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John Thune

U.S. Senator for SD

RepublicanSenate

Positions last updated Oct 12, 2026

In Congress since
1997
Years served
28
Age
65
Current term ends
Jan 3, 2029

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress (via the public congress-legislators dataset). Photo: official congressional portrait.

Compare with another member

Where their record lies

Between the typical Democratic and typical Republican record

ThuneClose to the typical Republican record. John Thune's record sits 97% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record. 258 Democratic and 269 Republican members are shown; 13 of 530 sit in the middle.
Democratic258 members
Middle13 members
Republican269 members

Close to the typical Republican record

John Thune's record sits 97% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record.

Built from 6 topics that divide the parties. It describes a record of votes and statements, not a person. How this is calculated.

Their record by topic

Further from the center means more agreement with the quiz statement

Web chart of John Thune’s positions on 8 topics; a larger shape means stronger agreement.Health careTaxes & spendingImmigrationClimate & energyGunsAbortionEducationForeign policy

Each point averages how John Thune votes and what they say on that topic. A topic with no data is left out, not drawn as neutral. The sources are in the sections below.

Where they stand

Each topic is a statement from the quiz. "Agree" means their votes or words line up with it.

  • Health care

    “The federal government should guarantee health coverage for every American.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: Disagree

  • Taxes & spending

    “Lowering taxes matters more than expanding government services.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Immigration

    “Border security should be the top priority in immigration policy.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Climate & energy

    “The federal government should require cuts to carbon emissions, even if energy costs rise.”

    Votes: Disagree|Says: Disagree

  • Guns

    “Federal law should require background checks on all gun sales, including private sales.”

    Votes: Neutral or unsure|Says: No data

  • Abortion

    “Abortion law should be decided by each state, not the federal government.”

    Votes: No data|Says: Neutral or unsure

  • Education

    “Public school funding should follow students to the school their family chooses, including private schools.”

    Votes: Agree|Says: No data

  • Foreign policy

    “The U.S. should keep providing military aid to its allies abroad.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Agree

Votes on key bills

The final vote on each bill Scope tracks (not every vote they have cast). Newest first.

Show 3 more votes

Source: House Clerk and Senate roll-call records via Congress.gov. For every vote they have cast, see GovTrack.

Words versus votes

Pro preview · free for now

No topic where votes and statements point in opposite directions (5 topics compared).

A difference is a prompt to look closer, not proof of anything. Votes come from a short list of tracked bills; statements come from speeches, press releases and bills they put their name on. See the evidence for each topic.

What they work on

5 bills written, 33 signed onto. Top topic: Taxation

In the current Congress they have written 5 bills and signed on to 33 more. A bill someone writes shows what they want to change.

Topics of the bills they wrote

  • Taxation3
  • Environmental Protection1
  • Health1

Most recent bills they wrote

  • S. 2426: Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (Jul 24, 2025)
  • S. 1443: Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2025 (Apr 10, 2025)
  • S. 1144: PHIT Act of 2025 (Mar 26, 2025)
  • S. 587: Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025 (Feb 13, 2025)
  • S. 449: Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2025 (Feb 6, 2025)

Source: Sponsorship records from Congress.gov; each bill links to its page there.

Committees

4 committees: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation...

Committees study and rewrite bills before the full chamber votes.

Source: Committee rosters from the congress-legislators dataset (built from the House and Senate committee pages, as of 2026-10-12). Each committee name links to its official page.

Career in Congress

1997 to present
  • 1997 to 2003U.S. House, SD at-largeRepublican
  • 2005 to presentU.S. Senate, SDRepublican

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Contact and learn more

Office phone, website, message form and where to read more

Contact their office

Read more about them

Source: Contact details from the member's official pages, via the congress-legislators dataset. Outside sites are not run by Scope.

The evidence, topic by topic

Every position links to the votes, quotes and bills it was built from

Health care

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 3 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“able-bodied, working-aged adults who should not be relying on taxpayers for their healthcare unless they are doing their best to find and maintain a job”

floor speech: Budget Reconciliation--Medicaid Provision (Executive Session)

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Taxes & spending

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill, 1 sponsored bill, 8 floor speechs related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“The One Big Beautiful Bill makes the 2017 tax relief permanent, and it prevents a massive $4 trillion tax hike on the American people.”

“legislation that will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans”

“Republicans passed the landmark Working Families Tax Cut Act into law. This is a bill that is full of wins for the American people.”

floor speech: Trump Administration (Executive Session)floor speech: PRAYERfloor speech: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Executive Session)sponsored bill: S 587: Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025floor speech: Introductory Statement on S. 587cosponsored bill: S 213: Main Street Tax Certainty Act

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Immigration

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 12 floor speechs related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“At the top of the priority list is securing the border.”

“the Border Patrol, which has responsibility for ensuring that our border is secure”

“It is absurd that Republicans are having to act unilaterally to fund basic national security responsibilities.”

floor speech: SENATE ACCOMPLISHMENTSfloor speech: RECONCILIATIONfloor speech: BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATEfloor speech: CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTIONfloor speech: Nomination of Kristi Noem (Executive Session)floor speech: BORDER SECURITY

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Climate & energy

How they vote

Disagree (-1)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Disagree (-1)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill, 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“appliances became the latest focus of Democrats' radical environmental agenda.”

floor speech: BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONcosponsored bill: S 541: ELITE Vehicles Act

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Guns

How they vote

Neutral or unsure (0)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

No data

Abortion

How they vote

No data

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 6: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Abortion

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Education

How they vote

Agree (+1)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

No data

Foreign policy

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

Votes behind Thune, John's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Agree (+1)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill, 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“A number of Democrat Senators continue to vote to disarm Israel in the middle of a war by blocking U.S. weapons shipments to Israel”

floor speech: TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONcosponsored bill: SRES 442: A resolution condemning Russian incursions into NATO territory and reaffirming Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Statements behind Thune, John's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Revision history

50 recorded changes
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): 1 to 1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): -1 to -1Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (statement): created at -1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): 1 to 2Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): 0 to -1Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): 0 to 1Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): created at 1Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026