get ceremonial sworn in by vice president kamala harris. one of the few remaining official acts she will have. the trump administration comes in we will take a look at the lower chamber of the house short time ago, speaker mike johnson to be reelected to his leadership post. several outlets reporting their calling for a second vote to be held as soon as possible as he meets with holdout members who voted against a. earlier we heard from newly elected majority leader senator there when we will show his remarks, his first as the majority leader as well as minority leader schumer. >> therefore i begin my remarks i want to mention the very deadly terrorist attack that

took place in new orleans in the early hours of new year's day. this isis mark kinspired took the lives of 14 innocent victims and injured at least 40 others. my prayers today along with the prayers of so many americans are with those reeling the loss of a loved one and with the injured and their families. and las vegas law enforcement agents are working around the motivation of the army soldier who lablew up a tesla truck respect the same day. so the american people understand what led to both of these attacks. i also want to mention the passing of former president jimmy carter. he was governor of georgia, president of the united states, but was perhaps even better

known for the work you did after leaving office to promote and help those in need. most notably through his decades long work with habitat for humanity. i will have much more to say about president carter next week for today i want to extend my condolences and my prayers to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as they mourn their father and grandfather. i want to welcome members to the hundred hoand 19 congress, particularly the freshman senator took the office this morning. congratulations to the new secretary of the senate great south dakota avenue senate sergeant at arms assuming their roles today. i'm grateful for their service. mr. president, the words of the old as we here at the start of each new congress a reminder of her profound responsibility which we been trusted to support and defend the constitution of the united states. 237 years ago representatives

from the istate gathered in pennsylvania and produce something essentially unique in human history a blueprint for our new country founded on history, on a set of ideas. not a perfect document. making provisions for amendments. but it was and remains one of the greatest and most important political documents in the history of the world. it has made us as a country that people around the world look to as a beacon of freedom. a shining city on the hill. as a solemn responsibility of those of us here in congress to preserve our constitution to guard against enemies both foreign and domestic and ensure that it continues to stand but our nation continues to stand as a full work of freedom and human rights. when it came time to draft the constitution the founders establish safeguards checks and

balances throughout our government to keep the government in check and ensure the rights of americans were protected. senate as a second branch of the legislative assembly dividing power with first must be all cases a salutary check on the government. doubles the security to the people. as the improbability of semester combinations will be in proportion to the dissimilarity in the genius of the two bodies it must be politic to distinguish them from each other. by every wcircumstance which consist with the group harmony and all proper measures and the genuine principles of republican government ". the founders did indeed distinguish

the sthouse from the senate. and made the senate smaller senators terms of office longer with the intention of creating more stable thoughtful deliberative legislative body to check ill considered or intemperate legislation and protect the rights of the american people. in the past 237 years as a structure that has served this nation well. unfortunately today there are a lot of people out there who would like to see the senate turn into a copy in the house of representatives. that's not what our founders intended. or what our country needs. one of my priorities as a leader will be to ensure that the senate stays the senate. that means preserving the legislative filibuster senate rule that today is perhaps the greatest impact on preserving the founders vision of the united states senate.

it also means restoring the senate as a place of discussion and deliberation including empowering committees restoring regular order and engaging in extended debate on the senate floor where all members should have a chance to make there were aces and the voices their constituents heard. we have a lot to do in this. border security extending the tax relief republicans during that first trump administration lifting burdensome and expensive government relations help american businesses and families flourish. providing for our nations defense and increasingly unstable world. bring appropriation bills to the floor of serious deliberation so we make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars. and overdue farmville to update farm programs for farmers and ranchers to reflect current agriculture needs. and the list goes on. in the past years i listened to speeches delivered by other

leaders my republican colleagues who trusted me to lead our colleague in the senate i will work every day to be one worthy of that trust. my philosophy of leadership comes from my dad he was a basketball coach in our high school and had some very strong opinions about the right way to play. it was not about personal glory it was about elevating the team. he hated ball hogs if someone else was there a better position to take the shot you always made the extra pass. he didn't try to pad his own statistics. it's an attitude i tend to carry in the leader office my job is to be of service to my colleagues and our country. i'm here today addressing the senate in this role because the confidence my colleagues have placed in me. but i'm here first of all

