Northeast South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently appeared on The Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss several pressing issues, including the potential passage of a significant bill by July 4. Thune expressed optimism about the timeline, stating, "I still think we get this done this weekend … There’s a ton of swirl, and like I said, the new stuff coming at us every day." He highlighted the importance of passing the bill for its benefits to Americans, mentioning it as "the biggest spending reduction in history" and emphasizing its alignment with President Trump's agenda.

Thune also addressed the issue of state and local tax (SALT) deductions. He noted that Senate Republicans are generally uninterested in revisiting this policy reform from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, he acknowledged that compromises might be necessary to secure votes in the House: "We know, in order to get the votes in the House, we’re going to have to … make a deal there."

Regarding U.S. involvement with Iran's nuclear program, Thune commented on recent military actions: "I think there’s no doubt that their – Iran’s – nuclear program was severely set back as a result of what were … very precise... strikes." He credited President Trump for his leadership during these events and drew parallels between past and present U.S. foreign policy approaches.

Thune concluded by reflecting on historical political shifts and public sentiment leading up to elections: "The country was desperately looking for that this time around and I think that’s why they... voted for President Trump."