Senator Thune on Government Shutdown Negotiations with Chuck Schumer

Government Shutdown Standoff

• 🏛️ Senator John Thune stated that the immediate priority is to open up the government before any further negotiations can take place.
• 🤝 He indicated that President Trump is willing to sit down with Democrats, and that senators would want to participate in such a meeting.
• 🗣️ Thune mentioned he speaks with Senator Chuck Schumer on a regular basis, noting their offices are close and Schumer has his cell phone number.
• 🚫 He expressed openness to conversation if Schumer has a proposal other than what Thune described as an "unserious, unrealistic" offer, but reiterated the condition of opening the government first.

Russia Sanctions Bill

• 🇷🇺 Thune discussed the Russia sanctions bill, stating the intention to bring it to the Senate floor when the White House believes it would be useful in bringing Putin to the table for a peace deal.
• 🤝 The bill has strong bipartisan support, with Senator Lindsey Graham as a lead sponsor and 85 co-sponsors.
• 🌍 The goal is to support the president's efforts and those of allies to achieve a peaceful conclusion to the conflict.

Nomination Uncertainty

• ❓ Regarding nominations, Thune indicated that the president's administration would have something official to say about them soon.