Thune on March 23. Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Senate Republicans' election of John Thune as their new leader on Wednesday puts a longtime tech and telecom wonk at the helm of the conference.
Why it matters: Thune is now in charge of setting the tech policy agenda for the Senate next year, and figuring out what President-elect Trump wants to do in the space.
Thune has long been involved in tech and telecom policy, previously leading the Senate Commerce Committee and spearheading bills on broadband, privacy and more.
- He currently serves as the ranking member on Senate Commerce's Communications, Media and Broadband panel.
He's recently worked on AI, privacy and algorithmic transparency regulation; getting more into the weeds of tech policy than most senior GOP leaders.
- Notably, Thune introduced the bipartisan AI Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act this Congress.
- "As this technology continues to evolve, we should identify some basic rules of the road that protect consumers, foster an environment in which innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive, and limit government intervention," he told Axios at the time.
- The legislation, which lays out a certification regime for AI, advanced out of Senate Commerce in July.
Thune and incoming Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz introduced legislation to expand commercial access to spectrum and restore the FCC's authority.
- The spectrum bill has offered an alternative route to Chair Maria Cantwell's measure which has lagged as the FCC's authority has long expired.
What they're saying: USTelecom president and CEO Jonathan Spalter said in a statement that Thune recognizes "reliable high-speed internet access is essential for education and economic growth, especially in rural areas."
- "We look forward to working with Senator Thune and the new Congress to remove barriers to deployment and investment, expand broadband infrastructure and build a more connected America."
Flashback: Back in 2022, Thune voted against the CHIPS and Science Act.
- "As much as I could have probably stomached the first $50 billion or so that was directly going to semiconductor chips, it was the next $100 billion on top of that," he said in 2022.
The bottom line: MAGA loyalists haven't embraced Thune, an establishment Republican who has pushed back against the movement dictating the chamber's business.
- This resistance may show up on issues like TikTok where Trump has changed his mind on whether the app should be banned and could push Congress to repeal the divest or ban law.
