Ben Cardin

Thank you very much. Appreciate it very much. And let me thank our nominee for her incredible service, distinguished service on behalf of our country.

Iran is an extremely dangerous country. We have found a very embarrassing vote in the Security Council in regards to the ballistic missile issue.

A secure, stable, peaceful, and developing Horn of Africa is critical to U.S. economic and security interests.

Supporting democracy, human rights, and good governance, which begins with fighting corruption and must continue to be a priority of U.S. policy.

I share your concerns about the ongoing violence in Cameroon and the conflict in the Anglophone region.

These are trends that are very disturbing.

Eighteen weeks is unacceptable. Unacceptable.

I am concerned about the shrinking environment for the exercise of freedoms of expression and association online.

Vietnam was making progress, I would suggest, on basic human rights even though it is an authoritarian government.

We have made significant progress in improving our relationship between our two countries.

We cannot allow an 18-week backlog in passport applications.

I would just quote from my friend, Kara-Murza, who is one of the leading opposition leaders in Russia, who says that Putin steals from the Russians to spend it in the West.

Corruption kills. It also is the fuel for autocrats in fighting democracies and trying to bring our democratic countries down.

The resolution also called on the U.S. Government to help bring about and support that dialogue.

I would seek to not only continue the great work that the U.S. Government has done.

The Combating Global Corruption Act obliges the Executive to identify corruption in countries and rank them.

We have not done well with their voting at the United Nations or at OAS, for that matter...

We could do much better in getting support at the United Nations if our missions recognized how important those votes are...

I want to thank both of our distinguished nominees for their service to our country.

I want to thank both of our nominees and their families. This is a tough time to serve in government.

It is absolutely essential that, as we talk about arms sales that human rights be a component of those discussions.

The importance of American values in our policies.

If confirmed, I will stand united with our allies and partners against the PRC's assault on Hong Kong's freedoms.

I helped persuade France to cancel a multi-billion dollar defense sale to Russia in the wake of the Crimea invasion.

My entire professional life has been dedicated to public service, often in direct promotion of human rights and democracy.