Ben Cardin

I want to make sure that our aid is used effectively.

President Martelly's election represents an opportunity to move forward, to examine what needs to be done, and to form a government that can take real action.

Well, let me thank Chairman Menendez for not just convening this joint hearing... but his extraordinary leadership in our hemisphere and around the world.

This is a new opportunity and Haiti truly needs to capitalize on this momentum.

We have two roles. One was humanitarian to deal with the immediate disasters.

The long-term challenge is how to best assist Haiti in the true and lasting reconstruction of their country.

I couldn't agree with you more that these are three tools that are in our toolbox that need to be deployed in a coordinated way.

I don't want to overestimate the importance of being popular in the countries that we operate, but I don't think we should underestimate that.

If we can save money on the military side, at least part of that could be invested in the civilian side of our national security equation.

I think that there is total agreement on this committee how proud we are that you represent our Nation globally.

I do think that our policies have not been as effective as they need to be in developing the type of partnership in that country that will advance our values.

I think it really affects our credibility as a nation.

I think it's going to be a real challenge because we're not necessarily paying salaries or competing with the Afghan Government.

We have had our military presence, but we also have had an effort to provide economic development assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

We could talk about the military aspects and the fact that we are looking toward a redeployment of our combat troops starting in the next month or two.

Well, what period of time are we talking about, just so we have the time frame?

If we find any products that originate from the Kaesong Industrial Complex, it would violate the terms of this agreement.

That is not very many cars.

Congress has the final word here, and that is very clear.

I want to talk a little bit about human rights, basic rights, and labor rights, because one of the only times that we can get the attention of our government officials on international labor issues is when we have an agreement before us.

I know they support it. But I am trying to figure out, if our expectation is that we are going to go from 6,100 cars to about 9,000 cars and trucks, that is not very great.

Once again, let me thank all three of our nominees for their willingness to continue in public service.

It is vital. If we don't plan ahead and have sites for dredged materials that are economically viable, it will jeopardize the economy of our region and our Nation.

I have the honor of representing Maryland. That means I am close by.

The challenge is how the Administration is going to help us make sure that we move forward with these types of important projects.