John Thune
Senator for South Dakota · Republican · United States
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4166-S4167] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Working Families Tax Cut Act Mr. THUNE. Mr.”
“And Workforce Pell will also be a game changer for midcareer professionals. As Colette Atkins, who works at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, said, ``we have students that are working already, and they can't step away for 2 years, but can they step away to do that 8 to 15 weeks to get that training? They sure can.”
“Trade Representative Office, were among the speakers. ``This isn't the 1980 Farm Crisis, but the pressure is mounting . . . and the effect will be felt across the broader Iowa economy,'' said Christopher Pudenz, the farm bureau's economist, who presented the report along with [Iowa State University] economists Chad Hart and John Crespi.”
“Steady farmland values have bolstered the ag economy, including supporting farmers' ability to borrow money for their operations, though last year, Iowa farmland values inched up less than 1% to an average of $11,549 per acre, [the Iowa State University] reported in its annual farmland survey.”
“``Iowa farm income fell 53 percent over 3 years, new ISU report says.'' Iowa farm income tumbled 53% from 2022 to 2024, squeezed by record-high import costs, depressed corn and soybean prices and continued trade uncertainty, a new report shows.”
“Trump Accounts are a significant tool for parents and their kids. But it is far from the only thing that we did in this bill to help the next generation get a headstart on their American dream.”
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“Of course, the President has been working closely with the House and Senate on legislation to permanently extend the tax relief he signed into law during his first administration--tax relief to put more money in hard-working Americans' pockets. We took a big step forward in that process with congressional passage of a budget resolution in April, and we are moving toward a final bill--a bill that will not only make tax relief permanent but will also deliver on other President Trump and Republican priorities. That includes investment in our military and restoring our national defense, securing our border, and reforming the way we spend taxpayer dollars. Speaking of the border, at the top of any list of President Trump's accomplishments is the incredible progress the President has made when it comes to securing our border.”
“After 4 years of increasing energy instability under the Biden administration, on day one, President Trump declared a national emergency on energy and started moving to unleash American energy production. He has ended President Biden's electric vehicle mandate, which was guaranteed to place vast new burdens on our already shaky electric grid, opened up oil and gas production, rescinded burdensome energy regulations, and a whole lot more. His administration has restored common sense to Washington after the Biden administration's attempt to impose far-left, woke ideologies on the American people. Notably, President Trump issued an Executive order to prevent biological males from hijacking sports for women and girls.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2614-S2615] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Trump Administration First 100 Days Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, it has been 100 days of the new Trump administration, and President Trump is delivering. Run down elements of the Republican agenda: securing our border, restoring American strength, extending tax relief for hard-working Americans, unleashing American energy, saving taxpayer dollars, and restoring common sense after an administration obsessed with imposing far-left, woke ideology--and President Trump has made progress on them all.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2614] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Recognition of the Majority Leader The majority leader is recognized.”
“So as my investigation work continues, let me be sure to thank these brave whistleblowers who have helped this Senator expose this political rot within our top law enforcement institutions--exposure that is necessary to bring to light that which must be fixed for the benefit of our country and reestablishing the credibility of our FBI. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”
“If you are afraid to follow the facts and to follow the evidence in this town, if you don't ask questions, you will never have any credibility. The silence of my Democratic colleagues and the partisan media speaks volumes, and the American people won't long forget that. I will end on this note: All of these internal FBI records about Arctic Frost that I made public--well, I didn't get them from this administration. I got them from heroic whistleblowers, people in the bowels of bureaucracy that know something is not right and they aren't getting the attention of the people that supervise them. They eventually end up coming to this Senator. Those whistleblowers have shown how the FBI and how the Department of Justice unfairly treated Trump and grasped at straws to build a case--any case--for their political gain.”
“It is pretty obvious that, if the defense team knew that partisan FBI agents had opened the case against Trump in breach of FBI rules, they would have been able to raise those issues and have a really strong defense. Talk about a miscarriage of justice. That is a perfect example of people in the FBI doing a miscarriage of justice. By the way, I haven't heard a peep from my Democratic colleagues about Arctic Frost. During Trump's first term, then-ranking member Senator Feinstein of California joined my investigation into the alleged Russian collusion, which we found such a collusion did not occur. No Democrats have asked me anything about Arctic Frost even though I have shown them and the entire public internal FBI emails proving political rot in our top law enforcement Agency.”
