Tom Marino

Without objection, so ordered.

I look forward to today's hearing. We have a truly excellent panel of witnesses and I yield back the balance of my time.

I am honored to be the Republican lead, alongside my good friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in introducing H.R. 851.

This charade must not be allowed to continue.

We cannot give Ortega a free pass on these actions.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act.

H. Res. 851 loudly and clearly voices concern of this Congress regarding the widespread shortages in Venezuela, urging the Maduro government to allow the delivery of international aid.

We are here today to mark up two timely and bipartisan pieces of legislation, working to combat the constant, oppressive tactics of both Maduro and Ortega's regime.

It is frustrating to see the Venezuelan people suffer and struggle to find basic food items when Venezuela is home to one of the world's largest oil reserves and has the potential to prosper.

They want during this political season and every other time, as far as I can tell, somebody to stand up for America.

Americans are tired of being misled by the White House, by the State Department, and anybody else, for that matter.

Even the State Department now admits that this payment was--what? They say, well, it was 'leverage' for the release of American hostages.

The White House rejected concerns that this payment amounted to a ransom for the release of the American hostages.

I introduced this legislation to prevent ransom payments to Iran.

There should be no swap where we exchange convicted Cuban spies like Ana Montes, or Kendall Myers for these fugitives as a concession to the Castro regime.

I am deeply concerned by the ongoing harassment of opposition politicians and growing restrictions on civil society and the press.

North Korea's boldfaced rejection of international norms and multiple U.N. resolutions is manifestly threatening the safety of the neighborhood and our close allies Japan and Republic of Korea.

Serious and comprehensive reform is needed, and I look forward to exploring with the witnesses both the problem and its solutions.

I think part of your responsibility and other Administrators' responsibility is to make it publicly known that your request wasn't fulfilled.

I think perhaps he is one of the most dangerous people in the world.

I see that as signaling to Putin that the United States does not care to get involved in these foreign affairs.

I think Putin wants to be the second Peter the Great.

I want to lift sanctions on Russian individuals and companies.

One area that I was disappointed to see that this bill did not address was export control reform.

I am pleased that today our committee is taking up a bill authorizing parts of the State Department.