John Barrasso

“One senator was absent. The vote was 77 in favor and 22 against, so the motion passed.”

“The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran). The result was announced--yeas 77, nays 22, as follows: The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Husted). On this vote, the yeas are 77, the nays are 22. The motion is agreed. The motion was agreed to.”

• Little substance
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  Speech in the House

  Signal 39 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

  See full analysis →

“People in Wyoming like what Republicans have done over the last two years. We secured the border, cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, produced more energy, and protected rural hospitals. Democrats running for office want to undo all of this with extreme policies. They want to open the borders, raise taxes, and give free health care to illegal immigrants. Voters should keep Republicans in charge.”

“Mr. President, during the past month, I traveled all around the State of Wyoming--great community events, one community after another: Dubois, WY, the firefighters’ picnic and buffalo barbecue. Nothing like it in the world. We had our Wyoming Ag Hall of Fame in Douglas. We had the banquet. We had a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Wyoming Pioneer Association. In Rawlins, I visited the hospital there to talk about the incredible advantages to all these small community hospitals now as a result of the bill that we passed to put up a fund to help rural hospitals stay focused and functioning and able to provide care in our communities. I was in Meeteetse on Labor Day for the parade and the pancake breakfast. I talked to a lot of people. And people all around Wyoming follow the cowboy code. The cowboy code says you live each day with courage, take pride in your work, and do what needs to be done. And the people of Wyoming are very proud of the progress that we have made here as Republicans over the last year and a half with President Trump in the White House, a majority in the House, and a majority of Republicans in the Senate. And people all want the same thing. They want safe communities, strong communities. They want a prosperous future. And they believe--rightly so--that Republicans have been delivering that the last 2 years. The border is now secure. I think about where it was 2 years ago and where we are today: No one caught and released into the country. This whole catch-and-release program of the Bidens’, it is over. The largest tax increase in America that the Democrats were proposing, that has been stopped. Taxes on tips, taxes on overtime, taxes on Social Security, they are all gone now. America is now energy dominant, which is where we should have been all along. The crooks and the criminals that we know have been abusing Medicaid and abusing food stamps--today, they are paying the price; they are being held to account. Six hundred members of President Trump’s team are now on the job, and they are on the job in spite of historic opposition by the Democrats. Republicans torpedoed their obstruction. People in Wyoming also shared with me their worries. And there are concerns. They are concerned about what the radical Democrat policies would do to harm them and harm their families and harm our communities. Democrats now have laid out their manifesto. And we are not just talking about in California or New York. We are talking about Democrat nominees all across the country. The Democrat nominee for the Senate in Minnesota claims Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she says, is evil, and she wants to ``rip ICE apart.’’ The Democrat nominee in Maine, he wants free healthcare for every illegal immigrant in the country. Democrats want it paid for by hard- working Americans with their tax dollars. The Democrat nominee in Florida is a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The Democrat nominee in Texas says he would lay out a welcome mat at the southern border. He says men ought to be playing in women’s sports. The Democrat nominee in Michigan, he wants to take away our guns. His campaign partner says that America deserved the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11. Our Nation, just a few days ago, commemorated the 25th anniversary of the horrendous attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans. But Democrats--north, south, east, and west--they are running on this radical roadmap. They plan to take away private property and seize businesses. When we just read their manifesto, it is all right there. They want to open the borders. They want to open the prisons. They want to put prisoners back into our communities. They want to get rid of ICE. They want to shut down our military. They want to shut down police. That is who they are. This is the difference between common sense and crazy. People see it. They know it. Democrats want to rip $50 billion away from our rural hospitals. These are rural hospitals that we have worked with over the years to just try to keep alive, to keep open at a time when we saw, both under Biden and Obama, rural hospitals close in my State and in the Presiding Officer’s. Democrats want to start taxing tips and overtime and Social Security. That is a direct increase in taxes on waiters and waitresses, on police officers, on nurses. It is a direct increase in taxes on our seniors if they start taxing Social Security, which is what they want to do. What do they want to do with the money? Well, they have been very clear. They want to use it to pay for healthcare for illegal immigrants. I mean, that is the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats right now. People I talked to don’t want taxes to be higher. People I talked to don’t want men to play in women’s sports. People in my home State of Wyoming I talked to don’t want to defund the police; they don’t want to defund the military. People I talked to at home, they don’t want to put a welcome mat out at the southern border. The people I talked to at home don’t want hard-working Americans to be forced to pay for healthcare for illegal immigrants. The people I talked to at home don’t believe illegal immigrants should have the right to vote or to be made citizens. Many of the Democrats in this Chamber and on the ballot this November, they want all of those things; they are campaigning on those things. I continue to say the Democrats of today are radical, they are extreme, they are dangerous, and they are scary. It is the difference between common sense and crazy, and the American people see it. My Democrat colleagues in this very Chamber have called these radical policies--they call it the future of their party. We cannot allow that to become the future for our Nation. So Republicans are going to continue to fight for safety, for American prosperity, and for continued American greatness. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”

