Transcript: Senate Majority Chief John Thune on
The next is the complete transcript of an interview with Senate Majority Chief John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that aired on Jan. 5, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thanks for making time for us—
SEN. JOHN THUNE: Nice to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: —on an enormous day for you.
SEN. THUNE: Thanks, Margaret, proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So let’s begin huge image. Republicans have unified management right here in Washington, however the Home Republicans have a reasonably fractured caucus, a reasonably slim majority. How do you see that complicating the work you are in a position to get achieved over right here within the Senate?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, we need- clearly, as you mentioned, to get something achieved, we’ve got to work as a workforce. And we’ve got unified management. We have now the majorities within the Home, the Senate, the White Home, however the majority within the Home is extremely slim, which creates some distinctive administration challenges. However they’ve labored round them, and we are going to work round them and work with the Trump administration, the President and his workforce, on an agenda that he campaigned on, and that lots of our colleagues right here within the Senate and the Home campaigned on, and so we’re excited in regards to the alternative. Sure, it’s- these are uncommon circumstances with respect to the margins, significantly in the home, however we count on to ship on what the American folks requested us to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you assume that’ll hamstring you by way of huge coverage adjustments that you could possibly legislate round?
SEN. THUNE: I believe it’s- it’s- it is at all times difficult, and particularly in the- on this present political surroundings, you recognize, folks have robust views, and as you may count on, and have seen, we do not at all times agree amongst Republicans, throughout the household. However I believe—
MARGARET BRENNAN: Significantly amongst Republicans.
SEN. THUNE: —however what I- however I believe in relation to the massive points, securing the border, rebuilding the navy, strengthening the economic system, you recognize, producing power dominance for this nation, these are all issues on which we agree. And so I believe as we proceed ahead, you recognize, with respect to even slim margins, I believe we will have a- hopefully a really unified effort in relation to these core points. We’ll disagree on the margins and the method and all that type of factor, however in relation to the issues we have to get achieved for the American folks, that we expect transfer the nation in the fitting path, these are all issues I believe we agree on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How usually do you communicate to the president elect?
SEN. THUNE: You recognize, pretty usually. We have stayed in fairly good communication and get in touch with, each prematurely of the election after which subsequent to it, and particularly now as we begin charting the trail ahead with- with the agenda, clearly getting session from him, from his workforce. We’re working intently along with his workforce now as we begin to take management of the Senate now, within the Home at present, and hopefully within the subsequent couple of weeks earlier than he takes the oath of workplace, we’ll have issues arrange for him, together with the chance to verify numerous his nominees.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How, or what position do you see JD Vance, Senator, soon-to-be Vice President-elect. Is he going to be the man type of translating between the politics of the attainable on the Hill and what the Trump agenda is?
SEN. THUNE: I believe JD is already performing that position, and I believe will proceed to. I believe, clearly, he has the President’s ear. He is broadly revered by his colleagues right here within the Senate and within the Home, I might add. And I believe he might be someone who may help the administration, as they work by way of these points, determine what’s reasonable, what’s achievable, what we are able to accomplish right here within the Senate, as a result of he is been right here. He is aware of it is difficult—
(CROSSTALK BEGINS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Two years.
SEN. THUNE: —within the Senate- I do know, it is a quick period of time—
MARGARET BRENNAN: Simply two years.
(END CROSSTALK)
SEN. THUNE: —however he is an extremely proficient individual, as you recognize, very good and a fast research. And I believe there- if there’s anyone who has been in a position to acclimate and perceive the, type of the distinctive points of how the Senate operates in a brief period of time, it is him. However he is the President of the Senate, and I might count on that he’ll proceed to be somebody that acts as a, you recognize, type of an middleman with the- with the White Home and the Senate and the Home in making an attempt to implement the President’s agenda.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have had disagreements with Donald Trump previously, as a part of this Advise and Consent position, the position of the Senate. Will you inform him if you assume he is unsuitable?
