[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE NEW SENATE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on another matter, every day this 
week I have mentioned some of the significant accomplishments of a 
Senate under new management--a Senate that has put its focus back on 
the American people.
  After years of inaction, this Senate took bipartisan action to help 
the victims of modern day slavery. Many said the Justice for Victims of 
Trafficking Act would never pass the Senate, but we proved them wrong. 
We proved it could actually pass by a wide bipartisan margin. In a new 
and more open Senate, Senator Cornyn was able to work with Democratic 
partners to ensure it ultimately did.
  After years of inaction, the Senate took bipartisan action to protect 
the privacy of Americans. Many said the Cybersecurity Information 
Sharing Act would never pass the Senate, but we proved them wrong. We 
proved it could actually pass by a wide bipartisan margin. In a new and 
more open Senate, Senator Burr, a Republican, and Senator Feinstein, a 
Democrat, were able to ensure that it ultimately did.
  After years of inaction, the Senate took bipartisan action to lift 
children up with better educational opportunities. Many said the Every 
Child Achieves Act would never pass the Senate, but we proved them 
wrong. We proved it could actually pass by a wide bipartisan margin. In 
a new and more open Senate, Senator Alexander, a Republican, and 
Senator Murray, a Democrat, were able to ensure that it ultimately did.
  And after years of inaction, the Senate took bipartisan action to 
meaningfully improve our roads and infrastructure over the coming 
years. Many said that the long-term Highway and Transportation Funding 
Act would never pass the Senate, but we proved them wrong. We proved it 
could actually pass by a wide bipartisan margin. In a new and more open 
Senate, Senator Inhofe, a Republican, and Senator Boxer, a Democrat, 
were able to ensure that it ultimately did.
  Today, we are on the verge of passing that bill again. We are on the 
verge of passing it into law. The revised legislation we will consider 
provides 5 full years of highway funding. It would be the longest term 
bill to pass Congress in almost two decades, and it would provide long-
term certainty in a fiscally responsible way. In other words, this bill 
will finally provide State and local governments with the kind of 
certainty they need to focus on longer term road and bridge projects. 
This is a significant departure from years--years--of short-term 
extensions.
  There is a lot more to say about what the new Congress has been able 
to achieve on behalf of the American people. I look forward to 
continuing to share these successes here on the floor.
  Tuesday's announcement on the highway bill is just the latest 
reminder of what is possible in a new and more open Senate. It builds 
the basis for more wins into the future. And most importantly, it is an 
achievement for the American people--an achievement that only a new 
Congress has been able to deliver.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.

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