“I am honoring Bob and Celia Kirkwood. The Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming is celebrating them for their years of work helping young people and the local community.”

“Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of Bob and Celia Kirkwood, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming 2026 honorees. Since 1969, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming has been inspiring young people to reach their full potential. Local boys and girls participate in educational and athletic programs that provide enrichment and help them become productive, responsible and caring citizens. From leadership development to a focus on healthy lifestyles, the club provides top-notch opportunities for each member. For over 55 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming has connected youth with dedicated volunteers and mentors. The club serves over 13,000 youth each year across its four-county territory, helping each member become their best self. Each year, at its annual breakfast, the organization highlights an individual or couple for their commitment to giving back to the community. This week, they will honor Bob and Celia Kirkwood with this prestigious recognition. On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming will host their annual awards and recognition breakfast in Casper. They will honor the Kirkwoods for their unwavering dedication to the Casper community. Bob and Celia’s commitment to the youth of Natrona County is certainly worth celebrating. It is fitting that the Boys and Girl Club of Central Wyoming is publicly recognizing their legacy of service and strong investment in our next generation of leaders. Bob and Celia have been married for 47 years and are the proud parents of Michael Kirkwood, Tom and Cassie Kirkwood and grandparents to Josie. They center their life on faith and are proud that Wyoming has always been home. In 1982, Bob joined his father’s business Kirkwood Oil and Gas. Alongside his brother Steve, they have diversified the company to include oil and gas operations, pipeline management, and real estate. He remains an industry advocate and trusted adviser to many around the State. Celia focused her time on raising their sons. From volunteering throughout their education to serving as a Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year judge, she is committed to giving back to those who need it most. Celia shines behind the scenes, making sure to concentrate on faith, family, and community service. Beyond the Boys and Girls Club, Bob and Celia passionately support Saint Anthony Tri-Parish Catholic School, the Wyoming Rescue Mission, and True Care. Our community is fortunate that, where there is a need, the Kirkwoods are willing to step up to help their friends and neighbors. Bob and Celia are guided by their faith. They encourage the members of the Boys and Girls Club to ``make sure the path you are on leads to the life you truly want and do not be afraid to adjust along the way. Remember, God knows best; trust Him.’’ For decades, the couple has led by example and have generously given back to the community they love so much. The Kirkwoods live their mission of meeting real needs and building lasting impact through consistent, practical action. The Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming is instrumental in providing young people with a safe, nurturing, and inspiring space to develop and learn. The opportunities afforded to members allow them to become the future leaders we need. These impressive goals would not be possible without the passion and generosity of Bob and Celia. They are exemplary role models of selfless leadership. It is with great honor that I recognize this incredible couple and their ongoing dedication to Casper. I encourage my colleagues to join me in celebrating Bob and Celia Kirkwood for everything they have done and continue to do to make Casper a better place for all.”

“Six Republican senators are absent today: Senator Cramer, Senator Marshall, Senator Murkowski, Senator Risch, Senator Schmitt, and Senator Tillis.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch), the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Schmitt), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis).”

“The Senate voted 50 to 49 to confirm this nomination.”

“The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 50, nays 49, as follows: The nomination was confirmed. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Lummis). Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate’s action.”

