South Dakota Senator John Thune is celebrating what he describes as two years of Republican accomplishments in Congress. He argues that the party has delivered more money, safer streets, and greater opportunities for American families. The Senate majority leader’s message was met with plenty of online frustration, including from people who believe Republicans have not done nearly enough with their congressional majority.
Thune has repeated that message across multiple posts while arguing that Democrats have stood in the way of the Republican agenda. One of those posts even received a Community Note challenging his characterization of Congress’ productivity, giving critics another reason to question the senator’s victory lap.
In the social media post, Thune wrote, “Republicans have spent the last two years delivering on our agenda. More money in your pocket. Safer streets. More opportunities to get ahead.”
He then followed that message with another post outlining the same three priorities, saying Republicans have focused Congress on “safer streets, more money in Americans’ pockets, and new opportunities for families to get ahead.” He then declared Republicans “the only party delivering meaningful results for American families.”
Thune has also been taking that message directly to people back home. The senator said earlier this month that he spent part of the late summer traveling across South Dakota, including stops in Sisseton, Spearfish, and Sioux Falls, where he said he spoke with families and members of the state’s agriculture industry about the issues affecting them.
Not everyone on the Republican side is satisfied with what Congress has accomplished, either. President Donald Trump has pushed Thune and Senate Republicans to advance stricter voting legislation. At the same time, disagreements over the Senate filibuster have complicated efforts to move legislation that lacks the 60 votes ordinarily required to overcome a filibuster.
Comments and Reactions to John Thune Saying Republicans Are Delivering for Families
The Community Note attached to one of Thune’s posts quickly became ammunition for people skeptical of his message, with one commenter celebrating and writing, “Community notes for the win.” Another was much angrier with the senator and tagged numerous Republican lawmakers while accusing Thune of lying about the party’s record.
Others appeared frustrated not because they opposed Republican priorities, but because they believed Thune and his colleagues had failed to advance enough of them. “Yet you refused to pass the SAVE act,” one person responded, echoing an issue that has also produced disagreements between Trump and Republican senators over how the legislation could move through the chamber.
That frustration was perhaps summed up best by another person who wrote, “The house gave you so many bills to pass, and you literally just didn’t do your job. Do better or be replaced.” The responses show the senator facing dissatisfaction from people who believe the Republican-controlled Congress should be doing more, even as Thune argues his party has already delivered meaningful results for American families.