“All of those alleged layers of review on the seventh floor of the FBI building turned out to be the Democratic National Committee's echo chamber. Our country suffered as a result and so have our government institutions. And now, President Trump and the American people have an opportunity to see the details of the political conspiracy that tried to take President Trump down. Moreover, I questioned then-nominee Todd Blanche about whether Jack Smith provided all the emails that I made public to the Trump defense counsel. Blanche said that Biden prosecutors did not provide all the emails. Failing to provide these types of records and information to defense counsel prevents defense counsel from making a complete defense. It prevents them from full and complete questioning of all the witnesses.”
“And now, added to this list is what I mentioned in my opening statement, Arctic Frost, which ultimately became one of Jack Smith's cases against President Trump. FBI Agent Thibault violated the FBI's no self-approval rule. Literally, there is a rule on the books of the FBI called the no self- approval rule. That rule says that a supervisor isn't supposed to create a case and then approve that case for themselves. The record shows--which Senator Johnson of Wisconsin and I made public, and which includes Thibault's emails--and proves that he did exactly what the no self-approval rule forbids. His bad conduct also exposed the cultural rot within the FBI and the DOJ's leadership. ``How?'' you might ask. Because all of them eagerly approved of Thibault's case.”
“Partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors led the charges as a tag team, causing political chaos to try and destroy President Trump. I have made these people's names public in document productions, and that is the way it should be. We should let the American people know who threw our country into chaos to satisfy their very selfish political goals. We need to expose the political conspiracy that surrounded President Trump. They hurt our country through several different processes. We call these Crossfire Hurricane, the Special Counsel Mueller's investigation of the ``Russia, Russia Hoax,'' and, finally, Jack [[Page S2614]] Smith's two cases against President Trump.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2613-S2614] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] FBI Mr. President, today I come to the floor to speak about the FBI and Arctic Frost. Arctic Frost was another political case against President Trump and also against whistleblowers. Through records that I have already made public, the investigations' political origins are now firmly established. The case's origins are anti-Trump FBI Agent Thibault and his merry band of partisans--a partisanship that should never be present in our FBI. But I will show how it was present.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2610] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL 10 A.M. TOMORROW Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:52 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. ____________________”
“80, David Perdue; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, at 11:30 a.m., the Senate vote on confirmation of the Perdue nomination and, following confirmation, the Senate vote on cloture on Calendar No. 77, Warren Stephens, and following the cloture vote, the Senate recess until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly conference meetings; and that at 2:15 p.m., if cloture is invoked, the Senate vote on confirmation of the Stephens nomination, followed by cloture on Executive Calendar No. 78, Thomas Barrack; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Tuesday's session, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2610] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ORDERS FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Calendar No.”
“President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 149) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of April 1 (legislative day, March 31), 2025, under ``Submitted Resolutions.'') ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2610] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SECOND CHANCE MONTH Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 149 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 149) designating April 2025 as ``Second Chance Month''. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution. Mr. THUNE. Mr.”
“As he embarks on a well-earned retirement, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for his leadership, vision, and friendship. While he may be stepping away from the daily demands of leading Golden West, his impact will endure; his legacy is hardwired into the future of rural broadband. It has been a pleasure working with you, Denny, and I pray that God blesses you and your family in the days ahead. ____________________”
“But beyond his efforts on the ground, Denny has also been a powerful advocate for rural broadband policy, ensuring that small communities always have a voice in national conversations. Whether championing smart broadband policies, mentoring future industry leaders, serving on national association committees, or even rolling up his sleeves to help install networks, Denny has consistently led by example. While guiding national associations through difficult policy debates and spearheading the efforts of the South Dakota rural broadband industry, Denny has ensured that community-based providers across the country are well-positioned to deliver connectivity that makes a lasting difference for rural America and for the Nation as a whole.”
