John Thune

After touring American battle zones this week, Sen. John Thune said he sees significant progress in Iraq but remains concerned about President Obama's plan to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by July 2011.

Thune, R-S.D., met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and members of Karzai's Cabinet on Wednesday.

Sen. John Thune says he is pleased with the progress being made in Iraq as commanders work to draw down the number of U.S. troops by this summer.

The Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee spoke from Afghanistan today via teleconference.

The Senate battle may be over for now, but Republicans are vowing the war is not yet lost.

Congress may be gone for several weeks enjoying a winter holiday, but Republicans say they will keep up the pressure on Democrats who succeeded in getting their Senate health insurance overhaul bill passed before Christmas -- if just barely.

When Senate debate on the longer-term extension begins Jan. 20, Republicans will be allowed to offer four amendments, including one by South Dakota Sen. John Thune to require that any money banks repay to the Troubled Asset Recovery Program be used to lower the debt ceiling. Thune's amendment would also end the TARP program.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) also said he intends to co-sponsor Murkowski's effort. He said some moderate Democrats may be willing to sign on to the measure but acknowledged that getting the measure through the Senate would only be the first step.