Their stated policy positions and commitments, with quotes and links to the original sources.
John Barrasso said Republicans would use the remaining weeks of the current Congress to move judicial appointments to confirmation quickly. He said the goal was to leave no judicial vacancy unfilled before Democrats take control.
Context: This is a plan for the lame-duck period before Democrats take control, not a general statement about future judicial vacancies.
After the 2024 election, Barrasso said he was working with other senators on extending and making permanent the 2017 tax cuts. He said they would pursue the plan through budget reconciliation, which he noted would require winning the House and passing a budget. He also discussed clawing back some unspent or excessive federal spending to help provide tax relief.
Context: The plan was under development; Barrasso said reconciliation required House support and passage of a budget. November 10, 2024 interview about the incoming 2025 administration; not a new 2026 transition plan.
After the 2024 election, Barrasso supported prioritizing deportation of undocumented immigrants he described as members of criminal cartels, drug dealers, or people on the terrorist watch list. He said President Trump intended to pursue those individuals first as part of enforcing immigration law.
Context: The passage describes a priority for people in specified criminal or security-related categories, not a detailed deportation plan. November 10, 2024 interview about the incoming 2025 administration; not a new 2026 transition plan.
After the 2024 election, Barrasso said he expected President Trump to restore the Remain in Mexico policy and stop catch and release. He framed these changes as part of reversing immigration-related executive orders issued by the prior administration.
Context: Barrasso described actions he expected the president to take; he did not specify a Senate measure or implementation details. November 10, 2024 interview about the incoming 2025 administration; not a new 2026 transition plan.
After the 2024 election, Barrasso said the Senate would prepare hearings and votes to put as much of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet in place as possible when he took office on January 20, 2025. He hoped Democrats would cooperate with the confirmation process.
Context: This was a stated plan for the period before the January 20, 2025 inauguration. November 10, 2024 interview about the incoming 2025 administration; not a new 2026 transition plan.
Barrasso said federal support for carbon capture should go to Wyoming rather than companies with ties to China. He pointed to the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources and said the state was ready to advance carbon capture.
Context: The source does not specify a funding proposal, amount, or eligibility rules.
Barrasso said the United States should not pursue a green-energy transition that relies on forced labor. He urged Democrats to uphold human rights while supporting wind and solar energy.
Context: The statement gives no specific new enforcement measure; it refers to a law already passed to stop purchases of Chinese products made by forced labor.
Barrasso said he planned to introduce legislation barring administration officials from going to work for China. He presented the measure as part of his effort to address U.S. dependence on China.
Context: The source records a plan to introduce the legislation, not its introduction or enactment.
Barrasso introduced legislation to prevent the United States from selling oil from its emergency petroleum stockpile to China. He said the reserve should serve the United States, not its enemies.
Context: The source describes the legislation as introduced; it does not establish whether it became law.
Barrasso says Senate Republicans are working to make life more affordable by stopping what he calls reckless Democratic spending and cutting burdensome red tape. He presents these steps as a response to rising prices and interest rates.
Context: The statement does not identify specific spending cuts, regulations, or legislative actions.