SEN. THUNE: I’ll, and I believe my job is to do every thing I can to assist him obtain success, be a profitable president, which, for my part, signifies that we’ll be a profitable nation. The issues that he talked about on the marketing campaign path, the issues that the American folks voted for, are all issues that I believe this President desires to get achieved, we need to get achieved, and I say that our incentives are aligned. We have now the identical set of goals. We need to get to the identical vacation spot, however I believe at instances, there might be variations in how we get there. And I believe I’ve to spell out as clearly as I can to anyone who asks, what the challenges are within the Senate. The Senate is a really completely different establishment. Clearly capabilities completely different than the Home of Representatives. And understanding the distinctive points of how the Senate operates is one thing that I will have to have the ability to share and convey to the President and assist him perceive, I believe, what the- you recognize, what the contours are, what we are able to accomplish right here within the Senate, and what’s reasonable
MARGARET BRENNAN: You may have a 53 seat majority over right here, which implies you’ll be able to solely lose three votes if Democrats stay unified of their opposition to a few of Mr. Trump’s picks for his cupboard. Do you count on all of them to make it by way of? And if that’s the case, how rapidly?
SEN. THUNE: I believe, what I’ve promised is a good course of for all of them, and we’ll make sure that they get a affirmation listening to, a chance to make their case, reply the arduous questions that inevitably are going to come back, and carry out the position that the Senate has by way of recommendation and consent. However I additionally consider that the President deserves- I defer to the President. I am very- in relation to his picks, and I might say this of any president, they deserve numerous latitude. And I believe that, you recognize, his picks are going to come back by way of a course of the place, in the event that they get reported out of the committee, come throughout the ground of the Senate, we’ll guarantee that they get the- the vote. And I believe that- I believe numerous them will get by way of. And- and we’ll see about all of them. Stays to be seen, however I believe that is why we’ve got the method, and we are going to adhere to that course of and provides all of those nominees a chance to make their case.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have mentioned it’s a must to see if Democrats play ball or not, however you do not want Democrats to get these by way of. So does that imply you already know a few of your Republican senators will not vote to verify Kash Patel on the FBI or Pete Hegseth on the Pentagon?
SEN. THUNE: We do not have, at this level, I do not assume, readability on that. I believe these are nominees who’re new sufficient, they have been going round and conducting their conferences, which I believe, frankly, have gone very nicely, however they nonetheless must make their case in entrance of the committee. And, you recognize, we do not know all of the details about a few of these nominees. I believe we all know lots about them, however they deserve a good course of, and that is what we have dedicated to and promised and- and I count on to ship on. And in the end, whether or not or not they get by way of that course of is- goes to be as much as every particular person senator and the way they resolve to vote. We have now a 3 vote margin within the Senate, as you level out. However I do assume that usually, at the least, most of our Republican senators are inclined to offer the President the those that he desires in these positions, given, you recognize, the method that they undergo and whether or not or not they’ll handle the committee course of and make sure that they get to the ground for vote.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does that embody FBI background checks? I do know usually the rating members get them on armed providers, for instance, however a few of your colleagues, they need to see Pete Hegseth’s FBI background verify earlier than they vote.
SEN. THUNE: Proper, and I believe that is going to be decided largely by the committee chairs. I believe there might be an curiosity, clearly–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –would you encourage them?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, certain. I imply, I believe that you just need to have as a lot background as attainable that’s out there to the committees as they make their selections. However I’ve numerous confidence in our committee chairs. One of many issues that I’ve made a spotlight of, at the least my management right here, is to get the committees functioning once more, in a approach, guaranteeing that the committee chairs and particular person members of the committee have a chance to ensure their voices are heard within the course of and that we benefit from the expertise that we’ve got on these particular person committees. So I’ve a excessive degree of confidence in our chairs that they may make sure that as members of the committee, and of the complete Senate, have a chance to think about these nominees that they have the entire info out there to them that they need to have.
