Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the ongoing government shutdown in remarks delivered on the Senate floor, marking one week since the federal government ceased operations. Thune attributed responsibility for the shutdown to Senate Democrats, stating, "it’s been one week since Democrats shut down the government."

Thune outlined that two continuing resolutions had come before the Senate during this period. He described the Republican-backed proposal as a "clean funding extension," which he said contains no partisan policy riders and would extend current funding levels through November 21 to allow further work on full-year appropriations.

In contrast, Thune criticized the Democratic proposal, saying it would fund the government until October 3 but include $1.5 trillion in new spending. He stated: "Their resolution would fund the government until October 3 in exchange for $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending." He further objected to provisions he said were included by Democrats: "their plan makes noncitizens eligible for federal health care programs," removes "commonsense work requirements for able-bodied adults to be eligible for Medicaid," and repeals a "$50 billion rural health fund that Republicans enacted in July."

Thune emphasized his belief that these measures threaten rural health care and expressed concern about their impact: "Why Democrats think that threatening health care in rural America is a winning proposition is beyond me."

He argued that there is only one way forward: passing what he called a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution already approved by the House of Representatives. According to Thune, "President Trump is ready to sign today – right now," and only a few votes are needed in the Senate.

Addressing broader impacts of the shutdown, Thune highlighted consequences including federal workers operating without pay—such as military personnel, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers—the lapse of National Flood Insurance Program coverage during hurricane season, expiration of telehealth programs particularly important in rural areas, delays for Americans seeking services or benefits from federal agencies, and looming financial difficulties for families relying on programs like WIC.

He also noted that bipartisan appropriations bills remain stalled due to what he described as Democrats' strategy: "Senate Democrats...are blocking progress on bipartisan full-year funding legislation with their shutdown strategy."

Thune concluded with an appeal for Democratic senators to support reopening the government through a clean continuing resolution—a measure he said has been supported previously when Democrats held both chambers and President Biden was in office: “We just need a handful more [Democrats], and we can reopen the government and get back to working for the American people.”