[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S29-S30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A CHANGE IN DIRECTION

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, 2 years ago the American people sent a 
new majority to the Senate. They called for a change in direction. They 
called for the Senate to get to work. So we got committees functioning 
again, we gave Members of both parties a say again, and we put the 
Senate back to work again and back on the side of the American people.
  Because we did, we were able to get important things done with a 
President of a different party. We put an end to the number of 
Washington artificial cliffs and punts. We helped make our 
infrastructure stronger. We helped make our communities healthier and 
our country safer. We gave our children more opportunities to succeed 
in school, and we helped ensure that those who suffer exploitation and 
abuse--whether veterans or the victims of human trafficking--can know 
more of the justice, hope, and care they deserve.
  I am proud of what we were able to achieve in a time of divided 
government, just as I am excited about the possibilities that lie 
ahead.
  We now stand on the horizon of a new era. We seated a new Congress 
yesterday. We will inaugurate a new President later this month. The 
challenges ahead are great, and the work to come will be hard, but just 
as we heard the voices of the American people in 2014, we heard their 
message this last election as well. Americans called for change from 
the last 8 years and for hope, at long last. Each of us, regardless of 
party, has a mandate to help and to play a role.
  The first way to begin realizing that hope, in my view, is to remove 
the things that are hurting families right now. The President-elect 
will have an important role to play there, especially in addressing 
overbearing, ideologically driven regulations.
  Congress will have its role too. In terms of what we can do here most 
immediately, ObamaCare is at the top of the list. It is the very first 
item we will consider this session. We will continue to devote 
significant time to it as well.
  I know some of our Democratic friends would prefer we didn't act--
that we just sit on our hands as premiums jump higher, as more 
Americans lose plans, and as others continue to struggle with insurance 
too costly to actually use. That is essentially the message the 
outgoing President came this morning to deliver. The incoming Vice 
President came this morning, too, and delivered an entirely different 
message.
  But repeal is just the first step. We know it will take time to undo 
the damage of this partisan law. We want--and we will need--the 
contributions of all colleagues as we turn to the development of a 
lasting, durable reform.
  The same is true of our economy. We know the economy over the last 8 
years hasn't lived up to its potential--not for working people, not for 
small businesses, and certainly not for the next generation. We will 
have disagreements about the best way forward. That is entirely 
natural. But, if we look, we will continue to find areas of agreement 
too. There are important contributions for each of us to make. That is 
the lesson of the 114th Congress.
  A more open Senate is a more empowering Senate, but it is also a more 
demanding Senate. It gives each of us more of a say in the development 
of legislation, just as it requires more of a responsibility in 
cooperating. In short, it gives the minority party a stake in governing 
and thus the obligations that come along with that.
  I welcome our colleague from New York in his new role as Democratic 
leader. The role of leading a party is never easy. He has a tough job 
ahead of him. I respect him for that. While I know we will often 
disagree, I am also reminded of his words just before the election. 
``We have a moral obligation,'' the Democratic leader said just before 
the election, ``even beyond the economy and politics, to avoid gridlock 
and get the country to work again.''
  ``We have to get things done,'' he said.

[[Page S30]]

  If that is our guiding principle, then I know we can make this 
session a success. It is what will allow us to get the appropriations 
process moving, for example. We can set the pace now by working toward 
a smooth nomination process.
  I ask our Democratic friends to remember the consideration we showed 
President-Elect Obama's nominees in 2009. We approved seven--seven--
members of his Cabinet unanimously within hours of his inauguration. 
Seven nominees for President Obama's Cabinet were approved unanimously 
within hours of his inauguration.
  Now, some nominations will be more contentious. I am sure that will 
be true, of course, of the Supreme Court. It has been clear throughout 
that the next President would name the next Supreme Court Justice. I 
maintained that position even when many thought a President of a 
different party would be taking the oath this month. Now the President 
who won the election will make the nomination, and the Senate that the 
American people just reelected will consider that nomination.
  But not everything need become so contentious. We will have many 
opportunities to cooperate. I have mentioned several already. We will 
see many more in committee. Shortly, we hope to see an example of that 
in the Intelligence Committee, where Chairman Burr will lead Members of 
both parties in a serious, comprehensive, and responsible review of any 
Russian involvement in our elections. Leader Schumer will join the 
committee as an ex-officio member and will be able to review the 
reports of the intelligence community. The Armed Services Committee 
will review how best to tie our cyber capabilities to our warfighting 
doctrine.
  It is just this type of issue--something both parties say is too 
important to become a partisan football--where we often see the hard 
work of legislating and oversight transcend party. We saw it last 
Congress when, for instance, Members of both parties came together--and 
held together--on highways, on efforts to cure incurable diseases, and 
on providing TPA authority to both the current President and the next 
one. I hope we will see similar cooperation on many issues to come.
  The American people are watching us. They are hurting. They are 
calling for a change in direction. It is now our united responsibility 
to move forward with their needs and their priorities as our guide.
  Let me again welcome every new Member of the Senate. I want again to 
congratulate the Democratic leader, and let me again acknowledge 
President-Elect Trump for an impressive victory. He heard the voices of 
Americans in every part of the country in ways others have not. He now 
carries a heavy burden.
  We will work with him to help the American people feel confident 
again--confident in themselves and confident in their futures.
  We look forward to the inauguration in just over 2 weeks. There is 
now much serious work to be done. I look forward to working with each 
of you to achieve it.

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