'Advancing American Interests And Keeping Americans Safe': John Thune Praises Trump's Foreign Policy

2 days ago

During remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) spoke about President Trump's foreign policy.

Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:

https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript

Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com

Transcript

00:00Mr. President, I ask that the quorum call be suspended.

00:03Without objection.

00:05Mr. President, President Trump has made it clear that his foreign policy is centered

00:09on advancing America's interests and keeping Americans safe.

00:13And in the first three months of the Trump administration,

00:15we've seen the President take action on these priorities.

00:18President Trump has gone after terrorists who targeted Americans.

00:22He's secured the release of Americans held hostage abroad.

00:25And he's put America on a stronger footing with respect to adversaries like China and Iran.

00:32Mr. President, this is a welcome change in direction in our foreign policy.

00:36Over the last four years, the Biden administration too often demonstrated weakness on the world stage.

00:42The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, for example, attempts to accommodate Iran.

00:48And I could go on.

00:50And at times, it seemed the administration was more interested in exporting its progressive ideology

00:55than in advancing America's interests.

00:59On President Biden's watch, the world grew more unstable.

01:03So a foreign policy focused on American strength and security is much needed at a time like this.

01:10Mr. President, this week, the Senate is continuing our work to get the President's team in place

01:14by confirming a slate of nominees for ambassador postings.

01:18Yesterday, we confirmed our new ambassador to Japan.

01:22Japan is host to more U.S. troops than any other country.

01:25And it's one of our strongest allies when it comes to security in the Indo-Pacific.

01:29And as China's military takes more aggressive actions in this part of the world,

01:33our relationship with Japan will only grow in importance.

01:37So I'm glad we've wasted no time in confirming an ambassador to Tokyo.

01:42Mr. President, countering China also needs to be a focus in our own hemisphere.

01:46I'm grateful that President Trump has gone after China for its role in the fentanyl supply chain.

01:52The administration is also working to strengthen our partnerships in the Western Hemisphere

01:55and ensure the Chinese Communist Party does not secure a foothold in our own backyard.

02:01And having a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Panama, which we will later today,

02:08will help advance this goal and the administration's effort to ensure the Panama Canal,

02:12a critical artery for American trade, is not under undue Chinese influence.

02:19Mr. President, later today, we'll also be voting to confirm the U.S. ambassador to Israel.

02:24The Trump administration has restored a much-needed moral clarity when it comes to our ally Israel.

02:30More than 18 months after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas terrorists, Israel is still at war.

02:37Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, including multiple Americans.

02:43And Israel depends on U.S. support as it fights to eliminate the terrorist threats on its borders.

02:48President Trump has made it clear that the United States stands squarely in Israel's corner.

02:54Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our friends across the aisle.

02:58Democrats filibustered the ICC sanctions bill earlier this year after Leader Schumer refused to bring it up on the floor last year.

03:05And a number of Democrat senators continue to vote to disarm Israel in the middle of a war

03:11by blocking U.S. weapons shipments to Israel, as several Democrats did just last week.

03:19While the Democrat Party struggles to muster support for Israel,

03:23Republicans will continue to stand with our ally in the Middle East, especially in this time of war.

03:28And I know that once he is confirmed, Ambassador Huckabee will be a strong and supportive voice for Israel

03:37and for America's interests from his posts in Jerusalem.

03:40Ms. President, the Trump administration is working hard to advance America's interests.

03:46And Senate Republicans are working to ensure the Trump administration's foreign policy team

03:50is put in place as swiftly as possible.

03:54And we will continue to support the President and his administration

03:57as they work to advance America's interests and secure peace through strength.

04:04Mr. President, I yield the floor.

04:05And I suggest the admittance of the quorum.

04:07The clerk will call the roll.

04:09The clerk will call the roll.

'Advancing American Interests And Keeping Americans Safe': John Thune Praises Trump's Foreign Policy

Category

Transcript

Recommended