Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate regarding the ongoing government shutdown, now in its third day. Thune attributed the continuation of the shutdown to what he described as Democratic inflexibility on spending demands.

“It’s been two weeks since our first vote on a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open,” Thune said. “This shutdown could have been avoided well before it began. But because Democrats have not budged from their partisan demands, the shutdown is now entering its third day.”

Thune stated that legislative work has stalled due to disagreements over appropriations and funding extensions. He noted that several bipartisan bills are ready for consideration but cannot proceed while the government remains closed.

“We could be considering bipartisan appropriations bills through regular order,” Thune said. “Going to conference on the three appropriations bills we passed in August. Or passing the bipartisan annual defense bill. But instead we’re stuck in a shutdown mess of Democrats’ making.”

According to Thune, House Republicans have already passed a “clean, nonpartisan funding extension” which awaits a vote in the Senate. He emphasized that this measure contains no new Republican policies or partisan policy riders and would extend government funding through November 21.

“All it does is reopen the government through November the 21st to give us more time to pass appropriations bills here on the floor,” he explained.

Thune criticized Democrats for proposing $1.5 trillion in additional spending as part of their approach to ending the shutdown, characterizing it as excessive compared to defense spending and labeling it a “far-left wish list.”

He urged Senate Democrats to allow a vote on the House-passed resolution: “We need to take one roll call vote – just one roll call vote – on the House-passed, clean continuing resolution.” Thune added that President Biden has indicated readiness to sign such legislation if passed by Congress.

Citing statements from Democratic leaders criticizing previous use of government shutdowns as political leverage, Thune called for an end to what he described as “shutdown politics.” He reiterated Republican willingness to reopen federal operations and negotiate further once funding is restored.

“How much longer this shutdown lasts depends entirely on Democrats,” Thune concluded. “The choice is theirs.”