Sen. John Thune on Democrats, Trump's Agenda, and Government Shutdown

Democratic Party's Stance on Law and Order

• 🎯 Senator John Thune asserts that the Democratic Party is politically on the wrong side of issues concerning law and order.
• 🏛️ He criticizes blue state governors and mayors for an anti-law enforcement bias, linking it to a movement opposing anything President Trump supports.
• ⚖️ Thune emphasizes that federal law supersedes local law, questioning the authority of local judges to obstruct President Trump's public safety agenda.

Government Shutdown Standoff

• 🚫 Democrats are accused of opposing a continuing resolution that would fund the government, effectively favoring a shutdown.
• 💰 The core of the disagreement is new spending proposed by Democrats, including new spending on healthcare for non-citizens.
• 🤝 Republicans have offered a clean funding resolution, similar to what Democrats have previously supported, and are open to discussing other issues once the government is reopened.

Healthcare Spending and Reforms

• ⚠️ Thune highlights concerns about ACA tax credits being rife with fraud, waste, and abuse, serving as subsidies to insurance companies with no income cap.
• 💸 He criticizes states like California for using phony state funding mechanisms to increase federal Medicaid money, which is then used to cover undocumented immigrants.
• 🩹 Republicans aim to reform Medicaid to ensure it serves those truly in need, rather than able-bodied adults who may be able to find other healthcare options or work.

Impact of Shutdown on Military and Federal Employees

• 🗓️ The senator points out that active-duty military and federal employees will soon miss paychecks if the shutdown continues.
• 📢 Thune believes that when the public understands that American military personnel are not being paid to fund healthcare for non-citizens, it will significantly impact public opinion.