Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on Fox News with Martha MacCallum to discuss key legislative priorities for Senate Republicans and ongoing international negotiations.

Thune emphasized the importance of passing what he called the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” stating it would prevent a significant tax increase at the end of the year. According to Thune, “[T]he American people won’t have a $4 trillion tax increase at the end of the year if the Big, Beautiful Bill passes. That’s what we’re trying to prevent and avoid. [The bill] also adds a number of new tax pieces. It ends its tax on, as the president has indicated, tax on tips, tax on overtime, lowers taxes on Social Security recipients. There are a bunch of things in there, Martha, that benefit middle-income families.”

He further noted that an increase in the child tax credit is included among other measures intended to provide relief for middle-income families. “There’s an increase in the child tax credit, for example. So it’s preventing a huge tax increase, getting more relief to the American people in the form of tax relief and putting more money in their pockets so they’re sending less to Washington – that’s what, first and foremost, it’s about,” Thune said.

Thune also described additional goals tied to border security, military modernization, and energy policy within the proposed legislation: “But it’s about securing the border, it’s about modernizing our military, it’s about making sure that we are energy dominant heading into the future. There are a whole bunch of features of this bill, and perhaps even most importantly to a lot of people, is it’s got the biggest spending reduction in history and reforms to programs that haven’t been attempted around here in decades.”

Discussing legislative procedures in Congress regarding this bill's passage through both chambers before July 4th recesses, Thune said: “This is a piece of legislation that we need to get across the finish line. It’s harder in the Senate; we have different rules that we have to comply with than they do in the House, and we’re in the process of working through it, but in the next couple of weeks I expect to get it done.” He added: “[T]here’s a lot of work between now and the July 4 break … We’re going to get this done, and it’ll be out of the Senate, and hopefully we’ll get it on the president’s desk before Fourth of July.”

On spending cuts outlined within reconciliation efforts attached to this legislation package aimed at reducing federal deficits rather than increasing them: “[T]his [bill] will reduce deficit not increase it. And reason for that is one we are going have biggest spending reduction history...all other things I mentioned Martha are going generate growth economy...When economy growing expanding people investing you get more government revenue.” Thune estimated planned spending reductions could total between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion.

Regarding U.S.-Iran relations amid nuclear program concerns—and referencing Israel's current actions—Thune commented: “I think Iranians ought take president up on [a deal]. The president is prepared make deal...It can happen diplomatically voluntarily by Iran choosing end its nuclear program—or can happen by force which is what Israelis are midst right now...” He concluded any agreement must result in Iran not possessing nuclear weapons.

Addressing potential U.S involvement or escalation related specifically Fordow facility dismantlement needs or military posture changes toward Iran: “I think ... those are ultimately decisions president his team DOD would have make...at end day Martha this has end with Iran giving up their nuclear program.”