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  Speech in the House

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  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“Three senators are away, and the Senate has voted 90 to 6 to pass this bill.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). The result was announced--yeas 90, nays 6, as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Moody). On this vote, the yeas are 90, the nays are 6. The 60-vote threshold having been achieved, the bill is passed. One Senator responded present. The bill is passed. The bill (H.R. 6500) was passed.”

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  Speech on a bill

  Signal 32 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“The Senate voted 51 to 47 to confirm this group of government officials.”

“The following Senators are neccessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 51, nays 47, as follows: The en bloc nominations were confirmed as follows: Calendar Number 729: John Breslow, of Arizona, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus. Calendar Number 730: Todd Steggerda, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 731: Adam Cassady, of Virginia, to be Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Calendar Number 732: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 733: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 734: Fleet White, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs). Calendar Number 739: Kenneth Sorenson, of Hawaii, to be United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii for the term of four years. Calendar Number 740: Johnson TeeHee II, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 746: Timothy VerHey, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years. Calendar Number 747: James Arnott, of Missouri, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri for the term of four years. Calendar Number 748: Jack Chambers, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years. Calendar Number 749: Jason Holt, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 757: Michael Kavoukjian, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Norway. Calendar Number 759: William Trachman, of Colorado, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania. Calendar Number 761: Eric Wendt, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania. Calendar Number 762: David Brat, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia. Calendar Number 764: Frank Garcia, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring September 22, 2031. Calendar Number 766: Glen Smith, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. Calendar Number 781: Sean Costello, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for the term of four years. Calendar Number 782: Michael Vance, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research). Calendar Number 820: Michael McDonald, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a term of four years. Calendar Number 821: James Macy, of Wisconsin, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2030. Calendar Number 822: David M. Prouty, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2031. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 823: Brett Matsumoto, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, for a term of four years. Calendar Number 824: William Hague, of Washington, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Calendar Number 826: Kaveh Farzad, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs). Calendar Number 832: Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice. Calendar Number 834: Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years. Calendar Number 835: Christopher Michael De Bono, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 836: Sharon E. Goodie, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 837: Bradford Pentony Wilson, of New Jersey, to be Archivist of the United States. Calendar Number 840: Brian Cavanaugh, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security. Calendar Number 841: James Woodruff, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Calendar Number 842: Michael Christopher DiLorenzo, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 843: Craig Edward Leen, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 844: Christine Michelle Macey, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 845: John Barlow Timmer, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 846: Cameron Hamilton, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Calendar Number 847: Charles Baldis, of Virginia, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, for the term of five years. Calendar Number 848: James Andrew Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 849: Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 850: Rudolph Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belize. Calendar Number 853: Barbera Thornhill, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, with the rank of Ambassador at Large. Calendar Number 854: Christopher Anderson, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Calendar Number 855: Stanley Brown, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Calendar Number 856: Joseph Burkhalter, of Georgia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova. Calendar Number 857: John Hurley, of California, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 858: Daniel Perez, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Federative Republic of Brazil. Calendar Number 859: Laurence Socha, of Illinois, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia. Calendar Number 860: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs). Calendar Number 861: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2026. Calendar Number 862: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2032. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 863: Brendan Hanrahan, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs). Calendar Number 864: Donald Blome, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs). Calendar Number 865: Katherine Bowles, of Alabama, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Legislative Affairs). Calendar Number 866: Edward Eppler, of Connecticut, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Transportation. Calendar Number 867: Karen Sessions, of Texas, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2025. Calendar Number 868: Thomas B. Chapman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2028. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 869: Karen Jean Hedlund, of New York, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2030. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 870: David Cummins, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration for a term of five years. Calendar Number 871: Brien Lorenze, of Virginia, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2024. Calendar Number 872: Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Calendar Number 873: Erich Hernandez-Baquero, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Calendar Number 874: Roger Mason, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Calendar Number 875: Jules Hurst III, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). Calendar Number 899: Mark Cruz, of Oregon, to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four years. Calendar Number 900: Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife. Calendar Number 903: Christopher Nassar, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 904: Christopher Phelan, of Minnesota, to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Calendar Number 905: John Crews, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Credit Union Administration Board for a term expiring August 2, 2031. Calendar Number 906: Sriprakash Kothari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 907: Erin Browne, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 908: George McMaster, of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 909: Francis Brooke, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. (Mrs. BRITT assumed the Chair.) The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty). Under the previous order, the motions to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate’s action. The majority leader.”

