John Thune: “We have an epidemic problem with the pine beetle in the Black Hills.”

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.

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

It's a pretty simple measure, but an important way to ensure that members of Congress are held to the standards that America should be able to expect of their representatives.

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.