I have to see the movement toward those elements, and I cannot continue at a time in which we face such enormous challenges here at home to vote for billions of dollars that at the end of the day do not lead toward a more open…

The United States should continue to work with the international community to push for greater accountability and protection for human rights in Sri Lanka.

I would like it to be one of your priority items in your agenda.

If Japan was able to do what it did over a course of 4 years, but in particular in the second half of last year, drastically reducing its imports of Iranian crude oil, that should be an example to others that they could potentially do more.

I want to hear that you would make it one of your priorities if you are confirmed.

The standards that are set as you move toward the next tranche of countries... is going to be incredibly important.

I believe the State Department has the worst record of the hiring of minorities, particularly of Hispanics.

The current way of doing things is not acceptable.

I appreciate Secretary Clinton's statement in January noting that the elections were not conducted in a transparent and impartial manner and that the entire electoral process was marred by significant irregularities.

Repression is as wrong in the Western Hemisphere as it is in the Middle East.

If confirmed, you'll serve the U.S. Government as its highest representative to the countries to which you have been nominated.

Progress in Iraq remains critical to U.S. national security.