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  Speech in the House

  Signal 1 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“Three senators are absent. The Senate voted 86 to 11 to pass this bill.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 86, nays 11, as follows: (Mr. HAGERTY assumed the Chair.) The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Graham). On this vote, the yeas are 86, the nays are 11. The 60-vote threshold having been achieved, the bill is passed. The bill (H.R. 5334), as amended, was passed. (Applause).”

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  Speech in the House

  Signal 37 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“Republicans cut taxes for working families, stopped taxes on tips and overtime, secured the border, and cut rules to make building homes cheaper. Democrats want to raise taxes, open the border, and release criminals from prison. Republicans will keep fighting for lower taxes and safer communities.”

“Mr. President, I come to the floor today because yesterday I heard the minority leader on the floor speaking about the economy. He sounded upset, sounded upset to hear that Americans were keeping more of their hard-earned money. He actually called it ``disastrous.’’ Ninety-seven percent of Americans benefited from the Working Families Tax Cuts law. This is a benefit. This is not a disaster. What I see as disastrous is the Democrats’ demand to raise taxes. They want to raise taxes on hard-working Americans all across the country. Democrats continue to think that they know how to spend your money better than you do. I think it has been a lifelong obsession with them. It is part of their DNA. It has been going on for years. Tax rates fell significantly this past year, and it is because Republicans cut taxes. So who are the people that benefited the most? Well, they are people with families that made less than $200,000 a year. That is where the benefits really hit home. It happened all across the country, from Connecticut to California, even though those States are represented by Democrats. People all across the country benefited. Families kept more of what they earned, and then they could make their own decisions about what to save, what to spend, what to invest. You know who knows it? People on Social Security know it. They got to keep more of their hard-earned money. People who work overtime know it because of no tax on overtime. People who work for tips know it because their tips weren’t taxed. People understood and felt the improvement. One resident of Nevada recently said: I received the largest tax return in my entire life this year. Why? No tax on tips. Every single Democrat in this Chamber voted against these things. They wanted people who work on tips to pay more in taxes. Democrats wanted people on Social Security to pay more in taxes. Democrats wanted people who work overtime to pay more in taxes, and that is a defining difference. American people clearly understand this, and the American people are tired and sick of seeing their money, their taxpayer money, wasted on fraud, abuse, and corruption, and we are seeing those things across the country. People want to keep more of what they earn, and they know they are the best to judge how to spend it. That is what Republicans are fighting for. We are going to continue to fight for that. That is the direction our country is headed. And in November of 2024, people made a clear choice: They chose to vote for Republicans because they wanted America to be safer, stronger, and more prosperous. And we are today. Over the past 18 months, Republicans have upheld that commitment. We have delivered for the American people. We are making sure people keep more of what they earn. More than 60 million Americans benefited from the new tax benefits since Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts law. Let me remind you about the Trump Accounts. More than 7 million American children are now signed up this year for this special new investment account. It is an astonishing thing. Families, friends, community groups, and even businesses are already investing in them. This is clearly strengthening the American dream for the next generation. I also want to talk about the border because today our Nation’s immigration laws are being strongly enforced. National security begins with border security. Absolutely zero illegal immigrants have been released into our country in over 14 months--absolutely zero--because Republicans have ended the reckless Joe Biden catch-and-release program. And what a disaster that was. Hundreds of thousands of illegal-immigrant criminals have now been arrested and deported since President Trump took office, and we are seeing the most secure border and the most successful deportation operation in all of American history. This year, Republicans also passed the Secure America Act. This law ensures that immigration officials have the resources that they need to keep our country safe and to keep our communities safe for years to come. I just want to mention affordability because today Congress is making it easier to build and easier to innovate. The largest housing reform bill in history is now the law of the land. We eliminated burdensome regulations, regulations that made it too costly to build a new home in America. And we are unlocking the American dream of home ownership for a new generation of Americans. Congress also passed the first major digital asset bill in American history; it is called the GENIUS Act. My colleague Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming has been a leader on the issue. It is time for the Senate to build on that by passing the Clarity Act. America is safer and stronger when we innovate. I also want to talk about some of the things we are doing here to make sure the President has his team fully in place, and those are confirmations. Today, Republicans are getting the President’s team fully in place. Very soon, we will confirm an additional 74 nominees. Well, this will be clearly 600 people confirmed in the second Trump administration. Those are 60 more nominees than he had at this point in the first Trump administration, and we have done it in the face of historic obstruction by the Democrats. Now we see these same Democrats are trying to tear down our country, and they are trying it all across the Nation. The Democrats’ agenda is not for a better America, not for a better future for our children, no, no. It is not even an agenda; it is a manifesto. The Democrats have come up with a ``manifesto’’--that is their label for it, not mine, their label, the Democrats--the manifesto, and I see it as a roadmap to destroy America from people that hate America. When you listen to many of their candidates, it certainly doesn’t seem like the thing that most Americans would want to see in their future. These people and their manifesto--it is radical; it is extreme; it is dangerous; it is scary. That is what our Nation is facing today. The Democrats, every one of them, wants to raise taxes on American families. The Democrat mantra calls for opening the borders. Their manifesto wants to defund the police. The manifesto wants to abolish prisons. The manifesto wants to release convicted criminals into our communities all across the country. The Democrat manifesto wants to eliminate Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Under the extreme Democrat manifesto, the American people would be forced to pay more, earn less, and be less safe and secure. That is what we are facing now. Democrats have turned from a party of the extremists now to the party of radicals. Republicans are going to continue to be the party of results. That is the choice people are facing. What do you want? Results? Safety? Security? Prosperity? Radicals opening the prisons? Opening the borders? Raising your taxes? Republicans work fiercely to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, for liberty, and a continuation of American greatness because that is the future that I believe the American people want and deserve. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”

