Ben Cardin

This budget is certainly a welcome budget, to see the increase in the President's budget for IRS.

I do not like red lines, but they have suggested that they have red lines and I take them at their word that they have red lines.

I would just urge the Administration as quickly as possible to complete its review, and I hope the outcome is very clear to the international community about the atrocities that are taking place in Ethiopia.

It is chilling... that we may have, again, a conflict-induced famine in Ethiopia in which people are going to die as a result of the activities of those that are abusing the rights of others.

Ultimately, the only way to stop these things from happening, whether it is in Ethiopia or anywhere in the world, is to hold those responsible accountable.

The Administration agrees there needs to be peace, reconciliation, and tolerance throughout Ethiopia in advance of that process.

If we do not see immediate progress on these fronts that we will be imposing additional sanctions--Ethiopia and Eritrea can expect further actions.

I have a real sense that if the GERD issue is not dealt with in a way that assures them of their concerns about the Nile flowing into what would be the heart of their water supply in Egypt that they will do what is necessary.

I think action speaks louder than words and I think Senator Menendez's point about the determination of war crimes or crimes against humanity is a clear position for the United States.

I support the Administration's announcement of visa sanctions and a pause in some assistance.

We will not tolerate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic violence.

I concur in your observations about the ability of the SBA to stand up these programs and to implement them.

I would be interested, as the PPP program is coming to an end, how well the administrative changes on returning citizens and those with student debt, how they were utilized.

We will do our best.

I will certainly support Senator Paul's request for reasonable information for oversight.

Well, a six-day processing time is certainly very reasonable, so I am glad to hear that.

We will be very interested in working with you on that, because on the second round I am going to ask you about the EIDL Advance.

Well, we need to work on that, and I hope that you will try to fine-tune this as to who is benefiting from the current program, who has been left out, and how much more we need in order to carry out the intent of the American Rescue Plan.

And please keep us informed. We want to work with you together on that issue.

I have already alerted the leadership that we need a vehicle in order to deal with this, and I know that the leader's office is looking at this now.

Absolutely. So I want to get to an issue that came up in some of my conversations, and that is the length of time it takes on a PPP forgiveness.

We have to maintain our existing infrastructure.

Good transportation programs can empower communities and provide jobs.

I congratulate the Chairman for his connecting community legislation pilot program that you authored.

I just really want to underscore how proud I am of the work of this Committee.