Thune’s midterm crossroads: Keep the Senate working or let candidates campaign

Senate Republicans face a mounting dilemma whether to pack it up until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections and hit the campaign trail, or stay in Washington for last-minute policy wins that battleground members can take home to voters.It’s a decision looming largely over Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), as congressional Republicans lament they have few achievements to tout with higher gas prices from the Iran war and voters’ affordability concerns dragging them down.But floor time is hard to come by before an impending recess. The Senate has been addressing this week nominee confirmations and a bipartisan college sports bill to create standards on how athletes are paid, priorities that Republicans warn present poor optics to voters. Members want action on pocketbook bills like bipartisan proposals from Sens. Jon Husted (R-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), two of the GOP’s most vulnerable incumbents facing toss-up reelections. Thune told the Washington Examiner that Collins has a “compelling argument” for her legislation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month. He also called Husted’s proposal, intended to shield households from rising energy costs caused by data centers, a “very worthwhile” bill with a “significant level of interest in having a vote.” It overwhelmingly cleared the House last week 417-3 but was blocked from passing via unanimous consent in the Senate due to opposition from Democrats that it lacks enforcement mechanisms.“It strikes at the very heart of the issue that a lot of people are talking about right now, which is affordability,” Thune said of Husted’s bill.On paper, the Senate is set to stay in session through next week. In reality, the upper chamber could embark on recess as early as this week until after the elections. The House departed last week and won’t return until after Nov. 3.Thune contended part of their scheduling uncertainty was contingent on Democrats reaching a deal with GOP negotiators on a permitting package for new energy projects, which they could begin to advance next week. Holding procedural votes on the Husted and Collins proposals would also eat up floor time requiring them to remain in session beyond this week.“It’s kind of a long list right now of candidates for floor consideration,” Thune said.Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), flanked by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR), left, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the GOP whip, arrives to speak to reporters after a closed meeting with fellow Republican senators, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Collins is “encouraging” leadership for a vote on her insulin legislation, an outcome Husted told reporters he, too, was pushing for with his measure.REPUBLICANS FEAR THEY HAVE LITTLE TO OFFER VOTERS AS CONGRESS LEAVES TOWN“It’s completely bipartisan and would make a big difference to a lot of people,” Collins said.When asked of leadership’s reception to her lobbying, Collins conceded that “a lot of people are pitching bills and waiting to hear” more on what may come next for the Senate.