Trump and Thune Split Senate GOP Ahead of 5-Week Recess as 12 Republicans Back Revolt
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 2
Trump and Thune Split Senate GOP Ahead of 5-Week Recess as 12 Republicans Back Revolt
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 2
Summary
Nearly two weeks without speaking, Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are openly clashing as Republicans head into a five-week recess with the party’s midterm message and Senate agenda fraying.
Trump is demanding a vote on the SAVE America Act and a budget maneuver to pass billions for the Iran war and election restrictions, but Thune says Republicans lack the 50 votes and must prioritize keeping the government open past Sept. 30.
Roughly a dozen MAGA-aligned Republicans are backing an effort to block the Senate’s August adjournment, while many vulnerable GOP senators oppose a politically risky vote-a-rama and reject Trump’s push to scrap the filibuster.
The feud has deepened since Trump targeted Sen. John Cornyn in a May primary and publicly questioned Thune’s leadership, raising fears among Republicans that the infighting could cost seats if Democrats flip the Senate.