Senate Majority Leader John Thune Balances Trump Agenda and Senate Independence Ahead of Midterms

Senate Majority Leader John Thune spent Friday in a strip-mall bar and grill near Sioux City, Iowa, hosting a roundtable with local business owners as part of his final campaign push before the 2025 midterms. The event followed President Trump’s rally in the same town and was intended to support Republican Senate candidates such as Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Thune said the Republican conference must balance advancing the president’s agenda with maintaining the Senate’s independent role. "Nothing's a guarantee. There are no layups," he told CBS News, adding that short-term issues like high gas prices are outweighed by longer-term economic conditions the party has helped create.

Colleagues described Thune as a steady, conservative leader who works behind the scenes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called him a "good and decent American" who loves his country. Under Thune’s leadership, the Senate has passed major Trump initiatives on taxes, border security and defense, as well as bipartisan measures on housing, stablecoins, revenge-porn legislation and fentanyl control.

The war in Iran and rising energy costs have become focal points in the campaign. While most Senate Republicans have continued to support the president’s approach to the conflict, a few have voiced concern. Thune warned that voters will decide whether the party can sell the long-term benefits of its agenda and keep the majority.

Thune also defended the Senate’s filibuster, saying it is essential to preserve the chamber’s distinct role. "Unfortunately, today there are a lot of people out there who would like to see the Senate turn into a copy of the House of Representatives," he said.

Within the party, some members criticize Thune for being too cautious, while others praise his ability to keep the conference united. The South Dakota Republican Party recently rejected a resolution to censure him over the SAVE America election-reform bill.

As the election approaches, Thune remains focused on helping Republican candidates run their own campaigns, acknowledging that President Trump will be a factor in every race but emphasizing the need for candidates to present their own messages.

"We do things differently, which frustrates people, the president, for example, who wants to get his agenda done quickly. That's not the nature of the beast in the Senate," Thune told CBS News.

The outcome of the midterms will determine whether Thune retains the confidence of his colleagues and the president, and whether the Senate remains under Republican control.