Senate Minority Leader John Thune, R.S., will replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to advance President-elect Donald Trump's immigration policies. I plan on making this the first item on my to-do list. In Congress, Republicans will hold a majority in both the House and Senate.
“The real work to make our agenda a reality begins now,” he said in a floor speech Thursday. “It starts with Biden-Harris ending the border crisis and deporting illegal immigrants.”
He said that rebuilding the economy is also close to his top priority. With key elements of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by President Trump set to expire in 2025, Thune said Republicans will take steps to update the bill through the budget reconciliation process.
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President-elect Donald Trump (left) and Senator John Thune (RS.D.) (Left: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Right: Nathan Posner/Anadolu, Getty Images)
The budget reconciliation process would allow Republicans to avoid Democrats blocking economic policy, since it cannot be filibustered or delayed like legislation. The incoming Republican majority of 53 members should have no problem passing this bill.
The South Dakota Republican further emphasized important communications and procedural changes his leadership is implementing, which were frequently the subject of criticism from senators under McConnell.
Thune said his office will be “a resource, not an obstacle” for council members.
Mr. Thune wins in secret ballot and becomes the new Senate Republican leader, replacing Mr. McConnell.
Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2024, for the Senate Republican leadership election. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
In a notable victory for a number of outspoken hard-line conservative senators, he emphasized his “commitment to the amendment.”
”[A]All members of the Senate, not just members of specific committees, should have a say in the final bill through floor amendments. “Members should expect voting on amendments to become the norm.”
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Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah attends a joint hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Senate has frequently operated in recent history using amendment trees filled with predetermined amendments proposed by the majority leader. This prevented individual senators from introducing their own amendments on the floor.
In another credit to vocal Republican critics of both McConnell and the current Congress, Thune clarified that “members should also expect a return to normal order in the Senate next year.” He said this includes the spending process “so we don't end up with a pile-up at the end of the year or a continuation of questionable continuing resolutions.”
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House Speaker Mike Johnson shakes hands with President-elect Donald Trump on the podium during the House Republican Conference at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Congress is on track to advance a new stopgap spending bill, especially before Christmas when the last continuing resolution expires.
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The minority whip added that finalizing President Trump's nominees would also be high on his to-do list, saying, “Members expect a tight schedule until these nominees are confirmed.” You should,” he added.
Additionally, he announced open communication with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and House Speaker Trump to implement these priorities in the new federal Republican tripartite coalition.
