In other Capitol Hill testimony Wednesday, a key Democratic congressmember called for direct negotiations with North Korea. Congressmember Tom Lantos is expected to head the House International Relations Committee when Democrats take over Congress in January.

Rep. Tom Lantos: “Hard-liners lodged in the Office of the Vice President and the Defense Department must not be given a veto. Ambassador Hill must also make a stopover in Pyongyang on his way back from the six-party talks — not to negotiate a new and separate deal, but rather to demonstrate to Pyongyang our peaceful intent.”