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.”
The complete record
Every one of 703 lines we hold for John Thune, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 15.
“Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: [[Page S2480]] COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on a nomination. COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet in open session during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations. COMMITTEE ON FINANCE The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2479-S2480] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I have 10 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.”
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Huckabee nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous order with respect to the scheduled recess be modified so that the Senate reconvene at 2 p.m.; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, all postcloture time on the Glass nomination expire at 2 p.m. today and the Senate vote on confirmation of the Glass nomination. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“John Thune, Mike Crapo, Roger Marshall, Shelley Moore Capito, Tommy Tuberville, Jim Justice, James Lankford, John Barrasso, Markwayne Mullin, Tim Sheehy, Mike Rounds, Todd Young, Kevin Cramer, Ted Budd, Roger F. Wicker, Katie Boyd Britt, Eric Schmitt. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Kaine and Collins be allowed to complete their remarks prior to the scheduled rollcall votes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Virginia.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2464] 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 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. 37, Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2024.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2464] 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. 37. 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 legislative clerk read the nomination of Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2024.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy). Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“And whether it is through higher utility bills or higher costs at the grocery store or for other goods, it is the American people who ultimately bear the cost of these rules. That is why this is such an important issue for Republicans. It is why we are working hard to eliminate these and many other regulatory burdens, and we will continue working to deliver regulatory relief for the American people. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“manufacturing jobs. One manufacturer has said the rule could force a shutdown of its $70 million plant in Georgia. The resolution to repeal this burdensome rule received bipartisan support in the House, and I hope our Democrat colleagues will join Republicans in opposing this regulation. The impact of these regulations is felt across industries by American workers and American businesses. They are felt by Americans who work in the energy sector, by manufacturers, by small business owners, by farmers, by ranchers--and the list goes on. Regulatory burdens can be especially tough on smaller businesses, sometimes leading them to sell or shutter their operations. Those who stay in business often have to raise prices to stay afloat.”
“President Trump has already signed two CRA resolutions into law--one eliminating the marine archeology rule that targeted offshore energy development and the other stopping the implementation of the Biden tax on natural gas. Last week, the Senate passed another CRA resolution to block a Biden- era regulation on walk-in freezers and coolers. This rule, part of the Biden administration's climate agenda, would have heaped additional costs on small businesses like restaurants, butchers, convenience stores, and others. And, later this week, I expect the Senate to vote on another energy- related CRA resolution--this one to block a Biden administration rule that would take certain gas water heaters off the market by 2029. This rule would not only increase the cost of water heaters for American homeowners, it would also imperil U.S.”
“The switch to electric vehicles that the Biden administration envisioned was unwelcome, unworkable, and unaffordable for a lot of Americans and, as I said, threatened to put an incredible new strain on our already creaky electric grid. I know South Dakotans were concerned about the loss of choice and about being forced into electric vehicles that aren't suitable for the long distances and bitter cold of life on the Great Plains. So the elimination of this mandate is welcome news in South Dakota, as I am sure it is for a lot of Americans around the country. Here in Congress, we are joining the President in his deregulatory efforts, and Republican majorities in the House and Senate have spent the last several weeks working to rescind burdensome energy regulations using the Congressional Review Act.”
“Farmers, ranchers, and other landowners can also breathe more easily knowing that the Obama-era waters of the United States rule, which the Biden administration attempted to resurrect, is being revised. The so- called WOTUS rule would have given the Federal Government sweeping jurisdiction over most water features on private property, including things like irrigation ditches, ephemeral streams, and even prairie potholes. I know farmers and ranchers in my State of South Dakota would have appreciated a seat at the table before the Biden administration resurrected this harmful policy, and I am pleased that the Trump administration is committed to consulting with stakeholders for their input on an alternative clean water rule. The EPA is also now working to terminate the Biden electric vehicle mandate.”
