U.S. Senator John Thune today introduced legislation that will begin to tackle the nation’s ballooning $13 trillion debt by reforming the budget process and cutting federal spending and borrowing. “As families across our country make tough financial choices to live within their means, Washington continues to spend borrowed money at... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune has been awarded the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) 2009 Taxpayers’ Friend Award, based on a comprehensive rating of his voting record on tax, trade, regulatory, and fiscal policy. NTU, a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen group whose mission is to work toward lower taxes and smaller government at... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune today commended the House of Representatives’ passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA). Thune was an original cosponsor of the TLOA, which passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on June 26, 2010. “Ensuring safety and rule of law in Indian Country is vital to... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune had an amendment accepted today by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to the 2010 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Reauthorization Bill, which will provide for NASA’s continued coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on Earth monitoring and other important science activities through... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune today made the following statement regarding Elena Kagan’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court: “After meeting with Solicitor General Kagan and after careful deliberation, I cannot support her confirmation to the Supreme Court. While Ms. Kagan’s background in academia is impressive, I have deep reservations about... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune was awarded the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President’s Award today during the NCGA’s Corn Congress events in Washington, D.C. The award was presented by NCGA President Darrin Ihnen. “I am honored to receive this award from the National Corn Growers Association,” said Thune. “I appreciate the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following statement today regarding the White House recess appointment of Donald Berwick to be Director of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): “President Obama’s decision to put a leading advocate of rationed health care in charge of Medicare without even a public hearing... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, along with Senator Johnson and Representative Herseth Sandlin, today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that South Dakota livestock producers who are unable to generate adequate forage for their livestock this year-due to excessive rainfall and subsequent flooding-be allowed to... Continue Reading
Efforts to correct a flaw in current law that excludes some disabled Native American veterans from housing assistance programs took a huge step forward today as legislation to amend eligibility requirements has been approved by the Indian Affairs committee. The Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010, introduced by U.S.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to prevent state and local governments from imposing unreasonable restrictions on an individual’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms. “Today’s ruling is a victory for the Second Amendment rights of people across our great state and throughout the country.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act (S. 797) yesterday by unanimous consent. The Tribal Law and Order Act provides for the appointment of special U.S. Attorneys who can ensure that violent crimes on reservations are prosecuted, improves the training programs... Continue Reading
Senators Chuck Grassley, John Thune, Mike Johanns and Kit Bond today pressed President Barack Obama on his administration’s decision to further delay the entry of E15 blends of gasoline into the market. The Senators asked the President for prompt action on the waiver petition and immediate consideration of an interim... Continue Reading
