Senator John Thune testified today before the National Parks subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee at a hearing on his bill, S. 824, to extend the timeline for the establishment of a national memorial to disabled veterans in our nation’s capital. The Senate authorized the construction of... Continue Reading
Senator Thune made the following comments today after South Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Steve Cutler announced changes to the initial FSA county office streamlining and closing plan proposed earlier this year. “I have heard from hundreds of South Dakotans regarding the plan to close and consolidate... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that South Dakota State University (SDSU) has been selected to partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation to research better ways to monitor rural road conditions and other improvements in transportation system performance. The partnership includes a grant for $583,000 over two years. “Roads are... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $150,000 in funding he requested to combat the production and use of methamphetamine in Minnehaha County. The funding would be issued through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Meth Hot Spots program, which provides grants to train state and... Continue Reading
Senators Chuck Grassley, Herb Kohl and John Thune today introduced legislation to ensure a level playing field for all market participants in the agriculture industry, including the independent producer and family farmer. “With the number of anti-competitive mergers that the Justice Department has approved, it’s very clear they haven’t figured... Continue Reading
Governor Mike Rounds, Senator Tim Johnson, Senator John Thune, and Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin made the following comments today after the announcement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to locate the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the Sanford Laboratory at Homestake in Lead, South Dakota: “This is... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service release of seven black-footed ferrets in Wind Cave National Park yesterday: “After months of listening to concerns from local ranchers about the release of black-footed ferrets within the boundaries of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following statement to commemorate Independence Day, 2007: “Independence Day is a day for all Americans to reflect on what it means to be free and the sacrifices that have made that freedom possible. While this 4th of July we commemorate a struggle for freedom long... Continue Reading
In an effort to prevent Democrats from suppressing the right to free speech for talk radio and other broadcasters, Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN), Jim DeMint (R-SC) and John Thune (R-SD) today introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007 (S.1748). The bill would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstituting... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune reminded South Dakota residents and business owners of the approaching deadline for applying for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the 11 counties which sustained damage during the severe storms, floods, and tornadoes earlier this year. July 23rd, 2007 is the last day... Continue Reading
U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced legislation to help research, protect and maintain America’s bee and native pollinator population and ensure the viability of crops that rely on them for pollination. In recent months, there has been an estimated loss of over... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today announced the Senate Small Business Committee, of which he is a member, approved a provision to implement the Office of Native American Affairs Pilot Program. This two-year pilot program, which Senator Thune co-wrote with Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), would enable the Office of Native American... Continue Reading
