U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), serving as Senate Majority Whip, spoke on the Senate floor ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s upcoming State of the Union Address. In his remarks, Barrasso emphasized that recent Republican-led policies, particularly those included in the Working Families Tax Cuts law, are leading to greater prosperity for Americans.
Barrasso stated: “Tonight, President Trump will report on the State of the Union. Americans will hear two things from the President. A record of progress that puts America back on track. And a plan to build on that progress.”
He reflected on the 2024 elections and outlined actions taken by Republicans since then: “In the 2024 elections, Americans demanded safety and prosperity. Republicans delivered. Republicans cut Americans’ taxes. We eliminated wasteful Washington spending. We rolled back regulations that strangled businesses. And we restored American energy dominance.”
According to Barrasso, these measures have led to improvements across various aspects of American life: “America is safer, more secure, and more prosperous today than it was the day Joe Biden left the White House. For the four years of his presidency, painfully high prices punished American families. Republican policies are changing that. Our focus is affordability. The proof is in the pockets of the American people.”
He highlighted provisions from last year’s Working Families Tax Cuts law: “Last year, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts law. Every Democrat voted against it. The law benefits nearly every American taxpayer.
“Every working American receives a permanent lower tax rate. Every working American receives a permanent increase in the standard deduction.
“Farmers, ranchers, and Main Street small businesses receive permanent relief from the dreaded Death Tax.
“All parents receive a permanent increase in the Child Tax Credit – $2,200 for each child, each year.
“Waiters, barbers, and bartenders will keep more money because of No Taxes on Tips.
“Nurses, firefighters, police officers, and coal miners will keep more money because of No Taxes on Overtime.
“Millions of seniors living on Social Security will receive higher payments.
“New parents can save and invest in their children’s future through the historic new Trump Accounts.”
Barrasso also discussed efforts to reduce government regulation: “Republicans didn’t stop with cutting taxes. We also removed burdensome government regulations that strangled our economy.
“Just this month, in a historic decision, the Trump administration ended the so-called Endangerment Finding. That Obama-era regulation raised car prices and limited consumer choice. This is the single largest action to cut a burdensome regulation by any administration ever. It will make life more affordable.
“It follows a year of rolling back red tape. Last year, President Trump eliminated 646 regulations. His actions saved hardworking taxpayers over $200 billion.”
He described positive economic indicators since these changes were implemented: “So what are the results so far? Inflation is at its lowest level in five years. More Americans are working – millions more. And wages are going up. The economy continues to see robust growth. Productivity grew twice as fast last year as it has over the past decade.”
On how these policies affect everyday Americans personally he said: “Because of the economic policies enacted in the past year, workers in America now have $1,400 more in their pockets than they did before President Trump took office.” He added that paychecks are stretching further for families at gas stations and grocery stores.
Barrasso criticized Democrats’ previous approach: “Now consider what these Democrats –the people on the other side of the aisle– want instead… Joe Biden and Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend agenda caused the worst inflation in forty years… These Democrats tried to raise taxes on working families by $4 trillion… Even now Democrats are still trying to raise your taxes…”
He concluded with support for continuing current policy directions: “Americans rejected that failed agenda of high prices and high taxes… Today America is moving in right direction… Tonight President Trump will lay out his vision for continuing to make America safer and more prosperous… Senate Republicans will work closely with him to do precisely that.”