“The American people called for a new direction this past November, and the Trump administration and the Republican majorities in Congress have wasted no time in getting to work to provide relief from burdensome regulations, especially when it comes to energy. Last month, the EPA announced 31 significant deregulatory actions. Among these are actions addressing the Biden administration's good neighbor rule and Clean Power Plan 2.0. Both of these regulations were designed to effectively force fossil fuel-powered powerplants to close--a dangerous goal at a time when we are already running low on the electricity we need to meet demand. And preventing these Biden-era rules from going into effect removes a significant threat to our energy supply.”
“Mr. President, over the last 4 years, the Biden administration put our energy security on a dangerous trajectory. The administration sharply restricted oil and gas development. It [[Page S2462]] threatened the closure of existing powerplants with burdensome new regulations, even as our electric grid struggled to keep up with demand. President Biden attempted to force the widespread adoption of electric cars, despite the incredible strain that would place on our already shaky power grid. And that is just to start with. The administration unleashed a veritable blizzard of Green New Deal regulations as it attempted to push through its far-left agenda.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“We have kept up a very brisk pace on confirming nominees, and that will continue. By the end of this week, I expect to have added several more to our [[Page S2452]] total, and I also expect to consider a resolution this week to roll back a heavyhanded Department of Energy rule. Democrats will continue to distract. Republicans will continue to act. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Federal spending in 2024 was 54 percent higher than in 2019--54 percent. So Republicans are going to take a good, hard look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent and work to return us to a more sustainable spending and fiscal trajectory. As I said, the resolution we passed this weekend--I might say, over the objections of my Democratic colleagues, who are apparently perfectly OK with allowing taxes to rise for working families--was a major step forward on delivering on our agenda, and I am looking forward to arriving at a final bill. Discussions on that will continue off the floor. Meanwhile, on the floor, we will continue to deliver on other priorities, including building out the President's administration and lifting burdensome Biden regulations through Congressional Review Act resolutions.”
“But the administration needs additional resources from Congress if this progress is going to continue, and we need a serious investment in our military to restore readiness and ensure that our men and women in uniform are equipped to deter and to defeat threats. We also need to take action to unleash American energy production. The Biden administration put us on a dangerous trajectory by seeking to stifle domestic conventional energy production, and we need to recommit to domestic production to protect our Nation and ensure that the American people have a reliable and affordable energy supply both now and in the future. And finally, we are here to take a hard look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent. We saw an incredible growth in government spending under the Biden administration.”
“If we don't act, American families making less than $400,000 a year will see a $2.6 trillion tax hike next year. Tax rates will rise. The standard deduction will shrink. And the child tax credit will--will--be cut in half. That is not acceptable, so we are here to prevent tax hikes on American families and permanently extend the 2017 tax relief. Second, we are here to address the remains of the Biden border crisis, bolster our military readiness, and unleash American energy production. After 4 years of chaos at our southern border under President Biden, President Trump has taken action to secure the border and take criminal illegal immigrants off America's streets.”
“Madam President, on Saturday morning, we took a major step forward on the Republican agenda by passing a budget resolution to lay the groundwork for a permanent extension of tax relief for American families and a transformational investment in our border, energy, and national security. And while I think Republicans' goals are obvious, for the sake of my Democratic colleagues who still seem to be operating under the delusion that we are here to hand out tax cuts to billionaires, let me review what we are doing and why we are here. First, we are here to ensure that hard-working Americans don't see their tax bills rise next year. In 2017, Republicans delivered tax relief to the American people, but that relief is expiring this year.”
“I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“169 Leg.] YEAS--52 Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McConnell McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Mullin Murkowski Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young NAYS--48 Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden The motion was agreed to.”
