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

- Gary Ackerman

The ability to convince people of the wackiest notions - and both parties can do it - it's part of the dumbing down of America that's really highly problematic.

- Gary Ackerman

I've had meetings with Fidel Castro. I've had meetings with Kim Il-Sung. I've had meetings with other dictators. I've met with the Butcher of Beijing. You know, I think it's important to hear, you know, each other's perspective.

- Gary Ackerman

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.

- Gary Ackerman

Without a musket to raise, a barricade to storm, a flag to wave, the question hit me in the face like the cold air: 'Who am I?'

- Gary Ackerman

We're not looking at banning all weapons.

- Gary Ackerman

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

- Gary Ackerman

Using official government resources to help bankroll an explicit political agenda - whether on the right or left - is flat out wrong.

- Gary Ackerman

The media's gotten lazy. They don't check anything out. You report what he reports.

- Gary Ackerman

Sometimes people who are Jewish are held to a higher standard which sometimes we take great pride in.

- 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.

- Gary Ackerman

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

- Gary Ackerman

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

- Gary Ackerman

There's a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying in to Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses. There's a message there.

- Gary Ackerman

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.

- Gary Ackerman

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.

- Gary Ackerman

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

- Gary Ackerman

Every gun sold should require a background check, period.

- Gary Ackerman

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.

- Gary Ackerman

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.

- Gary Ackerman