Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune appeared on Fox News with Laura Ingraham to discuss several pressing issues. During the interview, Thune emphasized the importance of confirming President Trump's nominees, particularly those related to national security. He expressed concerns about potential obstacles from Democratic leaders, stating, “Those national security noms, especially, are critical to the country. Really important that we get them done, get them done quickly. Schumer is, and the Democrats are, probably not going to cooperate. You would think after the election, they might have learned their lesson.”

Thune also spoke about President Trump's electoral mandate and its implications for the Republican majority in the Senate. He remarked on Trump's significant support base and its influence on legislative priorities: “I mean, he got 77 million votes. He gave us a… 53-seat majority in the United States Senate. So he is the driving force behind everything. And the people in this country gave him a mandate, and we intend to deliver on that mandate."

Regarding economic policies, Thune highlighted areas of focus such as border security and energy policy as immediate priorities aligned with pro-growth tax policies: “I think we can do some things right out of the gate… border security, which is a huge priority for the president, for all of us; on energy; and on military readiness.” He mentioned plans to address these issues while considering spending cuts: "But do that, get a quick win, and then focus on the broader debate about taxes and some of the other issues that you mentioned."