Today U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W. Va.), John Thune (R-SD), and Mark Udall (D-Colo.), introduced and passed legislation (S. 853) that would provide the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the authority to utilize unspent Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds and additional flexibility to transfer other funding... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today introduced an amendment (#764) to S. 743 to prevent discriminatory and duplicative taxes on digital goods and services, including online downloads of music, literature, and movies. Thune’s amendment would clarify the taxation of digital goods and services, and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today introduced legislation that would modify crop insurance premium assistance for insured crops grown on native sod converted to cropland and land that a producer cannot verify has ever been tilled. The Congressional Budget Office projects that this bill could save... Continue Reading
Today, U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and John Thune (R-SD) introduced the Public Employee Pension Transparency Act, legislation that will enhance transparency for state and local pensions and establish a clear federal prohibition on any future public pension bailouts by the federal government. Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21),... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) today introduced legislation that would save $30 billion over 10 years from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating loopholes, waste, fraud, and abuse, while ensuring those who meet the current income and asset eligibility requirements continue to receive the... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) questioned Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta during yesterday’s “Aviation Safety: FAA’s Progress on Key Safety Initiatives” hearing. Over the last few months, Thune, along with House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster... Continue Reading
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, encouraging the agency to consider the use of the Air Force’s soon-to-be retired C-27J aircraft to fight wildland fires in the Rocky Mountain Region,... Continue Reading
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) today released a white paper, “REBOOT: Re-examining the Strategies Needed to Successfully Adopt Health IT,” outlining concerns with current federal health information technology (health IT) policy, including increased health care... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following prepared remarks at today’s “Aviation Safety: FAA’s Progress on Key Safety Initiatives” hearing: Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this important hearing. Aviation safety has to be the FAA’s... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) today re-introduced the Buffett Rule Act, which would make it easier for individuals who believe they are under-taxed to voluntarily send extra money to the U.S. Treasury for the purposes of paying down the national debt. Currently, individuals can donate extra... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed deep concern about the Air Force’s decision to ground B-1B Lancer bombers at Ellsworth Air Force Base for the remainder of the federal fiscal year due to the deep defense cuts in President Obama’s sequester. In a recent statement, Ellsworth officials cited that the across-the-board... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to recently confirmed U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell, about working together to improve conditions in tribal communities. Thune’s letter highlights the many challenges to Indian Country including both a lack of basic public safety and inadequate economic development, which... Continue Reading
