U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ announcement that the economy added 223,000 jobs in May, bringing the unemployment rate to the lowest rate in 18 years. “Americans struggled too long in a sluggish economy that lacked opportunities for those seeking... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement that USDA, at the request of the delegation, will implement a new Section 502 relending pilot program on tribal lands in South... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced the Prioritizing Help to Businesses Act, legislation to prioritize H-2B visa allocation to states with the lowest unemployment rates, which, in turn, would benefit states with the highest need for a supplemental workforce. It would also provide cap relief for other states beyond... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced the Improved Soil Moisture and Precipitation Monitoring Act of 2018, legislation that would provide tools and direction to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help improve the... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the VA MISSION Act, legislation that significantly reforms the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care delivery system, helps veterans access the care they need in their own communities, and expands caregiver support to all generations... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, this week discussed the results of two recent surveys that show how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is continuing to have a positive effect on American businesses. The National Association of Manufacturers’ survey showed that 77... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid, today introduced the Expanding Telehealth Response to Ensure Addiction Treatment (e-TREAT) Act, bipartisan legislation that would increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment through telehealth technology under Medicare. Thune has... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding the Senate confirmation of Gina Haspel to be the director of the CIA: “With more than 30 years of experience serving in posts overseas and in CIA leadership, Gina Haspel is an outstanding choice for CIA director. Her long... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) issued the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives passed their bill, the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (S. 35), legislation that will facilitate a permanent land transfer of approximately 200 acres of Bureau of... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today greeted veterans from across the Midwest, including 45 South Dakotans, who were in Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials honoring their service and sacrifice to the nation. The Midwest Honor Flight program coordinated today’s visit to Washington. “It’s an opportunity for us to be... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today discussed the importance of bipartisan net neutrality legislation and the many benefits the American people are seeing as a result of tax reform. Excerpt from Thune’s speech: “There is widespread agreement among senators in... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ announcement that the economy added 164,000 jobs in April and unemployment fell to its lowest rate since 2000: “Today’s jobs report is more evidence that our economy is growing again,” said Thune.... Continue Reading