Ben Cardin

Change is not just one way; and issues concerning the safety standards... does raise questions as to whether it is a nontariff barrier to free access to trade.

I would hope that we have a pretty aggressive strategy.

Well, we thank both of you for your testimony.

Economic engagement is a critical part of the rebalance program. It is critical to stability, it is critical to prosperity.

This is one of a series of hearings that we have held in regards to the Rebalance to Asia.

If they do not bring women into the work force, it is going to be impossible for them to grow and thrive as a country going forward.

Congress has to set priorities. If an agreement is negotiated and we do not have TPA, there will be 535 priorities.

The TPP makes that possible. It will also help Japan economically and in terms of security.

We are working very closely with Vietnam and other regional partners in order to complete the TPP negotiations as quickly as possible.

I would just point out that annuities are one form of lifetime income. There are other ways of doing lifetime income in addition to just private annuities.

I am all for having different types of savings incentives for college, for medical emergencies, but retirement is retirement, and I think we should have an easier way to protect retirement income for retirement income flow through a…

It is critically important that we not only preserve, but strengthen Social Security.

There should have been greater concentration on lifetime income rather than allowing them to take out the money because we had an economic recession or they wanted to buy a home or their grandchild needed money for school.

I think that we should have an embassy, that gives us better information, better ability to assess where it is exactly that we can make a difference.

That is security for the people. We understand that.

How do you provide that protection?

I think all that underscores the point that you made about having better information.

Are there any policies that the United States is currently supporting that you believe are counterproductive to fulfilling humanitarian needs?

The circumstances in the Central African Republic are dire.

We want to do something.

Until recently, the wetlands at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in my home State, and wetlands in the home State of the Ranking Member, were threatened by nutria.

I look forward to hearing your testimony and answers to our questions.

I haven't heard from a single constituent who believes that the U.S. Senate is moving too quickly on anything.

It is very difficult to say we are going to hold you accountable but we won't give you the confirmed positions in order to do the work you need to do.

There is great opportunity and State and local support for Federal help in protecting one of the mid-Atlantic's most precious and valuable natural resources.