[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3190-S3191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Republican Agenda

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, just yesterday, I heard the minority 
leader once again misrepresent the Republican agenda. With respect, 
once again, he is wrong.
  Let me set the record straight because the Republican agenda is 
actually very popular. The latest Rasmussen poll was very clear. A 
majority--a majority--of Americans believe our country is finally 
heading in the right direction. This is the highest number of Americans 
who have graded our country heading in the right direction basically 
this century. Why? Because Americans are done with the painful Democrat 
years of high prices and open borders.
  The contrast is significant. They are witnessing firsthand the Trump 
turnaround, and they are actually happy that Republicans are delivering 
for them after what they have been through for the previous 4 years.
  Let's take a look at gas prices. Gas prices were 50 cents a gallon 
cheaper this year than they were Memorial Day last year. Families now 
save about $10 every time they fill up, and they are going to feel this 
relief all summer long.
  Senate Republicans are adding to the success. We are working on the 
bold agenda to make America stronger, safer, more prosperous, more 
affordable. Let me outline why we are doing this and why it is so 
urgent.
  Our mission is to stop a $4 trillion tax increase. That would be the 
highest, biggest tax increase in the history of our country. Every one 
of the Democrats supports this all-out assault on our wallets, on our 
pocketbooks, on the purses of the people all across the country. We are 
talking about the largest tax increases in America's history. Our goal 
is to make these tax cuts permanent.
  Ignore the scare tactics that we hear from the other side of the 
aisle. This is a lifeline for middle-class families and for small 
businesses. This is about allowing people to keep more of what they 
earn. It is their hard-earned money.
  We are also going to end taxes on tips. In Wyoming, 10,000 workers 
will benefit from this--hard-working waiters, bartenders, tour guides--
all of them. We are also going to make sure that police officers and 
firefighters will owe no taxes on overtime. Seniors will keep more of 
their Social Security. Small business owners will keep more of their 
earnings. We will also relieve them of these incredible paperwork 
burdens that are a drag on their ability to build their businesses.
  Republicans will also strengthen and preserve Medicaid for the 
Americans who need it the most. This means 1.4 million illegal 
immigrants will stop receiving taxpayer-funded Medicaid benefits. It 
was never intended for them. It is wrong. Benefits like that don't 
belong to them. These people are in the country illegally. They should 
not be benefiting from the work of hard-working Americans. Democrats 
want to keep all these benefits flowing to all these illegal 
immigrants. Well, that makes it harder for the American medical 
patients to get to see a doctor. I know; I practiced medicine for a 
long time and took care of a lot of Medicaid patients. What the 
Democrats have done to Medicaid--and now illegal immigrants receiving 
it, over 1 million--is making it harder for the American public to get 
to see a doctor.
  To bring prices down, we are actually focusing much, much more on 
American energy and producing American energy--American energy that was 
under attack in the last administration by Biden and the Democrats. 
Affordable, reliable American energy is going to lower costs for 
people, will bring down the cost of heating your home, will bring down 
the cost of filling the tank.
  With all the artificial intelligence breakthroughs, we need more 
energy to power those data centers. This is going to be done with 
American manufacturing. To win the AI race we are now in against China, 
we need more energy, not less. Republican policies will make America 
energy dominant once again.
  Republican policies will also invite the world to build and invest 
right here at home in America. No more outsourcing our energy or our 
innovation or our destiny--Americans will be in charge.
  On border security, Republicans are resolute. We will finish the 
wall, deport illegal immigrants, and stop the flood of illegal fentanyl 
that is destroying and killing communities around our country. Border 
Patrol agents will get the tools and the backup they need as well as 
the pay they deserve. These are strong measures, and they will secure 
the border.
  Sunday, just 2 days ago, there was a terrorist attack in Boulder, CO. 
It is a sad reminder of the stakes. The terrorist was in the country 
illegally. He was here because of the open border policy in the Biden 
administration--one the Democrats want to continue. Every Senate 
Democrat right now in this body has voted to keep the borders open and 
opposed securing the borders.
  This terrorist overstayed his visa. Joe Biden and the Democrats never 
kicked him out. Actually, they gave him a work permit, and even that 
has expired.
  What do we know now? We know that investigators have found that he 
planned his hateful, anti-Semitic attack and was planning it for over a 
year, and he targeted Jews. He screamed ``Free Palestine.'' Twelve 
people were injured. Eight were hospitalized. Among the victims was an 
88-year-old Holocaust survivor. This is the human cost of dangerous 
Democrat policies.

[[Page S3191]]

  Republicans will make our cities sanctuaries of safety, not sanctuary 
cities, not dens of crime and chaos, which is what Democrats have 
welcomed.
  Republicans are also rebuilding our military might. Our bold 
legislation will make our military the strongest fighting force in the 
world. Our military will be lethal, intimidating, and ready to 
fight. We are also investing in the Golden Dome for America. This 
revolutionary missile shield is vital for our Nation's security. It is 
going to stop deadly threats from adversaries who want to threaten the 
American people and our Nation as a whole. That is deterrence. That is 
restoring peace through strength.

  This is the bold Republican agenda that we are fighting for: cutting 
taxes on tips and overtime and Social Security, stopping the largest 
tax increase in history, strengthening and preserving Medicaid, ending 
taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, securing our borders, 
creating safer communities, providing for a strong national defense, 
and once again making America energy dominant.
  Democrats oppose all of these improvements to our Nation. Why are 
Democrats for open borders? I wish they would come down and explain it. 
Why are Democrats for a $4 trillion tax increase? I am waiting for them 
to speak up. Why are Democrats for taxpayer-funded healthcare for 1.4 
million illegal immigrants? I will tell you why. It is because they are 
absolutely out of touch with the American people.
  Americans voted to get the country back on track. Senate Republicans 
are getting it done, and we are building a future of safety and 
prosperity for all Americans.
  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. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.