because of the confidence placed in me by the people of south dakota. the trust they've given me i would not have had an opportunity to serve at all much less the opportunity to serve as majority leader of the united states senate. we didn't even have a traffic light when i was growing up and i wouldn't have it any other way. life and myrtle had a beautiful simplicity, sure and had one or two drawbacks with the population that small we can be sure our parents would've heard all about any of our misdemeanors before we even made it home. small-town life was wonderful. and myrtle you know everyone. and everyone knows you. that gave us a sense of community and belonging that we

carry to this day. i remember the day i told my mom i was going to run for congress she was excited obviously and confidently told me i know you will carry myrtle and myrtle i learned the character of south dakota and. a sense of responsibility to the broader community. the whole community rallies to help. the same attitude is reflected in towns across our state. the south dakota values i learned growing up help shape my political philosophy my belief that government should be limited and it's best when it's closest to the people. and if the matter can be handled ththe state at the loca

level should be. if the legacy of the past is something to be cherished and preserved while leaving room for change and adaptation when needed. freedom is a sacred gift and one that must be defended. and that with freedom comes responsibility. finally, while government is necessary government is not where we should look for salvation. none of us get where we are alone and i owe thanks to many people my parents pat and harold who gave us undying love and commitment. a strong set of values. the most precious gift of all, faith. my brother and sister my beloved wife kimberly who is here with me today to step let me say that i married up. i'm grateful every day for kimberly's love and wisdom her advice and support and endless patience it's not an easy thing to be married to a member of

congress. it's not an easy thing to have a member of congress read at either. i'm grateful not only for my wife's enduring support for the support of my daughters brittany and larissa they are here today in the senate as well with their husbands luke and scott with all of our grandchildren john mark lucy henley hewitt haven and one yet to be named little one on the way who have brought me and kimberly an immense amount of joy. not one of us is here in congress could laugh today without her staffs. i want to thank all of those who have spent long days and long nights in my office serving south dakota ends and the american people. i think god who has richly blessed me in every way. as it says in the scriptures for from him and through him and for him are all things to him be the glory forever amen.

mr. president, i yield the floor. [applause] president. >> senate democratic leader. >> first let me concur in the remarks my colleague made about the tragedies in new orleans and on the west coast. in las vegas and we regret that. i want to say a word about jimmy carter last week america mourned the loss of one of the most decent and humble public servants we've ever seen. president jimmy carter. president carter was a living embodiment to leadership through service, compassion and of course justice for all. i have more to say about our president in the pressure in the coming days we will all have more about to say about the loss of this wonderful and

inspiring american. it's rare that someone leaves the presidency only to continue building his legacy to even higher levels as president carter did. that's a testament to how rare and special a person he was from improving rights to tireless efforts alongside his wife roslyn with habitat for humanity inspired millions with his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. we pray for his family we pray for his loved ones may his memory be a blessing and enduring reminder of what it means to truly serve. first, welcome to all of my colleagues to the 119th congress. i hope everyone had a blessed and happy start to the new year full of family and loved ones. i was lucky enough to have just that. today the senate begins a new chapter in its distinguished history, we began our work at a moment a crossroads for our

country. we convened at a time of uncertainty for american democracy american economy and for the future leadership of america on the world stage. these challenges that we face as a nation are great and so must be our resolve. when we first begin by acknowledging my friend and colleague the former republican leader senator mcconnell for as long as i said the democratic leader he sat opposite me across the aisle as he transitions away from leadership i would like to thank him for those important occasions where we work together despite our many serious disagreements. let me also congratulate another colleague i review republican leader john thune, leader thune and i have served in this chamber for a long time i know he is a good and decent american someone who loves his country, as we all do.

i know he just became leader of a moment ago so i hope he doesn't mind if i offer some unsolicited advice. the majority leader sets the tone and that tone determines how successful we will be moving forward. if we look back at the bills we passed in 21, 22, most originated in the senate. because both parties found ways to reach across the aisle. i want to work with the new republican leader to keep that bipartisan streak going in the new year. i don't expect we will agree on everything or even many things but there will still be opportunities to improve the lives of the american people if we are willing to work together. today i rdcongratulate leader thune and look forward to serving alongside them in the hundred 19 congress. let me also congratulate all of our returning colleagues who have just taken their oath of office. is a great honor to serve in this chamber with you.

