Barbara Boxer Quotes & Sayings

To win the cause we all believe in, the spread of true democracy all over the world, we need to win by example, not just with speeches but by example; not just with military might but by gaining the respect of the world. — Barbara Boxer

Americans have long recognized the need to protect our public lands and their vast resources. — Barbara Boxer

We have the greatest hospitals, doctors, and medical technology in the world - we need to make them accessible to every American. — Barbara Boxer

So when you go up against the Far Right you go up against the big financial special interests like the Halliburtons of the world, the big oil companies, the big energy companies who work so hard to rip us off. — Barbara Boxer

We need to give the Iraqis a chance to build their own future. It should be in their hands. It must be in their hands. That is what democracy is all about. We can teach it, we can explain it, but they must want it enough to make it work for them. — Barbara Boxer

Medical professionals, not insurance company bureaucrats, should be making health care decisions. — Barbara Boxer

The Violence Against Women Act protects the lives of tens of thousands of domestic violence victims. But the U.S. must also support gender equality around the world, and that means acknowledging that some nations we consider to be our friends are no friends to women. — Barbara Boxer

Look, all this is about is utilizing the rules of the Senate, using a majority of the senators, to make sure that we get health reform done. We cannot wait another day. — Barbara Boxer

Just look at the Judiciary Committee, You have some people on the Judiciary Committee who may well decide not to send the nomination to the floor, and now it all depends on what Democrats do. — Barbara Boxer

With so many of our fundamental rights hanging in the balance, it is not good enough to simply roll the dice, hoping a nominee has changed his past views. It's not good enough to think, 'This is the best we can expect from this president'. — Barbara Boxer

The Saudi government's denial of basic rights to women is not only wrong, it hurts Saudi Arabia's economic development, modernization and prosperity. — Barbara Boxer

If you want to be a leader, it doesn't mean that you have to have an opinion on everything. But if you do have an opinion and it is clear and you feel strongly about it, then you should say it. — Barbara Boxer

President Bush in his inaugural address talked about bringing freedom to countries that don't have it. He didn't specify how. — Barbara Boxer

When service members are discharged, we should express our gratitude for their profound personal sacrifice, not hand them a bill for their hospital food. — Barbara Boxer

Since 1980, we've used reconciliation 22 times, and out of those times, Republicans used it 16 times. So, earth to my Republican friends, you can have your option but you cannot change these facts. They're in the Congressional Record. — Barbara Boxer

I would love to see a march on Washington that says 'Save our Social Security'. — Barbara Boxer

I'm hopeful that the energy efficiency and public buildings bill will have their endorsement. — Barbara Boxer

Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement. — Barbara Boxer

Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has a much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress, or any President. — Barbara Boxer

I'm a very big believer in collaboration and teamwork. — Barbara Boxer

The White House has embarked on a mission to convince the people of our country that Social Security is in dire need of drastic change in order to save it for all workers. — Barbara Boxer

If we turn our back on the people of this country who need to work for a living, we shouldn't be here, to be honest, because that has to be an essential part of what we do to protect the country, from the standpoint of defense, protect workers and make sure they have jobs. — Barbara Boxer

There are many faces to war. There is the face of courage, of bravery, of fellowship.There is the face of fear. Above all, there is love of country. — Barbara Boxer

The American people need to know the truth. The American people need to see the truth. In a democracy, letting the people know the truth is the essence of what it means to be free. — Barbara Boxer

You know, I wish the world well. I want Iraq to have democracy and the Haitians to have democracy. I want the people of Afghanistan to thrive. Lord knows, we spend enough money there to help them. What about people at home? Isn't that our first responsibility? — Barbara Boxer

I am sure that every one of my colleagues - Democrat, Republican, and Independent - agrees with that statement. That in the voting booth, every one is equal. — Barbara Boxer

Law enforcement officers are never 'off duty.' They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect public safety at any time and place that the peace is threatened. They need all the help that they can get. — Barbara Boxer

Some people play golf. Some are artists, Some jog. I like to write. — Barbara Boxer

Even if I have to stand alone, I will not be afraid to stand alone. I'm going to fight for you. I'm going to fight for what's right. I'm going to fight to hold people accountable. — Barbara Boxer

