Senator John Thune on Thursday introduced legislation designed to block a recent environmental proposal which could regulate many South Dakota farms and ranches. Thune’s legislation would exempt farms and ranches from the onerous regulatory requirements of the Clean Air Act. Specifically, the legislation calls for an exemption for any emission... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Justice filing a civil antitrust lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Chicago to block the proposed merger of JBS-Swift, S.A., the third-largest beef packer in the United States, and the National Beef Packing Company, the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer at Dakotafest in Mitchell, where the two participated in a forum and took questions from the audience. The two discussed renewable energy and second-generation biofuels.
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Edward Schafer’s announcement that USDA will not allow early termination of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts without penalty. “South Dakota agriculture and our state’s economy depend on CRP and other conservation easement programs for protection... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson’s decision to delay a determination regarding the request by the Governor of Texas to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The EPA has indicated that a decision to grant the waiver would not be reached by the... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune and three other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee met July 17 in an executive session with U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to discuss her negotiating positions on agriculture during World Trade Organization (WTO) talks, which resume in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 21, 2008. “It’s no... Continue Reading
Last night U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced a bill (S. 3251) which would ensure eligible farmers suffering crop losses would receive advance disaster payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the calendar year crop losses occur. Grassley and Thune and other members of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today made the following statement regarding the announcement by Japan to lift their ban on U.S. beef: “It looks like our efforts to pressure Japan to reopen its market have finally paid off. This long-overdue decision by Japan to open their market to U.S. produced beef is... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced the National Park Service has approved a $50,000 grant for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. “I am pleased to announce this important funding that will aid the Game, Fish and Parks Department in showcasing our state’s natural beauty,” Thune said. The... 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
Senator John Thune announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $500,000 grant for the Turner County Dairy in Parker, South Dakota. “This significant funding will help grow Parker’s economy,” Thune said. “Small businesses fuel job creation in America. I’m proud to help South Dakota... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $99,000 grant for the city of Eureka, South Dakota. The USDA grant will be used to construct a building for lease to small and emerging businesses in Eureka. “The USDA is acting to help... Continue Reading
