John Thune

Senate Majority Leader (R-SD) - Supports bill but opposes eliminating filibuster to pass it

Since 1993, Americans have registered to vote by attesting to their citizenship under penalty of perjury. No proof required. The House just voted 218-213 to change that, passing the SAVE America Act to mandate in-person documentary proof of citizenship—a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers—before anyone can register for federal elections.

Updated Feb 12

Senate Republican Leader - Rejected House three-year extension but open to bipartisan Senate compromise with reforms

The ACA subsidy cliff has delivered the predicted damage. Enhanced premium tax credits expired on January 1, 2026, and by late January, enrollment data confirmed the worst fears: 1.2 to 1.4 million fewer Americans signed up for marketplace coverage compared to the prior year, with total 2026 enrollment falling to 22.8–22.9 million. Average premium payments for subsidized enrollees jumped 114% as projected—from $888 to $1,904 annually—while Trump administration changes to tax credit calculations amplified the shock. State exchanges reported steep declines: California saw new sign-ups fall 32%, Massachusetts lost 13,000 enrollees, and Mississippi expects 200,000 to abandon coverage. The predicted rate shock is no longer a forecast; it is reshaping the individual insurance market in real time.

Updated Feb 6

Senate Majority Leader (R-SD) - Refusing to separate DHS funding from broader package

A brief three-day partial government shutdown ended February 3 when the House passed the Senate's split funding package 217-214 and President Trump signed it into law, providing full-year appropriations for five agencies through September while extending Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding via a two-week continuing resolution through February 13. The shutdown stemmed from Senate Democrats blocking a $1.2 trillion spending package on January 29 after two fatal shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis within three weeks, prompting President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to negotiate the funding split.

Updated Feb 5

Senate Majority Leader - Managed final Senate floor action leading to shutdown resolution

Congress has not completed all twelve annual spending bills on time since 1996. Fiscal Year 2026 marked a new low with a 43-day shutdown from October to November 2025—the longest in U.S. history—furloughing 900,000 workers and costing $15 billion weekly before resolution. Six bills became law early; the House passed the final package January 23, but Senate modifications over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement concerns triggered a brief partial shutdown starting January 31.

Updated Feb 5

Senate Majority Leader (R-SD) - Warned investigation must be legitimate

No president has ever criminally investigated a sitting Federal Reserve chair. When Trump's Justice Department served Jerome Powell with grand jury subpoenas on January 11, two Republican senators announced they would block all Fed nominees until the probe ends. With a 13-11 GOP majority on the Banking Committee, even one defection creates a confirmation stalemate.

Updated Jan 28