the Department of Defense to have sealift capacity in the case of a national need.

This country has been, a leader worldwide in promoting the right values.

Since 2009, the Food for Peace program has lost about 37 percent of its funding.

The needs today are greater, and the resources are less.

There is still opposition because they believe it takes away their ability to fund their programs.

I do think we need to know the impact it has on U.S. readiness.

It does seem to me that the reforms that you are working on really will give us a better opportunity to deal with these problems in-country, not just providing food but providing a way in which they can have a sustainable future.

The gender issue is critical in these countries. Agriculture is an area where there has been huge discrimination against women.

I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that every American I come in contact with is aware that a few special interests that have negligible impact, really, on them, but they have this Nation in their grip, people are dying…

The U.S. Government cannot do it without our NGO partners.

First of all, I join the chairman in thanking you for your incredible service to this country and to our global goals.