Ben Cardin

Make no mistake, I think we all know we are running out of time.

It would be an understatement to say that EPA faces challenges in fulfilling its mission to protect the environment from factions within Congress.

I am glad I yielded to my colleague. We are very proud of the University of Maryland and the programs for the Department of Defense. We believe it is a cost-effective way and a quality education, exactly what the Senator from Illinois is…

First let me thank Senator Durbin for his commitment on this issue. We know education is a great equalizer in America. We know there are major concerns on access to higher education because of costs, and that we have to do a better job to…

I think the Europeans understand what is at stake, as I believe we do, and are determined to not only make clear that there are costs of what has already been done, but to increase significantly costs if the situation escalates.

We will use every international fora that we can to not only highlight our concerns, but build practical pressure on Russia.

But I tell you, we have not heard the strong unified voice that we hoped we would see around the world to demand that Russia get out of Ukraine and allow Ukraine to run its own internal affairs.

Ukraine has shown remarkable restraint. I commend them for being able to put the spotlight on who is the villain here, and it is clearly Russia.

I think many of us are concerned about the interim deal being the final deal or having a series of rolling interim deals.

I am just going to underscore how dangerous this situation is and how Russia is violating not just one, but numerous international obligations.

I think our foreign policy credibility is close to shot at this time.

I do not think there is any way in which the Russians can put a patina of legality or legitimacy on the referendum that has been discussed.

I think this administration has shown incredible leadership and effective coalition-building to deal with some extremely challenging problems around the world.

Clearly, we know who is responsible for those denials.

I think you are also limiting the 28-percent deductions on some, and I think there are some additional----

His efforts to expand Russia's footprint will only work to further isolate the country he calls home.

I particularly appreciate your initial questions to Secretary Lew in regard to the Ukraine and tools that are available.

I do not think you are going to see any government, be it Mr. Abe's or any others, be able to move the Japanese people in a direction that they do not want to go.

I sensed a real interest in trying to move forward. But, since that time, just the reverse has taken place.

I would strongly support what you are saying about the President's visit, and I would hope he would have concrete suggestions.

We are in the process of doing that. It is something that we do regularly through our alliance.

I think it is important that, if we are all sincere, we are trying to move forward with this relocation, which is absolutely essential.

In my visit to Japan, and in my conversations with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee and on the Appropriations Committee, it seems to me that we do not have a clear understanding as to the sequencing of appropriations in Japan…

This has been a thorn in our relationship for over 15 years. The community certainly has changed dramatically since that military facility was first constructed.

I expect, next week, when Secretary Kerry is before the full committee on his budget, that we are going to be talking more about Ukraine, Iran, and Syria than we will be able to get into the specifics on the budget.