“When it comes to the economy, Americans trust Republicans over Democrats… They are seeing Senate Republicans fighting for them.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the commonsense Republican agenda that is getting America back on track.
Senator Barrasso also discussed how Republicans are continuing to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominees at a record fast pace despite Democrats’ historic obstruction at every turn.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“I rise to share outstanding economic news with the nation. America is getting back on track.
“Americans want, need, and voted for affordable prices. Today, inflation is at a four-year low. Inflation has fallen every month since President Trump and Republicans took office. Americans want, need, and voted for higher wages. Income has risen every month since President Trump and Republicans took office. Americans want, need, and voted for affordable groceries. Egg prices have dropped 61 percent under Republican leadership.
“Today, Americans are feeling upbeat about the economy. Last month brought the largest boost in consumer confidence in four years. Americans are confident about their future. A majority of Americans say the country is finally heading in the right direction. This is after four years of painfully high prices.
“CNN’s own poll this weekend found that Republicans have a better economic plan than Democrats. Not by one point. Not by two points. By twelve points. Double digits. When it comes to the economy, Americans trust Republicans over Democrats. CNN on-air reporters appeared shocked and stunned.
“Americans trust us because they are seeing real results. They are seeing Senate Republicans fighting for them. Republicans have used the Congressional Review Act to reverse 18 punishing Joe Biden regulations. The most recent was ending California’s left-wing electric vehicle mandate. You remember – that’s the one that said you had to buy an electric car. They were going to ban gas-powered cars by the year 2035. We got rid of that, and the American people are grateful.
“Now, we’re working on a comprehensive economic plan to deliver safety and prosperity for all Americans. Here are the facts.
“Republicans are committed to stopping a $4 trillion Democrat tax increase. It would be the biggest tax increase in American history. We cannot let it happen. We’ll also cut taxes on tips and overtime. Hardworking Americans will keep more of what they earn. Seniors will keep more of their Social Security. They’ve earned it.
“Republicans will also strengthen Medicaid for Americans who need it. Medicaid is a vital service. Let’s talk about those who need it. Because it is a trillion-dollar program, what we see is that billions of dollars are being lost year after year to not just waste, fraud, and abuse, but also to corruption. That’s taking the resources away from the people who need it.
“Remember, it was Democrats who put millions upon millions of healthy, working-age adults onto Medicaid. Many of them refuse to work. Democrats want them to stay on Medicaid forever. Republicans want to help them find a job.
“The American Enterprise Institute came out with a report last week that said how non-disabled Medicaid recipients without children spend their time. Let’s take a look at how folks who are working-age individuals who choose not to work – who are taking Medicaid benefits – spend their time. How’s it working? How do they spend their time?
“For Medicaid recipients who are not working, they say that after sleeping, watching television, and playing video games is how they spend their time. How much time? An average of 4.2 hours per day watching television and playing video games, rather than looking for work, or working, or volunteering, or in school, or education, or preparing themselves to work. Apparently, they spend about 22 minutes looking for work. Quite a disproportionate effort.
“It shows where their priorities are. They’re not looking for jobs. They’re not looking to get off of Medicaid. They like the life of television and video games, and the Democrats want them to stay on it forever. And they want the American taxpayers to pay for it. The American people are fed up with that sort of abuse of our taxpayer dollars.
“It was also the Democrats who gave 1.4 million illegal immigrants Medicaid benefits. How many people in our home states want that to happen? Very few in my home state. Well, the California Governor wants to add even more illegal immigrants onto their Medicaid rolls. Republicans want Medicaid for Americans who need it, not for 1.4 million illegal immigrants.
“It was Democrats who spent $1.8 billion from Medicaid on transgender surgeries for minors. How many people in our home states think that is a good use of government money?
“Republicans will also unleash affordable, reliable American energy. That will lower prices at the gas station and on electric bills. These are the things that are making the economy strong. Senate Republicans are building a stronger, more prosperous America. That’s why we have such good economic news and why people are saying, ‘Yes, we’re getting onto the right track.’
“Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are committed to obstructing Republicans’ agenda at every step along the way. They are trying to stop President Trump from getting his team in place. Democrats are filibustering every one of the President’s nominees.
“By the end of this week, Senate Republicans will have confirmed 74 Trump nominees since January. Senate Democrats will have filibustered 73 of them. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the only exception. And then in the Foreign Relations Committee last week, they said, ‘We’re sorry we voted for you.’ Because they don’t like what he’s doing.
“I’ve reviewed nomination records stretching back to the 1980s. 13 of these positions requiring confirmation have never before had a roll call vote in the United States Senate. Democrats filibustered all of them. That’s how obstructive they are.
“Democrats filibustered the Chief of Protocol for the Department of State. Democrats filibustered the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. Democrats filibustered the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. All to tie up the Senate, to waste time, and to try to slow down an administration that’s working so hard to get our country back from the last four years of open borders and high prices. These are not objections based on people’s qualifications. This is simply meant to obstruct President Trump and the will of the voters.
“Lest the Minority Leader forget – it’s President Trump who won all seven of the battleground states in the presidential election in November of 2024.
“Well, Republicans are working through it. We confirmed President Trump’s cabinet at a record-breaking pace. We are going to continue confirm his qualified nominees. Whether it is confirming nominations or passing our comprehensive economic plan, Senate Republicans are united in our mission. We will build an America that is safe, prosperous, and strong – now and for generations to come.”
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