Senators Chuck Grassley, John Thune, and Mike Johanns today reacted to the Obama administration’s approval of the final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the new Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) following Congressional passage of the 2007 energy bill. Sadly, the final rule includes flawed indirect land... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a proposed rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which Senator Thune authored and included in the 2008 Farm Bill. The program makes payments to producers of energy-dedicated, nonfood crops. “Biofuels and other forms of renewable... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today reacted to President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget proposal, which was delivered to Congress this morning. The President’s budget more than doubles the debt, drives spending to a new record of $3.8 trillion in FY 2011, increases the deficit to a new record of $1.6... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune released the following statement after the Senate today voted to raise the debt ceiling by $1.9 trillion to $14.294 trillion. The $1.9 trillion increase is the largest ever—roughly double the previous record increase to the debt limit. This is the second such increase in two months and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following statement today regarding the President’s State of the Union Address: “President Obama lived up to his reputation as a great orator and delivered a good speech this evening, but well delivered speeches won’t solve even one of the many problems facing our country. Americans... Continue Reading
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
