Rushmore State News

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor, emphasizing Republican efforts to fund the government through a short-term continuing resolution (CR). Thune described this approach as a routine measure intended to provide additional time for the Appropriations Committee to report bills and allow further consideration on the Senate floor.

Thune criticized Democrats, suggesting they are intent on shutting down the government. He questioned their motives and argued that such an action would not be supported by Americans. “Do they actually think that hardworking Americans are going to thank them for shutting down the government?” Thune said. He linked Democratic opposition to pressure from their base and doubts about its effectiveness in future elections.

He reiterated his commitment to regular order in funding processes, which he defined as moving appropriations bills through committee discussions, debates, amendments, and then bringing them to the Senate floor. Thune noted bipartisan progress before the August recess: “And we made a very good start on this before the August state work period, passing three appropriations bills by robust bipartisan margins – something that hadn’t been done here since 2018.”

The current CR proposal is designed to continue this process and avoid disruption. Thune stressed its nonpartisan nature: “Republicans have deliberately chosen to keep this CR clean to ensure that there can be no possible reason for Democrats to object to funding the government.” He rejected claims that it was a partisan measure.

Thune highlighted ongoing bipartisan discussions within appropriations committees and pointed out recent legislative activity: “We picked up three of those bills in the month of July and passed them on the floor, something that hadn’t been done since 2018.” He contrasted this with what he called previous closed-door decision-making under Democratic leadership.

Addressing concerns about repeated use of short-term measures, Thune referenced actions taken when Democrats held majorities: “Under the Biden administration and Democrat majorities here in the Senate, there were no fewer than 13 – 13 – continuing resolutions, short-term funding measures to fund the government. 96 percent of the Democrats in the Senate voted for all 13.”

The proposed CR would extend funding through November 21st while allowing continued work on full-year appropriations bills. Thune concluded by stating: “This is a short-term funding resolution, and it should be a very straightforward vote. Both sides should do what they did 13 times when they had the majority, and that is vote to keep the government open.”

He framed passage of this measure as essential for maintaining normal legislative procedures and keeping government operations uninterrupted. The decision now rests with Senate Democrats.