With Republicans winning control of the Senate Tuesday, Sen. Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said he hoped to be elected majority leader when the chamber convenes in January. He told Newsmax Wednesday he's up for the job.
"What we need right now in the country is we need somebody who's willing to do hard things. We've got some hard things to do," Thune told "The Record With Greta Van Susteren."
He said that President-elect Donald Trump "was elected in a huge convincing, decisive win. The American people want a change in direction. I think I can help President Trump accomplish that by leading the Senate.
"I've had the experience to do it as the whip. I've been counting the votes now for the last six years.
"I know how the place works and have built out the relationships to try and make this president and our team in the United States Senate and House successful in moving an agenda that's good for the American people and gets us back on track. And I think right now, what's more than anything else ... is what the American people voted on last night.
"They want to change the direction. And a lot of it has to do with the economy, with pocketbook issues, and with a broken southern border."
He also said if he's elected Senate majority leader, he and his colleagues would "hit the ground running" to make sure any important appointments that need confirmation will be filled in a timely manner. He said he plans to help Trump accomplish what he was elected to do.
"And that's a long list," he said. "But hopefully we'll have a House Republican majority to work with the Senate Republican majority and a Republican president, President Trump."
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