Senator John Thune today criticized an announcement from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson that could result in the implementation of new regulations on carbon dioxide and methane gases, including the creation of a “cow tax.” EPA’s proposed endangerment findings could result in further regulation of carbon dioxide and... Continue Reading
Before the U.S. Department of Agriculture charges ahead with an animal identification system, farmers and ranchers need to know the costs and benefits and that sensitive business information will remain secure. U.S. Senators John Thune, R-S.D. and Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., drove that point home in a letter to Agriculture Secretary... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune announced today that South Dakotans have the chance 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. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved forward with a fuel waiver application that would... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune joined several colleagues in the U.S. Senate in encouraging the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to exclude off-highway motorcycle and all-terrain vehicles from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Last year, Congress passed this measure in response to toys made in China failing to meet lead... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), criticized today’s decision by the Obama Administration to not pursue the development of the Next Generation Bomber. “I am puzzled by this decision by President Obama. Only three months ago, Secretary Gates wrote in the Foreign Affairs journal... Continue Reading
U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Thune (R-SD) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) today introduced legislation that authorizes loan guarantees for the construction of renewable fuel pipeline projects. While the Midwest and Plains states produce the majority of the biofuels in the United States, the nation is currently lacking the infrastructure... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune made the following comments after he voted against final passage of the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution by a vote of 55 to 43: “Tonight the Senate passed up an opportunity to tighten their belts the way families in South Dakota and across... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune today announced the introduction of the bipartisan Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009. Senator Thune, an original cosponsor of this legislation, was a leader in the first Tribal Law and Order Act, which was first introduced in the last session of Congress. “Americans in communities... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today offered a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution that would provide an additional $99 million in budget authority for funding of the COPS Meth Hot Spots program. The COPS Meth Hot Spots program trains state and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune applauded today’s 94 to 3 vote on his amendment to the Democrat budget that would protect the full federal income tax deduction for charitable giving. President Obama’s budget framework had proposed reducing the deduction, which would result in less charitable giving nationwide. “There are many in South... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has introduced an amendment to the Democrat budget that would fully preserve the federal income tax deduction for charitable giving. President Obama’s budget framework proposes reducing the deduction, which would result in less charitable giving nationwide. “Private charities provide essential services to the most vulnerable people in... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement after the 89 to 8 vote in favor of his amendment to the Democratic budget that would prohibit the collection of funds from any future cap and trade proposal if that proposal would increase electricity rates and gasoline prices for American households... Continue Reading
