Good morning. What a good morning this is. A fantastic day, christmas coming early for the American People. The house and the Senate Working together, putting aside all different is with one clear of active, making sure the American People are heard. Making sure that Small Businesses have an opportunity to grow. We have seen a tremendous victory through this process and it is because of committed leaders behind me and trusted with the confidence of their voters to bring orth a tremendous victory. I am thank we are led in the senate by leader mcconnell who has done a fabulous job of bringing 52 cats, all working in different directions, together for one or this together for one purpose, to serve the American People. [applause] sen. Mcconnell thank you. This is a happy day indeed for the middle for the American People. We have used the examples of eagle parents making 41,000 a year getting a 73 reduction in their taxes, but its not just on the individual side. I am pleased to see america
That is a big story. The other big story we are watching is the potential for snow tomorrow night and thursday. I will show you where its going to be the best chance. How much and the timing of it coming up in a few minutes. Jonathan see you then. With the cold comes water main break. A water main break forcing the southbound traffic to one lane on New Hampshire avenue. The crews say they found a leak. They have to replace it. Its four feet of pipe that has to be replaced. That is the big job. The wssc says there have been more than 60 water main breaks across the region since friday. Up in baltimore a water main break. Look at this. This is where streets are covered with ice and trapping cars because the water shot out. Michelle a tough an exclusive look inside a home in Montgomery County where fireplace ashes are to blame for a weekend fire. Only on 7, the homeowner spoke exclusively about the hard lesson learned. We had a fire every day because of the cold. Exclusive look inside the
Him. We also welcome senator tina smith for three years she served the people of minnesota as their Lieutenant Governor and now she will join senator which are in representing them here in their senate. I congratulate both of them and look for to working with them in the months ahead to make bipartisan progress and find Common Ground on the behalf of the American People. The senate will need to tackle a number of important issues this year. It is my sincere hope that we can do so in a renewed source of comedy, collegiality and bipartisanship. I know the colic sample size of the aisle should the hope and it is urgent that we make it a reality. Congress must reach a spending agreement by generate 19 to ensure uninterrupted funding for the federal government, among several key priorities it is vital that our agreement to provide sufficient resources for our volunteers, armed forces. Under the budget control act American Military has been stretched thin by disproportion cuts that have harm
Republicans hold control of the chamber. Live now to the senate here on cspan2. The senate will come to order. The chaplain will lead the senate in prayer. The chaplain let us pray. Everlasting god, our light and our salvation, you are our strength and shield of our nation and world. Lord, as we receive the gift of this new year, we thank you for fresh starts and new mercies. May our lawmakers seize the seeds of opportunity that reside in the soil of their tomorrows, laboring diligently to assure an abundant harvest. Teach them to number their days, as they remember that they pass this way but once. Lord, remind them that your hand is on the helm of Human Affairs and that you still guide your world. Give our legislators the integrity to strive to do all the good they can for as many as they can, for as long as they can. Bless our senators who are leaving and those who are coming. We pray in your sovereign name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegi
Decision to retire at the end of his term. We will also hear from minority leader Chuck Schumer who discusse President Trump and Foreign Policy. S sen. Mcconnell as we open the second session of the 115th congress, we are pleased to welcome my colleagues back to the chamber. Welcome the two new senators just wanted. First senators doug jones will have take shoes to fill. His estate has sent distinguished legislators to washington including jeff sessions. Second having served served as a prosecutor in the Northern District of alabama and we welcome it. We also welcome tina smith. She searched the people of minnesota as lieutenant governor. Representoin and them in the senate. I welcome them both and look forward to working with them i make progress and find Common Ground on behalf of the people. Ae senate will need to tackle number of important issues this year. It is my sincere hope to do so in a spirit of collegiality and bipartisanship. I know colleagues on both side the hope andhare