Flanked by Gabby Giffords and family members of Sandy Hook victims, President Obama today addressed the nation and scolded the Senate for killing a gun-control amendment he said is supported by 90 percent of Americans.
Obama, introduced by the father of a victim of the Newtown massacre, said “a minority in the United States Senate decided it wasn’t worth it” to bear the political consequences of increasing background checks to keep guns from criminals and the mentally ill. He said lawmakers defied the will of the people as “90 percent of Republicans in the Senate just voted against that idea.”
Vice President Joe Biden appeared to be crying and hugged the Newtown victim’s father. He also spoke to the Newtown victim’s parents during the president’s speech.
Here are some more quotes from President Obama’s speech:
“The gun lobby and its allies willfully lied about the bill.”
“Unfortunately, this pattern of spreading untruths about this legislation served a purpose.”
“Who are we here to represent?”
“Pretty shameful day for Washington.”
“To change Washington, you, the American people, are going to have to sustain some passion about this.”
“I’m assuming that the emotions that we all felt since Newtown…I’m assuming that’s not a temporary thing.”
“I believe we’re going to be able to get this done. Sooner or later, we’re going to get this right.”
“The memories of these children demand it. And so do the American people.”
