Today the Senate passed the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 by unanimous consent. This bill prevents cuts to physicians’ payments under Medicare, and provides an extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 31, 2009, with additional funding to cover states’ shortfalls. “First, I... Continue Reading
Today Senator John Thune announced that his hard fought efforts to extend the deadline for crop and livestock disaster assistance to December 31, 2007 were successful. The Omnibus Appropriations bill, which is expected to pass the Senate later this evening, includes Thune’s disaster program extension legislation, which would assist agriculture... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced his strong support for S. 2400, the Wounded Warrior Bonus Equity Act. The bill would end the policy of the military to demand combat-wounded service personnel give back a portion of the enlistment bonuses they receive because they are unable to serve out their commitments... Continue Reading
The Energy Bill passed by the Senate on December 14, 2007 included portions of Senator John Thune’s bipartisan Alternative Energy Refueling Systems Act. Section 244 of the Energy bill authorizes the creation of a federal grant program to assist gas station owners with the purchase and installation of alternative fuel... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the below statement following Senate passage of the FY2008 Defense Authorization bill: “The Defense Authorization Bill paves the way for many initiatives that will make America safer and give South Dakota the opportunity to contribute to our national defense. It also posthumously honors Woodrow Keeble,... Continue Reading
The United States Senate today passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 79 to 14, after weeks of stalled debate. Senator John Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was instrumental in shaping the bill which outlines our nation’s agriculture policy through 2012. “The 2007... Continue Reading
Today the United States Senate passed (86 to 8) the Energy Bill, H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which includes an historic increased Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Senator John Thune has been working for months to get an increased RFS through the Senate. Several South Dakota... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune continues to fight to get an increased Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) added to the farm bill currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. Senator Thune and U.S. Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Ken Salazar (D-CO) have joined forces to amend the farm bill to include the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune is encouraging South Dakotans to submit nominations for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Above and Beyond Citizens Award. The award recognizes civilian Americans who have put “Service before Self” through a singular act of heroism or a continued commitment to putting others before themselves. The Medal... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following comments today after an agreement was reached to move forward in the Senate with the 2007 Farm Bill: “Although the Congress is still several months behind in passing a new farm bill, I am encouraged that the Senate has finally reached an agreement to... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization conference report authorizes the President of the United States to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Woodrow Keeble in recognition of his service during the Korean War. Master Sergeant Keeble was a member of the... Continue Reading
Today Senator John Thune was commended for his conservation leadership as a Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Ducks Unlimited Executive Vice-President, Don Young, met with Thune today and praised him for his role in including “sodsaver” provisions in the Senate’s 2007 Farm Bill. (Picture of Young making the presentation... Continue Reading