MARGARET BRENNAN: One among your colleagues informed me you’re a “rely the votes man.” You are not a “twist the arm man.” Do you assume that is honest?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I believe that, you recognize, generally it relies upon just a little bit on what your position is. The job that I’ve held now for the final six years, the whip job, differs for those who’re within the minority or within the majority. Should you’re within the majority, you might want to get the votes. You are within the minority, you need to know the place your vote rely is, and also you’re enjoying protection versus enjoying offense. They’re very completely different roles. However I do know, I consider how to- I perceive my members have labored with all of them for a very very long time, and I believe whether or not it is really counting, and I believe we’re very correct in relation to counting. I take nice delight in that, and the team- the work the workforce has achieved the final six years. But additionally it is vital to get the votes, and I consider when essential, we all know how to try this, and I’ve had to try this within the position that I’ve now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Joe Manchin, a now former senator, informed us lately on “Face the Nation”, that if you- his dad informed him, “for those who can say no with a tear in your eye, you are all good.” Do you agree with him on that?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I believe that, you recognize I- what I’ve at all times mentioned is, and as a whip, each member’s vote is their vote. You ultimately cannot pressure someone to vote, you recognize, how they- towards what their- their needs are, what their constituents need them to do. So their vote is their vote. What I’ve at all times requested is that they not shock us, and that if they provide you- inform you one thing, that that is that that is their phrase and and also you count on them to stick to that. And that is type of at all times the best way that I proceeded. And I believe there are occasions wherein particular person senators, for state causes, and the constituents that they symbolize might come to a unique conclusion, and that is their proper. That is their prerogative. And that is why my type, as I described, is clearly, it is persuasion. It is making an attempt to get them to a spot the place, if attainable, they’ll assist the workforce. However I perceive there are circumstances wherein they will must mirror the views the those that elected them, and that’s- that is what this job in the end, is about.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Recess appointments. Bypassing the Senate totally. Would you ask Mr. Trump not to try this?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, here is the factor, and also you requested earlier about cooperation from the Democrats. I do not assume the Democrats are going to offer us any votes. I imply, I hope they do. And I believe they may on some- some nominees. I imply, I’ve received sufficient suggestions, readouts, I believe, from a few of these conferences, and I believe that the a few of our the President’s nominees, will win Democrat votes, however by and enormous, their management–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Senator Rubio, for instance–
SEN. THUNE: –Positive, yeah. I imply–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –However Tulsi Gabbard?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, however I imply–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel.
SEN. THUNE: We’ll see there’s an entire bunch of- of nominees, a few of whom may have extra Democrat assist than others. However I believe ultimately, the Democrat management, usually, might be not going to be largely supportive of among the President’s picks, with perhaps a couple of exceptions. However what’s extra vital to me just isn’t how they in the end vote. You are proper. You pointed this out. We have now a majority. If we get 51 votes, Republican votes, we are able to win most of those nominees, but it surely’s how a lot they drag that course of out. And I identified to those that for those who return to President Obama, he had his first 12 Cupboard nominees in 15 days. It took President Trump 42 days and President Biden 50 days. So we’re transferring within the unsuitable path in relation to giving a President the chance to get their folks in place as rapidly as attainable. And so what I’ve mentioned is we will preserve, you recognize, the choices at our disposal to guarantee that we’re transferring in a approach per the best way the Senate capabilities and works that will get these people a chance to be voted on within the Senate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to ask you about what you might want to get achieved coverage smart as nicely, by way of offering the president the funding to execute on a few of his huge targets.
