Sourced

• In 1994, Burns told the editorial board of the Bozeman Chronicle that when asked by a constituent, "How can you live back there in Washington, DC with all those niggers?" he replied, "[It's] a hell of a challenge." When he was asked about the use of the racial slur, he said: "I don't know. I never gave it much thought."

• On February 17, 1999, while at a meeting of the Montana Implement Dealers Association in Billings, Montana, Burns referred to Arabs as "ragheads".
  • Burns later apologized.

• In 2000, he offended a Billings woman when he pointed to her nose ring and asked her what tribe she was from.

• Burns stated that "We've got to remember that the people who first hit us in 9/11 entered this country through Canada."
  • December 21, 2005 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38816-2005Apr8.html
    • This claim, which is false and is directly contradicted by the findings of the 9/11 Commission, drew criticism from those questioning Burns' grasp of domestic security. Canadian ambassador Frank McKenna demanded an apology from Burns.

About

• The Helena Independent Record, noted that "The senator has drawn attention previously for his choice of words."
  • Feb 28, 2006 http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/02/28/montana_top/000burns.txt
• Burns is "an accident that happens again and again and again."
  • Bob Herbert http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/pressclip.php?view=1932