John Thune: “I look forward to Kennedy being a partner to Congress on some very important issues, including chronic disease.”

Both pieces of legislation strike at the very heart of issues that the American people care deeply about, passionately about, and we'll see if the Democrats are willing to take yes for an answer.

It's an economic frustration.

Odds are we plan on being here next week," said Thune.

The only conclusion one can draw is that the Democrats have concluded that it is good politics for them not to allow the Republicans to ‘get a victory’ or the president to ‘get a victory’ in the middle of a political season.