Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio, where he discussed several legislative and policy issues facing Congress and the nation.

Addressing Medicaid, Thune said the current approach is not to cut the program but to slow its rate of growth over the next decade. He argued that recent reforms aim to remove what he described as "Biden-era waste, fraud, and abuse" from Medicaid. Thune stated, "[W]e’re not cutting [Medicaid], we’re just slowing the rate of growth. It’s going to increase year-over-year for the next 10 years; it’s just not going to grow at as fast a rate. And what we are doing is doing away with the Biden-era waste, fraud, and abuse that was embedded into that program.

"There are a lot of people today – illegal immigrants, people who aren’t eligible for the program, able-bodied, male adults who should be working – who are benefiting from Medicaid. Medicaid was not intended for that. So this is getting back to its core mission and making sure that serving the population it was designed to serve and reforming and strengthening it in a way that was long overdue from, like I said, many of the failed policies of the Biden administration."

On budget reconciliation efforts in Congress, Thune noted ongoing negotiations aimed at securing enough votes in both chambers: "We’re getting suggestions and input and feedback, and we’re continuing to work to try and get to that sweet spot that enables us to get 51 in the Senate, and that will allow us to get to 218 in the House. And we understand on that SALT issue that you mentioned earlier, obviously we have to negotiate that out, and we’ll find a way of getting that done.

"But at the end of the day, failure is not an option. We have to succeed. This is the president’s agenda, this is what he ran on, this is what people voted for. And it’s incumbent on all of us to try, as much as we may not get everything we want in this thing, to keep rowing in the same direction and get a positive outcome for the country."

Thune also addressed government spending priorities by criticizing increases under Democratic leadership: "[W]hen Democrats have power, they grow government, they increase spending, they get more people dependent upon government programs … Unwinding this stuff isn’t easy, but we have to do it because the future of the country depends on it. We can’t sustain the kind of debt load that we’re carrying today and expect future generation[s] to have any kind of hopes or aspirations or dreams that those who’ve come before us have enjoyed.

"[W]e should always look for ways to make government more efficient and effective... Let’s say we get this thing done...it’ll be a huge first step...as long as our focus is getting a leaner...federal government...that rids...these programs of ...waste...[and] abuse..., that's a win for American people..."

Regarding tax policy scoring by federal agencies such as CBO (Congressional Budget Office), Thune expressed skepticism about their forecasts: "I think that scorekeepers around here ...have been notoriously bad in terms of their record when it comes making predictions about things like this...there's always bias in favor spending.

"What happens when you reduce taxes ...people invest ...they make money ...they pay more taxes ...government revenue goes up....for every 1 percent growth in GDP ...we get about $3 trillion additional tax revenue...

"So growth leads revenue ...these are pro-growth policies ...CBO never going give credit for that....this biggest spending reduction history coupled with these pro-growth economic policies – that's recipe ...successful future our country."

Turning abroad toward Iran's nuclear ambitions amid regional conflict involving Israel: "I think [Khomeini is] very defiant,...he's cornered right now....His offensive capability has been dramatically diminished by Israelis,...increasingly he is feeling cornered....I'm hoping what leads eventually acknowledgment realization their current strategy isn't going anywhere,...way achieve positive outcome here his countrymen actually come table negotiate deal ends their nuclear program,...that's what president Trump wants achieve....

"But we'll just see how willing [Khomeini] is do ..., but every day,...take more beating Israeli Defense Forces..., seems like only matter time until no choices....president keeping options open prepared do what takes ensure Iran never has nuclear capability."

On congressional efforts related War Powers Act following military actions overseas: "[T]he Democrats here Capitol Hill probably different view..., that's grounded their … Trump derangement syndrome....They want strip him all powers....In particular case,...president has all authority needs....He's responding time national crisis where American troops service members very possibly could be harm's way under attack,...he has tremendous latitude commander-in-chief respond circumstances like...

"So you know Tim Kaine resolution maybe good politics him progressive left..., but most Americans concerned safer stronger prosperous world – certainly safer stronger prosperous America – I think they have lot confidence president will make right decision."

Thune concluded by emphasizing U.S.-Israel relations within broader security context: "There are some … folks who are isolationist wing our party who don't believe U.S. has role when comes what's happening world stage….But very much have role,…particularly when comes Israel,…our most trusted ally,…certainly Middle East,…arguably world…we vested interest…not only their success security…but also how closely that's related ours….

"It's been very clear outset Iran sees – Prime Minister Netanyahu said this – only thing standing between Iran United States Israel….So enormous security implications our country world…, U.S.…rightfully important leadership role play…"