Gerry Connolly

It is Congress directing the U.S. Government that it must not, cannot recognize in any way, shape, or form the illegal annexation of Crimea.

I wish every committee would emulate what we have been able to achieve in this committee.

I could not disagree with you more and I completely disassociate myself from most of what you just said.

The unraveling if there was such of American leadership traces directly to the cowboy diplomacy, go it alone policies of the previous administration, George W. Bush, who did incalculable damage to the standing of the United States, all…

It would be naive and, indeed, self-destructive, it seems to me, for the United States not to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank.

And there is a lot of political pressure and, of course, we are hopeful that we will resist political pressure and make a rational decision based on the merits.

It is really important for the administration... to counter it.

I believe Iran has come to these negotiations seriously.

I would just caution that we are in the middle of a diplomatic process and, if Congress decides to intervene that way, it sends a clear signal that we have given up on the diplomatic process.

The sharp contrast between the fact that the Israeli justice system is prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrated that murder is in sharp contrast to the absolute lack of a justice system...

The sound of sirens in Israeli cities warning of rockets overhead and images of the growing humanitarian crisis now in Gaza should strengthen... our resolve to end this current conflict.

I think that India is such an important potential partner, and we with India. I think it is actually potentially much more important than the Chinese relationship.

I also want to identify myself with the remarks of Ami Bera, my good friend from California, who talked about the U.S.-India relationship perhaps being the defining relationship of the 21st century.

The idea that the government can do nothing right is nonsense.

Government does create high-paying jobs. The three wealthiest counties in the United States are the wealthiest counties in the United States; they are all in Northern Virginia.

I want to just totally associate myself with your remarks with respect to the Crimea. And I have to say to the Assistant Secretary, I assume the United States' position is this is sovereign territory that was illegally annexed by Russia…

Don't use this occasion to pull back from that. In some ways, it becomes even more urgent that we stay engaged in this work.

It is in our direct national security interests to develop democracies and freedom and liberty around the world.

I am appalled to hear that and shame on the State Department for not staying on top of this.

I believe that we undermine your cause when we rationalize a military coup with a military dictatorship as ruthless as this one.

We have to continue to press the Egyptian Government about the importance of responding to this case appropriately.

We are a better world because of what you do and just want to say at the outset thank you for your courage and for the work.

I just want to say--and thank you again because I think this hearing gives us an opportunity to, again, reaffirm the ongoing commitment of the United States Congress to press the Egyptian Government to address this issue not only for the…

I think that is really important that the Egyptian Government understand that we are not letting up on this

The military coup in July 2013 and the subsequent brutal crackdown against dissidents was a clear message to the United States that the democratic transition in Egypt was all but over.