Senator John Thune today announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved two Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Special Project Grants for $99,000 and $247,500 for the City of Aberdeen, as identified in the Conference Report on the Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the South Dakota Department of Transportation three grants totaling $335,280 for improvements to the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. “This funding will allow for safety, accessibility and beautification improvements to the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which includes roads that... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced a new bio-energy research initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Energy. The initiative seeks to fund up to two new Research Centers dedicated to advancing knowledge about the production of bio-fuels. “I believe that South Dakota universities and companies can make a strong bid and... Continue Reading
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Senator John Thune (R-SD) toured drought stricken areas of South Dakota today. They traveled to six towns, visited with hundreds of South Dakotans and came to one conclusion: that the drought is a natural disaster, and should be treated that way by the federal government.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) last night sent a letter to U.S Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), signed by 16 additional Senators, conveying the urgency with which U.S. farmers and ranchers require emergency drought relief and requesting a scheduled date for agriculture disaster assistance... Continue Reading
The U.S. Senate last night passed a provision authored by Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) with the support of Senator John Thune (R-SD) that would establish an Office of Rural Health Care within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Currently, more than six million of America’s veterans live in rural communities.... Continue Reading
Today, Senator John Thune co-signed a letter calling on U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson to extend a capital gains tax deferment for livestock producers who were forced to sell portions of their herd as a result of drought conditions in 2002. “Extending the capital gains deferment for livestock producers in South... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe an Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) in the amount of $3,513,772. “This important funding will increase the quality, safety, and availability of affordable housing for the families of the Sisseton-Wahpeton... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding Democrat obstruction of the “Family Prosperity Act.” The economic package included a permanent reduction of the estate tax, an extension of the state sales tax deduction, and an increase of the minimum wage. The package failed in the Senate by a... Continue Reading
Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune today announced they will jointly tour drought-stricken areas of South Dakota next week. Senators Johnson and Thune will discuss this tour and the drought, as well as other issues, separately today on their respective weekly conference calls. “Producers across the state of South Dakota... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today voted in favor of S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which would open up certain areas within Lease Sale 181 in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and natural gas exploration. The bill passed by a vote of 71 to 25.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to authorize the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the East Ridge Fire: “I’m pleased to see the federal government has responded quickly and efficiently... Continue Reading
