Last night the U.S. Senate voted 87-7 to approve the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2010. The bill 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 bill also... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced several provisions in the Defense Authorization bill currently before the Senate dealing with military applications for renewable fuels. Specifically, Senator Thune worked to include research programs at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) which would assist... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement after his bipartisan amendment that would allow individuals to lawfully carry concealed firearms across state lines so long as the laws of the host state are obeyed was defeated by a vote of 58 to 39: “Today, overheated rhetoric and fearmongering overcame... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced he would vote against Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor and released the following statement: “Judge Sotomayor has a compelling personal story and I appreciate her meeting with me. I carefully followed last week’s Judiciary Committee hearings as members questioned Judge Sotomayor on her judicial... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has offered a bipartisan amendment to the Defense Authorization bill (S. 1390) that would help in reducing crime by providing reciprocity for the carrying of concealed firearms. The Thune amendment (#1618) would allow individuals to carry lawfully concealed firearms across state lines, while at the same time... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for payments through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for losses that occurred on or after January 1, 2008. LIP, a permanent disaster assistance program established by the 2008 Farm... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today reminded South Dakotans that they have until July 20, 2009 to comment on a proposal that would allow a higher percentage of ethanol to be blended with gasoline for use in non-flex fuel engines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing a fuel waiver application that... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced his subcommittee assignments for the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for the 111th Congress. Senator Thune will serve as the ranking Republican member of the Science, Energy, and Technology Subcommittee. He will also sit on the Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry, and Credit Subcommittee, as... Continue Reading
Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, yesterday presented Senator John Thune with the “Friend of Farm Bureau” Award, which recognizes Senator Thune’s record on agricultural and energy issues, including his work in helping to write the 2008 Farm Bill. Senator Thune, a member of the Senate Agriculture... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that several of his South Dakota funding priorities were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today. “South Dakota communities rely on water systems to deliver a clean and reliable drinking... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that several of his funding requests for South Dakota were included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today. “Agriculture is a vital component of our state’s economy, and the continued strength of our farmers... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today outlined a comprehensive plan to address the pine beetle infestation that is claiming an increasing number of acres in the Black Hills National Forest and surrounding areas. The plan focuses on accelerating and expanding effective forest management practices, creating a market for woody biomass material removed... Continue Reading
