US CONGRESS · SITTING

John Thune

Senator for South Dakota · Republican · United States

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“Around this time last year, during Democrats' record-long government shutdown, Senate Democrats were working to end this program. I am curious if the Democrat leader would like to claw back the $212 million that rural healthcare providers in New York are going to receive from this program this year.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

“Well, perhaps the Democrat leader should check in with his State's Governor, who said of a recent $76 million investment from this program: These investments will bring rural hospitals, health centers and community providers together to strengthen regional health care networks and make it easier for New Yorkers to get the care they need c…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

“This funding will help expand crisis services and build out our State's workforce in behavioral healthcare, and it comes after another announcement in August of funding to modernize technology and strengthen cyber security at rural healthcare providers in South Dakota, an initiative that will not only modernize care in my State but also s…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

“Mr. President, we are coming to the end of the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. This multiyear initiative created in Republicans' Working Families Tax Cut legislation will invest $50 billion in all 50 States to put rural healthcare providers on a more sustainable footing for the future.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

“In the words of South Dakota Secretary of Health Melissa Magstadt, ``the initiatives that we've developed came strictly from the assessments we had, the expert input we garnered, and what citizens themselves said they needed in the community.'' That is exactly how the Rural Health Transformation Program is supposed to work, and it is not…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 922, S. Res. 923, S. Res. 924, S. Res. 925, S. Res. 926, S. Res. 927, and S. Res. 928. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc. Mr.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗

