Agri-Pulse's Steve Davies reported at the end of November that "Marty Makary, a highly acclaimed surgeon who is an outspoken critic of the U.S. food system, the use of pesticides,…
Ag Committee Member John Thune Elected Senate Majority Leader
Agri-Pulse’s Rebekah Alvey reported Wednesday that “Senate Republicans on Wednesday elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who has a deep background in agriculture and trade policy, as the chamber’s next majority leader.”
“Thune is a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Finance Committee, which handles tax and trade policy, and currently holds the No. 2 GOP role as minority whip. He defeated Texas Sen. John Cornyn on the second ballot, 29-24 to succeed Mitch McConnell, who has been the Senate’s GOP leader since 2007,” Alvey reported. “A third candidate, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, was eliminated in the first ballot despite the backing of several MAGA-influencers, including Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.”
Reuters’ David Morgan and Bo Erickson reported that “the South Dakota senator’s victory is a sign the Senate could retain some degree of independence from Trump next year, when Republicans will control the White House and possibly both chambers of Congress. Republicans will hold at least 52 seats in the 100-seat Senate and are on track to retain their majority in the House of Representatives, where several races have yet to be decided.”
“‘This Republican team is united behind President Trump’s agenda, and our work starts today,’ Thune said in a statement,” according to Morgan and Erickson’s reporting. “Thune, 63, is seen as an even-tempered institutionalist and seasoned legislator who has close relationships with many of his fellow Republicans. He currently serves as the chamber’s No. 2 Republican and will succeed 82-year-old Mitch McConnell, the longest serving party leader in Senate history. He was first elected to the Senate in 2004.”
Honored to serve as the next U.S. Senate majority leader. pic.twitter.com/zq9XLrPDUr
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 13, 2024
Thune’s Past Ag Experience
Alvey reported that “Thune has been involved in writing several farm bills and is a ‘champion’ of conservation title programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and Conservation Reserve Program, said Lynn Tjeerdsma, a former adviser to Thune on farm policy.”
“‘I expect him as leader to be great negotiator and working for the good of everybody, and not just be totally partisan and try to work the political benefit,’ Tjeerdsma said,” according to Alvey’s reporting. “Tjeerdsma said Thune ‘has a greater in-depth knowledge of ag issues than most other legislators and has always been willing to fight for programs that effectively and economically keep farmers and ranchers on their farms and provide a safe and bountiful food supply.'”
“Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, said Thune understands the history of the farm bill, and the importance of each title, and is therefore an important person to have at the helm of the Senate,” Alvey reported. “‘As we get a Congress that is more urban all the time, there are fewer people that understand agriculture intimately, and a person like Sen. Thune is even more important in cases like that,’ VanderWal said.”
“Doug Sombke, president of the South Dakota Farmers Union, said Thune as leader would be good for the state but the entire Midwest agriculture landscape,” Alvey reported. “Specifically, he said Thune would represent these interests and prioritize passing a farm bill.”
Biofuels Groups Happy About Thune’s Election
Progressive Farmer’s Todd Neeley reported that “Thune’s election to the Senate majority leader position on Wednesday is expected to be a plus to the biofuels industry.”
“Thune has a long record of supporting ethanol and other biofuels, during his 19 years in the Senate,” Neeley reported. “…Having Thune at the top of Senate leadership would be one of the more fortuitous developments for the ethanol industry in quite some time.”
“‘With Sen. Thune as majority leader, American biofuel producers and their farm partners will have one of their strongest champions setting the Senate’s legislative agenda,’ Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in a statement,” according to Neeley’s reporting. “‘We commend the Senate for elevating him to this position and we look forward to building on the majority leader-elect’s track record for supporting growth, investment and innovation in the American renewable fuels industry.'”