“He and his wife Bonnie have two wonderful sons Andrew and Nathan and make their home in Wall, SD. He earned his bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State University and later obtained a master's degree from the University of South Dakota. For the past three decades, Denny has been a driving force in the telecommunications industry. His expertise has proven quite valuable, and I am grateful for the many times--more times than I can count--that he has testified before Congress, highlighting South Dakota's needs in Washington. Under Denny's leadership, South Dakota has made remarkable progress in deploying broadband services. His deep personal commitment to South Dakotans has helped expand broadband access to even the most rural corners of the State.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2596] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO DENNY LAW Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I have the privilege of recognizing my good friend, Dennis ``Denny'' Law, who will soon retire from his position as chief executive officer of Golden West Telecommunications. Denny's outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to connecting South Dakota's communities with high-speed broadband have ensured that families, schools, farms, and businesses--no matter how remote--have access to the networks they need to thrive. Denny was born and raised in our great State of South Dakota.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2596] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“All three have suffered in recent years under the Biden administration, and Republicans are committed to securing our border, unleashing America's abundant energy resources, and ensuring that our military has the resources it needs to deter and defeat any threat. Finally, our legislation will also include substantial savings measures as we take a hard look at how we spend taxpayer dollars and work to get our country on a more sustainable fiscal path. Work on drafting this legislation continues. As we consider nominations, measures to repeal burdensome Biden administration regulations, and other legislation on the floor, off the floor, we are getting ever closer to a final bill. It is going to be great. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.”
“Mr. President, there is a lot on the line here. The tax relief the Republicans passed in 2017, which puts more money in Americans' pockets, is set to expire at the end of this year. Without congressional action, in 2026, tax rates will increase, the child tax credit will be cut in half, and the standard deduction will be nearly halved. Americans making less than $400,000 a year would see a $2.6 trillion tax hike, and a typical family of four making $80,000 would be sending an additional $1,700 to Uncle Sam. Republicans do not intend to let that happen. Our final bill will not only extend the 2017 tax relief for hard-working Americans, it will make it permanent. In addition to permanent tax relief, our final legislation will invest in our border, energy, and national security.”
“We are going to have a lot more nominees coming out of committee. I want to make it very clear that we are going to process those nominees in a timely fashion. As I have [[Page S2590]] said before, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. But one way or another, we are going to get it done. The President needs to have his team in place, and we have a lot of other work to do. Speaking of some of that other work, before Easter, the House and the Senate took a major step forward on a permanent extension of tax relief for American families by passing a budget resolution that will allow us to proceed to a final bill. We have been working toward the text of this final bill for months, and drafting has only accelerated since passage of the budget resolution. I am looking forward to the House and the Senate taking up the final legislation.”
“Mr. President, we are kicking off the week today with a vote on a former colleague of ours, David Perdue, to be Ambassador to China. We will be working through several other Ambassador nominations this week, including our Ambassador to our close friend and ally Great Britain. I don't need to tell anybody that it is important to have these individuals in place. We are going to continue to confirm the President's Ambassadors as expeditiously as possible. We are also going to continue to focus on filling out the rest of the President's administration. The President needs to have his team in place so that he can do the job he was elected to do. I intend to make sure that happens as quickly as possible. We have already set a brisk pace on nominations, confirming more than 50 to date.”
“I trust that he is now at home with his Father in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with South Dakota Catholics and all those who are mourning this humble servant of God. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2589] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING POPE FRANCIS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I begin, I want to mention Pope Francis, who died last Monday. Since he became Pope in 2013, Pope Francis captured the world's attention with his simplicity. He had great compassion for the least among us, and he sought them out wherever he went. In his final homily on Easter Sunday, he reminded us not to remain stationary, but to go out seeking Jesus everywhere and in everyone. And that is how he lived, going out into the world seeking Jesus and bringing the Gospel to those that he met.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“I am not a Hoosier, but my favorite movie, at least top five, is ``Hoosiers,'' and I also had the opportunity to travel a couple of times with Senator Banks in his great State and had the opportunity to welcome him to ours for something he enjoys as passionately as I do, and that is pheasant hunting. But you have been a great addition already to the U.S. Senate. You are a great leader for Indiana, and we look forward to working with you. So welcome, and thanks so much for serving. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.”
“Mr. President, I, too, just want to welcome, officially-- now that he has delivered his maiden speech--Senator Banks from the great State of Indiana. Like his colleague Senator Young, I, too, have had the opportunity to observe, and one thing I really appreciate about Senator Banks is he obviously served his country as a Member of the House of Representatives; he served his country in the military; he was deployed abroad. He is a veteran, and he is passionate about serving causes that are greater than himself. And that is a family passion, a partnership he and Amanda have and his girls. And I am just grateful that they are willing to roll up [[Page S2500]] their sleeves and go to work again on behalf of our great country.”
