Today, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its monthly report on the U.S. job market. The report showed that the economy created 215,000 jobs in the month of November, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent. In addition, U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that he will be visiting Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Edwards Air Force Base in California to study possible future missions for Ellsworth Air Force Base. “Now that Ellsworth has been saved from closure, adding an additional mission to the base is crucial... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement thanking American soldiers for their service this Thanksgiving: “As South Dakotans gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope we all can pause to give thanks for the men and women in uniform who make it possible for us to live every day in... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune joined Senators Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Wayne Allard (R-CO) in introducing the Forests for Future Generations Act, legislation that would make important improvements to the process in which the federal government responds to damage resulting from catastrophic natural events, such as wildfire, windthrow and bug/disease infestation.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined the Senate in passing the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (TTJHUD). This bill funds the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Federal Judiciary and Supreme Court,... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced passage of the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2006 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. “I was proud to support this important funding package because of the many direct benefits it will provide to South Dakota—to our veterans, our active military and many... Continue Reading
Early this morning, Senator John Thune voted in favor of the Tax Relief Act of 2005, legislation that would continue existing tax policy and avoid significant tax increases in the five-year period by extending certain expiring provisions. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 64-33. “Today’s tax relief... Continue Reading
The United States Senate today voted 94-5 to approve the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (CJS). This bill funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Economic Development Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has introduced legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to consolidate its information technology (IT) projects in the hands of the VA’s chief information officer (CIO). The bill is a response to the failure of several expensive IT projects at the VA, and is... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding the opening of enrollment season for the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit tomorrow, November 15: “Tomorrow, for the first time ever, South Dakota Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to sign up for voluntary prescription drug coverage through Medicare. I am pleased... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced a major new transportation development in South Dakota. If approved, this initiative would represent the largest private investment in South Dakota’s history and would result in the creation of thousands of jobs. The Transportation Reauthorization bill, recently signed into law, included a provision authored by... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today voted against the Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report because it contained an unacceptable two-year delay of the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL). Senator Thune has been working to implement COOL since his days as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives: “Country of Origin Labeling... Continue Reading
