INTERVIEW: Sen. John Barrasso on GOP agenda, foreign policy, and energy independence: "The war on American energy is over"
THE LOWDOWN:
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), is relishing in making history amid Democrat dissonance.
The Democrats’ division comes at a particularly opportune time for Senate Republicans, who are poised to score a series of conservative fiscal wins via the budget reconciliation process.
Beyond protecting entitlements from fraud, Barrasso added that “Republicans in Congress are laser-focused on delivering our shared agenda to secure the border, bringing back peace through strength, stopping a $4.5 trillion Democrat tax increase, and making America energy dominant.”
Barrasso told the Reporter that “President Trump is the best chance for peace between Ukraine and Russia” and that the “killing and bloodshed needs to come to an end.”
The chaos embroiling Senate Democrats is music to the ears of Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R., Wyo.). While Democrats are deliberating whether or not they should oust Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) as their leader, Republicans are busy making history, he told the Washington Reporter in a new interview.
“Senate Republicans confirmed President Trump’s cabinet at a historic pace, faster than Democrats confirmed President Obama’s cabinet in 2009,” Barrasso said, noting that, on the other hand, “Democrats continue to thumb their noses at American voters.”
“Democrats hate that President Trump won the popular vote and every single battleground state on his way back to the White House,” he continued. “They’re mad about being in the minority in Congress. It’s no surprise to see Democrat approval ratings are at an all-time low.”
The Democrats’ division comes at a particularly opportune time for Senate Republicans, who are poised to score a series of conservative fiscal wins via the budget reconciliation process. While “Democrats are going to throw a wrench at every turn,” Barrasso said they “don’t have the votes to stop us from delivering for the American people.”
The lawmaker added that he did want to “set the record straight” regarding a “major misconception regarding Medicare and Medicaid” that has been promulgated by both Democrats and their allies in the media. Barrasso said that “Republicans fully support these important programs,” adding that “the real threat to Medicare and Medicaid came from the last administration.”
“Joe Biden and the Democrats weakened these programs and made them vulnerable to scammers,” Barrasso said. “Republicans are committed to protecting, preserving, and strengthening these programs.”
Beyond protecting entitlements from fraud, Barrasso added that “Republicans in Congress are laser-focused on delivering our shared agenda to secure the border, bringing back peace through strength, stopping a $4.5 trillion Democrat tax increase, and making America energy dominant.”
On the other hand, Democrats are currently “held hostage by the far-left wing of their party,” he noted. “They support wide-open borders and biological men competing in women’s sports — policies the majority of Americans don’t want.”
For Barrasso, supporting the Trump administration’s moves to make America energy independent again is both good politics and good policy for his home state of Wyoming.
“My goal is to make energy as clean as we can, as fast as we can, without raising costs on American families. The Trump administration wants exactly the same thing. Energy security is national security. We can’t compete with China if we’re handcuffing American energy producers at every turn. President Trump understands this too. That’s why he and his team are moving quickly to provide greater energy security, more jobs, and a stronger economy.”
Wyoming itself is America’s largest coal state, and Barrasso sees President Trump’s deregulatory agenda as being a critical ally to energy production in his state.
“The recent executive action to cut overreaching regulations on American energy is welcome news to Wyoming’s energy workers — especially our coal miners,” Barrasso said. “Thanks to President Trump, the war on American energy is over. Wyoming is proud to lead the way on domestic coal production.”
“Our miners are excited to make America energy dominant again and help keep the lights on across the country,” he added.
President Trump is focusing on ending not just the war on American energy, but also the war between Russia and Ukraine. Barrasso has a front-row seat to deliberations on both conflicts as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He told the Reporter that “President Trump is the best chance for peace between Ukraine and Russia” and that the “killing and bloodshed needs to come to an end.” Barrasso called on both Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement on “a long-lasting peace deal.”
Barrasso, however, was not afraid to flex America’s muscles when it came to America’s adversaries. The Senate Majority Whip said that “President Trump must keep up his Maximum Pressure campaign on our adversaries, especially Iran.”
“Deterring Iran and its proxies will usher in peace. Together, America and Israel will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to the Middle East,” Barrasso said. Barrasso’s remarks came following days of American strikes on the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
The Senate GOP Whip also suggested that another Trump nominee will see a confirmation vote soon in the form of Republican former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee assuming the post of ambassador to Israel.
“Together, America and Israel will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to the Middle East. An important step in continuing the great work is to get his nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed and on the job.” Barrasso added that “peace and prosperity in the Middle East begins with American support for Israel. President Trump and Republicans in Congress stand with Israel. Our support is unwavering, unbreakable, and unequivocal.”
Finally, Barrasso reflected on the legacy of former Sen. Al Simpson (R., Wyo.), who recently passed away. Simpson was a friend and mentor to Barrasso, and he had also served as the Senate GOP’s Whip.