“Two Republican senators are absent, and the Senate voted down the motion by a vote of 48 to 50.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 48, nays 50, as follows: The motion was rejected. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). On this vote, the yeas are 48, the nays are 50. The motion is not agreed to. The motion was rejected.”

“I am announcing which Republican senators are absent for this vote.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wisconsin (Mr. Johnson), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) would have voted ``yea.’’ Mr DURBIN: I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego), the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono), and the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar) are necessarily absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 51, nays 43, as follows: The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ricketts). On this vote, the yeas are 51, the nays are 43. The motion is agreed to.”

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  Speech in the House

  Signal 26 of 100

  Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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“Extremists have taken over the Democratic Party, and their candidates are winning primary elections across the country. These leaders want open borders, less money for police, and an end to prisons. These ideas make our country weaker, and Republicans will keep fighting against them.”

“Mr. President, today’s Democrat Party has been taken over by extremists. It is happening all across the country. Extremists are winning Democrat primaries all across the country, from east to west. The minority leader, who spoke a little earlier today, seems to be very happy about it. Just yesterday, when talking to the press, the minority leader said this. He said these extreme candidates make their party stronger. Well, Senator Schumer may be thrilled with the direction that his party is taking, and now look what happened last night in Michigan. The Democrat candidate for Senate winning the primary yesterday in Michigan is truly an extremist--radical, extreme, dangerous, and, in my opinion, scary. He has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, and just recently he hit the campaign trail with a leftwing activist, a political activist who blamed 9/11--we are almost near the 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 on the United States of America-- blamed those attacks on America and the American people. This is a Democrat Party that has a manifesto and a mantra. They have a radical set of beliefs, and they are clearly those of the Democrat nominee in Michigan. The driving force in the Democrat Party today wants to abolish prisons. The driving force in the Democrat Party today has endorsed any and all efforts to release dangerous prisoners from the jails onto the streets of communities all across the country. The driving force in the Democrat Party is calling to defund the police. The driving force in the Democrat Party is calling to eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this country. They don’t want borders, don’t think we ought to have borders. They want ICE completely eliminated. Democrats want to go back to the dangerous Biden years when it comes to protecting our borders, and 10 million illegal immigrants flooded into this country. The Democrats want millions and millions more to come into America. What do they want to do in terms of funding for these things? Well, the Democrats want to have hard-working taxpayers pay for healthcare for all the illegal immigrants who come here. Radical ideas like that were once the fringe of the Democrat Party. No longer. No, no. That fringe now controls the Democrat Party. As a senior Senator who is a Democrat said, who sits right over there--he said it is a sign that the Democrat Party is ``alive and well.’’ Senator Schumer said yesterday it makes their party stronger. It doesn’t make America stronger. It makes America weaker. It makes America more vulnerable. That is where we are today. Democrats seem willing to tear up the Constitution and tear down America. If you listen to some of these candidates, it sounds like they hate America. They want America to fail. That seems to be what they are aiming for. Well, Republicans are not going to allow that to happen--no. We are going to continue to fight the extremists, and we are going to continue to fight for freedom, for liberty, and for continued American greatness.”