the work we do in this chamber has the potential to create enormous prosperity for millions of americans and people. if we do our jobs right to challenge our new members as my new colleagues to make the most of the next six years it will go by faster than you think. on the democratic side, it brings me great joy and excitement to welcome our six new colleagues to the democratic caucus. i spent the last year or so getting to know every single one of them as candidates and seeing them finally raise their hands take the oath and walk amongst us as colleagues fills us all with pride. now every time democrats welcome new members to our caucus it's an exciting day but i am particularly excited to get to work with this uniquely talented new class. i expect we will accomplish many good things for the american people and prevent bad things from being done to them. this year's class is distinct

they are not only unusually experienced but many of them are making history by taking the oath of office. first i'd like to welcome senator ruben diego from the great state of arizona. senator diego arrives to the senate as a veteran legislator both literally and figuratively. he served our country as a member of the u.s. marine corps serve the people of arizona as longtime member of the house. amount of these taken the oath of office the people of arizona have hispanic senator representing them for the first time ever. from the state of delaware i'd like to welcome lisa blunt rochester. many of us know senator blunt rochester well because like many of our new colleagues she was longtime member of the house. five of our new six callings were house members so they have a lot of great experience. and where she climbed up the ranks of leadership to become

assistant went while serving on the influential committee on energy and commerce. like other history making members of our class senator blunt rochester is the first woman and the first person of color ever to represent delaware in the senate. let me welcome our new colleagues from maryland senator angela also brooks born and raised in prince georges county the youngest person and first woman ever elected as the top law enforcement officer of the county she grew up in. she has immense experience in fighting crime, standing up for victims of abuse and violence in helping working-class americans the county executive. she now ndbecomes the first african-american senator ever to serve in the state of maryland. from the state of michigan we are excited to welcome senator alyssa slotkin. another deeply experienced public servant another longtime veteran of the house and one of america's top national security experts that. she served in the cia under president bush and his department of defense under president obama.

finally, i would like to acknowledge tomorrow colleagues that will already taken their oath but deserve special recognition on this special day. a longtime member of the house senator schiff is a well-known leader to many of us admired for his thoughtfulness, eloquence, fears love for democracy. finally, last but certainly not least i like to congratulate our newest colleague from new jersey, senator andy kim. he boasted impressive record as longtime leader in the house top national security expert and diplomat in the first korean-american from any state to serve in the senate. to our new colleagues we say welcome. we are excited to work with you you stop we are ready to help you and as you find your bearings, we urge you will never to lose sight of the great responsibility you carry as a member of this body. the election is usbehind us, it time to look to the future.

now begins the hard work, the important work, the solemn work of rewarding the trust people have placed in us. very soon new administration will be issworn into office alongside the new majorities in congress. it can be summarized like this, democrats stand united not because of who we fight against but because of who we are fighting for, the american people. we are here ready to fight for the american people. we are here to fight for the working class of this country. we are here to build ladders of opportunity the middle class. democrats aren't monolith, we come from many different

states, many different opinions. but we grew up in places as varied as brooklyn new york and atlanta georgia the west coast east coast industrial midwest and everywhere in between. sometimes disagree. just as any tightknit family disagrees democrats are united fiercely united when it comes to fighting for working americans, for working families. in the months and years to come democrats will show where our values live through our actions and words and through the policies we push in this chamber. democrats are here to tackle the biggest problems that face our country. democrats are here because we need to make housing more affordable for the millions struggling to keep a roof over their heads. we need to make sure americans earn higher paychecks, keep more of their paychecks too. democrats are here because we

want to lower the cost of childcare and outrageously high expense too many american families. democrats are here to defend the women's right to choose to defend our fundamental liberties and defend the wellspring of democracy. we want to help our small business owners thrive and function as the engines in our economy. we want to help americans save more money when they go to the grocery store. when they go to the pharmacy. when they pay their cable and internet bill. we want to make sure americans aren't ripped off by giant corporations through hidden fees and predatory behavior. democrats stand ready to make lives better. for the american people. we want to work with anyone and hold the line whenever necessary to achieve that goal. mr. president, the time to get to work is now.

it's a new day. a new congress. and democrats stand united and ready to fight and deliver to the american people. yield the floor. note the absence of quorum. >> the clerk will call the rol . >> on capitol hill today the opening day and the start of the 119th congress in both the house and senate speaker mike johnson has been reelected by 3 vote margin. the final vote 218 to 215 with one another vote cast by kentucky thomas massey mike johnson successful in his bid to remain speaker of the 119th congress with the swearing in of members now underway you can watch live@c-span.org and we are expecting to see the swearing in of house