Northeast South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) appeared on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio to discuss several topics, including the influence of Charlie Kirk, recent changes to Senate nomination rules, Democratic opposition in the Senate, legislation regarding Russian sanctions, national security investments, and issues facing American agriculture.

Thune spoke about Charlie Kirk’s role in the conservative movement. He said, “[Charlie Kirk] had a way of connecting with people that made them feel part of something that’s bigger than themselves. And I think most people want to be part of something that gives them a sense, a cause that’s bigger than themselves. And I think that was the real gift that he had, was not only … the strength of his convictions, which were clear, but also his passion for sharing those.

“And there was a spirituality about him, I think, too, that people find attractive today. That was infectious, and I think a lot of young people in particular are looking for something to believe in, something in which they can find hope. And I think he represented that to a lot of people and they were able to identify with him and … the convictions that he held.”

Addressing recent changes to how nominations are handled in the Senate, Thune stated: “[The Senate] will be able to now move [nominations] in blocks, which is something … the Democrats had suggested back when Biden was president. And so we gave them a chance yesterday to vote on that. They blocked the vote and so we … went forward with a rules change we will fully complete early next week, and then we’ll vote on the first 50 or so nominees that are held up.”

He criticized what he described as unprecedented obstruction by Democrats: “Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have engaged in petty partisanship on a level that has been unseen in American history. We’ve gone back in the annals of history, can’t find a president who has had the opposition party completely shut down his ability to get his people in place … [President Trump] won an election in this country, [and] the people of this country expect him to have his team to be able to implement his agenda.”

On pending legislation concerning Russian sanctions Thune commented: “We have been working with the White House on that legislation, and we want to make sure that when we move it, it’s something that they are comfortable with and that ... they think enhances their ability to get a deal with Russia and gives them the tools that they need … When the administration is ready to move, we will move.”

Discussing defense spending under what he called “The One Big Beautiful Bill,” Thune said: “The One Big Beautiful Bill had … [a] generational investment in national security, having to do with ships, having to do with air assets, having to do with just replacing building up munitions and that sort of thing … The One Big Beautiful Bill … was an important step forward but obviously it’s not enough.

“We’ve got to continue to be ready to meet the threats of modern warfare that are being employed by a lot of our adversaries … I was in Finland a couple of weeks ago and met with Finnish leaders there. These people get it now,and I think they are more than ever want[ing]to work as partners withthe U.S.…they’re readytobuyour equipment,we’vejustgottobeabletostartproducingitat scale.”

Turning finally tothe agricultural sectorin South Dakotaand across America Thunesaid:“We’vegotareallybigcropcominginhere this fall,andnoplace togowithit.Chinaisnotbuying,and60percentofoursoybeansinSouthDakotagototheexportmarket.Soitisafunctionofincreasingdemand openingmarkets.I’veimpressedupontheWhiteHousetheimportance whentheycutthesedealsofmakingsurethatagricultureisfrontandcenter.”