Political Quotes

On the recordJune 23, 2016
this is a national security measure. It is a national security measure. It is about protecting our country. The preamble of the United States Constitution--which establishes the reason this country was founded, the reason the Constitution was passed--says that the most solemn obligation we have is to insure domestic tranquility and provide for the common defense. That is keeping people safe, and that is what this amendment is about. Sure, it touches on guns, but what it is really about is keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists. It is straightforward. It is simple. It is easy to understand. There should be no controversy about this. It has due process built in. It has a provision built in that might have prevented the tragedy that occurred in Orlando. Many of my colleagues talk about our being at war and being in conflict. We are in conflict. People want to do us harm. And why we would want to facilitate their arming themselves within our own country? It makes no sense. This is about national security. It is the most solemn obligation we have. This amendment should go through this body and the other body in the next few days, or we are failing our responsibility to the American people. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
Said by
Angus King
Independent · Maine

Share

More from Angus King

Jul 7, 2026

Geography makes the case on its own. Maine is the closest point in the continental United States to the Arctic, giving an Atlantic-based cutter the shortest transit to its operating areas.

king.senate.gov
Jul 7, 2026

No other state offers this combination of Arctic proximity, deep-water access, shipbuilding and repair capacity, and Arctic expertise, and Maine is ready to deliver for the Service and its crews.

king.senate.gov
Jul 15, 2026

This legislation creates a bipartisan process to ensure Congress finally does its job.

durbin.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation