Senator John Thune today hailed the signing of Veterans’ Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act as an important step forward for improving the veterans’ health care system. The new law requires Congress to allow advance funding for the Veterans Affairs Department’s medical programs one year in advance of the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has cosponsored a Senate resolution (S. Res. 307) that would change the U.S. Senate Rules by requiring a bill and its cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to be posted online for at least 72 hours before it is considered by any committee or on... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today highlighted important South Dakota priorities included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Conference Report. The conference report authorizes $680 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects. The... Continue Reading
The U.S. Senate tonight voted 93 to 7 to approve the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. The bill includes nearly $25.5 million in defense funding for South Dakota priorities requested by Senator John Thune. In total, the bill includes over $625 billion for the Department of Defense. “South Dakota’s... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune yesterday met with Bob and Donna Burke and their children Brandi and Darin of Brookings, who traveled to Washington, DC to receive the 2009 “Angels in Adoption” award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Senator Thune nominated the Burkes for the award earlier this year. “Bob and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune yesterday introduced an amendment to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill currently before the Senate that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with regulations taxing carbon emitted by stationary sources, such as power plants, refineries, and factories, if those regulations are projected to... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today entered a statement in the Congressional Record applauding the $50 million increase in tribal public safety funding, but expressed disappointment that these additional funds were not directed into the Emergency Fund for Indian Safety and Health. The Emergency Fund for Indian Safety and Health, which was... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for payments from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program (ELAP). This program is one of five permanent disaster relief programs Senator Thune helped establish as part of the 2008 Farm Bill. “South Dakota farmers and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today led a group of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging him to allow the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to expire on December 31, 2009. Last year’s Emergency Economic Stabilization Act allows the Treasury Department to extend TARP... Continue Reading
Earlier this week, Senator John Thune was presented with the Golden Triangle Award, the highest legislative award given by the National Farmers Union. Senator Thune was recognized for his leadership on renewable energy, strengthening the farm safety net, and rural development issues. “I am honored to receive this award, and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement in remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: “The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were a tragedy perpetrated by an enemy determined to destroy our nation and our way of life. I ask all South Dakotans to join me in... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced he would not support the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the White House Office of Management and Budget. “Mr. Sunstein’s past statements about banning hunting and allowing animals to bring lawsuits make it impossible... Continue Reading