“The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin), and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) would have voted ``yea.''”
“Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Curtis, Mike Rounds, John Cornyn, Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, John Hoeven, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Markwayne Mullin, Tom Cotton, Pete Ricketts, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Todd Young, Roger F. Wicker, John Boozman.”
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The bill clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 74, the following named officer for appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., sections 152 and 601: to be General, Lt. Gen. John D. Caine (Retired). John Thune, John R.”
“The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of the following named officer for appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., sections 152 and 601: to be General, Lt. Gen. John D. Caine (Retired).”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 74. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________”
“75, the following named officer for appointment to the permanent grade indicated in the Regular Air Force under the United States Constitution, article II, section 2, clause 2: to be Major General, Lt. Gen. John D. Caine (Retired). John Thune, John R. Curtis, Mike Rounds, John Cornyn, Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, John Hoeven, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Markwayne Mullin, Tom Cotton, Pete Ricketts, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Todd Young, Roger F. Wicker, John Boozman. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Cloture Motion Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 75. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of the following named officer for appointment to the permanent grade indicated in the Regular Air Force under the United States Constitution, article II, section 2, clause 2: to be Major General, Lt. Gen. John D. Caine (Retired).”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________”
“The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. [[Page S2485]] ____________________”
“weapons shipments to Israel, as several Democrats did just last week. While the Democratic Party struggles to muster support for Israel, Republicans will continue to stand with our ally in the Middle East, especially in this time of war. I know that once he is confirmed, Ambassador Huckabee will be a strong and supportive voice for Israel and for America's interests from his post in Jerusalem. The Trump administration is working hard to advance America's interests and Senate Republicans are working to ensure the Trump administration's foreign policy team is put in place as swiftly as possible and we will continue to support the President and his administration as they work to advance America's interests and secure peace through strength. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER.”
“Ambassador to Israel. The Trump administration has restored a much needed moral clarity when it comes to our ally Israel. More than 18 months after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas terrorists, Israel is still at war. Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, including multiple Americans. Israel depends on U.S. support as it fights to eliminate the terrorist threats on its borders. President Trump has made it clear the United States stands squarely in Israel's corner. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our friends across the aisle. Democrats filibustered the ICC sanctions bill earlier this year after Leader Schumer refused to bring it up on the floor last year. A number of Democrat Senators continue to vote to disarm Israel in the middle of a war by blocking U.S.”
“As China's military takes more aggressive actions in this part of the world, our relationship with Japan will only grow in importance. So I am glad we wasted no time in confirming an ambassador to Tokyo. Countering China also needs to be a focus in our own hemisphere. I am grateful President Trump has gone after China for its role in the fentanyl supply chain. The administration is also working to strengthen our partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and ensure the Chinese Communist Party does not secure a foothold in our own backyard. Having a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Panama, which we will later today, will help advance this goal and the administration's effort to ensure the Panama Canal, a critical artery for American trade, is not under undue Chinese influence. Later today, we will also be voting to confirm the U.S.”
“Over the last 4 years, the Biden administration too often demonstrated weakness on the world stage. The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, for example, attempts to accommodate Iran, and I could go on. At times, it seemed the administration was more interested in exporting its progressive ideology than in advancing America's interests. On President Biden's watch, the world grew more unstable. So a foreign policy focused on American strength and security is much needed at a time like this. This week, the Senate is continuing our work to get the President's team in place by confirming a slate of nominees for Ambassador postings. Yesterday, we confirmed our new Ambassador to Japan. Japan is host to more U.S. troops than any other country, and it is one of our strongest allies when it comes to security in the Indo-Pacific.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2484-S2485] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, President Trump has made it clear that his foreign policy is centered on advancing America's interests and keeping Americans safe. And in the first 3 months of the Trump administration, we have seen the President take action on these priorities. President Trump has gone after terrorists who target Americans. He secured the release of Americans held hostage abroad. And he has put America on a stronger footing with respect to adversaries like China and Iran. This is a welcome change in direction in our foreign policy.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMERGING THREATS AND CAPABILITIES The Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to receive testimony in open and closed session. SUBCOMMITTEE ON SEAPOWER The Subcommittee on Seapower of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to receive testimony in open session. SUBCOMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC FORCES The Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 8 a.m., to conduct a closed session. ____________________”
“COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations. COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing. COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.”