59th Inauguration Ceremonies

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, the Senate returns to session today for what will be a very busy and consequential period. Tomorrow, we will celebrate one of democracy's core attributes: the peaceful transfer of power, albeit under much different circumstances than most Americans are used to.

Rioters, insurrectionists, White supremacists, and domestic terrorists tried to prevent the transfer of power. They were incited by none other than the President of the United States. They have failed. Though they have made the transition of power anything but peaceful, democracy's oldest and most revered tradition, the peaceful passing of the torch, will take place tomorrow.

We must remain vigilant. We must remain strong. If we do, democracy will always prevail. Despite what these evil terrorists tried to do, the peaceful passing of the torch will take place tomorrow as it has for generations.

In the weeks since the attack, the Nation has learned about the heroism displayed by many Capitol Police officers on January 6. I want to again thank those officers who protected Members and staff. Let us also recognize the bravery of one officer in particular, Brian Sicknick, who was killed in the line of duty.

I also want to acknowledge those members of the fourth estate for their efforts during these difficult times, for continuing to shine a light on what is happening at the Capitol, sometimes at great personal risk.

Now, in the wake of the despicable assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, we have taken precautions to ensure the safety of the Inauguration of President-Elect Biden tomorrow. Senate leadership has been in close and constant communication with the Secret Service, the FBI, the National Guard, and the D.C. police. As we speak, there are more troops around the Capitol than there are in Afghanistan. No force--no force--will prevent tomorrow's constitutional proceedings from taking place.

Tomorrow, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be administered the oath of office. They will be sworn into the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States, and the powers vested in our Chief Executive will flow to a new office holder, a peaceful passing of the torch, as it has been for over two centuries in the grand tradition of democracy in the United States of America.

Tomorrow, the country will turn the page on the most chaotic and divisive Presidency that can ever be remembered. We will begin again the hard work of unifying and healing this Nation, defeating the pandemic, recovering our economy, and repairing our standing and stature in the world--and this is just the beginning.

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