[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Welcoming John Peter Ricketts

  Mr. McCONNELL. Moments ago, the Senate returned to our full 100-
person strength as Nebraska's new junior Senator took the oath of 
office.
  The Cornhusker State expects a lot from its leaders. For the last 8 
years, Nebraskans could rest easy knowing they had Deb Fischer and Ben 
Sasse on the job here in Washington. And during that same time, of 
course, they also had an outstanding leader even closer to home. As 
Governor, Pete Ricketts applied private-sector savvy to the work of 
public administration with great effect. He secured for Nebraska 
families and small businesses the biggest tax relief in that State's 
history. He championed parents' rights and defended civics education.
  In the face of a global pandemic, he built the State's response on 
common sense--saving lives but also safeguarding livelihoods; 
preserving liberties and protecting kids' educations, all at the same 
time. The people of Nebraska chose wisely in electing and re-electing 
Governor Ricketts by huge margins. And their new Governor chose wisely 
in sending his predecessor here to this Chamber.
  I know I speak for the entire Senate in extending a warm welcome to 
Senator Ricketts and his wife Susanne.
  Pete, we are glad to have you here on the team.


                             118th Congress

  Madam President, on another matter, the American people want and need 
this 118th Congress to work differently than the past 2 years that were 
just finished. We just had 2 years of one-party Democratic control, 2 
years of spending us into record inflation on party-line votes, 2 years 
of ignoring top priorities of the American people like violent crime 
and open borders, two years of Senate Democrats procrastinating on 
basic government duties in order to push radical proposals like an 
unprecedented elections takeover and unlimited abortion on demand for 
all 9 months.
  The American people put an end to that one-party government because 
they wanted change.
  This year, the Senate leadership must not put off our most basic 
jobs, like intelligently funding our Federal Government and providing 
for our Armed Forces, before the very last minute. Basic duties like 
the appropriations process and the National Defense Authorization Act 
need more thoughtfulness, more bipartisanship, and more regular order. 
And they must not be shoved into late December after the Senate 
Democrats waste literally months looking for ways to placate the 
radical left.
  The American people elected a bipartisan, divided government. The 
country voted to change Washington. So this Chamber's Democratic 
leadership needs to change accordingly.