January 23, 2013

" I am proud of the fact we expanded our majority this year, but I am particularly satisfied that with each passing election cycle our caucus better reflects the nation it serves”

“Our caucus, this Congress and the country face immense challenges. And as we approach those tests and trials, this diverse group of Democratic Senators will be united by a single objective: to fight for fairness and balance on behalf of the middle class.”

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor today about the freshman members of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet my Senate Democratic Caucus for the first time this year. It was the first opportunity for all of us to sit down together, to break bread together and to discuss the challenges and opportunities we face together. As the Majority Leader, I was gratified to see so many new faces and to have such an inclusive caucus.

There are nine new Senate Democrats. Four of those new Senators are women. In fact, the Senate has more Democratic women than ever before – a third of the caucus – as well as the Senate’s first Asian woman. I am proud of the fact we expanded our majority this year, but I am particularly satisfied that with each passing election cycle our caucus better reflects the nation it serves.

But despite the diversity of this caucus – and in particular its freshman – there is one quality shared by each Democratic Senator: a deep and abiding patriotism. Governor Adlai E. Stevenson once said, “Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” I was pleased yesterday to be surrounded by so many dedicated public servants – new members and old alike – who have devoted their lives to making their individual states and our shared nation a better place to grow up, grow a family and grow old.

Each new Democratic member is accomplished in his or her own right. Our new caucus members include two former governors, a Harvard Law professor and an engineer, just to name a few. But while they have each accomplished so much already, their greatest achievements are still ahead of them. I know they will look back with satisfaction on the work we do together in the United States Senate.

Our caucus, this Congress and the country face immense challenges. And as we approach those tests and trials, this diverse group of Democratic Senators will be united by a single objective: to fight for fairness and balance on behalf of the middle class.

Today I will continue to work with the Republican Leader today on a package of reforms that will help the Senate operate more efficiently. I remain cautiously optimistic we will be able to move forward on a bipartisan basis. However, Democrats reserve the right of all Senators to propose changes to Senate rules. And we will explicitly not acquiesce in the carrying over of all the rules from the last Congress.