Senator John Thune today announced the introduction of an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (S. 1200) which would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete an in-depth study of the tribal justice systems in North and South Dakota. The goal of the legislation is to find... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement in recognition of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week: “The gratitude our nation owes to those who have defended our freedom around the globe cannot be overstated. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our veterans, especially those... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today met with several multinational wind development companies and a delegation headed by the Honorable Pedro Mejia, Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism and Commerce. The meeting was part of a round table discussion concerning the future of wind energy production in both the United States and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, is accepting applications for the following programs: Rural Economic Development Loans, Rural Business Opportunity Grants, Rural Cooperative Development Grants, and Small Minority Producer Grants. “Sustainable rural development is vital to South Dakota’s future,” said Thune. “I urge... Continue Reading
Yesterday, Senator Thune exercised his oversight duties as the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support by examining business transformation and financial management at the Department of Defense. During the hearing, Senator Thune recognized the contribution of Ellsworth Air Force Base towards financial reform... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today participated in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to receive testimony from members of the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves regarding their final report “Transforming the National Guard and Reserves into a 21st-Century Operational Force.” During the hearing, Senator Thune took the opportunity to... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today made the following comments after passage of an Economic Stimulus bill in the U.S. Senate. The Senate agreed to the bill by a vote of 81 to 16. “After days of stalling by the Democrat Leadership, the Senate passed an economic stimulus package with important improvements... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the Rural Development office at the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants for agricultural producers who engage in value-added production practices. “Value-added agriculture is a major part of our nation’s long term farming strategy,” said Thune. “I urge South Dakota producers... Continue Reading
President George W. Bush released his Fiscal Year 2009 budget today, which included no funding for the Lewis & Clark Rural Water Project. “I am shocked to see that the White House has zeroed out federal funding for the Lewis & Clark project. The President has acknowledged that the economy... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that eligible patients will receive more in reimbursement for travel related to VA medical care. “High gas prices might make people change some of their driving habits, but they should not get in the way of veterans having access to health care,” said Thune. “Increasing... Continue Reading
Today U.S. Senator John Thune applauded the speedy Senate confirmation of Edward Shafer as the 29th Secretary of Agriculture. “I was encouraged by Governor Shafer’s remarks at last week’s Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing that he was prepared to work with the Senate and House Agriculture Committees on behalf of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will honor his request that the passenger screening equipment at the Brookings Airport not be relocated while Congress works to restore commercial air service. “The Transportation Security Administration recognized that my bipartisan legislation would make moving the Brookings screening... Continue Reading
