Political Quotes

“I wish to thank my colleague Senator Murphy. He is my friend and partner on so many different issues but most especially on measures to stop gun violence in this country-- commonsense, sensible measures he has championed so ably, and I have been very proud to work with him as a partner in spearheading this issue as well. I wish to explain my reasons that I am unable to vote for the bill we are considering today, the bill that is presented for cloture on the motion to proceed this afternoon. People in the United States have a Second Amendment right to possess and use firearms. It is guaranteed by the Constitution. And there are legitimate ways people can use firearms in this country--recreational and sometimes commercial. Those rights are guaranteed by the Constitution, and this measure, arguably, is in service of those rights. I cannot vote for a measure which makes owning or possessing or using guns more readily or easily useable when we have failed to act, and we have failed to act, on commonsense, sensible measures that will stop gun violence. I voted to achieve cloture on a measure very similar to this one before Sandy Hook and before the Senate failed to produce the necessary 60 votes which were required to pass commonsense gun violence legislation a year ago April.…”