"Some in this Chamber are new to the House and Senate – and I congratulate the Democratic majority. /applause/ Congress has changed, but not our responsibilities. Each of us is guided by our own convictions – and to these we must stay faithful. Yet we are all held to the same standards, and called to serve the same good purposes: To extend this Nation’s prosperity - to spend the people’s money wisely - to solve problems, not leave them to future generations - to guard America against all evil, and to keep faith with those we have sent forth to defend us."
"We are not the first to come here with government divided and uncertainty in the air. Like many before us, we can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people. Our citizens don’t much care which side of the aisle we sit on – as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done. /applause/ Our job is to make life better for our fellow Americans, and help them to build a future of hope and opportunity – and this is the business before us tonight."