The Louisiana Republican quickly emphasized that his criticism was not personal.
“I love John Thune. He’s my leader. He’s got a big brain. He’s better looking than me,” Kennedy added.
Despite the praise, Kennedy made it clear that he believes the Senate should spend less time pursuing bipartisan agreements that may ultimately fail and more time advancing Republican priorities.
Kennedy Calls for Faster Action
With fewer than 100 days remaining before the midterm elections, Kennedy argued that Senate Republicans should prioritize legislation that can still move through Congress rather than focusing on negotiations that may not produce results.
Speaking about Democratic leadership, Kennedy suggested he does not believe a bipartisan agreement is likely.
“The Graham Platner wing of his party is not going to let Schumer agree with us,” Kennedy said. “They already want to give Schumer a bathrobe, a popsicle, and an early bedtime, and have him retire. I don’t think Chuck can agree with us.”
Kennedy’s comments reflect growing frustration among some Republicans who believe valuable Senate floor time is being spent on negotiations instead of advancing legislation supported by much of the Republican conference.
Budget Resolution and SAVE Act at Center of Debate
Kennedy said he wants the House-approved budget resolution brought before the Senate, describing it as a key legislative vehicle for addressing several Republican priorities, including defense funding, assistance for farmers, and another opportunity to advance the SAVE Act.
He also focused heavily on election procedures, arguing that elections should produce timely results.
“We need to go back to having an election day, not an election month,” he told CBS anchor Margaret Brennan. “We’ve got to know the results of an election that night or shortly thereafter if it’s close. That to me is what the SAVE Act is all about.”
Supporters of the SAVE Act say the proposal would require documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and require voters to present photo identification at the polls. Opponents argue existing federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections and contend the proposal could make voter registration more difficult for some eligible citizens.
The legislation has passed the House on multiple occasions but has not advanced through the Senate.
White House Raises Pressure
Kennedy’s comments came just days after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly signaled that President Donald Trump wants Congress to move quickly on the legislation before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess.
“His patience is running out,” she said. “He wants to see as much of the SAVE America Act passed as possible by the August recess.”
President Trump also addressed the issue during a campaign rally in Georgia, criticizing the pace of the Senate.
“It’s like the Senate is a place you send things when you want them to die,” the president told supporters. “I’m trying to be nice.”
Trump also encouraged supporters to contact Senate leadership directly.
“Call John Thune, he’s the leader of the Republican Party, and tell him to get this stuff approved,” Trump declared.
Thune Points to Senate Math
Thune responded publicly, noting that legislative realities in the Senate remain a significant obstacle.
“Maybe she or somebody else ought to get on the phone and get the votes. Right? It’s 50 around here,” he said.
The Senate majority leader has acknowledged that Republicans do not currently have unanimous support within their own conference for every legislative proposal. He has also recognized that many measures would require overcoming Democratic opposition under Senate rules, making passage difficult without sufficient bipartisan support or the use of the budget reconciliation process where applicable.
Those procedural realities have fueled debate within the Republican conference over the best strategy for advancing the party’s agenda before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
Time Running Short
Kennedy has not called for replacing Thune as majority leader, and he has indicated there is no active effort within the Republican conference to do so.
Instead, his message is that Republicans have a narrowing window to act before the legislative calendar becomes even more challenging.
Congress is scheduled to break for its August recess before returning to face a September 30 government funding deadline. As election season intensifies, opportunities to move major legislation are expected to become increasingly limited.
For Republicans hoping to advance priorities such as government funding, border security, and election-related legislation, the coming weeks could prove decisive. Whether Senate leadership changes course or continues its current strategy may determine how much of the party’s agenda reaches the Senate floor before lawmakers shift their attention fully to the approaching midterm elections.
