U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, spoke on the Senate floor in support of the bipartisan airport security and passenger-friendly reforms in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill under consideration in the U.S. Senate. Remarks (as prepared for delivery): “Mr.... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today cosponsored legislation that would require the Obama administration to provide the public with at least a 21-day notice prior to transferring or releasing any detainee being held at the secure military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Detainee Transfer Transparency Act would require the... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released a brief video outlining his vision for the future of aviation. Thune is the lead sponsor and bill manager of S. 2658, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, which is under... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded the Senate’s adoption of his amendment to S. 2658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, which is currently pending in the Senate. Thune’s amendment, which includes a separate Thune-led and... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today led an oversight hearing with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Peter Neffenger, during which the committee examined what steps are being taken to secure the nation’s surface and air transportation modes in the wake... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced the Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year (CHARITY) Act, a bill that would encourage charitable giving and make it easier for foundations and other tax-exempt organizations to conduct their charitable mission. The CHARITY Act builds on... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, discussed the recent terror attacks in Brussels and Istanbul by ISIS and efforts to address security vulnerabilities in the United States. Thune also spoke on the Airport Security Enhancement and Oversight Act (S. 2361), legislation... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON – Republican committee leaders in the Senate and House today asked the administration for information about the 316 security breaches on HealthCare.gov catalogued in a new report released by the nonpartisan government watchdog, the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The Senate and House members sent a letter to Health and Human... Continue Reading
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) this week introduced the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016, legislation that would provide durable medical equipment (DME) providers and patients in certain parts of the country with relief from harmful payment policies. DME providers help connect patients... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court: “For the last seven years, President Obama has attempted to circumvent Congress and the will of the American people with unconstitutional, overreaching regulations. The Senate Republican majority was elected to... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today led a committee hearing that examined the potential safety benefits driverless vehicle technology could have for South Dakota consumers and businesses. Prior to the hearing, Thune participated in a test ride with an industry... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the Senate passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation expands drug prevention efforts, supports law enforcement, combats overdose, and expands access to treatment. “It’s no secret that addictive substances like misused prescription painkillers... Continue Reading