“14, a concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Vote on Motion to Proceed The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion to proceed. Mr. THUNE. I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll. The result was announced--yeas 52, nays 48, as follows: [Rollcall Vote No.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2159] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ESTABLISHING THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND SETTING FORTH THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2034--Motion to Proceed Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 38, H. Con. Res. 14. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 38, H. Con. Res.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2159] 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. ____________________”
“Government revenue goes up, not down, which is exactly what we experienced when we passed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 8 years ago now. As I said earlier, it was working families, not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit from that Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and it is working families, not the wealthy, who will see the greatest proportional benefit for making this tax relief permanent. We are here to make sure that hard-working Americans have more breathing room, to make sure that our economy is providing them with jobs and opportunities and that they are not facing lower paychecks next year. I was proud to help draft the 2017 tax relief and put more money in American families' pockets, and I look forward to permanently extending it in the near future. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
“The National Federation of Independent Business reports that making the small business section 199A deduction permanent would result in the creation of an additional 1.2 million jobs annually, with that number climbing as the law goes on. And the Tax Foundation reports that long-run gross domestic product would increase by a substantial 1.1 percent. That means more jobs and more opportunities for American workers and, interestingly enough, increasing Federal revenues, to the tune of about $3 trillion, which is the right way--the right way--by growing the economy. When the economy is growing and expanding, people are working, they are making money, they are taking realizations, they are paying taxes. And do you know what?”
“I am quite sure they have better uses for that money than sending it to Uncle Sam. I said ``make this tax relief permanent,'' and I do mean permanent. Senate Republicans are united with the President in viewing a temporary extension as unacceptable. Americans should not have to live in fear of a tax hike every few years. And small businesses, including family farms and ranches, like those in my home State of South Dakota, need certainty about the tax outlook so they can plan for the future. Making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent will ensure that Americans' take- home pay does not go down, and it will have significant economic benefits.”
“When you think that government knows best and when your enthusiasm for new government programs is virtually unlimited, it is no surprise you would prefer to maximize the flow of taxpayer dollars to the government. But Republicans believe, fundamentally, that Americans know best what to do with their money. And so no matter how many times Democrats attempt to distort or outright lie about what we are trying to do here, Republicans intend to deliver a permanent extension of the tax relief that we passed in 2017. Failing to extend this tax relief would result in a $2.6 trillion tax increase on those making less than $400,000 a year, as well as a $600 billion tax increase on small businesses. A typical family of four making $80,000 a year would end up sending an additional $1,700 to the government next year--$1,700.”
“I should also note, of course, that the Senate Parliamentarian has deemed the Senate budget resolution, which uses the current policy baseline, in order and ready for floor consideration. Democrats' sudden concern for saving money and protecting the character of the Senate is touching. Who would have guessed that the party that was so eager to tear down a fundamental Senate institution, mere months ago, by killing the Senate filibuster would suddenly develop such a passionate interest in defending the character of the Senate? But their hysteria is misplaced. I do understand that Democrats are uncomfortable with the idea of tax relief.”
“Chairman Muskie, a Democrat from Maine and chairman of the Budget Committee, used a current policy baseline in his budget resolution because he thought it represented a more realistic benchmark. More recently, President Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget assumed $4.5 trillion of expiring tax cuts would be extended in the Democrat's baseline, matching current policy at the time. Jump forward to the Biden administration's most recent budget, in which Democrats explained that: Adjustments to the . . . baseline are needed to better represent the deficit outlook under current policy and to serve as a more appropriate benchmark against which to measure policy changes. So using the current policy baseline is not some bizarre new gimmick.”
“The Democrats' latest hysteria is centered around the application of budget rules we will use for this week's budget resolution. They claim that using current policy baseline is somehow destroying Senate rules, even though the 1974 Congressional Budget Act, which governs this budget resolution, clearly states that it is the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee who determines the budget baseline used for budget resolutions. The senior Senator from Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, confirmed that it is the chairman's role in a 2022 report when he was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. And, of course, Democrats themselves have previously advocated for the use of a current policy baseline. They basically invented it back in 1977, shortly after the Budget Act was enacted.”
“In fact, the Washington Post Fact Checker has repeatedly issued three- and four-Pinocchio responses to Democrats' claims, which center around the falsehood that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was about handouts to corporations and billionaires. The truth, of course, is not only did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut taxes for every income group, but it was working families--working families--not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit. Let me just repeat that: The truth is that not only did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates for every income group, but it was working families, and not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit. Those are the facts. But, of course, the facts have not gotten in the way of Democrats continuing to claim that extending this tax relief is about handouts to billionaires.”
