Joe Manchin: “I, too, rise in congratulating the Senator from North Dakota on his maiden speech. I have known then- Governor Hoeven…”

“I, too, rise in congratulating the Senator from North Dakota on his maiden speech. I have known then- Governor Hoeven for quite some time. His wife and my wife have been very good friends. What you heard is basically a background of the success he has had in the leadership of his great State. What you don't know is his ability to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan manner. I can only say that John is a dear friend, and John is the type of personality we need in this body to mend this partisan gridlock in which we find ourselves. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to still be a colleague of his, and I look forward to many years of success working together, reaching out, finding the problems we have, addressing the problems, and then, like a good Governor, taking them on and making some good decisions, as he has done so well in North Dakota. So, my good friend, it is so good to have you here. Congratulations.”