Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the press in Washington, expressing concerns about the current state of the Democratic Party. Thune highlighted potential issues regarding U.S. and Israeli defense policies.

"Today finds the Democrats in disarray," he stated, questioning whether this situation might lead to changes in defense strategies concerning an "unlawful court that the United States and Israel are not members of." He emphasized past actions by the International Criminal Court targeting American soldiers, stressing the need for a firm stance against such measures.

Thune acknowledged Senators Risch and Cotton for their efforts on this matter, indicating they would provide further insights soon.

The Majority Leader also discussed ongoing nomination processes, referencing recent Democratic opposition to John Ratcliffe's CIA nomination. Despite initial blocking attempts, Ratcliffe eventually secured 74 votes on the Senate floor.

Thune warned that continued obstruction could result in prolonged legislative sessions: "If they want to continue to obstruct and delay, we’re going to continue to grind and grind and grind."

He expressed hope for smoother proceedings on nominations with broad bipartisan support, emphasizing collaboration with the president to advance his agenda effectively.