Remarks
Thune: Back to Regular Order
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, I’ve spoken a lot over the years about the need for a strong military. “I believe that keeping America at the cutting edge of military capabilities is one of the most important responsibilities we have in Congress. “And I often say that, if we don’t get national security right, the rest is… Continue Reading
11.18.25
Thune: Americans Deserve Better Than Democrats’ Shutdown Dysfunction
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, after 43 days, the longest government shutdown in history is over. “Shellshocked government employees are getting paid again. “The air travel situation is improving. “Nutrition programs are back on a secure footing. “But the damage remains. “How many of those government employees now g… Continue Reading
11.10.25
Thune: The Schumer Shutdown Is Almost Over
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, I’m glad to be able to say that eight Democrats joined Republicans last night to take the first step to reopen the government. “And in the very near future we will be voting on a final package - a clean continuing resolution until January 30 and three bipartisan, full-year appropriations b… Continue Reading
11.09.25
Thune: An End to the Schumer Shutdown Is Finally in Sight
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, after 40 long days, I’m hopeful that we can finally bring this shutdown to an end. “I don’t need to go over all the reasons why it’s imperative that we get the government open as soon as possible. “From the truly precarious situation we are in with regard to air travel to the fact that ou… Continue Reading
11.08.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 39
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, yesterday we finally heard Democrats entertain the notion of reopening the government. “It only took them 38 days. “Why, in the days before, progressives were urging Democrats to prolong the shutdown in perpetuity. “One House Democrat said, and I quote, ‘There would be hell to pay if Sena… Continue Reading
11.07.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 38
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Well, Mr. President, the junior senator from Connecticut certainly believes in saying the quiet part out loud. “This is what he said, and I quote: “‘I think there will be some pretty substantial damage done to a Democratic brand that has been rehabilitated, if on the heels of an election in which the peo… Continue Reading
11.06.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 37
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, we are 37 days into an entirely avoidable government shutdown. “And I say avoidable, Mr. President, because it was. “Democrats instigated this shutdown by rejecting a clean, nonpartisan funding resolution. “Republicans weren’t asking them to swallow a bunch of new conservative policies. … Continue Reading
11.05.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 36
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, can this be over now? “Have the American people suffered enough? “Or do Democrats need more? “Democrats have snarled air traffic. They’ve damaged small businesses. They’ve left federal workers in line at food banks. They’ve jeopardized food assistance - food assistance, Mr. President - fo… Continue Reading
11.04.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 35
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ “Those were the words of the Democrat leader a week into this shutdown, reflecting on the supposed benefits - political benefits - for Senate Democrats. “Well, Mr. President, I guess it’s nice that every day is getting better for Senate Democrats. “Because … Continue Reading
11.04.25
Thune on the Passing of Vice President Dick Cheney
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, like many Americans, I was saddened to learn this morning of the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney. “Dick was a lifelong public servant who believed very deeply in our country, and brought his considerable knowledge and intelligence to its service. “As secretary of defense and lat… Continue Reading
11.03.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 34
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, it’s November. “November. “It’s been five weeks since Democrats shut down the government. “And once again, we start this week by asking: Is this the week that Democrats end their shutdown? “Mr. President, I’ve said it before, that there are no winners in a government shutdown. “There ar… Continue Reading
10.30.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 30
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, Democrats are grasping at straws these days. “The other day the Democrat leader came to the floor and tried to reboot the notion that the clean CR sitting before us here in the Senate is a partisan CR. “Yep. “Apparently a bill with no partisan add-ons, strictly a bill to fund the governm… Continue Reading
10.29.25
Thune to Schumer’s Shutdown Senators: This Isn’t a Political Game, It’s People’s Livelihoods
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, thank you. “Reserving the right to object. “Let me just point out, if I might, that we are 29 days into a Democrat shutdown. “And the senator from New Mexico is absolutely right; SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food. “People should be getting paid in this country. “And we’ve tried … Continue Reading
10.29.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 29
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, we’re now in day 29 of the Democrat government shutdown. “And I say that because it is a Democrat shutdown. “Now, the Democrats are out there publicly saying, ‘Well, this is the Republicans who are responsible for shutting down the government,’ notwithstanding the fact that the House of Re… Continue Reading
10.28.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 28
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, this is a quote: ‘The path forward for Congress is clear: Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.’ “Mr. President, that is from the president of the American Federation of Government Employees - a labor union, I wo… Continue Reading
10.27.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 27
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, ‘There is a time and a place to debate health care, just like there is a time and place to debate energy policy and immigration and education - but not, not, when the funding of the federal government, and all the lives that are impacted by it, hang in the balance.’ “‘There is a time and a … Continue Reading
10.23.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 23
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, there was a time when Democrats opposed government shutdowns. “And not just opposed. “Democrats were critical of holding government funding hostage to political demands. “Our Democrat colleague from Michigan said that funding the government is ‘Congress’ most basic responsibility.’ “The … Continue Reading
10.21.25
Thune: Republicans Want to Reopen the Government, Get Back to Work for the American People
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at the White House with President Trump: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Thank you, sir. “Well, Mr. President, thank you for having us. “This is the fourth week of the Democrat shutdown, but we are all here today because your Republican team in the Senate is unified. “This is now the longest full shutdown in history. “But everybody here has voted now 11 different times to open up… Continue Reading
10.21.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 21
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, three weeks. “It’s been three weeks since Democrats shut down the government. “Since Democrats chose to put the demands of far-left activists ahead of serving the American people. “And over the last three weeks, Mr. President, it’s the American people who have borne the consequences of De… Continue Reading
10.20.25
Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day 20
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor: Thune’s remarks below (as delivered): “Mr. President, you have to give the Democrats credit for one thing, and that’s a healthy dose of gall. “Both the House and the Senate Democrat leaders were out last week claiming that they can’t fund the government until - get this - we solve the ‘Republican health care crisis.’ “That’s right. “The Repu… Continue Reading
