On the recordDecember 31, 2012
I want to say this: To make laughter out of this, to ridicule it--it addresses all of us because I have been working with Senators across the aisle and they have been working with us. We all take this very, very seriously. This is not a joke. This is not something to make fun of. This is not something to politicize. This is something where we should rise above politics and do what is right for the future of America even though it is difficult. This is not doing what many of us would like to do, but we have been working together, Democrats and Republicans, and I can name dozens of Democrats who think this is a serious matter and who have been working hard for the last 2 years to try to address it, as frustrated as we are on this side. So let's understand this is not a game. This is real. Let's work together to do what we can do and then continue to address the real issues as we go forward in 2013. With that, I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
