As Republicans look to have full control of Congress and the White House next year, South Dakota US Senator John Thune said they will move forward on a Republican agenda.
However, Thune said the Senate has a different role than President Donald Trump's White House.
Speaking to press after the Brandon Valley Area Chamber luncheon, Thune said the Senate may have different opinions on things like tariffs.
“I think tariffs can be used selectively, in a targeted way, particularly if you’re dealing with a bad actor like China. Just, universal across the board tariffs, as we’ve found before, can hurt South Dakota’s agricultural interests," Thune said. "Soybeans took a hit the last time tariffs were imposed in that fashion. We will obviously evaluate and look at his proposals. Some of the stuff he can probably do by executive action. Some of it doesn’t require congress to be involved.”
On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada—as well as an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods.
Thune said he expects full discussions on tariffs and other issues.
“We’re an independent branch of the government. Our senators take their advice and consent role very seriously, in as much we’re all moving forward on an agenda we want to get done for the American people," Thune said. "We’ve got to respect each other’s roles in making sure we’re having good, candid discussions on some of these issues where there are differences to figure out what’s the best path forward.”
The incoming Congress gets sworn in on January 3rd. From then until President-elect Trump is sworn in, Senators will be vetting his cabinet nominees.
Both Thune and Senator Mike Rounds expect confirmation hearings for the nominees. But, they say they aren't writing off allowing Trump to put nominees into their positions while in recess.
Presidential cabinet nominees typically go through a senate confirmation process. President-elect Trump has suggested using recess appointments to install his cabinet without the chamber’s approval.
“There’ll be Senate hearings,” said Thune.
However, he said he’s not taking recess appointments off the table. But, he said there must be a committee process.
“That’s advice and consent. That’s our role in the constitution. You can’t ignore that. So, we’ve got to have a process," Thune said. "How it starts and how it ends—if somebody ultimately gets confirmed—how they get confirmed—I’m not saying that we wouldn’t use any of the options that are available to us. But, I hope, with cooperation from the Democrats, we can do them the old-fashioned way. We will see.”
Senator Rounds said President Trump should get the benefit of the doubt for his cabinet nominees. However, he said he does not anticipate nominees get run through the process while the senate is out.
“Most members of the Senate don’t believe in allowing their constitutional responsibilities to be usurped by recess appointments.”
