Political Quotes

On the recordJune 23, 2016
Mr. President, I think later on this afternoon we will have an opportunity yet again to express ourselves on the terrible shooting in Orlando a little over a week ago. Some have wanted to make this a debate about the Second Amendment. Others said that maybe it would be more productive to solve the problem and prevent people like the Orlando shooter from ever being able to commit this terrorist attack. Sadly, yesterday we voted down the McCain-Burr amendment, which would have provided additional tools to the FBI, which had already had this shooter under investigation on two previous occasions and then taken him off the watch list, having found no evidence or not sufficient evidence to keep him on the watch list. The problem is, unfortunately, that failed. We know it is important to stop people who would commit acts like this from buying guns. We know we need to alert our law enforcement agencies when people whom they have reason to suspect are planning a terrorist attack. We know it is important to keep them from buying guns. Frankly, the Feinstein amendment and the Cornyn amendment we previously voted on both share those in common--no fly, no buy. The only major difference is whether we are going to engage in a presumption of guilt and deny due process of law. In other words, just because your name appears on some secret list maintained by the Obama administration or any administration, you could somehow be denied a constitutional right.…
Said by
John Cornyn
Republican · Texas

Share & report

More from John Cornyn

May 1, 2025

I now ask for a second reading and, in order to put the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard. The bill will be read for a second time the next…

govinfo.gov
Apr 28, 2025

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader following consultation with the Democratic leader, no later than Wednesday, April 30, S.J. Res. 49 be discharged…

govinfo.gov
May 1, 2025

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows: A bill (S…

govinfo.gov
Aug 7, 2025

We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.

cbsnews.com

Other voices in this conversation