On the recordDecember 17, 2015
As we count down the remaining days on the 2015 legislative calendar, there is still quite a bit of work to do and a few more big-ticket items to put to bed. Still, even with so much still on our plates, I believe it is appropriate to take a look back at the year we are now finishing up and reflect on what we have been able to accomplish. Now, 2015 has been a big year in the Senate. After many years of unproductive division and stagnation, the Senate finally has returned to work. While some of my friends on the other side of the aisle have tried to downplay the productivity we have enjoyed under the current Senate leadership--and the Washington Post Fact Checker awarded them some Pinocchios for their efforts--no one can seriously argue that things haven't changed around here. Under the current Senate majority, the committees have been allowed to function and work. Under the current Senate majority, we have had fuller and fairer debates on the Senate floor. Probably most important of all, under the current Senate majority, the Senate has actually been doing the people's business. Instead of being bogged down with divisive, political show votes, we have tackled tough challenges-- including numerous challenges that have plagued this body for many years--and we have delivered results, usually with a strong bipartisan majority, which I find to be very heartening.…
