WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill contains numerous priorities that benefit South Dakota and the future B-21 bomber mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including authorization for $5.3 billion for continued... Continue Reading
Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of passing a strong National Defense Authorization Act in order to bolster national security, enhance shortfalls in military readiness, prioritize critical projects for the incoming B-21 mission at Ellsworth Air Force... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined his colleagues in introducing the Elimination of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission Act. This legislation would eliminate the commission that is tasked with identifying facilities that should be consolidated or realigned and protect the several VA facilities across South Dakota... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to prevent the Biden administration from diverting U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel or funding to address the crisis at the southern border after Title 42 border restrictions are lifted. Rescinding this policy without a viable plan in place to deal with the anticipated... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after the Biden administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed the VA medical facilities in Hot Springs, Wagner, and Fort Meade that proposed recommendations as part of a multi-year nationwide review of VA... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today introduced legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to modify language used on official VA and DoD forms to clarify the information required when a service member elects to... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the passing of World War II veteran and South Dakota native Marcella LeBeau and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, December 9. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), ranking member of the committee, this week applauded the Senate for unanimously passing the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation that would increase the rates of compensation... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored the brave men and women of the U.S. military, especially those throughout South Dakota, ahead of the Veterans Day holiday. Thune expressed his gratitude and reverence for the selflessness of devoting one’s life to service and sacrifice on behalf of the American people.... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie notified them that the VA has formally rescinded its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie indicated the VA would begin the process to formally rescind its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released his “Week in Washington Wrap-Up,” which highlights what’s on the Senate floor, bills he’s introduced, groups he’s met with in Washington, and other weekly activities. Click on any of the links below for more information. Click here to watch the video. In this week’s edition:... Continue Reading
