Bob Menendez

It was our stated policy--that he had to go.

There is certainly a perception out there that politics played a role in some of these determinations.

Sometimes around here, let us face it, when companies and countries realize that they can affect the process to benefit them financially, lobbying occurs.

I am afraid to take away some of the discretion at the higher levels at the State Department.

I took to heart what Secretary Kerry said when he released the report. He said, we have to be true to the principle that although money may be used for many things, we must never ever allow a price tag to be attached to the heart and soul…

So the upgrade was partially based on actions that have not been implemented, that were not even passed, that were outside of the reporting period, but you did not take into account the discovery of the mass graves found in May.

My interest as a United States Senator is to protect the integrity of the Trafficking in Persons Report.

Did the TIP office recommend that either Malaysia or Cuba stay on Tier 3, as Reuters suggests?

The Trafficking in Persons Report, we all recognize, is a significant tool in our efforts here.

The integrity of this year's report has been called into question, and that means our Nation's commitment to our most fundamental principles has been called into question.

I do not know that we did not pervert the lofty goal by a report that clearly seems to me has been politicized in a way that is not justifiable and cannot be justified.

It seems to me that it at least confidentially should be transmitted to Congress to understand the deliberations that took place.

Malaysia got what they wanted. They got to Tier 2, which just happens to allow them to continue TPP negotiations.

So simply offering amendments before they ever passed, before they are introduced, before they become part of the law, even before implementation, you are trying to suggest that is significant?

I would urge you and the ranking member to at least send a letter immediately to seek preservation of all such documents.

The Department has included Cuba in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report since 2003.

I have serious concerns about politics having influenced the decision to upgrade Cuba from Tier 3.

According to a Reuters' article published Monday, the TIP office disagreed with the diplomatic bureaus on 17 rankings and was overruled on 14 of the 17, representing the worst ratio in the 15-year history of the TIP Report.

Any upgrade at this juncture would thus be a hollow victory of form over substance.

It is not your concern I am worried about. It is your actions, not your concern.

So the reality is that one of the main justifications for the upgrade of Malaysia... was the government's effort to introduce amendments to strengthen antitrafficking laws.

I believe that the chances that we would be down the road to war would go up exponentially.

Either sanctions work or they do not. Either they are a deterrent or they are not.

I think there is real doubt that Iran believes that a credible military threat of force is on the table.

I think that is a binary statement.