[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      59TH INAUGURATION CEREMONIES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today, before the American people and 
the world, the peaceful transfer of power that has helped define our 
Nation for more than 230 years was carried out. We swore in the 46th 
President and the 49th Vice President of the United States.
  President Biden and Vice President Harris are both alumni of the U.S. 
Senate. They are well known to us in this Chamber. They begin their 
terms with both challenges and opportunities before them, and with the 
prayers of our whole Nation at their backs.
  President Biden made unity the major theme of his inaugural address. 
He pledged to be a President for all Americans, to work as hard for the 
many millions of Americans who did not support his candidacy as he will 
for the millions who did. So I congratulate my friend from Delaware. I 
look forward to working with him as our new President wherever 
possible.
  Our country deserves for both sides, both parties, to find common 
ground for the common good everywhere that we can and disagree 
respectfully where we must. Last fall, the American people chose to 
elect a narrowly divided House of Representatives, a 50-50 Senate, and 
a President who promised unity. The people intentionally entrusted both 
political parties with significant power to shape our Nation's 
direction. May we work together to honor that trust.
  Earlier today, I was honored to present our former colleague, Vice 
President Harris, with a flag that flew over her historic swearing in 
as our Nation's first woman Vice President. This groundbreaking 
achievement elicits national pride that transcends politics. All 
citizens can applaud the fact that this new three-word phrase, ``Madam 
Vice President,'' is now a part of our American lexicon. So, once 
again, our sincere congratulations to our former colleague from 
California on this day.
  I also join my colleagues in warmly welcoming our three newest 
Senators. Senator Padilla of California and Senators Ossoff and Warnock 
of Georgia have been sent to this Chamber by their home States to 
represent their neighbors and to serve our Nation. We have plenty of 
Senate business to discuss at length in the days ahead, but, for now, I 
just want to congratulate each of our new colleagues. I look forward to 
working alongside them.

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