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“On top of that, numerous companies have already made pledges to contribute to the Trump Accounts for their employees' children, and some philanthropists have made similar commitments. Plus, as I indicated earlier, any member of the family can contribute to a Trump Account. So an aunt or an uncle, grandma or grandpa can add money to a Trump Account as a birthday gift or Christmas gift, further boosting the amount a child will have available when he or she reaches young adulthood. Even $20 per month can build to a substantial sum of money by the time a baby born this year turns 18. And the Trump Accounts app even includes modules and other resources for parents and children to learn about investing and grow their financial literacy, which will help them throughout their lives.”
Senate21 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, every parent wants to give their kids a better life than they had. So parents spend a lot of time making sure their kids are ready when opportunity comes their way. In many cases, that involves putting money aside for their future. Opportunity is one of the pillars of Republicans' Working Families Tax Cut. That means both creating opportunity and helping more Americans to seize those opportunities to get ahead. And one of the ways this bill does that is by helping parents to save and invest in their children's futures. That starts with lower tax bills so parents can keep more of their hard-earned money. And on top of that, we made it easier for parents to support their kids' dreams with things like the bill's new Trump Accounts.”
Senate21 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate21 July 2026Source ↗
“To quote the New York Times again, ``Many Americans say the [Democrat] Party does not share their priorities.'' A year and a half later, it is obvious that that is still the case: men's and women's sports, abortion up until the moment of birth, open borders, defunding law enforcement. Instead of moving toward the middle, Democrats are just getting more extreme. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Democrats voted against authorizing funding for our military. It is a sad day when Democrats are playing politics with everything all the way up to our national security, but that is where we are. Democrats have had numerous opportunities in the last year and a half to work with us on things that matter to the American people. And, again and again, they have chosen to follow members of their far-left base, in some cases--see New York City's mayor--follow them directly into socialism. That is right. Self-identified Democrat socialists have been winning elections across the country. So what is next? Will the Democrat Party adopt the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America?”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“A party that is doing everything it can to eliminate pregnancy resource centers simply because they won't recommend abortion. As I said, Democrats are in thrall to the far left of their party, and it is not just on those issues. Far-left activists seem to be the audience for almost everything Democrats do these days. Take, for example, Democrats' two--that is right, two--record-long government shutdowns. Last fall, Democrats shut down the entire Federal Government for a record 43 days to show the far left that they were fighting President Trump. And while TSA lines snaked outside of airports and Americans were visiting food banks because they had to work without pay, the Democrat leader was quoted as saying: Every day gets better for us. Better, that is, for Democrats seeking the approval of the far left.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Procedures, I might add, with no substantial medical evidence to support them and plenty of reason to believe they are extremely dangerous for children, but apparently Democrats are fine subjecting children to those risks. And of course, Mr. President, Democrats are still proudly pro- abortion. And when I say pro-abortion, I mean pro-abortion. How else do you describe a party that wouldn't even support legislation to provide medical care to a baby born alive during a failed abortion? A party that can't bring itself to support a bill to ensure that a pregnant college student knows that there are resources available to help her finish her degree and have her baby. The party that directed small business COVID relief funds to Planned Parenthood, even though they were legally ineligible.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“And when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously last month that State laws protecting women's sports are allowable under the plain language of title IX, one Democrat Senator called the ruling unjust. ``Unjust,'' Mr. President. As if a young woman working hard all season, only to lose to a man with an inherent biological advantage, is somehow just. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe that biological men should not be playing women's sports, but that doesn't seem to matter to Senate Democrats. And their commitment to transgender ideology doesn't end with supporting the presence of men in women's sports. Democrats have also tacitly--or not so tacitly--endorsed radical gender transition procedures being performed on minors.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“But when the poll asked Americans to identify Democrats' most important priorities, Americans identified issues like abortion and climate change, among others. Our Democrat colleagues have found themselves out of power for 18 months now. And we have given them plenty of opportunities to show some evolution--perhaps even moderation--to voters. But as the record shows, Democrats are still in thrall to the far left of their party. They still have the same priorities that turned voters off from Democrats in the last election. Mr. President, for starters, radical transgender ideology remains an article of faith among Democrats. Democrats have repeatedly opposed efforts to keep biological men out of women's sports.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, at the beginning of last year, the New York Times took a poll of the American voters, and the headline captures their results. This is what it said: ``Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.'' Let me repeat that, Mr. President. ``Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.'' That is right. A New York Times poll taken weeks after voters rejected Democrats at the ballot box suggested that one of the reasons for Democrats' loss was that Americans don't think Democrats share their priorities. The story went on to say: The issues that people cited as most important to them personally were the economy and inflation, health care and immigration . . .”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 827.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 831.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 829.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“I move to proceed to Calendar No. 436, S. 4784.”
Senate20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:51 p.m., adjourned until Monday, July 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. ____________________”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, July 20; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, that at 5:30 p.m.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous order with respect to the Westercamp nomination be modified so that the confirmation vote may occur notwithstanding rule XXII and with all other provisions remaining in effect.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the following nominations en bloc: Calendar No. 813 through Calendar No. 817; that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“I yield the floor.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 775.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his ``Concord Hymn,'' referred to the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord as ``the shot heard round the world.'' If I may borrow his phrase, I think it is fair to say that the Declaration was the ``statement heard round the world.'' It is still--still--heard round the world to this day, and I pray it will be heard until the end of time. May God bless our beloved country and keep us faithful to the principles for which we stand. I yield the floor. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“I think it is the natural consequence of the principles that we espouse. Every Fourth of July is a day of celebration, but this one--marking 250 years--was particularly special. South Dakota was honored to welcome President Trump to our fireworks at Mount Rushmore--a truly spectacular event. There is no better place to reflect on the majesty of this great country. It is fitting too, though, that along with the celebrations--along with the fireworks and the parades and the hotdogs and the hamburgers-- that July 4 be a day of thanksgiving for the Declaration of Independence and the Nation it founded, for the blessing of liberty, and for all those who have pledged their lives to its defense, from the founding of our country to the present day.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“The media has been filled with stories on how much visitors to this country are enjoying the United States. They are encountering the American character: generous, optimistic, big-hearted, friendly. And they are embracing it. And it occurs to me that that American character almost unquestionably has a lot to do with our founding principles. When you believe that all men are created equal, when you believe that they have God-given rights and dignity--well, that has consequences. All men are created equal. There is no class of divinely appointed rulers, no hereditary aristocratic class, no barriers set to prevent you from rising. Those principles have consequences. So I don't think it is surprising that Americans are generous and big-hearted and optimistic and friendly.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Jefferson himself, writing in 1825, said of the Declaration: Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion. All its authority rests then on the harmonizing sentiments of the day, whether expressed in conversation, in letters, in printed essays, or in the elementary books of public right, as Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, Sidney, etc. While many of the ideas in the Declaration were not new, the document was nevertheless, as I said, revolutionary because the Declaration marked an event essentially unique in human history.”
