WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, spoke on the Senate Floor today to highlight Republican’s agenda for safety and prosperity. The Republican bill will stop the Democrats’ $4 trillion tax increase, lower prices, secure the border, and create more American jobs.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“Let’s be honest – the last few years are best described as a time of record-high prices and wide-open borders. Prices soared by 20 percent – a 40-year high. 10 million illegal immigrants flooded across our borders. American families struggled. Communities were unsafe.
“In November, American citizens said, ‘enough.’ They rejected Democrat chaos and extremism. They chose Republicans to get the country back on track. The bill we will be voting on this week is the Republican plan for a safer and more prosperous America. It is a plan to cut taxes, to lower prices, to secure the border, and to strengthen our nation. It is a blueprint to renew, rebuild, and restore our country. Here’s how.
“First, our bill stops a $4 trillion tax increase. That would be the biggest tax increase in our nation’s history. Every Senate Democrat has vowed to stop our bill. That’s because Democrats are the party of record-high taxes. If Democrats have their way, every working family in America will face a higher tax bill next year. If you make between $30,000 to $80,000 each year – when our bill passes – you get a 15 percent tax cut.
“We cut taxes on overtime, on Social Security, and on tips. If you’re a waiter, a police officer, or a nurse, you keep more of what you earn. If you’re on Social Security, you will see more money each month through a larger deduction. This is real relief after years of painfully high prices.
“Additionally, our bill strengthens Medicaid. Medicaid exists to help the vulnerable – children, pregnant mothers, and the disabled. Right now, Medicaid is failing them. The problem is waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Experts tell us that, in the past ten years, over $1.1 trillion has been wasted on improper payments. In states such as California, money meant for the vulnerable was siphoned off. It was diverted to pay for free healthcare for illegal immigrants. Our bill stops that. We also add work requirements for able-bodied, working-age people. If you can work, you should. That’s how we move people from poverty to a paycheck.
“Additionally, our bill secures the border and deports illegal immigrants. The border was wide open for years. We’ve all seen the numbers and the videos –
the crime and the chaos. And we’ve seen how quickly things can change with real leadership. Our bill invests $160 billion in public safety. Hiring 10,000 new Immigration and Customs agents. Hiring 3,000 new Border Patrol agents. Finishing the Wall. And giving our officers a bonus for keeping our communities safe.
“Additionally, our bill unleashes American energy. Under Joe Biden, energy prices rose 31 percent in 4 years. We fix that by producing more energy right here at home. We open up energy production onshore, offshore, and in Alaska. That means affordable gas prices and lower energy bills. It creates more American jobs. It powers innovation here at home. America is an energy superpower. It’s time we act like it.
“Additionally, our bill restores American strength. For four years, under Joe Biden, the world saw American weakness. This bill – as well as our actions last weekend – sends a clear message: America is strong again. We invest $150 billion in our military. We build 13 new warships. We boost shipbuilding capabilities. Remember, strength deters. Weakness invites aggression. A ready America is a safe America.
“This is what Americans want, need, and voted for. Lower taxes. Safe communities. Secure borders. A strong economy. Leaders who put common sense over crime and chaos. That’s exactly what our bill delivers. This bill keeps the promises we made to the American people.
“A vote against this bill saddles hardworking Americans with the largest tax increase ever, open borders, and a weaker country. That’s what the Democrats are fighting for.
“We know what works. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan tamed inflation, cut taxes, and stood strong. It was morning in America. In the 1990s, Republicans worked in a bipartisan way with President Bill Clinton to reform welfare. Millions moved from poverty to paychecks. We need to do that again. In 2017, we cut taxes, rolled back red tape, and unleashed American energy. It created the greatest economy of my lifetime. Middle class income rose by nearly $6,000. Energy was affordable. We did it before. With our bill, we will do it again.
“Today, Senate Republicans stand united to deliver lower prices, higher wages, and more jobs here at home. This bill opens the next chapter in our great American comeback story. Republicans will get America back on track.”
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