WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the actions President Donald J. Trump and Republicans are taking to secure the border and keep Americans safe.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“I just heard the Minority Leader give his reflections on last night’s Address to the Nation by President Donald Trump. Well, a man is entitled to his opinion. This morning, however, CBS News reported on what the viewers at home thought about what they saw. The headline is, ‘Poll of Trump’s 2025 Joint Address to Congress finds large majority of viewers approve.’

“Large majority – 76 percent of the viewers approve of what they heard last night. They asked those viewers, ‘Did the president spend time on talking about the issues that you care about?’ Two out of three said yes, indeed.

“How did they make people feel? What did they say? Almost 70 percent said ‘hopeful’ – hopeful for the future. Over half said ‘proud’ – proud of America. They described the president as ‘presidential,’ ‘inspiring,’ and ‘unifying.’

“Another question they asked, ‘Does President Trump have a clear plan for inflation?’ More than two out of three said yes. That’s what the American people saw. So apparently, the Minority Leader did not see the same speech or did not reflect on it the same way as the great majority of the American viewers at home.

“Last night I believe people saw President Trump’s bold agenda and rapid action in motion. And that was focused on securing the border. Joint Addresses to Congress are typically about making promises. Last night was different. President Trump spoke about the promises he is keeping; the actions he is taking to make our country safer.

“The numbers tell the story. Under President Trump, in February, there were only 8,326 illegal crossings at our southern border. That is the lowest in recorded history.

“Under Joe Biden, the southern border was a different story. The border was wide open for members of criminal cartels, drug dealers, and people on terrorist watchlist. In February 2022, under Joe Biden, there were 166,000 illegal crossings. In February 2023, there were 157,000 illegal crossings. In February 2024, there were 190,000 illegal crossings.

“President Trump had 8,000 illegal crossings in one month. By contrast, Joe Biden had 8,000 in one single day. That wasn’t even the worst day under Joe Biden.

“President Trump is securing the border – boldly, strongly, and without apology. As one illegal immigrant said, ‘It’s too hard. You cannot cross right now.’ He’s right. Under President Trump, ‘reverse migration’ is the reality.

“Cartel criminals once profited from the border invasion. No longer. One smuggler told NBC News that his profits have fallen by 80 percent. Illegal immigrants are turning around. At the same time, illegal immigrant criminals are being taken down.

“In my home state of Wyoming, ICE recently arrested two Mexican nationals. They are drug dealers. One of the men was found with a pound of methamphetamine. President Trump is taking cold-blooded criminals like this off our streets and out of our country.

“President Trump is also fighting to stop the drug cartels. These cartels are flooding America with deadly drugs. Fentanyl poisons and kills more than 70,000 Americans each and every year. It is a crisis. On Day 1, President Trump listed these killer cartels as terrorist organizations. No other president has ever taken such a bold step. It’s working.

“The cartels are now shutting down drug labs. Their leaders are going into hiding. For the first time in years, the cartels say they are scared. They should be. President Trump will do whatever it takes to keep Americans safe.

“President Trump began his first day in office by signing dozens of executive orders. He cracked down on illegal immigrant criminals in our communities. He empowered Border Patrol agents. They are securing the border once again.

“President Trump launched the largest deportation operation in history. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have started to deport the worst illegal immigrant criminals. He stopped spending billions of taxpayer dollars on free hotels, free phones, and free healthcare for illegal immigrants.

“Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are for Americans citizens – not illegal immigrants. President Trump’s actions will protect and preserve these vital programs for the very people they are intended to help.

“Americans overwhelmingly support President Trump’s actions. CBS News reported last week that 59 percent of Americans approve of President Trump’s deportation program. 64 percent say that the President’s actions are reducing illegal crossings at the Southern border. Americans want a secure border.

“Americans oppose resistance from Democrats in sanctuary cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Denver. They oppose funneling their hard-earned taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants.

“Americans want safety. They want security. They want sanity. That is what President Trump and Republicans are delivering. This is only the beginning.

“Last night, President Trump laid out a clear path forward. President Trump said the Department of Homeland Security needs backup. He said it needs more manpower. He said it needs a finished wall. Manpower. Technology. The Wall. All three are essential to fully secure the border.

“That is why, two weeks ago, Senate Republicans passed a budget that increases funding for border security. Senate Republicans voted for more border patrol agents. Senate Republicans voted for more detention beds. Senate Republicans voted for more deportation flights. Every Democrat in the United States Senate voted no.

“Securing the border is why I introduced the Build the Wall Act. My legislation finishes building the wall along the Southern Border. It would pay for it with unspent COVID money.

“Stopping the killer cartels is why the Senate must pass the HALT Fentanyl Act. Lives are on the line. Fentanyl is the number one killer of Americans between 18 and 45 years old. Permanently listing deadly illicit fentanyl as a Schedule One drug will save lives. The HALT Fentanyl Act is bipartisan. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 16 to 5. It passed the House of Representatives with the support of 98 Democrats. I am grateful that Leader Thune is preparing to bring it to the floor.

“The Senate will deliver the secure border and safer communities Americans demand and deserve.”

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