Senate16 July 2026Source ↗
“Here are the facts: Democrats can't bring themselves to authorize funding for our Nation's security, whether that is security at our border, funding for our military, or paychecks for our troops. It doesn't matter how bipartisan the bill is; Democrats can't bring themselves to support our Nation's security. Is it politics? Do Democrats think that voting against our national defense and our Nation's military will gain them points with their base or do they simply think they can afford to ignore our Nation's defense needs until some hostile actor takes advantage of our weakness? I don't know, but I do know that our Nation is less safe because of Democrats' actions. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate15 July 2026Source ↗
“Well, that was also because Democrats couldn't take yes for an answer. Democrats and Republicans had agreed on a bipartisan DHS funding bill. Democrats reneged on that agreement because they wanted to negotiate for more, and Republicans said yes to negotiation. And then Democrats shut down the Department anyway, even though Republicans were willing to negotiate further--even though the White House repeatedly offered a robust package of reforms. So as I said, I don't know whether it is self-delusion or deliberate deception, but I have heard few things more ludicrous than Democrats' narrative that they can't agree to legislation because Republicans are being partisan.”
Senate15 July 2026Source ↗
“In either a fit of self-delusion or an attempt to distract from their actions, Democrats are trying to peddle the narrative that somehow they can't agree to anything because Republicans are trying to make things partisan. That is right. Well, let me spend just a minute correcting the record here. The National Defense Authorization Act the Democrats voted against yesterday? Bipartisan. That is right. The National Defense Authorization Act is bipartisan legislation. Four Democrats voted for the bill--for the bill--at the committee markup. Democrats' recordbreaking full government shutdown in the fall? Well, that was because they wouldn't accept a nonpartisan, short-term, clean government funding extension to allow bipartisan negotiations to continue. The Democrats' recordbreaking Department of Homeland Security shutdown?”
Senate15 July 2026Source ↗
“They voted against a pay increase for our troops. They voted against quality-of-life improvements for our troops. They voted against the reform of the Pentagon's acquisition process. They voted against funding for unmanned systems like drones and counter-drone measures, an essential--essential--security need in this day and age. They voted against shipbuilding efforts to strengthen our naval fleet. They voted against measures to maintain our Nation's airpower. They voted against including 38 of their own amendments. I could go on here, but you get the point. Once again, Democrats are playing fast and loose with our Nation's security. I say ``once again'' because Democrats have been playing fast and loose with our Nation's security all year.”
Senate15 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, Americans tend to trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to national security. And, boy oh boy, do Democrats seem determined to demonstrate why that is the case. Yesterday afternoon, Democrats voted against the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that authorizes spending for our Nation's defense. Their ostensible excuse was the conflict in Iran. Well, in case they were operating under a misconception, I am happy to tell them that this year's National Defense Authorization Act is not an Iran funding supplemental. It is the annual--annual--legislation authorizing the basic needs of our military and the basic needs of our men and women in uniform, needs that exist no matter what is happening in Iran. Let's just talk about what the Democrats voted against yesterday.”
Senate15 July 2026Source ↗
“It is my hope that we will be able to pass this bill out of the Senate soon and begin the process of working with our counterparts in the House and with the White House on a final bill. Republicans are ready to go. The question is: How will Democrats vote today? Are there enough Democrat Senators who support moving forward with a bipartisan--bipartisan--defense bill? I see no reason that there shouldn't be. But then again, Democrats have allowed the politics of obstruction to determine so many of their actions for the last year and a half. I certainly hope that Democrats won't now put politics ahead of support for our men and women in uniform, but that is up to them. I yield the floor. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“That includes allowing multiyear procurement contracts that allow the Pentagon to do business more efficiently with greater predictability and savings for taxpayers. I need to mention what this bill does for the men and women serving our country and their families who serve alongside them. This year's NDAA supports a 3.6 percent pay raise for our troops, and it invests in a number of quality-of-life improvements for them and their families: investments in education, housing, healthcare, and childcare. Our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have put forward a strong bill--a strong bill for our national security and for the men and women who defend our Nation.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“This year's NDAA will not only help ensure that America can keep pace with those challenges but also that we can outpace our adversaries. It puts a heavy emphasis on unmanned systems, especially drones and counterdrone measures. It also continues shipbuilding efforts to strengthen our naval fleet. As for our airpower, this year's bill will help ensure we maintain a force of at least 1,800 fighters and supports the new B-21 long-range strategic bomber. There is a lot I could talk about in this bill--from investing in our nuclear deterrent to supporting munitions production--but I will mention just two more important aspects of this year's bill. First, it builds on efforts in last year's NDAA to reform defense acquisition.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“It is the bill that helps ensure our military is ready today and prepared for tomorrow, and I am proud that our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee--with the leadership of Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed--have reported out a strong National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027. For the 66th year in a row, the Armed Services Committee has produced a bipartisan NDAA. And later today, we are going to have a vote to proceed to this important bill. We have had regular reminders over the last few years that we live in a dangerous world, that America still has enemies--enemies that want to attack us, our allies, and our interests. We have seen too how quickly warfare evolves in this day and age.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Whether responding to a natural disaster at home or fighting our enemies abroad, the men and women in America's Armed Forces stand ready to answer the call. They are our most important national security asset, and we have an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have everything they need for whatever the mission may be. I know Senators on both sides of the aisle take that obligation seriously, and we must. As I have said so often before, if you don't get national security right, the rest is just conversation. If we don't make national security a priority here, we run the risk that Americans serving in uniform won't have what they need when they need it. That is why the National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills that we do each year.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, like many of us, I represent a State with a rich heritage of military service, and South Dakota continues to punch above its weight in our Armed Forces. Our National Guard is frequently called up for critical deployments at home and around the world, and Ellsworth Air Force Base is a key asset to our national defense. In fact, today Ellsworth is the largest construction site in the Air Force as it prepares to host the first B- 21 bombers next year. During the recent State work period, I was glad to welcome Air Force Secretary Troy Meink--a South Dakota native--to Ellsworth. We met with the base leadership and some of the airmen stationed there, and we saw the progress the base is making as it prepares for its important new mission.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, before I begin my remarks this morning, I want to offer a word of welcome to the new Senator from South Carolina. Later today, we will swear in Darline Graham to fill the seat of her brother and our friend Lindsey Graham. I know Darline will carry on Lindsey's tireless service for South Carolina, and I look forward to serving with her. ____________________”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I understand that there are four bills at the desk due for a second reading en bloc.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate14 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 801 following the remarks of Senators Coons and Lankford.”
Senate13 July 2026Source ↗
“President, for the information of my colleagues, at 2:30 p.m., the Senate will swear in the Senator-designate Darline Graham and, following her swearing in, vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 436, S. 4784, the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. ____________________”
Senate13 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m.”
Senate13 July 2026Source ↗

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