Quotes from Ted Lieu

Congress can pass reasonable gun safety legislation and save lives. We have a duty to the American people to do our job.

Most of the discrimination I have encountered centered on the view that I am not a part of this great nation, even though I grew up in Ohio, graduated from law school in Washington, D.C., and received my commission in the U.S. Air Force in 1991.

We must act to reduce the increasingly dangerous and destructive levels of carbon pollution that account for practically all of global climate change.

Refugees don't make our country less safe. But xenophobia, fear and hate do.

We are not and will never be an authoritarian regime.

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce, and the ENCRYPT Act sends a clear message that the complicated issues with encryption must be addressed thoughtfully and nationally.

I think over the long run, it's better that government does not regulate the content of speech.

Californians want to have clean air, clean water - not like the Trump Administration is trying to do with its rollback of environmental regulations, like the reversal of the Clean Power Plan.

There is little you can do to stop a tornado, a hurricane, or a cancer diagnosis from changing your life in an instant.

The Bill of Rights is a remarkable document because it weaves into the fabric of our democracy the idea that government has a responsibility to protect individual liberty.

I mean, to call the press the enemy is dangerous and just remarkably bizarre.

I served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and currently serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Yet I still experience people telling me to 'go back' to China or North Korea or Japan. Like many immigrants, I have learned to brush off this racist insult.

The marriage equality ruling establishes for the American public where the majority already are - which is that love is love and discriminating against a human being based on love is idiotic.

I think there is a lot of activism and energy from people all over America, and some of them are being represented by members that appear to be ignoring their constituents.

I have had strangers come up to me and attempt to mimic the Chinese language in a derogatory manner. I have been told countless times that I speak 'good' English. I have been asked why someone like me would be interested in watching NFL football. On any given day, if I walk around with a camera, I will be mistaken for a tourist from Asia.

Before I could become a military officer or a Member of Congress, I was required to do one thing: Take an oath to the Constitution.

Military members understand that the focus is on completing the mission. We don't care if you are tall or short; have dark skin or pale skin or freckles; or are gay, straight, or transgender.

I think I'm very knowledgeable about the issues of my constituents.

I realize the most patriotic thing I could do is resist Donald Trump.

President Trump has often crossed the line of what constitutes decent behavior.

I came here as an immigrant. We were poor. We went to flea markets to sell gifts to make ends meet. Just the mere fact that I can be running for Congress is something that can only happen in a place like America. It's such a wonderful country.

Democracy is messy.

I served on active duty and know that active duty personnel have basically zero interaction with the VA.

Having immigrated here when I was 3, I was grateful for the opportunities America provided and felt a duty to defend the ideals that make us the strongest nation in the world. I can't imagine turning away anyone who shares that vision and has the drive and ability to serve.