Thune says he's 'interested' in a party-line $350 billion military bill before Democrats take over

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday he is "interested" in President Trump's renewed push to pass a $350 billion military funding bill with only Republican votes before Democrats take control of Congress in January, the Washington Examiner reports. He stopped short of committing to pass it.

"I'm interested in doing something that funds the military because the Democrats clearly are not, and we've got serious national security needs that need to be met," Thune told reporters. "We'll see. ... We are continuing to work it."

Earlier Thursday, Trump called on Senate GOP leaders to "IMMEDIATELY" refocus on the $350 billion plan and "give our brave Warriors the DECISIVE ADVANTAGE they deserve," writing that the incoming Democratic majority's "Number One Agenda is to BLOCK and RESIST" it.

The bill would be the third reconciliation package of Trump's second term, which skips the Senate's 60-vote filibuster. It would fund munitions production, Golden Dome missile defense, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. War Secretary Pete Hegseth is asking Congress for $1.5 trillion in total defense funding for fiscal 2027, including the $350 billion.

"I think the president's tweet completely changed the dynamic on reconciliation," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis. Some centrists remain skeptical, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposes another party-line spending bill.