Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the media in Washington, raising concerns about a possible government shutdown and criticizing Senate Democratic leadership for its approach to funding the government.

Thune questioned whether there would be what he called a “Schumer shutdown,” referencing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. He said, “And it sounds like, from what he is indicating, that very well may happen.” Thune explained that Republicans plan to give Democrats the chance to vote for a clean continuing resolution (CR), which he noted Democrats have previously supported.

“In fact, just as recently as last year, about this time, he made the statement that shutdowns cause pain and needless harm and chaos for the American people. That was his exact quote about this time last year when we were considering a CR,” Thune stated.

He pointed out that during President Biden’s administration, with Schumer as majority leader, there were 13 short-term CRs passed by Congress. Thune highlighted that nearly all Democrats supported these measures: “96 percent of all Democrats voted for all 13 of those short-term CRs.”

The current proposal is for a short-term CR extending funding until November 21st. This would provide lawmakers more time to debate and pass appropriation bills through regular legislative order—a process Thune says has not been followed under recent Democratic majorities. “We’ve tried a different business model, which is to allow senators on both sides of the aisle and their committees – in this case, the Appropriations Committee – to pass legislation, with an amendment process, report it out to the floor, hopefully with an amendment process, to enable all senators to have their voices heard on these important issues of funding our federal government,” he said.

Thune also noted that the House has introduced its own legislation related to government funding and will send it to the Senate later in the week for consideration.

Thune concluded by expressing hope that enough Democrats would support efforts to avoid a shutdown: “So that’s where things stand today, and again, I’m hopeful that … they’ll come to their senses and there’ll be enough Democrats out there who consider Senator Schumer’s advice – which I think he’s getting from online trolls and activist groups, which he shouldn’t be listening to – that they’ll conclude that that’s really bad advice and work with us to keep the government open.”