“The Democrat Party has been hijacked by socialists. Now, they’re holding the American people hostage. Why? Because Democrats are radical and extreme.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the historic achievements of President Donald J. Trump and Republicans in the face of Democrat obstruction.
Senator Barrasso discussed how one year of unified Republican government has secured the border, boosted the economy, unleashed American energy, and restored peace through strength. Senator Barrasso also contrasted the Republican successes with a Democrat party that has been hijacked by socialism.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“One year ago today, the American people rejected the high prices, rejected the open borders, and rejected the weakness of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They voted to get America back on track. To do so, they voted for unified Republican government.
“Republicans won a historic victory. President Trump won every single battleground state. He won the popular vote. He moved 2,793 counties to the right. That’s 89 percent of the counties in the United States. Senate Republicans won a 53-seat majority. House Republicans retained their majority as well. Americans gave Republicans a mandate to secure the border, to rebuild the economy, to unleash American energy, and to restore America’s strength. One year later, America is getting back on track. The results are undeniable.
“For the first time in years, America’s borders are secure. For the past five months, absolutely zero illegal immigrants have been released into the country. Gone are the days under Joe Biden when 10,000 illegal immigrants poured into our country each and every day. When Joe Biden was president, over 10 million illegal immigrants flooded into our nation. Illegal immigrants were incentivized with free healthcare, free plane tickets, free hotel rooms, free meals, and free cell phones. That era is over. President Trump is removing illegal immigrant criminals from our communities across the country. Republicans in Congress are finishing the wall, hiring more border agents, and investing in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The drug cartels are on notice. The border is closed. America is protecting our people again. Today, our communities are safer.
“The economic turnaround has been just as dramatic. American energy dominance is back. Gas prices have dropped to their lowest point in four years. AAA reports prices are expected to ‘continue to fall and perhaps stay low over the busy Thanksgiving travel period.’ Inflation has cooled. Under Joe Biden, prices soared by more than 21 percent. Under President Trump, private sector real wages are up by over $1,100 this year. The economy grew 3.8 percent in the second quarter of this year. More strong growth is expected. The Atlanta Federal Reserve predicts third quarter growth could be 4 percent.
“You might ask yourself – what is at the heart of this economic comeback? Let me tell you. The Working Families Tax Cuts – which was passed by this Congress and signed into law by President Trump – is at the heart of this economic comeback. This is the most pro-worker, pro-family tax relief in years. In Wyoming alone, families could save $2,400 this year because of the tax cuts. Waiters, barbers, and bartenders keep $1,300 more by having to pay no tax on tips. Nurses, firefighters, and police officers keep $1,400 more by having to pay no tax on overtime. New parents get a $1,000 ‘Trump Account’ for every newborn child to invest in their future. All parents get a bigger child tax credit – $2,200 more per child per year. Seniors will keep more as well. There is a new $6,000 deduction on Social Security income. Farmers, ranchers, and small business owners get relief from the much-dreaded Death Tax. That’s what it means to stand with working Americans.
“Let’s be clear. If Democrats had their way, families would be paying more. A lot more. Every single Democrat voted for the largest tax increase in American history. Every single Democrat voted for a $4 trillion tax increase. Had Democrats succeeded, families, seniors, and small businesses would have been financially crushed. Every Democrat voted for the government to take more. Republicans voted for Americans to keep more of what they earn. That’s the difference between Democrats and Republicans.
“One year ago, American voters rejected a weak America and a dangerous world. Today, they see the resurgence of American strength. We are defending our interests and deterring our enemies. Military recruitment has surged to its highest point in 15 years. Morale is high. Deterrence is back. President Trump crippled Iran’s nuclear program. He strengthened the success of the Abraham Accords. He secured the release of the hostages in Gaza. He ended wars around the world not once, not twice, but eight times. President Trump is the President of Peace, and he’s achieving that peace through strength. These are the policies Americans want, need, and voted for.
“Regrettably, Senate Democrats still can’t bring themselves to support this success. They voted against securing the border, against lower taxes, against strengthening Medicaid, against everything that helps working Americans. Here in the Senate, for months, they delayed hundreds of routine and bipartisan nominees. It was an unprecedented blockade.
“Now, Democrats have set a new, shameful record. Today, they broke the record for the longest government shutdown in American history. During the 36 days of the Schumer Shutdown, Democrats have voted against reopening the government 14 times. That’s 14 votes against paying our troops, against paying our federal workers, against paying our air traffic controllers, against paying our Border Patrol agents, and against paying our TSA agents.
“The Democrat Party has been hijacked by socialists. Now, they’re holding the American people hostage. Why? Because Democrats are radical and extreme. Gallup pollsters tell us, only one in three Democrats are proud to be an American. That’s half the number of last year. The party of JFK is gone. Theirs is now the party of AOC. Democrats are now the party of socialism and censorship, of weakness and wokeness. Yesterday, in New York City, they elected as mayor a socialist who wants to defund the police, abolish prisons, and give illegal immigrants free healthcare. That’s the Democrats’ vision for America’s future. It is dangerous and destructive.
“One year ago, Americans chose a better path. They chose safety, prosperity, and common sense. As a result, today, America is moving in the right direction. We will continue to fight to get America back on track.”
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