[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 254]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING COLLEAGUES BACK AND THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to welcome colleagues back to a 
new year in a new Senate that is back to work for the American people. 
It is clear we had a successful 2015. Committees began functioning 
again. Senators began having more of a say again. We got important 
things accomplished for the American people. We are looking to build 
upon this progress in 2016. There is, of course, much to be done, but I 
am optimistic about what can be achieved with a bipartisan dedication 
to moving back to regular order, not just this year but in the years to 
come.
  The scale of what any Congress will be able to accomplish in a given 
year often depends upon the willingness of the President to cooperate 
and engage in good faith. When President Obama comes to address 
Congress tomorrow, he will have an important opportunity to demonstrate 
that to the American people. The question is, Will he rise to the 
moment? Based on what the White House has been saying in the media, it 
is unlikely we will hear a unifying message for our country tomorrow. 
That is unfortunate. I think the American people can expect to hear a 
positive message from Governor Haley. Many are looking forward to 
hearing what she has to say. I will have much more to say on all of 
that tomorrow.

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