Press Releases - Senator John Thune

Thune Re-introduces Bill to Transform Broken Budget Process

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today reintroduced legislation that would transform Congress’ broken budget process. The Budget Reform Act of 2013 (S. 280), based on a plan first introduced by Thune in 2010, would require Congress to establish a biennial budgeting timeline in which Congress would pass a two-year biennial... Continue Reading

Thune Statement on President’s Proposal to Increase Taxes to Avert the Sequester

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued the following statement regarding the president’s call for new taxes to avert the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration. “President Obama’s call for new taxes fails to address the nation’s fundamental fiscal challenge, which is runaway debt... Continue Reading

Thune, Grassley Express Concern Over Approval of Foreign Purchase of Taxpayer-Funded A123

U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today expressed concern over the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ (CFIUS) decision to approve the China-based Wanxiang Group Corps.’ investment in failed stimulus-funded battery company, A123. Thune and Grassley, who have taken the lead in seeking answers from... Continue Reading

Delegation, Save the VA Committee Meet with Secretary Shinseki

U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Thune (R-SD), U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, and representatives of the Save the VA Group today met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss the future of VA facilities in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Pat Russell, Bob Nelson, Dr.... Continue Reading

U.S. Senator John Thune Delivers Weekly Republican Address

This week Senate Democrats announced they will draft a budget for the first time in nearly four years. In the weekly Republican address, U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, says the budget debate is the perfect time to address Washington’s spending addiction. Getting spending under... Continue Reading

Thune Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Call on President to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators in sending a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to approve the Keystone XL pipeline following Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman’s approval of the route through Nebraska. The pipeline, which would also run through South Dakota, is expected... Continue Reading

Thune Reacts to Neb. Governor Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding news that Governor Dave Heineman (R-Neb.) has approved the new route through Nebraska for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would also run through South Dakota. The Nebraska Governor’s approval clears the way for the State Department and President Obama... Continue Reading

Thune to Hold Town Hall Meetings Across South Dakota

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced he would be holding a series of town hall meetings across South Dakota to discuss the recently passed tax relief package, the upcoming debt ceiling negotiations, and the need to cut spending in Washington. “It is important for me to let South Dakotans know... Continue Reading

Thune Announces New Committee Assignments for 113th Congress

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after receiving his committee assignments for the 113th session of Congress (2013-2014). Thune was selected to continue serving on the following committees: Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Finance. Members of these committees voted earlier today to select... Continue Reading

Delegation Advances Impact Aid Provisions That Clear Both House and Senate

After passing both the Senate and the House, legislation with provisions authored by Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) to expedite payments to school districts in federally impacted areas will soon be signed into law. Their amendment, included in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),... Continue Reading

Delegation Frustrated with VA Response to Proposed Meeting on Hot Springs

U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today announced they received a long-awaited response from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System’s proposal to shutter VA facilities in Hot Springs. In October, the delegation and Members... Continue Reading

Thune Statement on Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye

U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today issued the following statement regarding the passing of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senate pro tempore: “Today the Senate mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished members, Senator Daniel Inouye. Senator Inouye’s deep commitment to public... Continue Reading