Thune on a Year of Results: Safer Streets, More Money in Americans’ Pockets, New Opportunities

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune's remarks below (as delivered):

"We are, as you all know, wrapping up what I think has been an incredibly historic and consequential legislative session.

"And if you look at just in terms - we talk a lot about the number of votes cast, which is historic, largest number going back to 1976, and then also just the number of days we've been in - all those things add up.

"But I would argue that it's not just that, because I think volume doesn't necessarily equate with productivity.

"But I think we've had an incredibly productive session of this Congress as well, in terms of the things that we've accomplished to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

"Of course, as you all know, the One Big Beautiful Bill had a number of things in it on the tax side, things that [the] American people are going to benefit from, whether it's no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, reduced taxes for seniors on Social Security.

"Whether it deals with the taxes on the expanded child tax credit, standard deduction, making permanent the rate structure on the business side, all the business tax provisions that are going to incentivize investment in this country and create those good-paying jobs that keep our economy growing and expanding.

"So, we're very pleased with things that were accomplished as a result of that, and I would also say when it comes to keeping the country safer.

"We haven't had, in this last year, a single illegal immigrant admitted into the country, and we made a big investment in the border wall, fully funding the border wall.

"We made a big investment in national security at a time when we live in a very dangerous world.

"Energy independence was a priority, as you know, in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

"And obviously newborn accounts, you can go right down the list of what I think are very consequential accomplishments and things that are going to benefit the American people for years and years to come.

"So, we are very pleased about how things have gone.

"You add on top of that, we're going to have over 400 nominees confirmed by the end of the year, which is way ahead of the previous two administrations.

"And if you look at the number of Congressional Review Act resolutions of disapproval, repealing burdensome … Biden regulations.

"We have, I think now, passed 24 of those and 22 have been signed into law.

"So a lot accomplished, but we aren't going to rest on our laurels around here, we're going to keep our foot on the gas.

"And as we think about next year already, we're working to put together an agenda that we think will continue to build on the success of this last year, but also set us up for success in 2026 and make sure … that we are doing everything we can to deliver on our promise to make this country safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

"And it's all about safer streets; it's all about more money in your pocket, the pockets of the American people; and it's all about new opportunities for the American people to get ahead."

Permalink: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/12/thune-on-a-year-of-results-safer-streets-more-money-in-americans-pockets-new-opportunities