In Video: Sen. John Barrasso says Congress is prepared to ‘go after Russia in a punishing way:’ Full interview

Meet the Press: Senator John Baraso on Ukraine, Trade, and Tax Reform

Moderator Chuck Todd: Joining me now is the Senate Majority Whip, Republican Senator John Baraso of Wyoming. Senator Baraso, welcome back to Meet the Press. Well, good morning and happy Mother’s Day to you and to all the mothers who are watching today.

Ukraine and Russia

Moderator Chuck Todd: A thank you so much, Senator Baraso. I do want to start on Ukraine. President Putin saying that he is interested in having direct talks with Ukraine later this week. Of course, that comes after President Trump and European leaders said that they want to see an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and if not, threatens to impose sanctions. Do you believe that President Putin’s offer is a rejection of President Trump’s proposal?

Senator John Baraso: Well, what we’re seeing here is America’s strength and leadership under President Trump. And it’s so wonderful to see the European nations step up to join President Trump in this show of strength to Putin. The killing needs to stop. And I think the 30-day ceasefire is something that Putin needs to accept.

Tariffs and Trade

Moderator Chuck Todd: I do want to move on to another incredibly dynamic situation. Of course, these talks about tariffs. President Trump seemed optimistic about the ongoing trade talks with China. He called the tariff talks a "total reset." Of course, his Treasury Secretary leading those talks with his Chinese counterpart. You’ve been incredibly supportive of President Trump’s high tariffs against China. Senator, how confident are you that the US can get a fair deal with China?

Senator John Baraso: Well, first there was the British announcement this week. And in Wyoming, where beef is such a big part of our economy, this was a big deal. We’re all for it. And I think many other discussions with other countries are going to go into that. I’m happy to see President Trump standing up to China. And look, here we are a week after his interview with you and we are actively engaged in negotiations with China.

Tax Reform

Moderator Chuck Todd: I want to talk about the president’s tax bill in order to get some of the savings needed to pass it. President Trump floated the idea of increasing taxes on the highest income earners, those making more than $2.5 million. He also acknowledged the politics are quite thorny, but Senator, would you support that increasing taxes on the highest income earners?

Senator John Baraso: I’m a conservative and I don’t want to increase taxes on anybody. What you do know is that the Democrats, if we don’t get this bill passed, they’re going to raise taxes by $4 trillion on the American people.

Habeas Corpus

Moderator Chuck Todd: Finally, Senator, I want to talk about something that one of President Trump’s top aids, Steven Miller, said this week. He said, "The administration is actively looking at suspending habeas corpus." Just for our audience, that’s the right to challenge a person’s detention by the government. This would be a part of the broader efforts to speed up their deportation policies. The Constitution says that habeas corpus may not be suspended "unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion." Would you vote to suspend habeas corpus since the power does ultimately lie with Congress?

Senator John Baraso: The president has said he will follow the law. The president says if he disagrees with the law that he will appeal those things. The president was elected and he won every one of the battleground states on promising to secure the border and bring safety back to our communities. That’s exactly what he is doing.

Moderator Chuck Todd: Senator, I just to put a fine point on this, I want to know what you would do. Would you vote to suspend habeas corpus if this were brought before Congress?

Senator John Baraso: Ultimately, this power lies with Congress. The president said he is going to follow the law. He was on with you last week. He said he has great respect for the Supreme Court. I don’t believe this is going to come to Congress. What I believe is the president is going to follow the law.