Today, Senator John Thune announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has released an additional $1.4 million for timber harvest in the Black Hills National Forest in order to combat the pine beetle epidemic, prevent fires and benefit the local timber industry. “The Black Hills National Forest is a precious... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has introduced legislation (S.944) that would stop any potential FSA county office closures until the Secretary of Agriculture conducts a study on cost savings and/or efficiencies at the three FSA headquarters locations and all state FSA offices. Additionally, this legislation requires that the report recommendations must be... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today offered an amendment to the Democrat Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution, which would require 60 votes in the Senate in order to pass any legislation that raises taxes on family farmers, family ranchers, or small businesses. “Just because Democrats have a majority in the Senate... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has announced that Mike Jaspers of Sioux Falls has been nominated by the President to serve as South Dakota State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development. Jaspers was recommended for the position by Senator Thune. “Mike will do a great job... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune along with Senator Tim Johnson today introduced S.922. The bill extends a provision in the 2002 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization that could help sustain commercial air service to Brookings, which is scheduled to expire in September 2007. The bill ensures that certain mileage calculations used to determine... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune along with a bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter today to Underwriter Laboratories (UL) CEO Keith Williams requesting the approval of fuel pumps capable of dispensing higher blends of ethanol. The bipartisan letter comes as a result of UL’s decision last year to suspend its authorization... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding the Senate Budget Committee’s markup of the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution: “In a complete about-face, Senate Democrats seem to have already changed their minds about tax hikes. When the Democrats gained the Majority in the Senate, they pledged not to... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune recently sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson urging the EPA to begin preparations for an expeditious review of an application to approve the use of E-20 (20 percent ethanol and 80 percent gasoline) in automobiles. Presently, roughly half of all gasoline... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) issued the following statement after a U.S.-Brazil ethanol pact was signed today that could result in U.S. funds subsidizing the production of foreign ethanol that would ultimately be destined for the U.S. market. This would be a step backward for U.S. farmers and our biofuels industry.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune introduced a bill yesterday to extend the authorization for establishing a memorial in Washington, DC to honor disabled veterans. “This memorial would recognize the sacrifices that so many in this country have made to preserve our freedom,” said Thune. “Washington is home to memorials and monuments honoring... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) regarding proposed office closings: “Today’s announcement is one of the first steps the FSA takes in its streamlining process. Over the coming weeks, I will continue to gather information and input from the FSA... Continue Reading
Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) hosted a joint press conference call today and questioned a U.S.-Brazil ethanol accord, which President Bush is expected to announce while visiting Brazil this week. This accord threatens American farmers and our nation’s ethanol industry. “South Dakota and Iowa have spent years... Continue Reading