SEN. THUNE: Proper
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned you are going to exit of the gate with a generation- “a generational funding in border safety and immigration enforcement.” You are going to move it on 51 celebration line votes. If you wish to govern by way of common order, why undergo this in a celebration line path?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, it is a type of points that has develop into extremely divisive for the nation, and there aren’t very many individuals left within the center. Reconciliation allows us. It does not come alongside fairly often the place you will have unified management of the federal government. In numerous circumstances, it does not final very lengthy. It is a few years. The Democrats supplied a template within the final couple of years for the right way to increase the scope of what is out there to get achieved by way of the reconciliation course of. It is the one course of within the Senate that allows you to enact laws with a 51 vote threshold, versus 60.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SEN. THUNE: And so immigration, the border–
MARGARET BRENNAN: However, it is out of the gate saying, we’re not going to work with Democrats.
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I am not saying what- they got here out of the gate. They’d their first reconciliation invoice achieved in 4 weeks approaching it once they received the bulk.
MARGARET BRENNAN: $2 trillion–
SEN. THUNE: Nicely,
MARGARET BRENNAN: –with the COVID invoice and also you did not prefer it.
SEN. THUNE: $2 trillion–
[crosstalk]
MARGARET BRENNAN: –you faulted them for utilizing reconciliation–
SEN. THUNE: 11:01:11 – and another- one other trillion with the IRA.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Precisely.
SEN. THUNE: It will be superb if we might determine a option to do issues on the 60 vote threshold and there are a selection of issues we are going to. I imply, there are a selection of points the place we will must get 60 votes. We have now to get 60 votes on appropriation payments. We have now to get 60 votes on 60 votes on a farm invoice, which is expired. These are going to be bipartisan initiatives, however there are some issues that you are able to do. And the Democrats, once more, created the template for doing this with how they did the IRA and the American Rescue Plan for doing a little issues at 51 and we expect {that a} generational funding within the border is important, given the place we’re after the final 4 years of a what I believe is a really failed Biden Harris border coverage. And I believe there is not anyone who objectively would not agree with that. 10 and a half million folks coming throughout the border illegally, together with numerous very unsavory people, members of terrorist organizations and prison components and cartels, and many others.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you aware they’re members of terrorist organizations? Right here on U.S. soil?
SEN. THUNE: Positive. Yeah. Nicely, I am saying they have been apprehended there. We all know that there are nearly 300 which were apprehended which are on the terrorist watch record.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SEN. THUNE: And I believe in the event that they’ve apprehended that many, I believe numerous them have gotten by way of.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There are 1.4 million folks right here with deportation orders, orders of removing towards them. I’ve seen numbers that put the price of expelling them at between $80 to $100 billion yearly. Are you able to get that type of cash within the first 100 days?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I believe that what we’re making an attempt to do is get an evaluation from the people who find themselves going to be in place. They will be implementing numerous the President’s insurance policies in relation to the border decide what that- that useful resource allocation goes to wish.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They do not know but.
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I believe that what we do know is we’d like bodily limitations. We’d like technological limitations. We’d like extra ICE brokers. We’d like extra Border Patrol brokers. And sure, we will want methods of deporting folks which are on that- on that record that you just talked about. And so it should take some assets to try this, which is why I might argue that when the President takes workplace and he’ll do numerous issues on the border by govt order, by govt motion, that we will want to have the ability to present the assets to ensure that him to try this. And that is why I’ve advised that we take that border challenge on instantly and allow him to do the issues that- that he must do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is it true you are going to put some protection spending in that as nicely?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, I believe one of many issues that we at all times argue about round right here is the sum of money that we have to spend on protection. And clearly that is a matter the place for those who take a look at each Biden administration funds, there wasn’t a single one in every of them when it got here to navy spending that got here up- stored up even with inflation. So we’ve got a navy readiness on this nation. You recognize, we’ve got the protection technique or fee, protection fee technique group that comes out with report on a regular basis and tells us we’re dramatically underfunded relative to international locations like China–
MARGARET BRENNAN: These needs to be bipartisan points, proper?
