Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune appeared on Fox News with Martha MacCallum to discuss several pressing issues, including the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, tariffs, and government efficiency.

Regarding the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, Thune expressed concern over what he perceives as a shift in Democratic support for Title IX. "I’ve never seen a quicker abandonment of something that Democrats used to say they supported than their undermining of Title IX," he stated. He emphasized his belief that allowing boys to participate in girls' sports is neither safe nor fair. "There is no level playing field then when it comes to women in sports, and it’s just flat wrong," Thune added.

On the topic of tariffs, Thune acknowledged the importance of reciprocal tariffs but highlighted the potential impact on agricultural states like South Dakota. "I do know, as somebody who represents an agricultural state, how dependent we are upon export markets," he noted. He stressed the need for careful consideration of tariffs' effects on different economic sectors and expressed hope that any measures taken would be temporary and aimed at specific goals such as curbing fentanyl flow into the U.S.

Thune also addressed efforts by DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) to streamline federal operations. "[A]t the end of the day, what DOGE is doing is long overdue – I’ve said this before," he remarked. He underscored the necessity for modernization and increased efficiency within the federal government to meet public expectations.