“These nominees are bold choices. They are motivated. They are skilled. They are committed to the safety and security of every American.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about this week’s confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s cabinet nominees.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“Today, Senate Committees are beginning their hearings on President-elect Donald Trump’s qualified nominees.
“We will hear from many of the nominees this week.
“At this very moment, Pete Hegseth is testifying in the Armed Services Committee. He is the President’s nominee to be the Secretary of Defense.
“I’ve been following these hearings closely. Pete Hegseth is giving strong answers to tough questions. He’s confident, knowledgeable, and should be confirmed quickly.
“We have a significant problem in our military, with morale and with recruitment. Pete Hegseth is the right person to address those issues of military readiness.
“The incoming administration is ready to act. To deliver on the historic mandate President Trump won in November.
“President Trump’s victory in the Electoral College and the Popular Vote gives him a mandate. A mandate to undo the damage of the previous administration and unleash a new era of American prosperity.
“President Trump understands the old saying that personnel is policy. That is why he nominated his entire cabinet by Thanksgiving.
“It is a strong team.
“Doug Burgum, Chris Wright, and Lee Zeldin will take the handcuffs off of American energy. Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and John Ratcliffe will restore American strength. No more weakness on the world stage.
“Scott Bessent will stop a $4 trillion tax increase. Pam Bondi will stop the weaponization of the Department of Justice and enforce the law. And Kristi Noem will secure the border.
“These nominees are not a return to business as usual.
“Business as usual gave us painfully high prices. Business as usual gave us wide open borders. Business as usual gave us the Afghanistan disaster.
“These nominees are bold choices. They are motivated. They are skilled. They are committed to the safety and security of every American.
“Most importantly, they show that President Trump is serious about bringing fresh eyes and real change to Washington.
“This is exactly what the American people elected him to do.
“Senate Republicans are committed to get President Trump’s team in place quickly. Our Committee Chairs are working aggressively to give each nominee fair and speedy consideration.
“That is how the Senate has operated historically – especially when faced with a mandate from the American People.
“In 2009, President Obama had 7 cabinet nominees confirmed on his first day. Within 8 days of taking office, he had 14 nominees confirmed. All but 5 of his nominees in 2009 were confirmed by voice vote.
“President Trump deserves the same deference.
“It is interesting to me that the Democrat Leader says Republicans are rushing the process this year.
“In 2020, Senator Schumer pledged to hold hearings right away for President Biden’s nominees. He pledged to hold votes on Inauguration Day. He said, and I quote, it was ‘traditional for a new President.’
“Senator Schumer was right to move quickly. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, Democrats should work in good faith with Republicans to uphold that tradition for President Trump.
“I have my doubts. The Democrat Leader reportedly told his caucus to create fireworks at this week’s hearings.
“We’ve seen Democrat obstruction before. Due to Senate Democrat obstruction, President Trump had only 5 nominees confirmed in January during his first term.
“We saw obstruction for the sake of obstruction.
“Americans chose a new direction. They chose this President and the President’s victory was decisive.
“Elections have consequences. This week, the United States Senate will engage in our constitutional duty of advice and consent.
“Advice and consent means debate and deliberate. It also means giving advice to the nominees. It is no excuse to distract and delay; or to slander and then search and destroy.
“The Senate will follow the mandate of the American people and confirm President Trump’s nominees. We will do it swiftly.
“We are committed to working around the clock, including nights and weekends, if Democrats choose to deliberately delay.
“With this majority, with our new President-elect, we will deliver a new direction for America.”
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