Senator John Thune (R-SD) today commented on the Senate Democrat leadership’s threat to cut off debate on the immigration reform bill and rush through its consideration: “I’ll be the first to say that the Senate often gets bogged down in unnecessarily long and partisan debates and deliberations,” Thune said. “But... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) has introduced an amendment to the pending immigration bill that would require strict border security measures to be funded and implemented prior to the granting of any probationary legal status to aliens. This amendment would prioritize the securing of U.S. borders before any benefits are given... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced the Senate Armed Services Committee recently approved the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which included funding for several South Dakota defense related projects. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to open community-based outpatient clinics in Watertown and Wagner. The opening of these clinics will increase access to VA health care for South Dakota veterans. “On this Memorial Day weekend, it is critical that we remember... Continue Reading
“On this Memorial Day, we pause to consider the great sacrifices our servicemen and women have made throughout the course of our nation’s history. Only through their selflessness are we able to enjoy unsurpassed freedom and opportunity in this country,” Thune said. “We think especially of the brave men and... Continue Reading
Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) yesterday introduced S. 36, the Biofuels Innovation Program (BIP). Below is what conservation, renewable energy, and agriculture groups are saying: “On behalf of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), I applaud Senator Thune for developing a forward-thinking initiative that takes a balanced... Continue Reading
On the eve of the biggest weekend in auto racing, two United States Senators have asked NASCAR to consider joining the IndyCar Racing League by converting to the “fuel of the future,” American-made ethanol. With the eyes of the world on auto racing, U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Senator... Continue Reading
The United States Senate tonight passed the Emergency War Funding bill 80 to 14. Senator John Thune made the following comments: “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I know our Armed Forces are desperately awaiting this much needed funding. This bill does not contain an arbitrary withdrawal... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD), along with Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), today unveiled bipartisan legislation that would spur the production of cellulosic ethanol, an alternative fuel produced from homegrown crops, which holds great potential to meet America’s energy needs. Senator Thune’s legislation, the Biofuels Innovation Program Act (BIP), takes a two-pronged... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune tonight announced that 10 counties in South Dakota have qualified for a Presidential disaster declaration due to the severe storms that ravaged the area earlier this month. “This assistance is welcome news to the hundreds of South Dakota families dealing with the aftermath of these destructive storms,”... Continue Reading
Senators Johnson and Thune today announced that the Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, a comprehensive water resources bill which includes several provisions that will be particularly beneficial to South Dakota. The bill passed the Senate 91 to 4. “I have worked on this bill for many... Continue Reading
With Governor Rounds’ preliminary damage assessment from the recent flood now completed in conjunction with FEMA, U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD) and U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) today called upon President George W. Bush to declare a large portion of South Dakota a major disaster... Continue Reading
