Sen. John Thune used his first few minutes of floor time to make a commitment to defend the filibuster rule, which requires at least 60 votes to pass Senate legislation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — New Senate Majority Leader John Thune is kicking off the new session with a promise to preserve the filibuster, saying in his first floor speech as leader that his priority will be to “ensure the Senate stays the Senate.”

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will promise to maintain the filibuster on Friday afternoon in his first speech as Senate majority leader. “One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate,