During a heated exchange on the Senate floor, Thune passionately laid into the opposition, shouting, “WE’VE TRIED 13 TIMES! You voted NO, 13 TIMES!” His frustration was palpable as he slammed the repeated failures to reach an agreement to reopen the government, calling out Democrats for blocking efforts to get things back on track.

Thune’s anger reached a boiling point as he continued, raising his voice, “Oh, there might be consequences! YEAH — people are running out of money! SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food, people should be getting paid!” His comments were a direct attack on those who, in his view, were putting politics ahead of the needs of everyday Americans.

The Senate Leader didn’t hold back, hitting hard on the real-world consequences of the shutdown. “We’re 29 days in — the government’s running out of money — and NOW you realize this has consequences?!” he demanded, pointing out the growing impact on citizens who depend on government services, benefits, and paychecks.

Thune’s words echoed through the chamber, signaling that he was done with diplomatic pleasantries. The gloves were off. His fiery rhetoric underscored the urgency of the situation, with the government running out of money and no clear path to resolve the standoff.

The senator’s frustration wasn’t just about politics; it was personal for the millions of Americans affected by the shutdown. From federal employees to vulnerable citizens relying on food assistance, Thune made it clear that the consequences of inaction were real and damaging.

As Thune wrapped up his impassioned speech, it was clear that the pressure was mounting. With the shutdown dragging on and both sides dug in, it’s anyone’s guess how long the deadlock will last — but Thune’s words certainly made it clear that time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.