[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1843-S1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Trump Administration

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I traveled last week to visit with over 
150 members of our Wyoming Army National Guard. They are stationed in 
Jordan and in Syria, and they are a long way from home--nine time zones 
away from Wyoming. They are there to keep our country safe and free.
  One year ago, our adversaries were growing bolder, stronger, and more 
aggressive. That was a year ago. Today, America is stronger, safer, and 
much more secure. President Trump is restoring peace through strength. 
This is a dramatic change from what we saw in the previous 
administration.
  Within days of taking office, President Trump began freeing American 
hostages--Marc Fogel, Keith Siegel. Almost a dozen former hostages who 
were held by our adversaries are now safe on American soil. President 
Trump is bringing American citizens home.
  He is also bringing America's enemies to justice. Let's look at the 
recent precision strike in Yemen against the Houthi terrorists. 
Remember who the Houthis are. They are Iran-funded terrorists. Their 
official slogans say ``Death to the United States'' and ``Death to 
Israel.'' They are a direct threat to the American people and 
specifically to our servicemembers and to American trade.
  Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have attacked U.S. Navy ships 174 
times. They have attacked U.S. commercial ships 145 times. Iran 
provides them with high-tech missiles and precision-guided drones.
  These attacks continue. Why? Because Joe Biden and the Democrats were 
weak, and Joe Biden, their President, projected weakness. President 
Trump is strong, and he projects strength. President Trump responded 
firmly with overwhelming strength.

  I am grateful for our servicemembers who carried out the attacks.
  President Trump sent a clear message to the terrorists: Stop or get 
destroyed. He also sent a clear message to Iran: You will not escape 
accountability.
  This is a remarkable change from his predecessor. Joe Biden appeased 
Iran. His administration gave Iran $100 billion in sanctions relief. 
President Trump is keeping up maximum pressure on Iran, and the Houthi 
strike proves it.
  President Trump knows that Iran is responsible for the chaos in the 
Middle East. Since taking office, President Trump rightfully has hit 
Iran with 94 new sanctions. President Trump also placed sanctions on 
Iran's so-called ghost fleet. These are the oil smugglers who move 
Iranian oil to China. These sanctions against Iran help put communist 
China on notice. These fleets are moving Iranian oil and selling it to 
China at a discount, making Iran richer and making China more powerful. 
Remember, 90 percent of Iran's exports of oil go to communist China. We 
saw a lot of it under the last administration. As the Wall Street 
Journal editorial board recently wrote, ``[T]he Iranian oil-export 
problem is really a Chinese import problem'' because they are getting 
the cheap oil. President Trump is responding firmly to this new axis of 
evil.
  Here in the West, President Trump is taking historic action against 
the killer cartels. He recently designated killer cartels as ``foreign 
terrorists.'' With this designation, he can move more aggressively to 
deport illegal immigrant criminals who are members of these deadly 
groups.
  The President of the United States is our Commander in Chief, and 
President Trump takes the role seriously. He is

[[Page S1844]]

reestablishing our military as the most lethal and intimidating force 
in the world. Under the Trump administration, recruitment has surged to 
its highest level in 15 years. This is important because history 
teaches us an important lesson. And what is that lesson? Weakness 
invites conflict. Strength deters war. When our military is prepared, 
America is strong and projects strength.
  President Trump is also the best chance for peace between Russia and 
Ukraine. Both Russia and Ukraine must come to an agreement on a 
longlasting cease-fire. President Trump and his administration are 
pursuing an end to the killing and to the bloodshed.
  In the Middle East, peace and prosperity are also necessary. That 
begins with American support for Israel. The Senate should confirm 
Governor Mike Huckabee to be America's Ambassador to Israel.
  Overall, President Trump is off to a strong start. His swift actions 
are making America safer and stronger. Fully restoring peace through 
strength, however, requires congressional action as well. In the 
Senate, Republicans are preparing legislation to do just that. 
Republicans will rebuild our military, improve military readiness, 
expand shipbuilding, and invest in the newest technologies to keep 
America safe, and that includes an Iron Dome for America. All of this 
makes our military more lethal.
  Americans strongly support these policies. They know that this is the 
path toward safety and security. Republicans are going to bring back 
peace through strength. We will get America back on track.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.