“Democrats have now shut down the government to defend a system where Laken Riley’s killer can get taxpayer-funded healthcare.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor slamming Democrats for holding government funding hostage in exchange for free healthcare for illegal immigrants.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“Here we are. Day Six of the Schumer Shutdown. Senate Democrats have now voted four times to keep the government closed. Radical Democrats are shutting down the government with an outlandish list of demands, including giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants. When the interests of Americans and illegal immigrants collide, Democrats always seek to benefit the latter at the expense of the former.
“Think back to the last Democrat primary for president. In June 2019, on live television, every Democrat running for President was asked if their platform would give healthcare to illegal immigrants. Every single Democrat candidate on that debate stage raised their hand. Every one of them promised to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont raised his hand. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York raised her hand. Those are sitting United States Senators. They voted four times in the last 6 days to shut down the government of the United States. It’s more than talk. When Democrats get power, that is exactly what they will do.
“Look at California. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom expanded state-sponsored healthcare to illegal immigrants. Governor Newsom bragged about it. One year later, the Los Angeles Times reported that costs tripled. The headline dated March 13, 2025, says, ‘Cost of undocumented healthcare in California is billions over estimates, pressuring Democrats to consider cuts.’ Instead of $3 billion each year, the California healthcare system cost taxpayers $9.5 billion. California financed its healthcare for illegal immigrants through a money laundering scheme. They used it to increase the state’s Medicaid payments from the federal government. That is money vacuumed away from vulnerable Americans who need Medicaid the most. California used it for illegal immigrants.
“President Joe Biden and Democrats went even further. Joe Biden created multiple illegal parole programs when he was president. It was a blatant attempt at amnesty by sleight of hand. Parole is supposed to be rare, temporary, and case by case. Joe Biden’s abuse of Presidential parole authority turned the law on its head. Democrats made noncitizens who were paroled eligible for free healthcare.
“Look no further than the illegal immigrant who murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia. He crossed our border illegally in 2022.The Biden administration released him into our country instead of removing him. The Biden administration paroled him for what they claimed were ‘urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.’ Joe Biden made Laken Riley’s killer eligible for taxpayer-funded healthcare. Democrats even promised free healthcare as an enticement to attract illegal immigrants to our Southern Border. Democrats have now shut down the government to defend a system where Laken Riley’s killer can get taxpayer-funded healthcare.
“Republicans closed that loophole. Our Working Families Tax Cuts put in place strong eligibility verification requirements. It also ended the gimmicks that allows California to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants through higher federal Medicaid payments. Meanwhile, President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rightfully terminated all of Joe Biden’s categorical parole programs. The Supreme Court upheld this decision after several rounds of left-wing lawfare. President Trump is securing our border. He is putting American citizens first, not illegal immigrants. Democrats want to undo all of that. That’s what this fight is all about.
“Let’s be clear. By shutting down the government, Democrats are putting illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens. Ahead of our veterans. Ahead of our military. Ahead of our seniors. Ahead of our children. It is reckless. It is radical. And it is wrong. It is time for it to end.
“Today, the Senate will vote for a fifth time on our bipartisan continuing resolution. Our bill reopens the government. It already passed the House with bipartisan support. The Senate once again has a simple choice. Vote to reopen the government and put Americans first. Or vote with Senator Schumer to put illegal immigrants ahead of the American people. Voting with Chuck Schumer keeps the government closed.”
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