[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 166 (Tuesday, November 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6500-S6501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Recognition of the Minority Leader

  The Republican leader is recognized.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page S6500, November 12, 2024, third column, the following 
appears: RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER The Republican leader 
is recognized.
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: RECOGNITION OF THE 
MINORITY LEADER The Republican leader is recognized.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


                         2024 Election Results

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, a week ago today, the American people 
stood to be counted. They lined up to make their voices heard, and the 
message they sent was resoundingly clear.
  Four years ago, they watched Washington Democrats take an economy 
that was primed for recovery and douse it in reckless taxing and 
inflationary spending. Over 4 years, they watched consumer prices rise 
more than 20 percent. As they made tough choices at the grocery store 
and felt the pain at the gas pump, they watched Washington Democrats 
deflect blame for the worst inflation in four decades. And last 
Tuesday, they said enough was enough.
  And 4 years ago, they watched Washington Democrats campaign on 
slashing ICE and halting construction of physical barriers along the 
southern border. Month by month, they watched as this unseriousness and 
willful neglect turned into the worst humanitarian and security crisis 
at the border on record. And last Tuesday, they said enough was enough.
  Also 4 years ago, they watched Washington Democrats campaign on 
defunding the police and going soft on crime. In cities across America, 
their fears of unchecked violent crime were proven justified. And last 
Tuesday, they said enough was enough.
  Last week, American voters were desperate for leaders who could 
deliver safe streets, secure borders, stable prices, and strength 
abroad. So they chose to hire Republicans. They maintained a Republican 
majority in the House; they created a decisive Republican majority in 
the Senate; and by a wide margin, they put the White House in 
Republican hands once again.
  The Nation surveyed its problems and decided that Republicans were 
equipped to put the ship of state back on the right track. Thus far, I 
have been encouraged by the lack of baseless

[[Page S6501]]

speculation that Tuesday's decisive result was influenced in any way by 
foreign interference. Washington Democrats appear to recognize that 
they are on the losing side of a legitimate, crystal-clear mandate.
  Here in the Senate, I hope they will work with the new Senate 
Republican majority as we begin to clean up the messes left over from 
the past 4 years. The first opportunities to work together are already 
upon us. The Senate has a great deal of outstanding business that we 
have to tackle in the coming weeks. We certainly need to pass the long 
overdue National Defense Authorization Act. Every year, the NDAA gives 
Congress an indispensable opportunity to set national security 
priorities. This year, it is a chance to show we appreciate the gravity 
of an especially dangerous moment. After months of needless dithering, 
I would urge the Democratic leader to get this must-pass legislation 
moving without further delay.
  We also need to work swiftly to deliver urgent supplemental 
assistance to the States and communities hit hard by natural disasters 
in recent months. Kentucky knows the power and pain of severe storms 
and flooding. This year, communities across the southeast recovering 
from major hurricane and flood damage deserve the Senate's attention 
and support.
  And before anyone gets home for the holidays, we will need to extend 
Federal government funding. As I have said before, there is never a 
political advantage to be gained from allowing core government 
functions to go dark. The 119th Congress and the 47th President must 
not inherit a Federal Government in the middle of a funding crisis. The 
work ahead of us will require all parties to operate quickly and in 
good faith. The American people deserve nothing less.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.