Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on Newsmax with Greta Van Susteren to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and negotiations in Congress. Thune addressed the responsibility of lawmakers to fund the government and criticized Democrats for their approach to the funding resolution.

Thune said, "The other party has a decision to make: Do they want to vote to reopen the government, or don’t they? These discussions, negotiations, all the things … they want to talk about, we’re willing to do, but not until they reopen the government and quit taking the American people hostage. This is a very simple, straightforward issue."

He noted that there is a funding resolution ready in the Senate which has already passed in the House of Representatives and would be signed by the president if approved by the Senate. Thune stated, "All [the Democrats] have to do is reopen the government, and then we can have the conversation if they want to talk about some of these other issues."

Thune also criticized Democratic proposals related to spending and health care benefits for noncitizens. He argued that these were part of a larger set of demands influenced by liberal groups.

Regarding Covid subsidies, Thune raised concerns about extending pandemic-era programs without reforms. He said, "They want the Covid subsidies, but that program is rife with fraud, waste, and abuse. And yes, we will have the conversation, but we can’t do just a straight-up extension." He highlighted that more than half of those enrolled did not file claims last year and emphasized that any continuation should better serve taxpayers.

On accusations of hypocrisy regarding shutdowns, Thune referenced past statements from Democratic leaders about keeping government open and suggested current positions are driven by political considerations. He stated that continuing appropriations through regular order was preferable and described the current short-term funding resolution as “a seven-week, nonpartisan, clean, short-term funding resolution.”

Thune concluded by emphasizing his preference for resolving health care issues separately from immediate funding needs.