Ben Cardin

I have spent many years promoting the importance of voting and helping individuals register to vote.

My work in Zambia has opened my eyes to the positive impact that America can achieve by devoting time and resources to projects in the developing world.

Human rights are a core component of international peace and stability.

I advocated for and prepared a statement issued by the Department of State calling for an end to spiraling political violence.

Facilitating democracy and representative government also serves to minimize human rights abuses.

One of my greatest accomplishments during that time was the integration of our human rights advocacy into the foreign operations bills.

The abuse of human rights is often the underlying cause of strife and violence.

And let me just join our chairman in thanking the Speaker for his comments yesterday. You spoke for all of us, and it was an incredibly difficult time, and we are very proud of your comments.

You are prepared to give your personal time meeting with the community as well as meeting with our military.

I believe that USAID is an asset to our national security, and the global face of American generosity.

Thank you for your willingness to serve your country at this critical moment and one of the most important national security posts that we have in America.

But if we read about it being done, you are liable to develop a political backlash that will make it impossible for you to achieve what you are seeking to do.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Magnitsky global human rights bill that was championed by Senator McCain and myself is now available globally

The challenges here have grown over time. The base has been there for a long time.

I would just like to get your views as to your role, if confirmed as our Ambassador, to be willing to advance our values even if at times we disagree with the Government of Japan, your willingness to speak out.

The hallmark of American leadership in the world has been our vigilant advocacy for human rights and democracy.

I appreciate that. I want to drill down a little bit on that, as I told you I would in our private meeting.

No amount of economic pressure will keep North Korea from developing a deliverable nuclear weapon.

We want to give you the strongest possible hand in making that case.

I want to put a dose of reality on North Korea for one moment because I am concerned with some of the exchanges...

Corruption is growing, unfortunately, in too many places in the world.

Your doing is to represent our country, if confirmed, in China and must take steps to make sure that our Constitution is not violated.

We can no longer afford to simply manage our differences with China as Beijing continues to challenge U.S. power and disregard international norms.

I encouraged the Ethiopian Government to allow civil society and opposition political parties to operate freely.