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Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is not entirely clear yet how or when Congress will conclude its end-of-the-year business. But when the Senate does adjourn, I will just about mark the end of my tenure as the Republican leader.

I have made it clear this year that our colleagues haven't seen the last of me. I still fully intend to keep frustrating my critics in the years ahead. But while I still command this particular podium, I thought I might make a few observations I have picked up along the way.

Folks come to Washington to do one of two things: either to make a point or to make a difference--to make a point or to make a difference. It is usually not that hard to tell who is doing which, especially in situations like the one we are in right now.

The people who are here to make a difference recognize pretty quickly you never get everything you want, but, often, you can get quite a lot. And the folks who prefer to make a point have a funny habit of reminding us out loud how poorly they understand that fact.

I don't care to count how many times I have reminded our colleagues-- and our House counterparts--how harmful it is to shut the government down and how foolish it is to bet your own side won't take the blame for it.

Recent history doesn't leave a whole lot of room for interpretation on this one: When you try to use normal government function as a bargaining chip, you pay a political price.

That said, if I took it personally every time my advice went unheeded, I probably wouldn't have spent as long as I have in this particular job. Getting a legislative outcome in the Senate requires large majorities of people who don't share all of the same views to actually work together toward outcomes where they do see eye to eye.

We have had divided government here most of the time I have been in this job; neither side has owned the place. You have a choice: Do nothing or try to find things you can agree on and do them together.

With the exception of just one short period of a few months, this place hasn't seen a filibuster-proof Senate in 50 years. Getting things done almost inevitably requires dealing with a lot of people who disagree with you on most things.

And in the interests of stable, enduring outcomes, that is actually a good thing. Anyone who comes to the Senate hoping for a rigid, hard- line conformity and prompt action is barking up the wrong tree.

I have heard folks who like making a point, they would rather serve with 30 colleagues who all agree than with a majority who didn't. So if you want to accomplish absolutely nothing--nothing--sign up with the group that would rather serve with 30 people who all agree than those who have differences.

Everyone I know who is interested in making a difference understands pretty quickly that it requires that kind of interaction in order to achieve something.

Leading means letting folks take a walk when they need to and rallying together when we need to. I have been so grateful over the years to lead majorities that embrace these necessary rhythms. I am gratified by the trust they have placed in me, repeatedly, to determine what that moment requires. And I am so proud of the outcomes we have achieved for our country.

I am looking forward to spending the next Congress as a member of another majority in a set of capable hands. I am rooting hard for my friend John Thune and the leadership team our conference has assembled around him. There will be no shortage of important work to do, and I will stand ready to do my part.

Back in 2007, my first day in this job, I told our colleagues:

The Senate has no claim on greatness unless its power is put to great ends.

And I stated my view that ``the first duty of government is the defense and protection of its citizens.'' The Senate is great, and so is the Nation that it represents. But today, our Nation faces one great challenge from forces betting on our decline. And so that first duty of government is the task to which I will devote my efforts in the coming years.

Our prosperity and security depend on an order forged by American leadership and American strength--both of which require our urgent attention.

The arsenal of democracy must be restored. Peace through strength must, once again, actually mean something other than just a slogan, and I am going to do everything in my power to help continue this to be the greatest country in the world.

No one can do what we do internationally, and that is where I am going to put my focus for the next 2 years.

Thank you all for the opportunity.

(Applause, Senators rising.)

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