Ben Cardin

Thank you very much, Senator Kyl.

So just so I understand before I get Mr. Kutz's response to this, if I might.

The people of this Nation are entitled to get the services for the fees that they are paying.

None of these fake drivers licenses triggered the rejection of a passport, is that correct?

But you did use that technology that was being used at other locations, you I guess switched them to where GAO was active.

The Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security will come to order.

We depend upon clean and safe water for our way of life.

Nobody cares more about the security of their communities than the people who live there.

I still believe that the most effective way to improve our Nation's water facilities is by reauthorizing the State Revolving Loan Fund Programs.

We need to empower them to make the best decisions, not assume--as we often do around here--that Washington knows best.

I applaud Senator Lautenberg's leadership in this area.

I just want to compliment you. In your written statement, you deal with the Civil Rights Unit's work, and you bring up the Danziger Bridge episode, which I think was the right steps taken by the FBI.

I thank you for that answer, and, of course, the Miranda rights concern information obtained.

Well, we thank you for that, and we look forward to working with you in our Subcommittee as we try to get even better at preparation for these types of threats.

Now, working in the Nation's capital, we are the epicenter of concern about those types of attacks.

A country that mistreats its women is an indicator of a dangerous country, well beyond those who've been victimized.

I think it needs to be, that we work both pieces together.

The direct relationship between human rights and security.

I do think there has to be more accountability in the U.S. participation.

And we will be monitoring that very, very closely.

This Committee, the Subcommittee as well as the full Committee, will be monitoring this as one of our highest priorities to make sure we get this right.

Well, certainly the objectivity here is of concern, and that is why I think we made it clear on the record that we want to be notified by our Government agency trustees if they feel that the independence has been compromised.

If the reported numbers are correct, we know that according to the testimony here today, BP has already agreed to somewhere around $45 million of funding for assessment studies.

But in response to Senator Whitehouse's point about the responsible party being brought into the process, doesn't that almost per se bring into question the objectivity of the work?

It is important that you have done as thorough a job as possible in looking at the scope of damages.