Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate, outlining a legislative package that he described as a significant opportunity to address multiple national priorities in one bill.

Thune emphasized the broad scope of the proposed legislation, stating it aims to provide tax relief, stimulate economic growth, strengthen national defense, enhance border security, ensure a reliable energy supply, and reduce waste and fraud in federal government programs.

He highlighted a planned $150 billion increase in defense spending as part of the bill. According to Thune, this funding would target military readiness through investments in shipbuilding, missile defense systems, manufacturing capacity for critical munitions, drone technologies, expansion of the Air Force fighter fleet, nuclear modernization efforts, and U.S. infrastructure improvements in the Pacific region. Thune noted that while annual defense appropriations remain essential, this allocation represents “a real chance to start to turn our readiness deficiencies around.”

The legislation also proposes $160 billion for border security measures. This includes increasing personnel for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), funding completion of the border wall project, and implementing advanced border technology. Thune referenced previous efforts by the Trump administration regarding border enforcement and suggested this bill would make those gains permanent.

On domestic policy matters, Thune outlined proposals aimed at increasing energy independence and implementing reforms to entitlement programs—marking what he called “the first real entitlement reform in decades.” The intent is to place these programs on more sustainable paths for current and future recipients.

A major portion of Thune’s remarks focused on tax provisions within the bill. He stated: “We are looking at the opportunity to make the 2017 tax relief permanent,” which includes maintaining lower tax rates and an increased standard deduction. The child tax credit would be raised further—to $2,200 per child—and indexed to inflation.

Other provisions include eliminating taxes on tips for tipped workers and overtime earnings for hourly employees; introducing an auto loan interest deduction for new cars manufactured domestically; raising standard deductions for low- and middle-income seniors; creating newborn savings accounts with initial deposits of $1,000; extending business-related tax relief from prior legislation; making full expensing available for new equipment purchases as well as domestic research and development; and offering incentives designed to boost domestic manufacturing capacity.

Thune claimed that these pro-growth measures could raise GDP by up to 4.9 percent over time—a move he said would translate into more jobs and higher wages nationwide.

Summing up Republican objectives following last November’s elections, Thune said: “We promised to grow our economy. To extend the 2017 tax relief and prevent a $4 trillion tax hike on the American people. To secure our border and enhance the safety of our communities. To unleash American energy.” He concluded his remarks by urging passage of what he characterized as a unified effort among Republicans: “It’s time to get this legislation across the finish line.”