“Mr. President, as early as today, we expect to take up a budget resolution that will lay the groundwork for delivering on the Republican agenda. This resolution is the first step toward a final bill to make permanent the tax relief we implemented in 2017 [[Page S2144]] and deliver a transformational investment in our border, national and energy security--all accompanied by substantial savings measures and commonsense reforms to our government. And at the prospect of this, Democrats are losing their minds. Their opposition to the 2017 tax relief, of course, is well known. Since the day the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed, and before, Democrats have attempted to mischaracterize--and some would say flatout lie--about this legislation.”
“select committee on intelligence The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing. ____________________”
“committee on indian affairs The Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:30 p.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 Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a business meeting. committee on small business and entrepreneurship The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., to reconvene its business meeting to consider nominations.”
“committee on energy and natural resources The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on nominations. committee on environment and public works The Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing. committee on foreign relations The Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct an executive business meeting. committee on the judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:15 a.m., to conduct a hearing.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2142] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I have nine requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: committee on commerce, science, and transportation The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing.”
“Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.”
“I move to proceed to H.J. Res. 24. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the joint resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: Motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 24, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to ``Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers''. Vote on Motion”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2137] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT 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, following the rollcall vote on the motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 24. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“26, if cloture is invoked on the Oz nomination, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination; and following confirmation, that the Senate execute the order of April 2 in relation to the Dhillon nomination; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday'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. ____________________”
“and the Senate vote on the passage of the joint resolution; further, that following the disposition of the joint resolution, the Senate proceed to executive session and resume Calendar No. 46 and the Senate execute the order of April 2 in relation to the Sauer nomination; and following the disposition of the Sauer nomination, that the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Calendar No. 53, Mehmet Oz; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, it be in order for Senator Sanders to make two motions to discharge S.J. Res. 33 and S.J. Res. 26 and that the Senate vote on the motions to discharge in the order listed, if made, at 2:30 p.m.; further, that following the disposition of the motion to discharge S.J. Res.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S2137] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ORDERS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 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 Thursday, April 3; 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, and morning business be closed; that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume consideration of H.J. Res. 24, that all time be expired on the joint resolution at 11 a.m.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, with respect to S.J. Res. 37, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Now it is ending an emergency related to fentanyl. The American people recognize that these are legitimate crises and that they warrant an aggressive response. President Trump and Republicans promised that we would unleash American energy and end the lawlessness at our borders, and we intend to keep those promises. [[Page S2126]] I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland. Unanimous Consent Request--S. 959”
“And last week, the FBI Director warned the House Intelligence Committee that our enemies will adapt to security measures at the southern border by shifting resources to the northern border. If we are serious about ending the fentanyl crisis in America, we need to address the entirety of the crisis. We are not going to solve the problem by going after just part of it. Ending this emergency declaration will tell the cartels that they should shift their focus to the northern border. So I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution and ensure that President Trump has the tools that he needs to combat the flow of fentanyl from all directions. This is the second resolution seeking to end an emergency that the Senate has considered in the last few weeks. Last time, it was ending the national energy emergency.”
“Canadian law enforcement has raided drug ``super labs''--sophisticated fentanyl production facilities that may have links to the cartels. For now, most fentanyl from Canada enters the United States in small amounts--often through the mail. But as one cartel member told ``60 Minutes'' last month, cartels are already smuggling fentanyl across our northern border. So what will happen if we focus on fentanyl coming across the southern border and from China but fail to address the northern border component of this crisis? Will the cartels simply shift tactics and expand their operations to the north? I think we can be confident the answer to that question is yes. We have already seen some illegal immigrants attempt that shift when faced with stricter security measures at the southern border.”
“And I am glad that President Trump has taken swift action to secure the border with Mexico and address the flow of drugs across that border. But we would be wrong to view this as solely a southern border problem. The reality is that fentanyl production is growing in Canada. One 30-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police specializing in transnational crime said: Canada is a significant platform for transnational networks and one of the most concerning threats for synthetic narcotic production and exportation to our allies, including the U.S. Canada's financial intelligence agency has identified about 100 organized crime groups involved in fentanyl production in the country. That is four times--four times--as many as there were in 2022.”