Senator John Thune today expressed his gratitude in being one of five Senators recognized as a 2009 recipient of the Wheat Advocate Award by the National Association of Wheat Growers. The award recognizes members of Congress who have demonstrated consistent and strong support for the wheat industry. “I am honored... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement after today’s vote of 53 to 45 on his amendment to end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The amendment would prohibit further commitments of TARP funds and would mandate that all returned funds be used to lower our national debt. The amendment... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today praised the introduction of a bipartisan Senate resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The resolution formally states the Senate’s disapproval of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) endangerment finding that would pave the way for expensive... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today highlighted a letter sent by agricultural groups in South Dakota and across the nation expressing support for a Senate resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act to be offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The resolution formally states the Senate’s disapproval of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune became a cosponsor of the Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive (HAITI) Act (S.2936) today, which would allow financial contributions made by U.S. taxpayers to qualifying organizations for Haiti relief efforts through March 1, 2010 to be claimed on their 2009 income tax returns. The effort is similar... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today introduced an amendment to the House-passed debt ceiling increase currently before the Senate that would end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Senator Thune’s amendment would prohibit the Treasury Department from making any further commitments of TARP funds and would mandate that all returned funds be... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano encouraging support for efforts to unite children in Haiti who have been approved by the Haitian court system with their adoptive families in the United States. On January 12, 2010, Haiti... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune joined other members of the Congressional Coalition for Adoption today in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that as plans are made for U.S. and international response to the crisis in Haiti, that the needs of orphan children be considered in the next... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today highlighted a report on the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) by the Congressional Oversight Panel that criticizes the program for overreaching and questions how the government program will divest itself of private businesses in the future. Over the last year, Senator Thune has worked to end... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today sent a letter signed by all 40 Republican Senators to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urging him to make the negotiations between members of the Senate and House of Representatives on the health care reform bill as transparent as possible. Senator Thune’s letter reiterates the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that South Dakota agricultural producers can now sign up for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. The program is one of the permanent disaster relief programs Senator Thune helped to establish as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. Benefits are available to producers starting... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to bear in mind the severity of the pine beetle infestation in the Black Hills National Forest and surrounding forest land. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently redirected $40 million to combat pine beetle... Continue Reading