SEN. THUNE: And that we do not have the capability nicely, and we do not have the capability and the aptitude to do what must be achieved to guard the nation. So, I- my argument could be, and sure, these needs to be bipartisan, however there- it is extremely tough, in my expertise round right here, there is a huge distinction in Delta, within the two events and the way they strategy the difficulty of protection and, you recognize, and navy readiness. And I believe we’re dramatically underfunding our navy at present. I believe the President believes that, President Trump, and I believe numerous our Republican colleagues within the Home, the Senate, share that view. So can we do that by way of reconciliation? We’re clearly our choices.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to make sure that I ask you in regards to the different huge promise you made by way of delivering on tax reform and reconciliation. The estimates are it might add $4 trillion over the subsequent decade. Is that basically one thing you assume goes to move on a celebration line vote and with none income or spending cuts? You may’t be comfy.
SEN. THIUNE:
Nicely- there- there are- its present coverage. So it’s- it’s these are- these are tax legal guidelines that may expire on the finish of this yr if Congress does not take motion to increase them, and it could symbolize a $4 trillion tax enhance on the American folks if we do not lengthen that coverage. We’ll have a really sturdy dialog about tax reform. I used to be an enormous a part of it again in 2017 after we did the preliminary Trump tax cuts. And this time round, there’s lots driving on it. There’s lots driving on it economically. I believe regulatory coverage, tax coverage, power coverage, are going to be actually important to the power of the- our economic system, how briskly we are able to develop and increase and create higher paying jobs on this nation. So I am an enormous believer in pro-growth tax coverage. I consider you get numerous that again by way of development and extra income each 1 p.c–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Not tariffs as Mr. Trump has promised?
SEN. THUNE: Nicely, that’s- that is a unique topic, however I might say each 1 p.c enhance in GDP and financial development, we’re informed, generates about $3 trillion in extra tax income. So you are going to get some again by way of a development dividend, and there might be spending cuts. There is no query about it. Our members in each the Home and the Senate need to make sure that after we do tax reform by way of reconciliation, that it additionally contains vital reductions in spending, significantly in sure areas. And I believe that is one thing that as we work by way of this, we’ll determine a approach to do that in a approach that hopefully evokes 51 votes within the Senate and 218 within the Home to get this throughout the end line.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However going out of the gate with two huge points on celebration line votes – aren’t you involved that may blow up your possibilities at working with Democrats on a few of these greater immigration points or greater insurance policies?
SEN. JOHN THUNE: Nicely, I believe we- we have to proceed to work on these huge coverage points, however I additionally assume we’ve got some quick considerations – issues that must be addressed – one in every of which is nationwide safety, given the more and more harmful world wherein we reside. And naturally, I might argue that begins with the border. So border, nationwide safety. I believe power coverage, power dominance is a big goal and purpose, and I might hope {that a} reconciliation invoice might additionally tackle that challenge. If we do one thing on taxes, that historically has been- previously, the Democrats did it twice whereas that they had the bulk within the final session of the Congress, they did two huge reconciliation payments, each of which did numerous tax coverage, spending coverage, and many others.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Trump did that in 2017 too, with taxes.
SEN JOHN THUNE: And that is – and each side have achieved it. And that is- that is the distinctive side of getting unified management of the federal government. You are able to do issues within the Senate at 51 votes. However I believe these are all vital, and they’re issues that, as a rustic, if we do not get proper, I worry what the outcomes and the result might be. You may’t have a $4 trillion enhance in taxes on the American folks on the finish of this yr if Congress does not act. I believe that could be a very compelling, you recognize, highly effective incentive for members of Congress to come back collectively and work constructively in a unified approach as a workforce to get a few of these issues achieved. And sure, it might be superb for those who might do it bipartisan. I hope that there are some Democrats who would vote for among the tax insurance policies that we’ve got, however I am not- I am not anticipating that in the meanwhile.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Chief, it’s great to be right here with you and to have the time, and I hope we are able to have extra conversations sooner or later.
SEN. JOHN THUNE: Sounds good. Thanks Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There’s much more to cowl.
SEN. JOHN THUNE: Nice to be with you. Thanks. Blissful New Yr.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Blissful New Yr to you.
