Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) abruptly decided to shut down the Senate until early June, leading to a delay in voting on key pieces of legislation that conservatives have been calling to have a vote on for some time, including the SAVE America Act, funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), voter ID and proof of citizenship, and more.
The GOP revolt took place on May 22, 2026, as Republican senators grew disgruntled over President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization” and ballroom funds. The “anti-weaponization” portion would create a $1.8 billion fund for individuals who have been victimized by government weaponization — also known as “lawfare” — including folks who were convicted of crimes during the riot at the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.
The Senate was dismissed and walked away from a $72 billion funding bill that would provide needed cash to continue the president’s illegal alien deportation operation led by ICE, delaying the vote until early June, when lawmakers will return to work after the Memorial Day holiday. The major sticking points were the addition of the White House ballroom and anti-weaponization funds.
“It was something that was supposed to be very narrow, targeted, focused, clean, straightforward, and it got a little bit more complicated this week,” Thune went on to say, expressing frustration, according to a report from Reuters. “It makes everything way harder than it should be.” The report goes on to say that the ICE funding bill fell prey to partisan politics due to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) losing his primary due to Trump backing a different candidate.
A post sharing the news of Thune’s decision on X, expressed the frustration of the average American voter who is sick and tired of seeing Congress fiddle about instead of implementing the president’s agenda. “Just another 10-day vacation for the swamp while the invasion continues and elections remain wide open for fraud,” user Gunther Eagleman wrote.
“This is exactly why Americans are furious with Senate Republicans. Thune had one job, deliver for President Trump and the American people, and he folded like a cheap suit,” Eagleman continued. “MAGA will NOT forget this. Pass the d**n SAVE America Act and secure the border NOW. No more excuses!” Others responded to the post with similar sentiments.
🚨 WOW, RINO BETRAYAL: John Thune Just SHUT DOWN The Senate & Sent Everyone Home Until Early June With ZERO Warning!
– No Save America Act.
– No Voter ID & proof of citizenship.
– No ICE/Border funding.
– No recess appointments.Just another 10-day vacation for the… pic.twitter.com/IrzulUuXtM
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) May 21, 2026
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“This is not the time. He doesn’t realize that he has just kissed his career goodbye. Or maybe he was just sticking it to America on his way to retirement. America needs the SAVE Act and John Thune ditches out on the job and allows all of them to ditch theirs too! This is unacceptable. When we are all waiting for the SAVE act to move forward,” Gillian McIntosh wrote in her reply.
“It is a dereliction of duty. And we all know that he already knows this. Enjoy your vacation, John! Your days of having a job in politics are numbered,” McIntosh added. Someone else replied, “John Thune is a loser. The most important bill to pass, voter ID, and he fails. He should just stay on vacation. He does nothing while he’s here anyway.”