Schumer presses Thune for briefings on recent attacks
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is pressing Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) for an all-senators briefing on recent dangerous events in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
"Given the severity of these incidents and the risk of further attacks and copycat actors, it is essential for the Senate to remain actively engaged in understanding the scope of the attacks and to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address any threat posed by domestic or international terrorism," Schumer wrote in the letter addressed to Thune on Saturday.
In Las Vegas, a flammables-stuffed Tesla Cybertruck was detonated outside one of President-elect Donald Trump's hotels on New Years Day, injuring seven individuals and killing one individual inside the car. In New Orleans, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, plowed a truck through a crowded street on New Years Eve, killing 14 individuals.
The new congressional term began on Friday, launching Thune to the top of the Senate after four years of Democratic control. That means the GOP leader is now tasked with orchestrating major all-senators briefings, controlling floor time and more.
Schumer's letter is an early sign that he intends to remain a vocal leader in the minority. The longtime New York senator has repeatedly urged Thune to practice bipartisanship while helming the chamber. The Democratic leader noted that it has "been the practice in the Senate" for party leaders to work together on organizing all-senators briefings, and that he is "ready to work with [Thune] to facilitate this briefing at the earliest convenience."
Thune has said recent events showcase the need to confirm Trump's intended national security nominees quickly. That could prove difficult, as some of Trump's picks like former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, or Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, have drawn pushback from lawmakers.
Schumer also requested senators be briefed on preparations for the upcoming presidential inauguration, which will occur on Jan. 20, and other upcoming public events at the Capitol.
"I believe a comprehensive briefing on the investigations in New Orleans and Las Vegas, as well as security planning for the major upcoming public events at the Capitol, is necessary to provide senators with information to make informed decisions about security policy, emergency response, and support for the Capitol complex and the affected communities."