Ben Cardin

I hope that our investment includes public transportation, because if we can get people to work quicker and friendlier...

Our energy policy needs to achieve two objectives: One, energy independence, so we are not as dependent upon foreign sources of energy; and two, we need to deal with the global climate change and greenhouse gas emission issues.

I am concerned that we may not have enough direction from you now as to what is necessary.

I think some of us question whether there is enough room in the budget outline you have proposed.

I believe if you use current values for President Clinton's health care proposal, it would probably add up to about $1.1 trillion.

We currently spend twice as much as comparable countries spend on health care and we don't have the results to reflect that type of investment.

Forty-seven million people without health insurance is extremely expensive to our economy.

I do want to start off by congratulating the Obama administration for presenting an honest budget.

I think it is desperately needed.

I would feel more comfortable if I knew that if through this open process banks do not meet reasonable expectations government is prepared to exercise sanctions against them.

You have said that Congress did the right thing in giving the President the tools to deal with the financial crisis, including the TARP funding.

We need to get to universal coverage for many reasons.

This bill is important for our country and for our future. I am proud to be a cosponsor. I urge my colleagues not only to vote to bring up this bill, but let's work out the amendments and let's pass it so that America can regain its…

I know the people of Maryland are very much concerned about the FAA reauthorization bill and getting it done. Passenger safety is critically important to the people of Maryland and this Nation. Modernizing our air system is very important.

I invite both of my friends to join me in visiting the farms of the Chesapeake region in the coming year so they can see for themselves how effectively and enthusiastically these needed funds are being used to benefit both our farmers and…

I must tell you, first, I do believe Judge Mukasey is an honorable person. He has a distinguished record of public service, and he would represent a refreshing change within the Department of Justice. He has the ability to restore morale…

I thank all of my colleagues--both those responsible for the FAA reauthorization and those responsible for appropriating the funding for EAS--for making it clear that they expect the airports in Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Bookings to…

I am proud that our new Members of the Senate have made this a priority. I think it is important that the taxpayers have confidence that the money we appropriate will be spent appropriately, and that has not been the case in the…

To bring home the reason this is needed today, 53 percent of workers would like to have a union in their employment. Only 12 percent today have union opportunities. The will of the worker today is not being adhered to because of the…

I articulated the opinion that we should close Guantanamo not long after I got this job, in--at the end of 2006.

Can I inquire of my friend from Florida, his continuing to reserve, does that mean he has one speaker remaining?

I am curious: Is the majority on the Ways and Means side going to be using their time or not? Does the gentleman know?

I believe that is unfair. I agree with my colleague completely. The question is, why are we not negotiating with our trading partners to do something about that?

Let me just put out that when that issue was before the House, the former rules changes, we added a 180-day automatic dismissal that was rejected in a bipartisan vote by this body, just to point out to the distinguished leader. Mr. DeLAY…

I cannot think of any case that we ever had that could have been handled in 45 days. I am just trying to think about the time period for answer, the time period for staff review, the time period just to verify basic simple facts. Even in…