Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota addressed the Senate floor, criticizing President Biden's economic policies and attributing them to the current inflation crisis. Thune emphasized that Republicans are prepared to collaborate with President Trump to promote pro-growth policies aimed at enhancing economic opportunities.

During his speech, Thune remarked on President Biden's recent address about the economy, describing it as an attempt to salvage what he called a "dismal economic record." He questioned Biden's frequently used phrase about growing the economy from "the bottom up and the middle out," asserting that this has not been achieved under Biden's administration.

Thune highlighted the financial burden faced by families due to inflation, stating, "a typical family has to pay an additional $13,375 per year" since Biden took office. He noted that this increase predominantly affects those in lower and middle-income brackets.

Citing CBS News exit polling from November, Thune mentioned that two-thirds of voters described the economy as bad, with 45 percent feeling financially worse off than four years ago. He criticized Biden's handling of economic recovery post-COVID-19 and attributed ongoing inflation issues to what he termed ill-advised COVID relief legislation.

Looking forward, Thune expressed optimism for change with Republican majorities in Congress and President Trump's upcoming term. He outlined priorities such as preserving tax relief from Trump's first administration and reducing regulations imposed by the Biden-Harris administration. Additionally, he advocated for American energy independence as a means to strengthen both the economy and national security.

Thune concluded by anticipating an end to what he referred to as "President Biden’s disastrous economic policies" and envisioning a more prosperous future under Republican leadership.