Press Releases

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released a video highlighting the common-sense airport security and safety reforms in the Federal Aviation Administration extension that would help protect South Dakotans and all Americans who travel. The House and Senate are expected... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined five of his House and Senate colleagues in urging President Obama to work with Congress on a critical anti-Zika package that would provide $1.1 billion in funding to help combat the growing threat posed by the Zika virus. The package would also temporarily... Continue Reading

By now, most Americans have seen in chilling detail what happened late last month in Istanbul, Turkey. A group of terrorists casually walked into one of Ataturk Airport’s public terminals and proceeded to open fire before detonating suicide vests among fleeing travelers. In the wake of this attack, 45 people... Continue Reading

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the Department of Defense appropriations bill: “The recent attacks in Orlando, Istanbul, Bangladesh, Baghdad, and Saudi Arabia underscore the urgent need to fight ISIS abroad and protect the homeland. This... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email use during her time as secretary of state and the agency’s decision not to recommend charges be filed against her. As a result of the FBI’s investigation, during which FBI Director James Comey concluded Clinton acted... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement after the committee approved S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, by voice vote. The bipartisan legislation, of which Thune is a cosponsor, would maximize science research by reducing administrative... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, applauded the committee’s passage of S. 827, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act. The bill, introduced last year by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would help correct long-standing problems with call completion failures faced... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement after the committee approved S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, by voice vote. The bipartisan legislation, of which Thune is a cosponsor, would maximize science research by reducing administrative... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked the military construction, veterans affairs, and Zika appropriations conference report, legislation that would have funded numerous programs to support America’s veterans as well as vital military construction projects:  “I’m disappointed that just days before the July 4... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that President Obama’s executive amnesty violates the law:  “Today’s ruling makes clear what Senate Republicans have been saying all along,” said Thune. “Congress is a coequal branch of... Continue Reading

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed President Obama’s refusal to recognize the growing threat of ISIS and the president’s failed foreign policy that has contributed to the group’s extensive global reach. Thune called on Obama to commit to working with Republicans to take the necessary steps to defeat ISIS. ... Continue Reading