Senator John Thune (R-SD) today sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), signed by a bipartisan group of 72 Senators, urging them to ensure that the Continuing Resolution for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2007 includes the funding levels consistent... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) tonight issued the following statement in response to the President’s 2007 State of the Union address: “I applaud the President for proposing ambitious plans to address unique challenges and important national priorities. I was specifically encouraged to hear the President lay out a bold agenda for... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today made the following comments regarding the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007, which passed the Senate 96-2: “The Senate passed a comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform package that was greatly improved as a result of the passage of key Republican amendments. This bill provides transparency... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) today introduced S.331, the Alternative Energy Refueling Systems Act. The bill would provide for increased energy security for Americans by providing incentives for gas station owners across the country to install alternative fuel tanks, giving consumers greater opportunities to opt for... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today met with Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Lee Tae-sik and made the case for South Korea to reopen its borders to U.S. beef: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to make a direct appeal to Korean Ambassador Lee to lift the ban on U.S.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today introduced the Fostering Independence Through Technology (FITT) Act, which would expand the use of telehealth under Medicare in rural and underserved communities across the country. The FITT Act would create pilot programs across the country to provide incentives for home health agencies to use home monitoring... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced the introduction of the Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2007, legislation that would provide drought relief to farmers and ranchers for losses sustained in both the 2005 and 2006 production years. Senator Thune is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan legislation. “Just because temperatures are... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement today regarding President Bush’s address to the nation: “President Bush rightly admitted tonight to the American people that the situation in Iraq is unacceptable; the strategies in place are not working; and we need a change in direction in order to achieve success.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today met with Sioux Falls resident Donald Junck, who is being honored in Washington this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for filing the one millionth web-based trademark application using the Trademark Electronic Application System. Mr. Junck presented Senator Thune with a personalized wooden version... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD), member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today announced the introduction of the Permanent Emergency Agricultural Assistance Act, legislation that would authorize a permanent agriculture disaster program for the 2007 crop year and future crop years. Senator Thune is the lead Republican sponsor. “As unfortunate as it... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today sent a letter to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman requesting that the Administration include $35 million in funding for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project as it finalizes the fiscal year 2008 budget, which will be submitted to Congress in... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today issued the following statement regarding the swearing-in of the 110th Congress: “With the start of a new year and a new Congress, I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead to make a positive difference for South Dakotans and the country. I look forward to... Continue Reading
