Susan Collins: “I rise to recognize the truly extraordinary contributions to the U.S. Senate, to her home State of Arizona, and to our…”

“I rise to recognize the truly extraordinary contributions to the U.S. Senate, to her home State of Arizona, and to our country of my friend and colleague Senator Kyrsten Sinema. The qualities that took Kyrsten from a difficult childhood to college, law school, the Arizona Legislature, and the U.S. Congress are evident to all of us who have had the privilege to work alongside such a remarkable leader. Her strength, courage, and fierce independence are inspiring. Her belief in the power of hard work and the importance of lending a hand to those in need guides her approach to public service. Most of all, I will never forget her persistence in forging compromises that benefit the American people. It truly is remarkable. Kyrsten always puts country over party. I had the privilege of working with Kyrsten on consequential legislation. She was the negotiator of the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act to ensure the orderly transition of Presidential power. She was the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure act, the most significant investment in our infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System in the fifties. Kyrsten's work to craft the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is yet another example. She coauthored the provisions to better prevent domestic abusers from having access to firearms.…”