Bob Menendez

Karzai is the most frustrating world leader we have probably dealt with in a long time.

I saw the benefits of that. There is no question that bringing civilization to that part of the world and the chance for economic growth certainly changes the dynamic.

The ball is in his court, but he and the Afghan people should understand that if we fail to reach an agreement, it will not be for lack of trying on America's end.

As long as the Afghan people and their government want the United States as a partner, we do not intend to leave Afghanistan.

I cannot stress enough the importance of a successful and democratic political transition next year.

The future stability of Afghanistan rests on the peaceful transition of political authority in the course of 2014.

I think that everybody knows over the next 6 months, actually between now and April, it is a very important time in Afghanistan.

The United States needs to make clear once again that we are committed to a long-term partnership with Afghanistan.

It is clearly time to transition the U.S. engagement in Afghanistan to a more sustainable level.

Our goal remains for Afghans to be talking to Afghans about how they can move forward, end the violence, and continue rebuilding their country.

We remain committed to a long-term strategic partnership with the Afghan Government and the Afghan people.

I think he believes there are some people within the administration that... almost want Afghanistan to fail.

We have got to rectify this bipolar activity that is taking place that is not in our U.S. interest.

I am very pleased that Senate Resolution 151 that I sponsored with Senators Casey and McCain passed this week urging the Afghan Government to ensure transparent and credible elections.

The United States must continue to press that these rights, currently guaranteed in the Afghan Constitution, be both preserved and made real for more Afghan women post-2014.

A successful and unifying political transition based on a transparent, inclusive, free, and fair election will reaffirm to the Afghan people and the international community that Afghanistan's commitment to democracy, peace, and prosperity…

I hope he does not think that this is a question of simply leverage for him. If he does, then he is sadly mistaken.

I think the administration has got to quit looking at its navel and make a decision on what the force structure is going to be in Afghanistan.

The Senator is right. When there is a series of amendments that would improve the bill and are agreed to by both sides and are, in fact, noncontroversial, it has been the regular order to get those amendments disposed of and on the way.

I am aware of that. I heard the distinguished chairman make that offer at various times and I heard that offer rejected various times.

Well, do you not agree that limiting the low-quality mini-med plans and providing comprehensive coverage is in fact in part dealing with this challenge?

Obamacare does zero, nothing, to address that.

Mr. Chairman, thank you.

HECM really is an example of a public-private success.

Counseling seems to be obviously not only a necessity here in order to qualify but so critically important.