WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today wrote to Tom Vilsack, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), encouraging him to provide immediate disaster assistance to ranchers who have been affected by the Cottonwood Fire. The fire... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, submitted the following comments to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for its public hearing in Fargo, North Dakota this morning focused on the region’s rail service issues that continue to negatively impact agriculture producers,... Continue Reading
Following months of rail service delays and backlogs U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today announced the committee will hold a hearing on U.S. rail service issues on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, entitled “Freight Rail Service – Improving the... Continue Reading
Today Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) wrote U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that USDA stop requiring the destruction of vegetative cover on certain CRP contracts at a cost to taxpayers. “CRP holds a significant role in the success of South Dakota’s agriculture and rural economies,” said... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced an amendment (S.Amdt. 2093) to the National Defense Authorization Act that would reiterate Congress’ commitment to the development of the next generation Long-Range Strike Bomber. “As potential adversaries continue to modernize their anti-aircraft systems, our ability to penetrate those systems must also modernize,” said Thune.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced his selection of Ryan and Rhonda Kelly and their family of Rapid City for the 2013 Angels in Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, of which Thune is a member. The Kellys have welcomed six daughters from China into their family in... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) has added a survey to his website asking South Dakota farmers and ranchers for their suggestions on changes that could be made to programs that would assist in dealing with this summer’s ongoing drought conditions. The National Climatic Data Center reported today that the U.S.... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent the following letter regarding haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in South Dakota to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack after meeting this past weekend with ranchers in Western South Dakota. Such emergency action has been permitted for CRP acres... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In November of last year, Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting additional funding for the fight against the mountain pine beetle infestation in the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF). Today,... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and David Vitter (R-La.) today introduced their Respecting States’ Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would guarantee the rights of gun owners to carry concealed weapons across state lines in accordance with the laws of individual states. The bill balances the constitutional rights protected... Continue Reading
U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking that the Department of Justice use all tools available to investigate, and potentially prosecute, MF Global executives... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today pressed officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security, and the Department of Commerce on enforcement of current antidumping and countervailing duty laws during their appearance before the Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness. Senator Thune is the Ranking Member... Continue Reading
