Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, from the day he took office, President Trump made it clear that he would not hesitate to take action to deter our enemies and protect our nation. “And that’s exactly what he’s been doing, both here at home and abroad. “Needless to say, four years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border under President Biden left a gaping hole in our national security. “The chaos that raged at our southern border was an invitation to terrorists and criminals, and law enforcement was stretched thin trying to deal with the flood of illegal immigration. “During his campaign, President Trump made it very clear that putting an end to our border crisis was going to be at the top of his agenda. “And he has been delivering on that promise. “In just two months his bold action to secure our border and enforce our immigration laws has led to a precipitous drop in illegal crossings at the southern border. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded just 11,709 encounters – apprehensions between ports of entry plus inadmissible aliens – at our southern border for the month of February. “11,709. “Just to put that number into perspective, in February 2024 under President Biden, Customs and Border Protection recorded 189,913 encounters at our southern border. “189,913 to 11,709. “A 93 percent drop. “President Trump and his administration have made incredible progress. “And our nation is more secure because of their efforts. “Meanwhile, on the international front, President Trump is taking a similarly assertive approach to protecting our country and our interests. “Over the last 18 months, since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Iran-backed Houthis in the Middle East have carried out literally hundreds of attacks on U.S. and international shipping and on U.S. forces. “Air strikes by the Biden administration failed to stop the Houthis’ activities. “And international shipping has been significantly affected. “Ships now routinely avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal in favor of going around the southern tip of Africa – a route that means longer travel times for goods. “And those ships that do traverse the Red Sea face significant danger – to their cargoes, and above all to their personnel. “This is an unacceptable situation. “And so President Trump is taking action. “Within days of taking office, President Trump had redesignated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization – after the Biden administration took them off the list – and 10 days ago, President Trump ordered extensive air strikes against Houthi targets. “Even more importantly, he has made it very clear to the Houthis that those strikes will continue unless and until the Houthis cease their attacks on U.S. forces and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. “And because the Houthis do not act alone, but with the support of Iran, President Trump is also making it clear to Iran that it needs to stop aiding and abetting Houthi terror. “So much of the violence and unrest in the Middle East is carried out by groups funded, armed, and sometimes trained by Iran. “And any response to this violence must recognize Iran’s role as well as that of its proxies like the Houthis. “Mr. President, I’m grateful for the long-overdue action that President Trump is taking, both here at home on our border and against Houthi terrorists abroad. “It’s this kind of decisive action that will encourage our enemies to think twice before menacing our nation or threatening our interests.”