Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on Fox News with Bret Baier to discuss ongoing budget negotiations and the potential for a government shutdown.

Thune criticized Democrats for their stance in the current funding debate, stating, “It was spirited … [Democrats have] a base that is demanding that they fight anything related to President Trump. [Democrats passed a CR] 13 times … when they had the majority … [and] Joe Biden in the White House … Well, what’s changed? Donald Trump’s the president, that’s what’s changed.”

He argued there is no justification for a government shutdown and emphasized Republican unity on keeping federal operations running. “There is no reason for a government shutdown. Republicans are united – House Republicans, Senate Republicans, the president of the United States all agree to keep the government open. All it takes is Chuck Schumer to agree to put the bill that’s sitting at the Senate desk. The House has passed it. We can pass it. President signs it into law. Government stays open,” Thune said.

Thune asserted that responsibility now lies with Democrats: “The ball is in [Democrats’] court, and this is politics for them – nothing more, nothing less.”

Addressing Congress's role in funding federal agencies, Thune advocated returning to traditional legislative procedures: “I’ve made this very clear: You pass a short-term funding resolution that will enable us to finish the other appropriations bills through the normal, regular process … We want to fund the government the way that it should be funded, which is through regular order …the Appropriations Committee marking up bills, reporting them to the floor, opening it up to the amendment process. That’s the way it used to work."

He criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's approach: “In Chuck Schumer’s universe, we didn’t do appropriations bills. It was all written behind closed doors in his office. And now he’s upset because he isn’t being consulted on everything, because we’re doing things the way we should be doing them – allowing Republican senators and Democrat senators to work together to pass these bills."

Thune called for more time to complete appropriations legislation while also addressing other policy concerns if necessary: "What we need is to fund the government, give us some time to do the rest of the appropriations bills, and if there are other issues they want to talk about, one of which is this premium tax credit issue … we welcome that conversation. But you can’t hold the federal government hostage. Release the hostage, and then we can start talking about these other things.”

On Democratic opposition regarding shutdown threats and spending proposals Thune stated: “Republicans are united – House Republicans, Senate Republicans, President Trump. The House Republicans have passed a short-term funding resolution that is clean, nonpartisan, and came over to the Senate. It’s sitting at the desk in the Senate. We could pick it up and pass it tonight; the president would sign it into law; government stays open.

“It’s that simple. And what they’re trying to do is create a counter-narrative that suggests that they can add trillions of dollars of spending … there isn’t a world in which they’re being realistic. This is a totally unserious proposal.”

He further commented on Democratic leadership: “Schumer is running scared from his political left. I mean, it’s that simple. And again, this is all about who’s in the White House. [Democrats] did this 13 times when Biden was in the White House.”

Regarding health care subsidies under discussion as part of budget talks Thune said: “The premium tax credit issue is something we’re willing to have a conversation about but…the fact of matter is it rife with waste fraud abuse It needs reforms.

“It is program where government pays makes direct payments insurance companies Insurance companies get subsidies cover more people so through their agents brokers go out auto-enroll people many whom don’t even know have coverage and of 23 million people who were covered exchanges last year 12 million never filed claim because lot them don’t even know have coverage And there no income caps on There couple West Virginia making $580000 year getting subsidies from federal government for their health care…”

“We’re willing have conversation but…you can’t do context hostage-taking situation which where are right now”