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




                      59TH INAUGURATION CEREMONIES

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the Senate returns to session today for 
what will be a very busy and consequential period. Tomorrow, we will 
celebrate one of democracy's core attributes: the peaceful transfer of 
power, albeit under much different circumstances than most Americans 
are used to.
  Rioters, insurrectionists, White supremacists, and domestic 
terrorists tried to prevent the transfer of power. They were incited by 
none other than the President of the United States. They have failed. 
Though they have made the transition of power anything but peaceful, 
democracy's oldest and most revered tradition, the peaceful passing of 
the torch, will take place tomorrow.
  We must remain vigilant. We must remain strong. If we do, democracy 
will always prevail. Despite what these evil terrorists tried to do, 
the peaceful passing of the torch will take place tomorrow as it has 
for generations.
  In the weeks since the attack, the Nation has learned about the 
heroism displayed by many Capitol Police officers on January 6. I want 
to again thank those officers who protected Members and staff. Let us 
also recognize the bravery of one officer in particular, Brian 
Sicknick, who was killed in the line of duty.
  I also want to acknowledge those members of the fourth estate for 
their efforts during these difficult times, for continuing to shine a 
light on what is happening at the Capitol, sometimes at great personal 
risk.
  Now, in the wake of the despicable assault on the U.S. Capitol on 
January 6, we have taken precautions to ensure the safety of the 
Inauguration of President-Elect Biden tomorrow. Senate leadership has 
been in close and constant communication with the Secret Service, the 
FBI, the National Guard, and the D.C. police. As we speak, there are 
more troops around the Capitol than there are in Afghanistan. No 
force--no force--will prevent tomorrow's constitutional proceedings 
from taking place.
  Tomorrow, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be administered the oath 
of office. They will be sworn into the Presidency and Vice Presidency 
of the United States, and the powers vested in our Chief Executive will 
flow to a new office holder, a peaceful passing of the torch, as it has 
been for over two centuries in the grand tradition of democracy in the 
United States of America.
  Tomorrow, the country will turn the page on the most chaotic and 
divisive Presidency that can ever be remembered. We will begin again 
the hard work of unifying and healing this Nation, defeating the 
pandemic, recovering our economy, and repairing our standing and 
stature in the world--and this is just the beginning.

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