Gary Ackerman

“Politics was my third act. But I could have a fourth. I don't know what that will be yet, but there will be one.”

“Looking forward, it might prove constructive to examine the true historical record of an issue prior to assuming the worst of anyone's motive and deconstructing and questioning anyone's Democratic bona fides. After all, we liberals got feelings.”

“If a jerk burns the flag, America is not threatened, democracy is not under siege, freedom is not at risk.”

“I just thought it was unconscionable for the Congress to insert itself into this debate. We are particularly unqualified to make that decision and to intrude ourselves into the lives of this family.”

“Telling people not to have children is unthinkable and inhumane.”

“Patriots don't let their nation default.”

“It used to be you had real friends on the other side of the aisle. It's not like that anymore. Society has changed. The public is to blame as well. I think the people have gotten dumber.”

“We're not looking at banning all weapons.”

“As a state senator and then a congressman, I've had the privilege of trying to do good things for people to whom I owe so much and can never fully repay.”

“We have some Jewish members of Congress, not a lot but there's a bunch of us.”

“I've personally demanded that tyrants let their people go. I've tried to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, protect the elderly and infirm, and defend the needy from the aggressively greedy. I've led a blessed life. What a kick for a kid from the projects.”

“For some reason, the military seems more afraid of gay people than they are against terrorists, but they're very brave with the terrorists... If the terrorists ever got a hold of this information, they'd get a platoon of lesbians to chase us out of Baghdad.”

“We have to have some rules and regulations in America, or the world would empty out here.”

“India is a regional power. It does not need anything to establish it.”

“The media has changed. We now give broadcast licenses to philosophies instead of people. People get confused and think there is no difference between news and entertainment. People who project themselves as journalists on television don't know the first thing about journalism. They are just there stirring up a hockey game.”

“No, you can't call your vote in. You have to be there on the floor to vote.”

“I'm in favor of immigration but we also need rules.”

“From the U.S. Capitol Building to the White House, our national symbols that represent freedom to so many of us, were built by people who were anything but free.”

“Every gun sold should require a background check, period.”

“People more than ever since I can remember are concerned about being out of step and out of line with their political party and won't cross over. There is nobody, man or woman, who wants to be left out, and people are fearful of that. People are fearful of their leadership as well.”