Holding The Line: John Thune On The Shutdown, Trump, & 2026
From Morning Wire
Senate Majority Leader John Thune discusses the challenges and achievements of the past year, including navigating a significant government shutdown and advancing legislation and President Trump's nominations. He also reflects on the Republican Party's strategy moving into the 2026 election cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Senate voted more in 2025 than any year since '76, proving that democracy really is a contact sport.
- Bundling achievements into one 'big beautiful bill' might mute individual wins but maximizes legislative muscle flexing.
- Despite the chaos, Thun asserts a productive Senate—more votes don’t equal progress, but they help show it off.
- Bipartisanship was the silent hero this year, echoing across a landscape often characterized by partisan battles.
- Underneath government shutdown theatrics, a historic push for military funding and border security quietly reshaped national priorities.
Mentioned in This Episode
- John Thun (person)
- national security (concept)
- Donald Trump (person)
- Tim Rice (person)
- tax policy (concept)
- Daily Wire (company) (company)
- 2025 (event)
- political violence (concept)
- Medicaid (concept)
- school choice (concept)
- John Mickley (person)
- Congressional Review Act (concept)
- Jeremy's razors (product)
- farm bill (concept)
- rural hospital transformation fund (concept)
- radical Islamic terrorism (concept)