Ben Cardin

If the head of the Presidency Council, Mr. Sarraj, actually comes to Washington, if that were to take place as there are some rumors...

I think a high visibility signal about our diplomatic engagement, about our support for the government...

So if the United States were to withdraw interest in Libya, would that give a greater opening for Russia?

So Russia seems to be siding up with General Haftar.

We see where they are actively engaged in supporting this General Haftar, who has been extremely difficult in recognizing a civilian government.

We saw where Russia intervened in Syria and the damage it caused by Mr. Putin's engagement in Syria.

Libyans have not asked us to fight their battles for them; the least we can do is support their dreams.

Legitimacy cannot be imposed; it must be earned.

I think we do have a role in Libya, and I think this hearing is an important indication by the Congress that we do expect a role to be played.

What are the consequences if they do not follow your direction?

I regret that we are at this point, but I understand the law, and I understand your responsibility is to carry out the law.

Considering the last witness, I remember the pushback we got was that it would cause a problem with Europe.

We can counter Putin by defying his efforts to undermine our confidence in our democracy.

Countering corruption should be explicitly identified as a U.S. national security priority.

We have to prepare against what Russia is doing on disinformation.

The civilized world must make it clear that when you gas people as part of a military operation, that is a war crime.

The fact that Russia is undermining the rule of law with respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity is insane.

Nothing is off the table when it comes to Russia.

It is going to be challenging to see the OSCE be able to take action.

We must also do better at explaining that while sanctions have costs for us, too, and particularly for our companies, these costs are part of an investment in reinforcing a rules-based system.

I congratulate the bipartisan group of Senators, including many from this committee, who have cosponsored the proposed Counteracting Russian Hostilities Act of 2017.

America's role as a beacon, as President Reagan put it, for those who must have freedom.

We must never cease to work toward a more perfect union here at home, and we must never cease to be a champion for human rights in the world.

Putin can attack truth, but he cannot kill it and he will not win.

Russia has been a major player in seeking to create and exploit these circumstances in Europe; its aggression, as mentioned.