[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 190 (Friday, December 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7273-S7274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       End of the 118th Congress

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is not entirely clear yet how or 
when Congress will conclude its end-of-the-year business. But when the 
Senate does adjourn, I will just about mark the end of my tenure as the 
Republican leader.
  I have made it clear this year that our colleagues haven't seen the 
last of me. I still fully intend to keep frustrating my critics in the 
years ahead. But while I still command this particular podium, I 
thought I might make a few observations I have picked up along the way.
  Folks come to Washington to do one of two things: either to make a 
point or to make a difference--to make a point or to make a difference. 
It is usually not that hard to tell who is doing which, especially in 
situations like the one we are in right now.
  The people who are here to make a difference recognize pretty quickly 
you never get everything you want, but, often, you can get quite a lot. 
And the folks who prefer to make a point have a funny habit of 
reminding us out loud how poorly they understand that fact.
  I don't care to count how many times I have reminded our colleagues--
and our House counterparts--how harmful it is to shut the government 
down and how foolish it is to bet your own side won't take the blame 
for it.
  Recent history doesn't leave a whole lot of room for interpretation 
on this one: When you try to use normal government function as a 
bargaining chip, you pay a political price.
  That said, if I took it personally every time my advice went 
unheeded, I probably wouldn't have spent as long as I have in this 
particular job. Getting a legislative outcome in the Senate requires 
large majorities of people who don't share all of the same views to 
actually work together toward outcomes where they do see eye to eye.
  We have had divided government here most of the time I have been in 
this job; neither side has owned the place. You have a choice: Do 
nothing or try to find things you can agree on and do them together.
  With the exception of just one short period of a few months, this 
place hasn't seen a filibuster-proof Senate in 50 years. Getting things 
done almost inevitably requires dealing with a lot of people who 
disagree with you on most things.
  And in the interests of stable, enduring outcomes, that is actually a 
good thing. Anyone who comes to the Senate hoping for a rigid, hard-
line conformity and prompt action is barking up the wrong tree.
  I have heard folks who like making a point, they would rather serve 
with 30 colleagues who all agree than with a majority who didn't. So if 
you want to accomplish absolutely nothing--nothing--sign up with the 
group that would rather serve with 30 people who all agree than those 
who have differences.
  Everyone I know who is interested in making a difference understands 
pretty quickly that it requires that kind of interaction in order to 
achieve something.
  Leading means letting folks take a walk when they need to and 
rallying together when we need to. I have been so grateful over the 
years to lead majorities that embrace these necessary rhythms. I am 
gratified by the trust they have placed in me, repeatedly, to determine 
what that moment requires. And I am so proud of the outcomes we have 
achieved for our country.
  I am looking forward to spending the next Congress as a member of 
another majority in a set of capable hands. I am rooting hard for my 
friend John Thune and the leadership team our conference has assembled 
around him. There will be no shortage of important work to do, and I 
will stand ready to do my part.
  Back in 2007, my first day in this job, I told our colleagues:

       The Senate has no claim on greatness unless its power is 
     put to great ends.

  And I stated my view that ``the first duty of government is the 
defense and protection of its citizens.'' The Senate

[[Page S7274]]

is great, and so is the Nation that it represents. But today, our 
Nation faces one great challenge from forces betting on our decline. 
And so that first duty of government is the task to which I will devote 
my efforts in the coming years.
  Our prosperity and security depend on an order forged by American 
leadership and American strength--both of which require our urgent 
attention.
  The arsenal of democracy must be restored. Peace through strength 
must, once again, actually mean something other than just a slogan, and 
I am going to do everything in my power to help continue this to be the 
greatest country in the world.
  No one can do what we do internationally, and that is where I am 
going to put my focus for the next 2 years.
  Thank you all for the opportunity.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I just listened to my friend Leader 
McConnell deliver what may be his final remarks on the Senate floor as 
Republican leader. Today, I want to wish him and his family my very 
best as he prepares to serve in this Chamber in a different role next 
year.
  Everyone knows Leader McConnell and I had plenty of disagreements 
over the years on matters of policy and politics, but when the time was 
right, we found ways to work together to get very important things done 
for this country.
  Today, I would like to acknowledge and thank him for those moments. 
We worked together, for example, to pass the national security 
supplemental to stand with our friends in Ukraine, to hold the line 
against Vladimir Putin, and safeguard America's national security 
interests around the world. I appreciate his commitment to these 
principles no matter who occupies the Oval Office.
  We also worked together in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to 
get the CARES Act done, and in the aftermath of the Capitol attack on 
January 6, Leader McConnell worked with me and the other leaders to 
bring the Senate back into session so we could finish the job of 
certifying the 2020 election.
  These are just a few of the examples showing how two very different 
leaders found common ground to move things forward. In each instance, 
Leader McConnell's actions benefited our country.
  So I thank him for those moments. I wish him, his wife Elaine, and 
his entire family our best wishes, and I know all of my colleagues on 
our side of the aisle join me in those best wishes and respect.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  I yield the floor.

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