McConnell chokes on moving tribute to retired Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander

McConnell’s comments came moments before Alexander gave his own farewell speech to the House, where he had an outsized impact for three terms and earned a reputation as a pragmatic lawmaker who regularly worked from the office. across the aisle.

McConnell called his colleague “by far one of the brightest, most thoughtful and effective lawmakers we’ve ever seen,” praising his dedication to bipartisan work throughout his long career.

“I myself have leaned on Lamar’s wisdom for many years, but I think I relied just as much on his optimism, his dynamic spirit, his ability to look on the bright side and then discern how a job performed. more relentless could make it brighter. anyway, ”McConnell said, before taking a long break to collect his emotions before telling the bedrooms that he would miss his regular dinners with his friend.

McConnell was moved again at the end of his speech, saying, “I’m sorry that in a few weeks it’s just us who are left, but you are leaving this body and those of us in it and the nation there is. to serve stronger and better before your arrival. “

After McConnell spoke, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also wished Alexander farewell.

“Now Senator Alexander and I haven’t always been in agreement, but what an amazing and capable lawmaker and true statesman he has been,” the New York Democrat said.

In his speech, Alexander pleaded with the senators he leaves behind not to abandon the filibuster, the supermajority tool designed to calm the passions of the day and demand a bipartisan consensus to get approval for the measures some Democrats want to abolish. He also asked for more roll-call votes on key issues of the day which he says are often blocked by senators reluctant to vote politically hard.

Alexander also spoke about what he tells history professors he regularly invites to the Senate about how there really are two Washington DCs.

“Please suggest that your students watch Washington, DC as if it were a split-screen TV. On one screen are the tweets and confirmation hearings. But on the other screen, the Senators are working together to strengthen national defense, national laboratories, national parks and national health institutes, ”he said.

Alexander also quoted the late NAACP President Ben Hooks, who described America’s journey this way: “America is a work in progress. We have come a long way, and we have a long way. to browse.”