Thune’s first big test as Senate leader has arrived with Trump’s tax bill
June 4, 2025
Only six months into the job, Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a massive challenge as he tries to quickly pass President Donald Trump’s sprawling tax and spending cuts package. While most of his Republican senators are inclined to vote for it, he can still only lose four votes. To get it done by July 4, Thune has to figure out how to balance the demands of different Republicans. It’s a complicated and risky undertaking, one that is likely to make or break the first year of Thune’s tenure and his evolving relationship with Trump.