“Democrats have already caused two government shutdowns in the last year, and they hurt Americans. Now we must pass a bill to keep the government open. Republicans are ready to vote for it, and Democrats should join us instead of causing a third shutdown.”

“Mr. President, the American people deserve a government that is open and is functioning. The American people know that government shutdowns cause significant pain to them personally and harm to our Nation. We have had two painful shutdowns in the last year, and the Democrats--and the Democratic leader just left the floor--have caused both of them. Democrats have proven that they are willing to make life harder for Americans, and they do it every time they shut down the government. They think it helps them politically. Actually, that is what Senator Schumer had said in the past--because in October of 2025, Schumer and the Senate Democrats chose to shut down the entire government, shut it down for 43 days. That is a record--a record--in the history of our Nation. And Senator Schumer actually said at the time--he said: I am not sure who the ``us’’ was. It is not the American people, not the people who were suffering in the long lines at the airport, and with TSA and the flights that were canceled and people that weren’t getting paid. Every day got worse for the American people. It might have been better for Senator Schumer but not for people at home in my State and in the Presiding Officer’s. It seemed to the Democrats that the American families were just collateral damage as they tried to make a political message. Servicemembers weren’t able to pay their mortgages, as they had to wait for their paychecks to come in. Flights canceled, airport screening lines stretched--I remember the video. They stretched for hours. Park rangers, TSA agents all missed paychecks. Democrats said it got better for them every day. Government employees living paycheck-to-paycheck had to struggle to make ends meet, to pay the bills. We saw people lining up at food banks. The American people responded and offered help to their neighbors. The Democrats said it got better for them every day. People on food assistance lost that assistance. And less than 4 months later, the Democrats did it again. That time, they blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security. That shutdown lasted 75 days for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats voted to defund America’s law enforcement Agencies. That seems to be their mantra: defund the police; get rid of ICE, get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; open the borders; let anybody in. That is who that party is now, and we are seeing it even today in the Michigan primary, where they have radical, extreme, dangerous, scary people running and who may win primaries and have been winning primaries in the Democrat Party across the country. These are people that put the safety and security of the American people at risk. They do it because they think it may give them a political advantage. It doesn’t help the American people. Recall that during the last shutdown, the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, we in this country faced terrorist threats. In Texas, there was a man wearing clothing that said ``Property of Allah.’’ He was arrested. He shot into a crowded restaurant, just shot into the restaurant. People were killed. ``Property of Allah.’’ Apparently, that is OK in some people’s minds. Most Americans don’t think so. In Michigan, a man whose family member was tied to Hezbollah rammed a truck full of explosives into a synagogue. Over 100 children and their teachers were inside. This is the threat we face. By shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats put the safety of illegal immigrants--and specifically illegal immigrant criminals--above the safety and security of American citizens. That is whom the Democrats choose to prioritize, and we are seeing the Democrats do that in campaign ads and in campaign speeches all across the country as the most radical of the radicals seem to be winning Democrat primaries this year. So the question is, Are Democrats going to choose to shut down the government a third time? We were able to get on the bill yesterday. The onus is on them. The Republicans are ready to move forward. We have an appropriations process. That is the way that government funding is supposed to work. Right now, the Democrats are stonewalling every single Appropriations Committee right here in the U.S. Senate, and it is shameful. Senator Susan Collins, our colleague and friend from Maine, is the chair of the Appropriations Committee. She has a history of working with bipartisanship, and integrity is so much a part of her leadership style. Democrats have rejected every good-faith measure that she has put forward in terms of the Appropriations Committee. Recall that when the Democrats were in charge of Congress and Joe Biden was in the White House, Senator Schumer blocked 11 of the 12 appropriations bills from even coming to the floor, even coming here for debate. He didn’t want any of them--none. Republicans are committed to repairing the damage that has been done to the process by the Democrats. Senator Collins has carefully crafted a reasonable continuing resolution. That is what we voted to get on last night. It keeps the government open. So that was just the first step. Now we have to move forward. We will see what the Democrats say today. Here is the choice facing every Senate Democrat this week: Vote to keep the government open or force the Nation into another painful shutdown. We are going to find out. People have already lived through these two painful Democrat shutdowns over the last year. People don’t want a third. They have suffered enough. Senator Schumer this morning said he wants to avoid a shutdown. Time for them to prove it. The question is, Do Democrats in this body have the courage to stand up to the extremists who have taken over their party? We are going to find out. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”

