Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to thank the majority leader for his acknowledgement of this historic moment.

The senior Senator from Maine, our good friend, is about to cast, as we all know, her nine-thousandth consecutive rollcall vote.

Quite literally, as the occupant of the Chair knows, Senator Collins has never failed to discharge the most fundamental duty of her office.

According to the Historical Office, only one Senator in history has managed a longer streak of consecutive votes--and let's just say, Senator Collins is closing in on that record as well.

I hope our colleague is as proud of this accomplishment as we are of her. One thing is for certain: She didn't reach the milestone by accident. Senator Collins arrived as a freshman already well aware of the obligations of public service. After all, she was raised by not one but two smalltown mayors.

And as our colleagues know, one of those distinguished mayors--her mother, Patricia--passed away earlier this year, right as the government funding she had stewarded was nearing the finish line.

It was a situation that made the tension we have all felt at times between the demands of the Senate and of family. But as always, the example of the senior Senator from Maine was instructive: poised under pressure, prepared for any outcome, and as determined as ever to do right by the people she represents.

Day after day, year after year, our senior-most appropriator has demonstrated through her dedication that if you do your homework and show up to vote, most everything else will fall in line.

So I would like to add my congratulations to my good friend Senator Collins on this tremendous milestone. The people of Maine are lucky to have her.

(Applause, Senators rising.)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source