U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today introduced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, which reauthorizes the FAA and related programs through the end of fiscal year 2017 (September 30, 2017). The Commerce Committee will formally consider this... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today reintroduced legislation that would exempt Team USA medalists from being taxed by the Internal Revenue Service on medals or other prizes awarded to them during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. “We should extend a warm welcome and congratulations... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former first lady Nancy Reagan: “With the passing of former first lady Nancy Reagan, our nation lost a beloved and inspirational figure. She was a woman of strength who devoted her life to her country,... 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 bipartisan legislation he authored, the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act, passed the Commerce Committee by voice vote: “The MOBILE... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after the president signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) conference report into law. The conference report, which included several Thune-led provisions that will benefit South Dakota, passed the... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined 33 senators and 171 representatives in filing an amicus brief, or friend of the court brief, that urges the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the Obama Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) power plant emissions rule, also known as the Clean Power Plan.... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Obama announced a plan to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer terrorists to the United States. Under current law, it is illegal to transfer foreign terrorists at Guantanamo to the United States. “Once again, the president is attempting to move... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, issued the following statement regarding the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who was scheduled to speak in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, next month: “Today we learned the sad news of Justice Scalia’s passing. With his sudden... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently met with Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Dan Elliott about the implementation of S. 808, the STB Reauthorization Act, of which Thune was the lead Senate sponsor. “I appreciated Chairman Elliott taking the time... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate adopted the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) conference report, which included several Thune-led provisions that will directly benefit South Dakota, by a vote of 75-20: “Free... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked implementation of President Obama’s excessive carbon mandates while legal challenges move forward. “Considering the president’s national energy tax would cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 15 years, today’s decision is welcome... Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in a letter to Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Area Director Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks requested monthly updates from IHS regarding the state of its facilities in the Great Plains Area. These updates will help increase accountability and transparency within the Great Plains Area service... Continue Reading
