John Thune

U.S. Senator · SD

Republican

Want to know how closely John matches your views?

Where John stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Some evidence
Cut taxes and reduce federal spending significantly
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored the Death Tax Repeal Act (2025) and cosponsored the Main Street Tax Certainty Act making the qualified business income deduction permanent.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 24 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Voted No · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025
Sponsored — Athlete Opportunity and Taxpayer Integrity Act
Sponsored — Increase Reliable Services Now Act
Sponsored — Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023
Sponsored — Regulatory Transparency Act of 2023
+19 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Reduce federal labor regulation; let states and markets set wages and conditions
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Voted to nullify NLRB joint-employer rule, against Paycheck Fairness Act; cosponsored Employee Rights Act and FOCA Act limiting union mandates.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 5 votes · 9 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted Yes · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted No · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
Voted No · Jun 2021 — Paycheck Fairness Act
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Training America’s Workforce Act
Cosponsored — FOCA Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States".
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to a "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Cosponsored — Employee Rights Act
+4 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Some evidence
Reform the ACA to lower costs and reduce regulation; preserve private insurance
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Voted yes on Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, no on Lower Health Care Costs Act; sponsored multiple HSA-expansion bills like Chronic Disease Management Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 20 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
Sponsored — Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act
Sponsored — Securing Advances and a Variety of Evidence-Based IMD Options Act
Sponsored — Chronic Disease Management Act of 2023
Sponsored — CHIP School Behavioral Health Incentive Act
+15 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Prioritize energy affordability and reliability; minimize climate-related restrictions on production
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Voted to open ANWR and BLM lands to oil, gas, and coal leasing; sponsored Ending Duplicative Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 42 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Adopt GREET Act
Sponsored — Ending Duplicative Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act
Sponsored — Livestock Regulatory Protection Act of 2023
Sponsored — A bill to amend Public Law 117-169 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using funds for methane monitoring to be used to monitor emissions of methane from livestock, and for other purposes.
Sponsored — Food and Energy Security Act
+37 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal restrictions on abortion early in pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Sponsored Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, cosponsored Life at Conception Act; voted against Women's Health Protection Act and Right to IVF Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 43 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voted No · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Cosponsored — Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2022
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services".
Cosponsored — Abortion Is Not Health Care Act of 2021
Cosponsored — VA Abortion Transparency Act of 2024
+38 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Expand firearm rights nationally (concealed carry reciprocity, reduced federal restrictions)
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Cosponsored Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and SHORT Act; voted against Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and to nullify the stabilizing-brace rule.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 20 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted No · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — Traveler's Gun Rights Act
Cosponsored — Protect American Gun Exporters Act
Cosponsored — Tribal Firearm Access Act
Cosponsored — FIND Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms".
+15 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Increase enforcement and tighten asylum standards; maintain current legal levels
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Voted for Laken Riley Act and Secure America Act; cosponsored Asylum Abuse Reduction Act while sponsoring SEASONAL Act expanding H-2B visas.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 26 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A bill to grant States and Indian Tribes the authority to waive the 2-year foreign residence requirement for educators in rural and Tribal areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsored — SEASONAL Act
Sponsored — Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion Act
Sponsored — A bill to temporarily increase the availability of temporary nonimmigrant nonagricultural workers for the purposes of restoring American forests, and for other purposes.
Sponsored — Prioritizing Help to Businesses Act
+21 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Clear record
Stronger sentencing, expanded law enforcement authority and funding
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Voted for HALT Fentanyl Act and to nullify DC criminal-code reform; cosponsored Back the Blue Act and Protect and Serve Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 19 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted Yes · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted Yes · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Justice Against Sponsors of Illicit Fentanyl Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Back the Blue Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Back the Blue Act of 2023
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice relating to "Office of the Attorney General; Home Confinement Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act".
+14 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Active leadership of democratic alliances against authoritarian powers
Sponsored Finland-Sweden NATO accession support; cosponsored Sanctioning Russia Act and a resolution reaffirming NATO Article 5; opposed Iran war-powers resolutions.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 13 votes · 55 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jul 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted No · Jul 2026 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
+8 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — A bill to require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress classified dissent cables relating to the withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
Sponsored — A resolution expressing the Senate's support for taking interim steps to strengthen the military interoperability and resiliency of the militaries of Finland and Sweden with respect to their anticipated accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance.
Sponsored — A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to provide notification to Congress of abandoned United States military equipment used in terrorist attacks.
Sponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States must continue to demonstrate leadership to achieve significant reforms to the rules of the World Trade Organization in order to promote the advancement of truly developing countries.
Cosponsored — PASS Act
+50 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Strengthen election integrity through voter ID, citizenship verification, and signature checks
Cosponsored the SAVE Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship and voted to advance a federal voter photo-identification bill in 2026.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 11 votes · 8 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Aug 2026 — A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted Yes · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Voted No · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
+6 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Political BIAS Emails Act of 2022
Cosponsored — SAVE Act
Cosponsored — SAVE America Act
Cosponsored — Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.
+3 more

Where John stands

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