[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S49-S50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                PROTESTS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the last time the Senate convened we 
had just reclaimed the Capitol from violent criminals who tried to stop 
Congress from doing our duty.
  The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other 
powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a 
specific proceeding of the first branch of the Federal Government which 
they did not like.
  But we pressed on. We stood together and said an angry mob would not 
get veto power over the rule of law in our Nation, not even for one 
night.
  We certified the people's choice for their 46th President.
  Tomorrow, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will 
be sworn in. We will have a safe and successful inaugural right here on 
the west front of the Capitol--the space that President Bush 41 called 
``democracy's front porch.''

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  And then we will move forward. Our work for the American people will 
continue, as it has for more than 230 years. There are serious 
challenges that our Nation needs to continue confronting, but there 
will also be great and hopeful opportunities for us to seize.
  Certainly, November's elections did not hand any side a mandate for 
sweeping ideological change. Americans elected a closely divided 
Senate, a closely divided House, and a Presidential candidate who said 
he would represent everyone.
  So our marching orders from the American people are clear. We are to 
have a robust discussion and seek common ground. We are to pursue 
bipartisan agreement everywhere we can and check and balance one 
another respectfully where we must. And through all of this, we must 
always keep in mind that we are all Americans, we all love this 
country, and we are all in this together.

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