Senator Thune statement on judicial nominee compromise

“I’m happy to see that three of the President’s judicial nominees will receive an up or down vote. However, I still believe that all judicial nominees with majority support deserve the fairness of an up or down vote on the Senate floor.”

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THUNE: South Dakota Gains Jobs in April

WASHINGTON – Today Senator John Thune, R-SD, announced that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that South Dakota gained 2,500 jobs in the month of April. South Dakota was one of six other states with the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment. South Dakota has gained 7,000 jobs since... Continue Reading

Senator Thune introduces bipartisan bill to delay BRAC

Legislation introduced today by Sen. John Thune, R-SD, would delay the current Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The legislation would delay the process until most troops return from Iraq, a complete analysis is conducted on overseas facility requirements and several pending reports are released and their impact on BRAC... Continue Reading

Senators Thune and Clinton introduce legislation to extend child care for families of fallen soldiers

Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) announced today that they have introduced legislation that will allow children whose parents die while in service to our nation to keep eligibility to federal child care benefits for two years. The legislation will cover members of the armed forces, including... Continue Reading

Senate set to pass highway bill favorable for South Dakota

The highway bill set to pass the U.S. Senate today includes significantly more funding than the House-passed version and maintains South Dakota’s historical transportation funding level, Senator John Thune said today. The transportation bill set to pass the Senate includes roughly $1.307 billion for South Dakota’s road needs over the... Continue Reading

Senator John Thune Statement on Secretary Rumsfeld Testimony

“Secretary Rumsfeld’s testimony today underscores the consequences of the next phase in the BRAC process. Ellsworth plays a critical role in the War on Terror every day, and we will continue to advocate its importance to our homeland security mission. When BRAC members visit South Dakota, they will find a... Continue Reading

Thune vows continued fight for Ellsworth

Senator John Thune (R-SD) made the following statement today regarding the Pentagon’s recommendation to close Ellsworth Air Force Base: “Although this is only the first step in the process, this is upsetting news for all South Dakotans. The Pentagon is flat wrong in failing to recognize Ellsworth’s importance to our... Continue Reading

Senator John Thune statement on Senate passing Emergency Supplemental

“Today’s Senate action ensures our troops will continue to have the resources needed to win the War on Terror. This critical supplemental funding gives our troops and diplomats the important tools they need to spread freedom abroad and strengthen our security at home. “The Emergency Supplemental is the latest in... Continue Reading

Veterans applaud Thune’s new Veterans legislation

New legislation introduced by Sen. John Thune will improve veterans’ health care, veterans leaders said today. “Senator Thune is on the right track. America’s service members – past, present, and future – deserve better,” said The American Legion’s National Commander Thomas P. Cadmus. Thune’s new legislation proposes mandatory funding increases... Continue Reading

Thune to visit Ellsworth Air Force Base

Senator John Thune will visit Ellsworth Air Force Base and meet with base officials on a trip to Rapid City this Wednesday, May 4. The Senator will also brief reporters at a press conference at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum and discuss the Base Realignment and Closure Commission... Continue Reading

Thune continues Ellsworth push

Senator John Thune is making a final push to advocate for Ellsworth Air Force Base before the Pentagon releases its recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) in mid-May. After months of lobbying and advocating for Ellsworth, Thune will again meet with the Ellsworth Task Force in Rapid... Continue Reading

Senate passes Thune amendment to protect states’ rights in Highway Bill

The Senate today approved an amendment introduced by Senator John Thune to the transportation bill currently being debated on the Senate floor to protect state and local governments’ rights to define their own community values. The amendment will prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation from deciding what South Dakota’s community... Continue Reading