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“I am honoring Mark Eisele for being chosen for the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. He is a successful rancher and a national leader for the cattle industry who takes great care of the land.”

“Mr. President, at the 114th Wyoming State Fair, Senator Lummis and I will have the pleasure of introducing Mark Eisele as a 2026 inductee to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. Mark Eisele comes from a long line of Wyoming ranchers, dating back generations. However, Mark built his livestock operation on his own from the ground up. Mark has long been an iconic leader for Wyoming agriculture. His career led him to the historic King Ranch near Cheyenne. This is where he first worked as an employee before acquiring the historic ranch. Today, Mark and his wife Trudy, along with their three children, raise Red and Black Angus cow/calf pairs and retained yearlings through branded beef programs. The family also manages a custom haying operation and harvests alfalfa and native grass hay. Throughout his career, Mark has valued maintaining healthy rangelands. He has long believed that a healthy rangeland is the foundation of a successful cattle operation. Through Mark’s leadership, the King Ranch has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit for over 20 years. Mark has led the King Ranch to embrace research and innovation through projects on livestock production, economic efficiency, flexible stocking strategies for erratic and variable precipitation, adaptive grazing management for poisonous plants, targeted grazing for invasive cheatgrass, soil carbon responses to grazing management, and habitat conservation. The Eisele family’s stewardship efforts have earned widespread recognition. They received the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Award and the Leopold Conservation Award in 2015. More recently, the ranch received the 2023 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award. This was followed by the 2025 Chuck Jarecki Rancher Land Stewardship Award presented by the International Society for Range Management. Along with receiving many accolades, Mark has committed his career to serving the agriculture industry as an advocate. Mark has been a longtime member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and served as the president from 2011 to 2013. After years of committee work within the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Mark was elected president for the 2024 to 2025 term. He has become one of the Nation’s leading voices for beef producers. Mark’s dedication and service to Wyoming’s agriculture industry makes him an outstanding choice for the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. It is a great honor to participate in Mark’s induction. I congratulate Mark Eisele as a 2026 inductee into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.”

“Three Republican senators are away. The Senate has passed this resolution to vote on a group of nominees together.”

“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). The result was announced--yeas 50, nays 47, as follows: The executive resolution (S. Res. 817) was agreed to. (The executive resolution is printed in the Record of July 23, 2026, under ``Submitted Resolutions.’’) The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Ernst). Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table.”

“I am reporting that one senator is absent, and the Senate voted against this motion.”

“The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 47, nays 52, as follows: The motion was rejected. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty). The Democratic leader.”

“Extremists are taking over the Democratic Party. Groups like the Democratic Socialists of America want to end the Senate, open the borders, defund the military, close prisons, and take over private businesses. Senate Democrats are now following these ideas, including voting to block military funding and turning against Israel. Republicans will fight to protect the Constitution, our borders, our military, and our laws.”

