Energy independence would be one of Sen. John Thune’s priorities as chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee because it’s vital to South Dakota and the country, he said Thursday.

“I view this as a very significant opportunity to place South Dakota’s and rural America’s priorities clearly on the agenda,” Thune said in a conference call.

GOP senators will select their next policy committee chairman next Thursday. Thune has personally spoken to 35 of the 40 Republicans in the Senate and has reached out to the other five. So far, he hasn’t heard of anyone else interested in the position, the fourth-ranking elected leadership role.

“But it’s very unpredictable and you can’t take anything for granted,” Thune said.

Stepping down this week was Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who admitted to an extramarital affair. Thune said he isn’t happy with how the position became open.

“It’s a difficult situation for everybody involved there,” he said. “Sen. Ensign made his statement and I’ve certainly left it at that.”

Should he be elected, Thune said he would work with his counterpart, who represents a state that mirrors South Dakota more than any other.

Chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee is Byron Dorgan of North Dakota.

Thune said he believes it’s critical that the concerns of rural America are heard in policy debates just as those of President Obama, from Chicago, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, from San Francisco, are heard.

“There is always opportunities for interaction with people on the other side who hold similar positions,” he said when asked about his relationship with Dorgan.

The two senators have worked together on issues of importance to both states.

In the minority position in the Senate, the Republican members certainly can serve a role as the loyal opposition yet must also resist being the “anti” party that always says no, Thune said.

“I see that as one of the challenges,” he said. “We have to be a party that is committed to a forward-looking vision for the American people.”

Chairing the policy committee puts the individual at the forefront of that discussion, he said.

Republicans need to give their colleagues alternatives to vote on.

“I view that as an important part of this job and obviously something the Republican Party needs right now,” Thune said.

After three terms in the House, he is nearing the end of his first term in the Senate. He is seeking re-election next year.

The Senate Republican Policy Committee has about 20 staff members who work in a “think tank” to evaluate and develop legislation. The committee serves as a central clearing house for Republican senators.

If elected, Thune would be the 14th chairman of the committee since a 1946 law established separate policy committees for the Senate majority and minority committees.

The committees existed in other forms prior to the 1940s.

It’s important to have committee structures to coordinate Republican and Democratic policy initiatives, Thune said.

“The Senate couldn’t function if you had 100 different people going in 100 different directions,” he said.







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