Today, we celebrate the strength of our democracy. Americans from all throughout the country turned out in record numbers to vote and make their thoughts known. This turnout demonstrates a strong dedication to our democratic ideals, which we can all be proud of. Our warmest gratitude goes out to the poll workers who worked diligently to make this election safe, fair, and accessible. They embody the ethos of service that underpins our democracy.
I also congratulate President Trump on his victory. He is our President, and I am fully committed to assisting him in taking this country forward. Vice President Kamala Harris deserves our thanks as well, as she gave her concession address with dignity this afternoon. The peaceful transfer of power is still the foundation of our democracy, and her dedication to that tradition deserves our respect and gratitude.
As we think on this election, one clear lesson emerges: the candidate who appeals to the sensible majority of Americans, or the center, wins. Yes, the more radical voices on both sides of the aisle came out to support their candidates. However, neither faction alone could win this election. The rational majority of our country has made the difference.
It is also true that candidates who campaign for the moderate middle but govern from their base come to regret their decision. This was true for both Presidents Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. Each spent their first term catering to the extremes of their party. And in each case, people punished them in the subsequent election.
In the 2024 election, Trump was once again the candidate best equipped to communicate with the rational majority’s issues, including prioritizing the economy, safeguarding our borders, and answering to the essential needs of working Americans. I urge President Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress to remember who elected them to office.
Let me be clear: this result was not a triumph for extremism, but rather a rejection of the narrative that our country is trapped by polarization and unable to find common ground. The truth is that America still has a solid, rational middle class that is looking for leaders that can provide genuine, practical solutions to their everyday problems. Year after year, the middle screams for change – not for the sake of change, but because they’ve been let down by too many empty promises from leaders who, once elected, ignore the center and gravitate toward partisanship.
If any leader or party wants to achieve a long-term majority in America, they must deliver for the rational majority. They must prioritize measures with broad appeal and that address the concerns of hardworking families. This is what middle-class governance looks like, and it is necessary if we are to rebuild trust in our institutions.
It is also critical that we defend and maintain the checks and balances that underpin our democracy. In an era of heightened partisanship, how we make our laws is just as important as the laws we pass. For example, the 60-vote Senate filibuster compels both parties to collaborate and prevents one side from forcing major changes whenever control switches. Making America great demands collaboration and common sense. It cannot and should not be a party line vote.
Now that the election is over, I encourage all Americans to join me in putting partisanship aside and focusing on the route to increased prosperity. The demonization of our fellow countrymen must stop. I hope we can find common ground and make the necessary concessions to restore prosperity, safeguard our security in a difficult world, and leave a better country for our children and grandkids.
I wish President Trump success in this attempt because, in the end, when our president succeeds, so does our country. Healing and togetherness will be difficult, but they are necessary if we are to address the urgent concerns confronting American families today.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that Americans are robust and resilient. We overcame the Civil War, mourned the loss of leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, we triumphed because our democracy—and our people—are founded on common principles and strength.
This time requires us to reconfirm our commitment to one another and to the ideas that define us as a country. We can and must move forward together. We can overcome any difficulty if we work together, have a common goal, and respect each other.