[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S29]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NEW CONGRESS

  Mr. DURBIN. I have the opening remarks from the Democratic leader, 
Harry Reid, which I wish to read into the Record.
  Senator Reid states:

       As some already know, I had a mishap in my home last week 
     while exercising. As a result, I sustained several broken 
     bones in my face and ribs. As bad as that sounds, I am doing 
     well and recovering quickly.
       I regret I am not on the Senate floor to make these remarks 
     in person, but my doctors have urged caution and ordered me 
     to stay home while I recuperate.
       I thank my friend, the Assistant Democratic Leader, for 
     delivering my remarks today.
       A Greek philosopher once wrote: ``There is nothing 
     permanent except change.'' Our nation's elections prove that 
     theory every two years. This is one of those times of 
     change--for the Senate and for our country.
       The desks in this Chamber have been rearranged, committee 
     assignments adjusted, and a new majority assumes control for 
     the next two years. Or in other words, it's just another 
     Wednesday in January at the start of a new Congress.
       For all of the changes, our duties as United States 
     Senators remain the same: We are here to help working 
     Americans and ensure our government has all it needs to serve 
     the people.
       In spite of almost no Republican cooperation over the last 
     six years, we've made significant strides in many regards. 
     The new Majority Leader claims the Senate hasn't achieved, in 
     his words, ``squat'' in recent years. The numbers, however, 
     tell a different story. Today the U.S. unemployment rate 
     stands at 5.8 percent. Over the last six years the American 
     economy has added 10 million jobs. The stock market has 
     reached all-time highs. Our nation's manufacturers are 
     thriving. The American automobile industry was brought back 
     from the brink of collapse in spite of Republican opposition. 
     And let's not forget that there are more than 10 million 
     Americans newly insured with health care coverage.
       While some here in Washington may see that as ``squat,'' 
     the economic recovery has been very real to American 
     families. I know how important it has been to working 
     Nevadans.
       And while we worked to improve the economy without 
     Republicans' help, we also worked to fulfill our 
     constitutional obligation to offer advice and consent on 
     Presidential nominations.
       Just last Congress we confirmed 132 judges--the most since 
     the Carter Administration. Overall, we confirmed 611 of the 
     President's nominees last Congress in spite of Republican 
     opposition. As we speak, we have an Attorney General and a 
     Secretary of Defense waiting to be confirmed. I remind 
     everyone that last Congress the Republicans mounted an 
     unprecedented filibuster for a nominee for Secretary of 
     Defense [a former Republican Senator].
       I challenge my friend, the Majority Leader, to change 
     course and work with Senate Democrats in confirming the 
     President's nominees in the 114th Congress. Working together, 
     we can easily meet and surpass last Congress's benchmark of 
     611 confirmations.
       My Republican colleagues, and especially the Majority 
     Leader, should also know that Senate Democrats are especially 
     eager to continue to help American families.
       Working together, we can send meaningful, bipartisan 
     legislation to the President for his signature.
       The mistakes of the past, the gratuitous obstruction and 
     wanton filibustering will not be a hallmark of the Democratic 
     minority in the 114th Congress. The filibuster is an 
     indispensable tool of the minority, but Republicans' abuse of 
     it last Congress has come to epitomize the gridlock here in 
     the United States Capitol.
       To be clear, I have no intention of just rolling over. I 
     can't. Not when the middle class is teetering on the verge of 
     extinction.
       Any attempt to erode protections for working American 
     families--the dismantling of Dodd-Frank, the weakening of net 
     neutrality rules, or the Republicans' never-ending quest to 
     repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as ObamaCare--will be 
     met with swift and unified Democratic opposition.
       But we'd rather legislate together. And there's plenty of 
     common ground for bipartisan compromise if Republicans are 
     willing.

  That is the end of the statement from Senator Reid.

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