Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on The Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss ongoing government funding negotiations and other political issues.

During the interview, Thune addressed the current efforts to keep the federal government funded. He emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, stating, "All we need is … a handful of Democrats to come across the aisle and vote to keep the government open. A short-term funding resolution. Short-term that would enable us to finish up the other appropriations process, something that we did 13 times when the Democrats had the majority and Biden was in the White House. We did 13 short-term continuing resolutions to fund the government."

Thune described the proposed resolution as non-partisan and clean, meant only to allow time for completing appropriations work. He criticized Democratic leaders for opposing it: "But the Democrats have decided to take it hostage … they have hijacked this in a way that they think advantages them politically … I don’t … think the American people are going to see it that way …"

He further noted that there is legislation ready at the Senate desk which has passed in the House and could be signed by President Biden if approved by Democrats: "We’ve got a bill sitting at the Senate desk, passed by the House, ready to be signed into law by the president to keep the government open, and [Democrats] want to hijack [it] to do over a trillion dollars in new spending, allow free healthcare for illegals, completely wipe out the rural hospital fund that we passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill to support our rural hospitals … It’s just the Democrat liberal wish list, and there’s no way. They’re not serious, but that’s where we are."

On threats of a government shutdown attributed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Thune said: "The radical left … just want to blow anything up that has anything to do with President Trump. It is … Trump Derangement Syndrome unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, so much so that they’re taking what I think are pretty bizarre steps, and frankly steps that I think are not smart politically for them."

Thune expressed hope for compromise from Democratic senators: "I’m hoping that some of the Democrats over there on [Chuck Schumer’s] side of the aisle will come to their senses and realize what a bad idea [shutting down the government] is … After [Chuck Schumer] voted to keep the government open … he got blown up by the left-wing base in the country … that’s who they’re answerable to these days. It is the tail wagging the dog, and Schumer doesn’t seem to have any intention, at least at this point, of deviating from the strategy that would take us into a government shutdown. But I hope there are people around him on the Democrat side who see it differently."

Regarding accusations of hypocrisy among Democrats concerning potential shutdowns, Thune stated: "The argument [Democrats] made … for those that voted to keep the government open … was that you don’t want to give Trump, basically by shutting down ... whatever he wants to do with these government agencies, and ...to let OMB make decisions about who’s essential and who isn’t ... I think they think it is politically advantageous to them right now, and a benefit to their political fortunes, which are frankly in tank at moment. And they see this as an opportunity be grabbed. But I think they're wrong..."

Thune also discussed restoring order in Senate confirmation processes: "What Democrats had done is broken [the confirmation process] beyond repair ... We've got whole new slate nominees...but I'm glad we're able get started..."

On recent incidents involving political violence tied with rhetoric directed at former President Trump or others on both sides of politics Thune commented: “It’s hard fathom…where country headed…and where all rhetoric that's been directed at President Trump...is radicalizing certain people...resorting political violence...really unfortunate tragic...speaks need change reform among lot political leaders some Democrat left country who seem generating kind emotion leads these really tragic shootings.”