Press Releases - Senator John Thune

Thune: Democrats Receive “F” on 2021 Report Card

Click here to watch the video. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored the life of former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who passed away last month. Thune also discussed the many Democrat-led crises that unfolded in 2021 and noted that Democrats should permanently abandon their reckless tax-and-spending spree and instead focus on... Continue Reading

Thune: Democrats Double Down on Failed Policies That Have Created Record-High Inflation

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ plan to double down on their failed policies and pass their reckless tax-and-spending spree would worsen the already record-high inflation and continue to hurt families in South Dakota. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, the latest inflation... Continue Reading

Thune: Democrats Prioritize Socialist Spending Spree, Turn Blind Eye to Biden’s Crises

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the glaring disconnect between Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree and the needs of South Dakotans. Thune noted that while Democrats push for a massive expansion of government that will result in historic tax hikes, Republicans will continue to fight... Continue Reading

Thune Statement on Passage of Reforms to Provide Relief to Main Street

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155), which includes the most significant reforms to the Dodd-Frank Act since the law’s passage nearly 10 years ago: “Overregulation has hurt small, community... Continue Reading

President Trump’s Speech Highlights Americans’ Priorities

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress: “Tonight President Trump highlighted his continued focus on tackling the issues that matter most to Americans,” said Thune. “I look forward to working with the president to implement policies that will... Continue Reading

Thune: Obama Victory Lap Flies in the Face of Reality

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today previewed President Obama’s final State of the Union address while citing many of the burdens placed on the American people by the Obama administration. Remarks (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, tonight President Obama will come to Congress to deliver his final State of... Continue Reading

EPA’s Backdoor National Energy Tax a Burden for South Dakota Consumers

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) announcement that it has approved the Clean Power Plan, which could increase electricity bills for Americans across the country: “The Obama EPA strikes again,” said Thune. “If there is one thing for which... Continue Reading

Thune, Cardin Submit Business Income Tax Working Group Report to Finance Committee

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee’s Business Income Tax Working Group, today submitted the working group’s report to the full committee. The report, developed with the input of the fourteen members of the working group, represents the culmination of a months-long... Continue Reading

GOP Passes Balanced Budget, Holds Federal Government Accountable to the American People

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget resolution: “This balanced budget resolution is a framework for the more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government that the American people deserve. Not only does this budget balance, but it does so... Continue Reading

Thune Votes to Prevent Default, Open the Government

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after voting yes on the amended H.R.2775, a bill to end the partial government shutdown and prevent default: “We fought hard to protect as many Americans as possible from ObamaCare, and that fight doesn’t end today, but we’re now 16... Continue Reading

Senate Democrats Block Common-sense Funding Bills to Open Government Services

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued a statement after Senate Democrats objected to four unanimous consent requests to pass spending bills to resume normal operations for several important government functions: “Unbelievably, today Senate Democrats went on record to oppose funding for National Guard... Continue Reading

Thune Calls on Hagel to Send Civilian DOD, National Guard Employees Back to Work

Following reports that many Department of Defense (DoD) civilian personnel and full-time National Guard employees throughout the country were furloughed despite passage of the “Pay Our Military First Act,” Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) sent a letter today to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, calling on the Secretary to send these... Continue Reading