John Thune
ON THE RECORD · 25 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“I’m grateful for his dedicated service to our country, and I wish him and his family all the best with their next chapter,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-16
Thune called Braid a tremendous partner and wished him well.
“no clear path forward.”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Thune told Politico there was no clear path forward for the daylight saving time legislation in the Senate.
“it shouldn’t be paid for with taxpayer dollars”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Thune indicated he agreed with the message in one of the advertisements but said it should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars.
“I look at the way that the leaders in the Senate now act, and he voted once to open up the government when they were in the process of shutting it down the first time, and it just got blown up by the far left. And then ever since then, I mean, it's kind of whatever they want. They defer to that far-left base.”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune argued Schumer has deferred to the far-left base since a government shutdown standoff.
“We have a saying in my office that if you don't get national security right, the rest is conversation. You've got to protect the country. And so funding our military, the defense authorization bill, as I mentioned earlier — the Democrats blocked us from even getting on it on the floor. Historically, that's been bipartisan,”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune criticized Democrats for blocking the defense authorization bill from reaching the Senate floor.
“If we can maintain the majorities in the House and the Senate, the sky's the limit,”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune outlined Republicans' legislative priorities should the GOP retain control of Congress in November.
“I think he lives in fear of that every day. I really do,”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune said on "My View with Lara Trump" that Schumer lives in fear of the Democratic Party's far-left wing.
“critical to our intelligence community.”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune emphasized the importance of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to the intelligence community.
“Those are the kinds of things that keep me up at night. I think, to me, it's always about keeping this country safe and secure. Since that problem is kind of now solved, people are like, 'Okay, what have you done for me lately?' And obviously, you know, we've got more to do.”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune discussed national security as a top priority and acknowledged more work remains to be done.
“But the trajectory that we are on as a country, when it comes to economic policy, national security, the border, all these issues, we are headed in the right direction,”
John Thune · said 2026-10-03 · reported 2026-10-04
Thune added that the country is headed in the right direction on economic policy, national security, and the border.
“have to handle … that issue in a way that makes sense for their individual states.”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Thune acknowledged that candidates may diverge with Trump on trade and will have to handle the issue in a way that makes sense for their states.
“Their resources need to be brought to bear on Texas because it’s not one that we can lose if we’re going to hang on to a Republican majority,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-05
Thune said on Fox News that Republican resources need to be directed to Texas to hold the Republican majority.
“I represent a beef-producing state. We have four times as many cattle as people,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-22
Senate Majority Leader John Thune previously explained his opposition to lowering beef import tariffs.
“So, I'd turn my fire on the Democrats, attack them for being against something that is fundamentally straightforward, simple to understand for the American people, and realize that the best way to get the SAVE Act across the finish line is to elect more Republican senators.”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune said Republicans should focus criticism on Democrats and elect more GOP senators to pass the SAVE Act.
“Yeah, but I think the base can be plenty motivated by other issues, and particularly by the president getting out there on the campaign trail and telling them why it's important that they elect Republicans to the Senate.”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune argued the base could be motivated by other issues besides the SAVE America Act.
“If you look at Maine, in North Carolina, in Ohio, in Iowa, in Alaska, you know, it's the Indy voters, it is the middle of the electorate, and we are not talking to them when we are arguing with each other over whether or not to eliminate the filibuster,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune pointed to independent voters in key states as the real audience Republicans need to reach.
“I mean, that's just not an issue that's going to win the hearts and minds of the American people in November,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune said internal GOP disputes over the filibuster won't win over voters.
“Why not turn [the SAVE America Act] into a campaign issue,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune suggested turning the SAVE America Act into a campaign issue.
“Everybody has their own ideas about how best to communicate our message, but I think our message between now and November ought to be why the Democrats are completely out of step with the American people and why we need to elect more Republicans so we can do things like the SAVE America Act,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune said the GOP's message should focus on electing more Republicans rather than infighting.
“The president made the argument, ‘Well, pass the Save America Act, it will motivate our base,’”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Thune described the president's argument for passing the SAVE America Act as a motivator for the Republican base.
“ought to be available to us,”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-06
Thune said a contempt vote ought to be available but has given no sign he would support eliminating the 60-vote requirement.
“It’s difficult to believe that we’re here today to say a final farewell to Lindsey as he leaves the Capitol for the last time. My heart is heavy,”
John Thune · said 2026-07-28 · reported 2026-07-28
Thune spoke at the Capitol ceremony as Graham's casket lay in the rotunda.
“Lindsey was a towering figure here in the Senate and on the international stage. ... Lindsey will be remembered as a senator and as a statesman,”
John Thune · said 2026-07-28 · reported 2026-07-28
Thune spoke at the Capitol ceremony honoring Graham's legacy in the Senate and on the international stage.
“But for me, most of all, I will remember him as my friend. It’s hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey.”
John Thune · said 2026-07-28 · reported 2026-07-28
Thune spoke at the Capitol ceremony and reflected on his personal friendship with Graham.
“small but important step for fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.”
John Thune · said date not stated · reported 2025-07-17
Senate Majority Leader John Thune supported the rescissions request as a way to target wasteful federal spending.