Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Welcoming New Democratic Senators-Elect
Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the welcoming the six new Democratic senators-elect for the 119th Congress. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to formally welcome all the new Democratic senators-elects for the first time since their victories. I’ve gotten to know each and every one of them individually over the course of the campaign, but it was truly special to see them all together here in the Senate, not as candidates but as leaders ready to get to work.
There are two things that make this incoming class of senators special: they are not only extremely high caliber – each one of them – but many will be making history.
First, I am also thrilled to welcome Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks. Senator-elect Alsobrooks will become the first African American senator ever from the State of Maryland. She is the kind of leader the people of Maryland deserve: born in Maryland, educated in Maryland, and has spent her entire career serving the people of her state.
Our new member from Delaware, Senator-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, will also become the first woman and first person of color to ever represent “The First State” in this chamber. She's had a fabulous career in the House, and is going to do really fine things for her state and for her country here in the Senate.
Senator-elect Ruben Gallego of Arizona will become Arizona’s first-ever Latino senator, in a state where nearly one-third of the population is Hispanic. He is the son of a Colombian mother and Mexican father, raised in a single parent household who joined the marines and served in Iraq. Like the other members of the House who are coming here, all five have done great jobs in the House and certainly deserved elevation. He was a fabulous member of the House and became a leader on so many different issues.
Senator-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey will become the first Korean American to serve in the Senate. His story is the embodiment of the American Dream – the son of Korean immigrants, a product of New Jersey public schools, an outstanding public servant in the House, and now a United States senator-elect. Like his colleagues, a fabulous career in the House and soon to embark on a fabulous career in the Senate.
We also welcome to Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, a third-generation Michigander, a leading voice in our national security. She served in the CIA under George Bush – truly a bipartisan credential – and in the Department of Defense. In the House, she was a real leader on foreign policy and defense and intelligence issues. She's going to follow in the footsteps of our friend Debbie Stabenow and do a great job.
Finally, I’d like to welcome Senator-elect Adam Schiff of California, a longtime leader among House Democrats, one of the leaders in the House, who established himself as a leader shortly after he got there. He’s the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee and just an amazing and articulate voice on so many issues. He’ll be taking the place of Senator Laphonza Butler.
And finally, let me say this, all this new generation of senators on our side is the most diverse slate of candidates ever. Senators-elect Blunt Rochester and Alsobrooks will mark the first time in the Senate’s history that two Black women hold office at the same time.
Senator Kim is the first Korean American to serve. Senator Gallego expands the number of Hispanic representatives in our Senate.
And so we've set a record. Not only are there five great House members and then a great executive of Prince George's County, but of our six senators-elect, a majority are people of color – qualified, hardworking people of color. That's a great thing for the Senate, and it's a great thing for the United States of America.
I congratulate each of them and say we can't wait to get to work with you.
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