SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Senator John Thune will soon be in one of the most prominent positions in Washington.
As Senate Majority Leader, he will wield a lot of power. But he will also have to balance that power with an incoming president used to getting his way. Thune will take over the top spot in the U.S. Senate in early January when the 119th congress is sworn in.
“There are just a lot of people out there who are desperately looking for a different direction, for change,” said Thune.
We asked Thune how he viewed his relationship with president-elect Trump going into this congress.
“It’s good, I mean, obviously we have an opportunity going forward to do some good things for the country and that requires a partnership, said Thune.
Thune says he and Trump have spoken before, and after the election and says they have a good line of communication. Trump has not always been a John Thune fan, at one point in 2021 threatening to support another Republican candidate for Thune’s Senate seat.
“People will point that stuff out and its there , but I don’t want to re-litigate the past, to me this is about the future, said Thune.
Thune says Trump called him after his fellow Republicans chose him to lead them in the senate
“I think with him there are lots of sort of runs in from time to time, but it tends to be temporary,” said Thune.
Thune says there is what he calls a “real alignment of incentives”.
“I think we want to see the same things get done when it comes to the economy and energy and the border, national security, said Thune.
With Trump, it is clear Thune sees opportunity. Republicans will have control of the Senate, the House and the oval office.
“When you have unified control of the government its a rare thing , it doesn’t happen often and sometimes it doesn’t last long so you have to make the most of it,” said Thune.
As Thune takes over as Majority Leader, Republican will have 53 seat majority in the senate.
The current 6 year term for Thune and the 4 year term for President elect Trump will end in January of 2029. Thune can run again, Trump can not.
