Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate, criticizing Democrats for what he described as their role in the current federal government shutdown. According to Thune, essential federal employees such as military personnel, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers are currently working without pay due to the impasse.

Thune stated, "Democrats have bowed to the far left, and they’ve shut down the federal government." He noted that several government services are now unavailable or at risk because of the shutdown.

He argued that Democrats are aware of the consequences of a government shutdown but are choosing to prioritize political fights over practical solutions. "All that seems to matter is that their far-left base sees them ‘fighting’ against President Trump. And the American people just have to suffer the consequences," Thune said.

Thune emphasized there is a straightforward way out of the situation: "There is a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution at the desk. It has no partisan policy riders. No new Republican policies. It just keeps the government running until November the 21st." He explained that this measure has already passed in the House and awaits only Senate approval before being signed into law by President Trump.

According to Thune, Senate Democrats are blocking this resolution by insisting on $1.5 trillion in additional spending for seven weeks—an amount he pointed out exceeds even defense spending for four weeks.

Thune referenced previous occasions when Republicans supported funding extensions during Democratic majorities under President Biden: "We were in [this] situation 13 times when Democrats had the majority under President Biden. And 13 times, Republicans provided more than enough votes to keep the government open."

He called on Democrats to join Republicans in voting for what he described as a nonpartisan extension and warned that ongoing delays were hindering progress on appropriations bills: "It’s also delaying important work on appropriations bills."

Highlighting bipartisan progress earlier in the year, Thune said: "Thanks to the work of Chair Collins and the Appropriations Committee, we passed three bipartisan bills before the August recess for the first time since 2018."

In closing his remarks, Thune quoted past statements from Democratic leadership made during previous shutdowns: "'Why must we hold millions of Americans who depend on the services of these Agencies that are closed—hundreds of thousands of workers who get paid by these Agencies—why must we hold them hostage? Why must a temper tantrum determine how we vote and what happens in this government? Everyone can shut down the government on anything—any leader, any President. It is not the way to do things.'"

Thune urged Democrats to act promptly: "Democrats need to reopen the government. And we need to get back to work for the American people."