“Mr. President, today’s Democrat Party is being driven by extremists, and there is actually an extreme group that is driving the party further and further to the left. It is called the Democratic Socialists of America. Its membership is growing, its radical candidates are winning, and its far-left vision is spreading. You may see it happening in Michigan this coming Tuesday with their primary election. This organization has issued a manifesto. That is right--a manifesto. In a recent interview with FOX News, the cochair of the Democratic Socialists of America admitted that this manifesto is filled with policies and politics that are extreme. She admitted it. Let me say it again. The cochair of the Democratic Socialists of America admitted on national television that their manifesto is filled with extreme policies. She has now become the face of today’s Democrat Party all across the country. She was asked whether her organization wants to abolish the U.S. Senate. She said, ``True.’’ She was asked whether they want to replace the Presidency and the Supreme Court. She said, ``Yep.’’ She was asked whether they want to abolish ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said, ``Absolutely.’’ She was asked whether they want to abolish borders and give amnesty to every illegal immigrant in America, including illegal immigrant criminals. She said, ``As a long-term plan, yep.’’ She was asked whether they want to defund our military. She replied, ``Absolutely.’’ She was asked whether they want to abolish prisons. She said, ``Yeah.’’ She was asked whether they want government control of private companies. She said, ``Yeah. Absolutely.’’ There you have it. Those are some of the policies of the liberal left. Today’s Democrat Party is being driven by its activist wing. These are people who are radical, extreme, dangerous, and scary. They have put it in writing--they include it in their manifesto--and they are admitting it out loud on television. Here in the U.S. Senate, Democrat Senators are embracing these radical policies. They are campaigning and will be campaigning this weekend for extremists in their parties. One sitting Democrat Senator, whose desk is right over there, said, clearly, we are seeing ``the future of the Democrat Party.’’ Their manifesto is being reflected in the votes of the Democrats on this floor of the U.S. Senate. For 65 years, the National Defense Authorization Act has passed with bipartisan support in the Senate. This month, every single Democrat in this body voted to block funding for our military. Our servicemembers are paying the price, and they are paying the price because the Democrats have turned to the radical left. Even the New York Times admits Democrats have crossed a red line by blocking defense funding. The same radical agenda that targets America also targets our closest ally, Israel. One of the leaders of this anti-Israel campaign is the current mayor of New York City. He has called for the arrest of Israel’s Prime Minister. This is exactly what their radical manifesto demands. The liberal, extreme mayor of New York City wants to hand over the Prime Minister of Israel to an unaccountable group called the International Criminal Court. It is not a real court. It lacks legitimacy. It lacks credibility. In its 24 years of existence, it has never charged a single leader of Iran for Iran’s atrocities against the world. Yet this group claims the right to arrest and punish America’s men and women in uniform. The United States is not a member of the so-called International Criminal Court nor is Israel. The mayor of New York City is a loyalist of the United Nations, not the United States. From the campaign trail to the cloakroom of Congress, the far left has revealed its radical beliefs. Democrats are determined to tear down our country and tear up the Constitution. They want to open the borders and control the economy. They want to weaken our military and abandon Israel. These policies would be disastrous for our Nation. There is no part of America that they do not want to destroy. The American people reject Democrats’ radical policies. The American people demand and deserve better. Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, for liberty, and for continued American greatness. As long as there is a Constitution, Republicans will not abolish the Senate. No State will lose its equal voice without its consent, and we will not silence the voice of the people who we represent. Republicans will not end immigration enforcement. Our priority is safety for law-abiding citizens, not illegal immigrant criminals. Republicans will never allow America to become a sanctuary country. Republicans will not abolish prisons. Republicans will not release criminals back into our communities. Democrats’ pro-crime policies are dangerous, and they are dangerous all across the country. We have a Constitution, and that Constitution and secure borders and law and order and military strength and economic freedom--they are not optional. They are the foundation of a free society, one that Democrats want to tear down. Without these fundamental foundations of a free society, there really is no safety, no security, no prosperity, and no self-government. Republicans and most Americans know that. Without them, there is no United States of America. Let me end where I began. Today’s Democrat Party is being driven by the radical left. They have a movement. They have a manifesto. And they mean to do great harm to our country. We cannot allow it to happen. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”