Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) discussed Republican legislative priorities during an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday with Matt Boyle.

Thune outlined the current administration’s main agenda items, including securing the U.S. border, investing in infrastructure, and supporting military modernization. He emphasized that these measures are aligned with the president's campaign promises: “This is the fulfillment of the president’s agenda. This is what he ran on. This is what the people voted for, and that’s securing our border, making a generational investment there, and providing infrastructures for … the president’s term in office to make sure that … he has all the resources he needs to keep that job, keep doing what he’s doing, which has been a remarkable, unbelievable turnaround from where we were during the open border … Biden years."

Thune also addressed tax policy and spending reductions as priorities: “And then, of course, modernize our military, which is something he campaigned on, extending tax relief, preventing a $4 trillion tax increase at the end of the year, and extending tax relief to middle-income and working Americans, and no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, reducing taxes on Social Security. Those are all things he campaigned on.

“And then … spending reduction. This will have the largest spending reduction in history, which will get us on a more sustainable fiscal path, which we have to do, and we can’t continue on the path that we’re on. So those are all things that the president campaigned on.

“I would add to that energy dominance, which helps lower inflation. [For] most Americans, energy is a big part of their daily consumption … You also think about the incredible demand we’re going to have in the future for affordable energy and reliable energy. And the president ... working with us in this bill is going to accomplish this objective as well.”

Regarding legislative timing ahead of July 4th: “We have a more complicated process in the Senate. We’ve got laws and restrictions and … procedures that we have to operate under that are different than the House so some of that takes a little bit longer. But as we head into this next week I’m fully confident we’re going to be ready to roll … we have to be; we've got to deliver... If you don’t put deadlines out there nothing gets done... If we want to get One Big Beautiful bill done...we're adhering to it...and think it’s important that we get this on the president’s desk as soon as possible.”

On border security funding Thune stated: “[T]his is cleaning up a mess that the previous administration left...we’re working with...the president...to ensure that border security continues… We cannot have what we've had under Biden four years… All those things that have been an epidemic at the border…is now…the problem…the president's trying to clean up…This is a generational investment in border security…”

He also spoke about American energy production: “[W]e want America not only to be energy independent but…energy dominant…and we have…the technical know-how…and capital out there…What we need is our policies…and regulations…for four years…the Biden administration stifled energy development.

“Trump is opening that up…making America energy dominant in a way not only takes care of our own needs…but hopefully can help us with our allies around world who become way too dependent upon other countries like Russia…”

Discussing Medicaid changes Thune said: “[W]e’re trying…to get everybody at a place where we're targeting waste fraud abuse in program…but at end day want make sure doesn’t hurt beneficiaries…and what's being said out there by Democrats totally inaccurate because…it doesn't cut Medicaid.…We are continuing grow Medicaid we're just growing at slower rate than what has been allowed under existing law…

“So what we're talking about here getting rid waste fraud abuse strengthening improving program for people who need it most…and really making this program more solvent for long term…

“On rural hospital issue since you mentioned it…that something we're coming up solution for we're going try address issue if there are rural hospitals adversely impacted—I've got lot them my state—we want ensure they're taken care of…I think can do without hurting beneficiaries…”

Thune commented further regarding Iran: “I think Israelis done masterful job gaining air superiority over Iran taking out lot their ballistic missile launchers launchers capabilities what's left course nuclear enrichment plant Fordow that's where I think Israel's capabilities probably don't quite reach what's going necessary get done.

“So President at some point will have make decision if Iranians decide not come table they can decide come table negotiate deal President's more than willing do President Trump made very clear time he's willing negotiate end Iran's nuclear program so I'm supportive whatever decision ultimately makes...

“What really dangerous [is] Iran with nuclear weapon…and that's end state here whether it's negotiating table diplomatically or whether President makes different decision Iran just can't have nuclear weapons As Netanyahu has said only thing standing between Iran United States Israel he's absolutely right about…I’m supportive what they're doing everything President's done far quite confident they'll take whatever steps necessary keep not only America but American interest part world safe.”