Soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune will kick off his tenure atop the chamber by committing, again, to preserving the legislative filibuster, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks obtained by POLITICO.
“One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate," Thune’s prepared remarks read. "That means preserving the legislative filibuster — the Senate rule that today has perhaps the greatest impact in preserving the Founders’ vision of the Senate."
“That includes empowering committees, restoring regular order, and engaging in extended debate on the Senate floor, where all members should have a chance to make their voices — and the voices of their constituents — heard,” the remarks add.
Holding the filibuster in tact could be a lofty task. President-elect Donald Trump has pushed for nixing it before, and Republicans' 53-seat majority will still be short of the necessary 60-vote threshold needed to bypass a filibuster for major legislation. Republicans holding a trifecta in the House, Senate and White House will provide them a limited escape hatch, though, allowing them to utilize budget reconciliation legislation on a limited-use basis. That type of legislation only requires a simple majority to pass the chamber.
Thune’s remarks also note his priorities for the term, including high-focus issues like border security and extending Trump’s tax cuts from his first term.
The GOP leader will also further commit to “bringing appropriations bills to the floor for serious deliberation, so that we make the best possible use of taxpayer dollars” and to act on “an overdue farm bill to update farm programs for farmers and ranchers to reflect current agriculture needs.”
The new Senate begins at noon, wherein Republicans will officially take control of the chamber after four years of Democratic rule.
