Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 31, 2017
Mr. President, thank you for the recognition, and I thank Senator Merkley very much for yielding. I have been here on the floor, listening to Senators Kaine and Merkley, and I saw Senator Cardin speaking earlier from my office. We can see that for many of us who sat through these hearings and heard the answers, it didn't give us a lot of confidence that Rex Tillerson was going to be able to step in and be the top diplomat for the United States of America. So I join in all the comments that have been made earlier. I want to talk about one of the issues that has developed over the last couple of days and that really has bearing on this. For the last century, the United States has led the world stage. We are the inspiration for countless nations as they nurture hopeful democracies-- democracies that respect human rights and individual liberties. We are a nation of freedom, where men and women can work hard, build a happy, healthy life, and live the American dream. That is what makes President Trump's anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant actions last week so repugnant. I believe his actions violate the Constitution. They also violate everything we stand for as a country. Turning our backs on refugees and those seeking a better life doesn't project strength. It shows weakness. It fuels anti-American rage around the world. Our Nation doesn't punish innocent people because of what they believe and who they pray to. We don't slam the door in the faces of those who need help the most.…
Said by
Tom Udall
Democratic · New Mexico

Share & report

More from Tom Udall

Sep 15, 2020

Mr. President, thank you for the recognition. As a former New Mexico attorney general and assistant U.S. attorney, I have worked hard to prosecute violent crimes. I have been privileged to work with law enforcement, and we are all thankful…

Congressional Record · 2020-09-15
Mar 10, 2020

Madam President, it has been 1 year since the House of Representatives passed the most comprehensive package of anti- corruption reforms since Watergate--1 year. H.R. 1 shines a light on secret campaign contributions, makes it easier to…

Congressional Record · 2020-03-10
Sep 17, 2020

Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to call attention to key legislation that addresses violence, and this piece of legislation should come to the floor. That is the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. VAWA…

Congressional Record · 2020-09-17
Aug 6, 2020

Mr. President, reserving my right to object, this family has suffered a terrible loss and has my sincerest condolences. Too many families in my home State of New Mexico have lost loved ones to DUIs, and I have made reducing DUIs one of my…

Congressional Record · 2020-08-06

Other voices in this conversation