00:00Without objection.
00:01And Madam President, I would ask unanimous consent for members to have an opportunity to speak here
00:07to acknowledge a very important landmark here in the United States Senate.
00:11Without objection.
00:14Madam President, 10,000 votes.
00:18Not only that, 10,000 consecutive votes.
00:22That's the milestone that Maine Senator Susan Collins will hit today.
00:3110,000 consecutive votes here in the United States Senate.
00:36For nearly 30 years, Susan Collins has shown up for Mainers.
00:40Has ensured that they are represented in every single vote the Senate takes.
00:47No matter what.
00:49Not just the headline-making votes.
00:53Every vote.
00:55Without fail.
00:57Madam President, Susan takes pride in the milestones that she's achieved.
01:02Not because of any desire to have her name in the history books.
01:06But because to her, these votes are a tangible marker of the goal that she's set for herself since she
01:14came to the United States Senate.
01:15And that is ensuring that Mainers always have a voice.
01:20Or in her own words, and I quote,
01:23No one works harder than the people of Maine.
01:26And I have always sought to reflect that dedication by showing up to ensure our state is represented in the
01:32Senate for every single vote.
01:36End quote.
01:38Well, Mr. President, she's delivered on that commitment.
01:41Thirty years of serving the people of Maine.
01:44And Susan Collins has never missed a chance to represent them.
01:50And so, Susan, congratulations on this incredible milestone.
01:57And thank you.
01:58Thank you for your example of service.
02:02Mr. President, I yield the floor.
02:24I want to join my colleague and all of my colleagues in congratulating Susan Collins, who will cast her 10
02:31,000th consecutive roll call vote in the Senate.
02:34In a few moments.
02:37No matter what has been going on in the world or in her life,
02:41Senator Collins has never, never missed a vote in her entire Senate career.
02:47This is truly a remarkable milestone.
02:50Many of us try hard to make every vote.
02:53Senator Collins has actually done it.
02:56Ten thousand times in a row.
02:59Senator Collins and I belong to different parties and do not always see eye to eye.
03:06But ten thousand consecutive roll call votes is an extraordinary streak by any measure.
03:13And I congratulate her on reaching it.
03:39Democratic whip.
03:41Mr. President, I want to join in extending my heartfelt congratulations to my colleague and friend, Senator Collins, as she
03:48marks this incredible milestone.
03:50The first senator in America's history to have cast 10,000 consecutive votes in the United States Senate is an
03:59impressive demonstration of endurance and determination.
04:02And I salute you for it.
04:05We came to the Senate the same day.
04:08And so I asked my staff to check how many votes I had cast.
04:12It turns out somewhere along the way I've been denied over a hundred opportunities to vote that Senator Collins had.
04:20I've called on the permanent subcommittee on investigations to look into this.
04:24I can't imagine what happened here.
04:27But this much I am sure.
04:30This is a true record and it's one that reflects her commitment to public service.
04:35And in my case, friendship.
04:37We have worked together in many different capacities.
04:39I remember the days after 9-11 when your extraordinary leadership with Senator Lieberman, if I'm not mistaken, led to
04:48a complete reform of the intelligence agencies in our nation.
04:53It was a dynamic legislative achievement.
04:57And I've talked to you about it many times.
05:00Over the years, we've worked together on many issues.
05:02We invited one another to our home states for town meetings.
05:06I don't know what a Northeaster is, but I can tell you that was the damnedest rainstorm I've ever been
05:11through.
05:11When I went to Maine, I won't forget it.
05:13But our friendship is sound and my admiration for your achievement is one that's on the record for all to
05:20witness.
05:21Congratulations.
05:37Madam President.
05:40Senator from Maine.
05:41I want to rise to also congratulate my colleague on a truly remarkable achievement that reflects her character and dedication
05:50to the people of this country.
05:53And I have to tell a very short story.
05:56She and I were together at a presentation once in Maine, sitting next to one another.
06:00And I got my report of how many times I had voted that session.
06:04It was 99.2.
06:06And I very proudly turned to Senator Collins and said, look, 99.2.
06:11Her response was, you'll never catch me.
06:16And what she has achieved by this record is really remarkable.
06:21Our state is not one where the weather is always favorable and it's always easy to get here.
06:27And to have maneuvered through bad storms, snowstorms, nor'easters, and to be here for every single vote since the
06:36first day she set foot in this chamber is a truly remarkable achievement.
06:40And I want to add my voice to those that have congratulated her and recognized her tonight for this.
06:46Thank you, Senator Collins.
06:56Thank you, Senator Collins.
07:16Senator Lord, President.
07:17Senator Ma 때는.
07:18Senator MaСТ.
07:18Senator Ma 저기, Senator Maarten.
07:19Senator Maarten.
07:20Senator Maarten I just want to thank my colleagues for their kind comments for
07:24being on the floor on an occasion, which means so much to me.
07:30Growing up in northern Maine, in Aroosica County, I learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and keeping
07:40your commitments.
07:42Mainers are known for their work ethic, and I have strived to bring those values here
07:51to my work, representing them in the United States Senate.
07:56It is such an honor, and I am so grateful for the support of my colleagues.
08:03Thank you so much.
08:05Thank you very much.
08:35Thank you so much.
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