U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on America’s Newsroom on Fox News and The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio, according to a Mar. 20 announcement. During the interviews, Thune addressed several legislative issues including the SAVE America Act, voter identification requirements, and the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
Thune’s comments come as debates continue in Congress over election security and government funding. These topics have drawn national attention due to their impact on voting rights and federal agency operations.
Discussing the SAVE America Act, Thune said, “We’re going to roll through the weekend on [the SAVE America Act] into next week, and every day that we’re debating it on the floor is another day that Democrats have to try and defend an indefensible position … I … think that this … puts a spotlight on the Democrats’ opposition to something that 80 percent of the American people and a huge majority of Democrats even support.”
On voter ID laws, Thune stated, “This is such a commonsense issue for the American people. I mean you literally … have to show a photo ID to get into a library in this country, and here we are, one of the most important sacred rights in our American system is the right to vote, and … the Democrats are saying, ‘We don’t care. I mean, we honestly don’t care.’ They’re willing to let noncitizens vote in our elections.” He continued: “It’s a very straightforward issue – show an ID, photo ID, when you vote, be a citizen to register to vote. That’s the issue at stake here, and the Democrats are currently blocking it. Again, not a defensible position. The American people believe that this policy ought to be in place, 80 percent, and a huge majority of Democrats as well. I don’t know how they can continue to defend this, but they are … trying.”
Addressing concerns about the DHS shutdown affecting airport security lines due to TSA staff shortages, Thune said: “[Democrats] keep moving the goal posts … We … haven’t seen it yet, Bill – that [Democrats are] actually serious. I think right now they think the politics work for them… Well, I can tell you, the people that are sitting in lines at the airports right now because of the TSA shutdown are not very serene about it. This needs to be fixed…” He added: “In the 35 days of this shutdown…the White House has indicated a willingness to sit down with Democrat leadership…and get these agencies…operating again…The question is do they have a partner and do Democrats actually want a deal or do they just want an issue?”
Thune has held several leadership roles in Congress including Senate majority leader as well as previous positions such as Republican whip and conference chairman according to his official website. He has served on key Senate committees including Agriculture; Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce; Science; Transportation; and Finance according to his official website.
Thune grew up in Murdo, South Dakota where an encounter with a congressman inspired his interest in public service according to his official website. He earned degrees from Biola University (bachelor’s) and University of South Dakota (master’s in business administration) according to his official website. Thune won historic Senate elections—including defeating an incumbent party leader—and lives with his wife Kimberley in Sioux Falls where they raised two daughters and have six grandchildren according to his official website.
Looking ahead after these interviews addressing legislative priorities such as election integrity measures and government funding disputes remains central for Thune’s role as Senate majority leader.
