Ben Cardin

On the other hand, I would like to know what your priorities are.

These are not confirmed positions, and, therefore, they gain a lot of power at times, where a confirmed person should have personal responsibility.

I want to talk about an area that has gotten a lot of attention in this committee, and that is special envoys.

Again, Secretary Sullivan, thank you so much for your willingness to take on these responsibilities.

This is an extremely important hearing, the review of the State Department reauthorization bill for fiscal year 2018, as well as the State Department's reorganization plans.

I think we are about ready to wrap up.

It seems to me that this is a mixed message.

I understand you are saying they are making progress. My understanding of the Child Soldier Prevention Act is that, if they do recruit and use child soldiers, they are listed.

But is it correct? Was the TIP Report correct to say that Burma still recruits and uses child soldiers?

I am troubled, Secretary Sullivan, with your answer there.

I question the final judgment.

Exactly right, but no one believed him.

I do not think there was a member of this committee after the hearings that was convinced that was made on the merits.

I strongly urge that these functions remain within the State Department.

I think would very much damage the Department of State's core function missions, as well as compromise our ability to get the information we need to deal with the Trafficking in Persons Report.

The U.S. leadership on this globally has made a huge difference.

It is modern-day slavery.

We do not think that is a problem. And we want to make sure that this bill is passed as quickly as possible in the House, and in the form that it passed the United States Senate.

I think one of the things that absolutely everyone feels is there was no politicization.

Without that, it would be difficult to see the project move in the manner that we hope that it will.

So here is how we need you to help us.

I want to get your thoughts. Senator Cochran and I have worked long and hard to preserve transportation alternative programs.

The TIFIA program is very important in all States, and Maryland has utilized it for some very important programs.

I think this is extremely dangerous to our national security, and I think it is going to be extremely costly to the taxpayers of this country.

I think us taking action here could have a broader impact than just this one particular circumstance of payments to prisoners and terrorists.