counterparts to do more. again things could change tomorrow and if hamas accepts a cease-fire deal that would end thefi violence we continue to se the region. thanks everyone. happy new year.

suppressant before i begin my remarks about clinton the deadly terrorist attack that took place in new orleans in the early hours of new year's day. this isis inspired -- took the livesye of people and injured lives of others. my are with all those grieving the loss of a loved one and that the injured and their families. in las vegas law enforcement agents are working around-the-clock to understand the motivation of an armed soldier who grew up with hezbollah truck in front of the trump hotel on the same day injuring seven others.

we expect our federal state and local law enforcement to pursue every lead so the american people understand what led to both of these attacks. mr. president i wantt, to mentin the passing of former president jimmyt carter's who died peacefully on december 29th at his home in georgia at the age of 100 but he was governor of georgia, president of united states and perhaps better known for the work he did after leaving office 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 but todayt just want to extend y condolences and my to his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they mourn their father and grandfather. mr. president i want to welcome members to the 119 congress particularly the freshmen senators who took the oath of office ss this morning.

congratulations to the new secretary of the senate to grace out the code and in the new senate sergeant at arms for assuming the role today. i'm grateful for their service. the words of the oath which we here at the start of each congress are a reminder of a profound responsibility with which we have been entrusted to support and defend the constitution of the united states. 237 years ago representatives from the states gather together in philadelphia pennsylvania and produce something essentially unique in human history a blueprint for a new country founded on history and their conquest on a set of ideas. it was not a perfect document as her bonders attested to by making provisions for amendments but it was and remained with the greatest important political documents in the history of the world. it's made us as a country, it's made us a country that people around the world looked to as a

beacon l of freedom a shining cy on the hill. it's a solemn responsibility of those of us here in congress to preserve our constitution to guard against enemies foreign and domestic and to ensure that if -- it continues to stand and our nation stands as a bulwark of freedom and human rights. mr. president when it came time toti draft the constitution the founders established safeguards checks and balances throughout our government to keep the government in check and assure the rights of all americans to be protected through one of those safeguards was the united states senate. his discussion of the senate to quote the second granted legislative assembly distinct from and dividing power with a all cases the salutary check on the government.k it doubles the security of its peopleur by requiring the concurrence of two distinct

bodies in the usurpation of perfidy. he further notes and i quote again as the improbability of combinations will be in proportion to the dissimilarity and the genius of the two bodies that must be politic to distinguish them from each other by everyem circumstance and all proper measures and the genuine principals of republican government end quote. and the founders did indeed distinguish the house from the senate. it made the senate smaller and senators terms of office longer than tents at creating a more stable more thoughtful more deliberative legislative body to check intemperate legislation to protect the rights of the american people. for the past 230 years it tastes structure that has served his this nation well. forcefully today there a lot of people out there who'd like to

see the senate turn into a copy of the house of representatives. that mr. president is not what our founders intended.ou nor not what our country needs. one of my priorities is to make sure the senate stays the senate preserving the. filibuster. it's had the greatest impact in preserving the founders vision of the united states senate. it means restoring the senate is a place for discussion and liberation and that includes empowered committee's restoring order and engaging in extended debate on the senate floor were all members should have the chance to make their voices and the voices of their constituents heard. we have a lot of do in this congress. border security extending the taxrd relief for the first trump administration lifting burdensome and expensive government regulations to help american businesses and families flourishes.

providing for nation's defense in an increasingly unstable world bringing appropriations to the floor first serious deliberations that we make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars and overdue farm bill for farmers and ranchers to reflect current agriculturero needs. mr. president the list goes on. mr. president past years i've listened to speeches delivered by other leaders welcoming members to the congress and the discussing the agenda for the coming months and i find myself in the position of delivering that speech. my republican colleagues have trusted me to lead our party in the senate in the next congress and i will work every day to be worthy of that trust. my velocity leadership comes from my dad.da he was al basketball coach at or high school and had very strong opinions about the right wayut o play. sports to him was not about personal glory. it's about elevating the team. he ball. someone else was in a better position to take the shot he

always made the extra pass. it's an attitude which i've tried to carry with me throughout my life. it's an attitude i intend to carry with me through all this. my job is to be of service so my colleagues into our country. mr. president i'm here today addressing the senate in this role because of the confidence my colleagues continue. i'm here first of all because of the confidence placed in me by the people of south dakota. without the trust they give me a would have had an opportunity to serve at all much less had the opportunity is serve as majority leader of the united states senate. and my first priority here in congresss we always, always sere the people of the state. i grew up in a small town in south dakota. now to capitol hill for the u.s. house or money of swearing in. live coverage here.

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♪ the house will be in order. >> this year's c-span celebrates 45 years covered congress like no other. since 1979 we have been your primary source for capitol hill bells unfiltered coverage of government. taking you to where the policy is debated and decided with the support of america's cable company. c-span, 45 years and counting. powered by cable. attention middle and high school students across america. it is time to make your voice heard. c-span student him documentary 20 type is here. this is your chance to create a documentary that inspires change, raise awareness and make

an impact to put your documentary should answer this year's question, your message to the president but what issue is most important to you for your community. whether you are passionate about politics, the environment, or community stories. student cam is your platform to share your message with the world. $100,000 in prizes including a grand prize of $5000. this is your opportunity it not only to make an impact, but also be rewarded for your creativity an hard work. enour submissions today. scan the code visit student cam.org for all of the detai on how to enter. the deadline is january 20, 2025. >> coming out white house press secretary updates president biden pending trip to new orleans to meet with the families of new year's bourbon street attack that killed 14 people. it's