I hope this can be a balanced, thoughtful hearing, a hearing that puts aside some of the politics that have surrounded this debate.

It has generated this much opposition when it seems... to be such a no-brainer.

the administration is now the only thing standing in the way of thousands of American jobs, with the potential for many more, and access to a large supply of North American energy.

We tried to help the administration by passing something here in this committee and we did so on a 15-3 vote to arm and really support the vetted opposition.

We need to keep pushing very hard.

What is it within the administration right now that keeps the administration from really wanting to put something forth?

I could not be more disappointed that we are where we are.

Al-Qaeda is on the rise, not only, and other extremists, in Syria.

I think our credibility very much has been on the line, is on the line.

But they have missed two deadlines already.

I do not think we can state that [Russia would not have acted differently].

You understand we have been hearing this for years now. And since we first began hearing this, I would guess 100,000 people have died since we first began hearing this.

I could not be more disappointed in where we are in Syria.

President Putin's game of Russian roulette has pointed the gun at the international community's head.

So are we thinking about lethal support? We have people dropping barrel bombs. Are we thinking about doing something to diminish their ability to do that?

I think it is an incredible thing that in this Foreign Relations hearing we were able to get the Senator from Massachusetts... to give a 7-minute oration on the importance of fossil fuels to our economy.

I think this committee in a bipartisan way has done everything it can to try to support and bolster things that the administration has at least tilted at publicly.

Generally speaking, I just want to say it is kind of none of the above. I know there is limited activity that gets discussed in other settings.

What is it that we are expecting to do to change the equation on the ground in Syria now that it has become what it is?

It is disappointing that we just continue to have really no policy, no policy in Syria, other than dealing with chemical weapons at a slow pace.

I've had conversations today and based on those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga.

I had conversations today and based on those am assured that should workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in coming weeks that it will manufacture the new midsized SUV here.

I have had conversations today and, based on those, am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new midsized SUV here in Chattanooga.

Employers could enlist a mayor to inform employees that union representation will result in the loss of their employer's contracts within the city.

I think the former Chairman may have had something to do with that. But very impressive person, and I think he is a very good complement to your background.