Thune will vow to preserve filibuster in first speech as Senate majority leader

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will promise to maintain the filibuster on Friday afternoon in his first speech as Senate majority leader.

“One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate,” Thune will say, according to excerpts of his floor remarks provided to the Washington Examiner. “That means preserving the legislative filibuster — the Senate rule that today has perhaps the greatest impact in preserving the Founders’ vision of the Senate.”

Republicans broadly support preserving the 60-vote threshold, which in most cases forces compromise to pass legislation through the Senate, but President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly opposed the filibuster during his first term.

The 119th Congress will commence at noon Friday, marking the end of Democratic control led by Sen.

Continue reading