A tradition in the Senate required a newly elected member to wait a year or more before addressing his colleagues on the Senate floor. But that practice has been absent from the Senate for decades—until today.

Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb), elected a year ago today, decided he would first consult his colleagues and former senators extensively about the way the Senate works.  Today, having talked at length to more than half of them, including the leaders of both parties, he is set to deliver his initial speech.