I think the scientists have really caught the attention of the people of this country, and of course, they elected representatives by their very clear pronouncement that if we don't do something, we'll be in a lot of trouble. — Barbara Boxer

The combined efforts of millions of concerned citizens could do wonders to help the impoverished. The American people are ready for action! — Barbara Boxer

In the early stages of a pregnancy, the Government cannot intervene with a woman's right to choose. That is it, plain and simple. Guess what. We are not going to be big brother or sister, as the case may be. We are going to allow a woman, her doctor, and her God to make that decision. — Barbara Boxer

If you don't move to protect copyright, if you don't move to protect our children, it's not going to sit well. — Barbara Boxer

Perhaps, one of our greatest challenges as a nation, as a people, as human beings making sure that our grandkids can live on this Earth. — Barbara Boxer

For the sake of the troops, for the love of the troops, we must not add yet another casualty to this war. We must not let truth be a casualty of this war. — Barbara Boxer

It is in Saudi Arabia's best interest to allow women to fully participate in its society, and this includes the right to vote and run for office. — Barbara Boxer

Tonight, you are hearing from the Democratic women of the Senate ... We stand together on so many issues: economic prosperity, quality education for all, protecting a woman's right to choose. — Barbara Boxer

Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, 'Thank God, I'm still alive.' But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again. — Barbara Boxer

I think Democrats are right. We fight for the American dream, for the environment, for privacy rights, a woman's right to choose, a good public education system. — Barbara Boxer

Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am? It's just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. I'd appreciate it. — Barbara Boxer

Our democracy is the centerpiece of who we are as a nation. And it is the fondest hope of all Americans that we can help bring democracy to every corner of the world. — Barbara Boxer

I have to say that after chemotherapy, Barbara Boxer just isn't that scary anymore. — Barbara Boxer

More than anything, I think as our country matures, we recognize that women deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. — Barbara Boxer

What they [Jim deMint and the oil lobby] do care about is the precedent. If they open up ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), they'll think they can do anything to the environment - anything at all. Drilling in Yosemite? In the Grand Canyon? What's next? — Barbara Boxer

We have to be realistic about what we can achieve in Afghanistan. The notion that the United States can build a Western-style democracy there is a myth — Barbara Boxer

Our message will be that we're going to make federal government buildings a model - an energy-efficient model - and also start matching grants for cities and counties so that they can also do the same with their government buildings. — Barbara Boxer

We have fought for social justice. We have fought for economic justice. We have fought for environmental justice. We have fought for criminal justice. Now we must add a new fight - the fight for electoral justice. — Barbara Boxer

When you take a stand out of deep conviction, people know. They may not even agree, but they ask, 'Do I want someone who is willing to take a hard stand and someone I can trust to do that when the chips are down?' They want that. — Barbara Boxer

We know no document is perfect, but when we amend the Constitution, it would be to expand rights, not to take away rights from decent, loyal Americans. This great Constitution of ours should never be used to make a group of Americans permanent second-class citizens. — Barbara Boxer

Really, life is complicated enough without having a bunch of Senators deciding what we should do in the privacy of our own homes. — Barbara Boxer

[On going into politics:] My husband went to bed with Debbie Reynolds and he woke up with Eleanor Roosevelt. — Barbara Boxer

I know from my constituency what is going on. Doctors that are told, begged, by mothers, 'Please don't write down that my child as asthma. Please lie and say it's bronchitis, because if you write down asthma, when my child turns 18 or 20 and has to get his or her own insurance, it will be a pre-existing condition.' — Barbara Boxer

I was a stock broker once. I think there is an absolute place for market investments. But they should never be the basis of one's retirement. They should be an additional piece on top of a basic, secure, guaranteed retirement benefit. — Barbara Boxer

I would not run for president. I really like what I'm doing now. People say I'm giving them energy and hope. — Barbara Boxer

We are all different. Yet we are all God's children. We are all united behind this country and the common cause of freedom, justice, fairness, and equality. That is what unites us. — Barbara Boxer

The difference between the very wealthy and the working poor has grown. We raise that minimum wage and we move forward with the vision of this president that we have, which is everyone pays their fair share. — Barbara Boxer