“Al Simpson was known for his devoted lifelong service and unparalleled sense of humor,” Barrasso reflected. “I am incredibly fortunate to have called Al a mentor and a dear friend. In my Washington office, we use the Simpson Rule.”
“Make sure your staff knows that you must personally see everyone from Wyoming who comes to D.C. to visit. As Al reminded me, it may be the only trip to D.C. in their lifetime,” he explained.
“I will always put the people of Wyoming first — just like Al did for his entire career,” Barrasso said.
Below is a transcript of our interview with Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), lightly edited for clarity.
Washington Reporter:
Democrats are in complete meltdown mode now that they’re in the minority and out of the White House. How have Senate Republicans been able to take advantage of the Democrats’ disarray?
Sen. John Barrasso:
Republicans have remained united. Senate Republicans confirmed President Trump’s cabinet at a historic pace — faster than Democrats confirmed President Obama’s cabinet in 2009. Meanwhile, Democrats continue to thumb their noses at American voters. Democrats hate that President Trump won the popular vote and every single battleground state on his way back to the White House. They’re mad about being in the minority in Congress. It’s no surprise to see Democrat approval ratings are at an all-time low. Democrats are held hostage by the far-left wing of their party. They support wide-open borders and biological men competing in women’s sports — policies the majority of Americans don’t want.
Washington Reporter:
What are the biggest misconceptions about the Republican agenda currently? Will Democrats be able to slow the Senate down and block the Republican agenda?
Sen. John Barrasso:
Democrats are going to throw a wrench at every turn, but they don’t have the votes to stop us from delivering for the American people. There is a major misconception regarding Medicare and Medicaid. Let me set the record straight: Republicans fully support these important programs. The real threat to Medicare and Medicaid came from the last administration. Joe Biden and the Democrats weakened these programs and made them vulnerable to scammers. Republicans are committed to protecting, preserving, and strengthening these programs. Republicans in Congress are laser-focused on delivering our shared agenda to secure the border, bringing back peace through strength, stopping a $4.5 trillion Democrat tax increase, and making America energy dominant.
Washington Reporter:
How is the Trump administration helping in your shared agenda to make America energy dominant again? Will America be able to compete with China?
Sen. John Barrasso:
My goal is to make energy as clean as we can, as fast as we can, without raising costs on American families. The Trump administration wants exactly the same thing. Energy security is national security. We can’t compete with China if we’re handcuffing American energy producers at every turn. President Trump understands this too. That’s why he and his team are moving quickly to provide greater energy security, more jobs, and a stronger economy.
Washington Reporter:
Wyoming is America’s largest coal state. What’s the future of coal?
Sen. John Barrasso:
The recent executive action to cut overreaching regulations on American energy is welcome news to Wyoming’s energy workers — especially our coal miners. Thanks to President Trump, the war on American energy is over. Wyoming is proud to lead the way on domestic coal production. Our miners are excited to make America energy dominant again and help keep the lights on across the country.
Washington Reporter:
In addition to being the GOP Whip, you also serve on the Foreign Relations Committee; how would you rate President Trump’s work on Ukraine and Russia?
Sen. John Barrasso:
President Trump is the best chance for peace between Ukraine and Russia. The killing and bloodshed needs to come to an end. Both Ukraine and Russia must come to an agreement to a long-lasting peace deal.
Washington Reporter:
What about with Israel and Hamas?
Sen. John Barrasso:
Peace and prosperity in the Middle East begins with American support for Israel. President Trump and Republicans in Congress stand with Israel. Our support is unwavering, unbreakable, and unequivocal. President Trump must keep up his Maximum Pressure campaign on our adversaries, especially Iran. Deterring Iran and its proxies will usher in peace. Together, America and Israel will bring a new era of peace and prosperity to the Middle East. An important step in continuing the great work is to get his nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed and on the job.
Washington Reporter:
Immigration is another priority of both yours and of President Trump’s. How do you think he’s been doing on that, and how has that impacted Wyoming?
Sen. John Barrasso:
Under the Biden administration, every state turned into a border state. Even Wyoming. President Trump promised to secure the border and he kept that promise. Immediately, he began deporting violent, criminal illegal aliens. These were murderers, rapists, gang members and drug dealers. The world got the message. Illegal border crossings were the lowest ever recorded in February. Congress stands ready to back the Trump administration with the resources it needs to continue making our communities safer.
Washington Reporter:
Finally, your friend, mentor, and the former Republican Whip Al Simpson recently passed away. What’s a lesson you take from his life and career that you try and live by yourself?
Sen. John Barrasso:
Al Simpson was known for his devoted lifelong service and unparalleled sense of humor. I am incredibly fortunate to have called Al a mentor and a dear friend. In my Washington office, we use the Simpson Rule: Make sure your staff knows that you must personally see everyone from Wyoming who comes to D.C. to visit. As Al reminded me, it may be the only trip to D.C. in their lifetime. I will always put the people of Wyoming first — just like Al did for his entire career.
