Thune Erupts in Rare Anger, Blasts Dems for ‘Holding Government Hostage’ Amid Shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) — typically one of the most restrained voices in the chamber — finally snapped on Wednesday, unleashing weeks of pent-up frustration over what has now become the Democrat-driven government shutdown. With the shutdown nearing the one-month mark, Thune called out Senate Democrats for exploiting SNAP recipients as political leverage rather than working to reopen the government.

The flashpoint came during debate over a Democratic proposal to temporarily extend funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and his caucus demanded a standalone bill to protect the program from the shutdown’s effects.

But Thune reminded the chamber that Republicans have moved repeatedly — 13 separate times — to fully reopen the government, only to be blocked by Democrats intent on forcing unrelated welfare and healthcare subsidies into any deal.

“Let me just point out, if I might, that we are 29 days into a Democrat shutdown,” Thune said, raising his voice. “SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food. People should be getting paid in this country. And we’ve tried to do that 13 times. You voted no 13 times.”

As Democrats continued pressing for another isolated funding measure, Thune turned toward their side of the chamber, his frustration clear.

“You all just figured out, 29 days in, that, oh, there might be some consequences? There are people who’ll run out of money? Yeah, we’re 29 days in,” he said, punctuating his remarks with a slap of the lectern. “At some point, the government runs out of money. My aching back. You finally realize this thing has consequences.”

Republicans argue Democrats are deliberately prolonging the shutdown to force long-term subsidies under the Affordable Care Act back into play — a demand they have publicly tied to any government funding measure. Thune made clear that GOP leadership refuses to trade the livelihood of federal workers and low-income families for partisan policy wins.

“This isn’t a political game,” he said. “These are real people’s lives that we’re talking about.”

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have refused to support the GOP’s continuing resolution unless it includes their additional healthcare spending demands. Republicans say Democrats are holding the government hostage.

Even as tensions boil, quiet negotiations may be advancing. Thune acknowledged that bipartisan talks had “ticked up significantly” and were becoming “constructive,” though he indicated he would join negotiations more directly “pretty soon.”

The shutdown is now closing in on five weeks, sidelining hundreds of thousands of federal workers and straining essential services, including food and housing assistance.

The White House is applying pressure as well. President Donald Trump, addressing reporters earlier this week, placed blame squarely on Senate Democrats:

“Schumer and Senate Democrats are holding the entire government hostage.”

He added:

“You can call it the Schumer shutdown or the Democrats’ shutdown. They’re doing the wrong thing, and the public knows it.”

Thune later apologized for the intensity of his remarks — but not the sentiment behind them.

“Sorry, I channeled a little bit of anger there,” he told reporters. “But it’s a high level of frustration. They realize this is a losing argument. They’re trying to buy time — and every day they delay makes things worse.”