Senator John Thune today lauded the hiring of 45 new civilian employees at the Air Force Financial Service Center (AFFSC) at Ellsworth Air Force Base. “This substantial hiring of Rapid City area civilians represents a significant positive economic impact for the Rapid City community,” said Thune. “These are good-paying, long-term... Continue Reading
Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Thune toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. NREL is the nation’s primary laboratory devoted to researching renewable energy. “During my visit, I was again impressed with how much home-grown energy potential is available in the United States. NREL demonstrates on a daily... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision to deny the request by the Governor of Texas to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). “At a time when our dangerous overdependence on imported sources of energy is dramatically impacting our economy, homegrown renewable fuels are more important... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Energy Subcommittee, will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 18th, on the subject of transforming forest waste into biofuels. The hearing will also address the current prohibition on ethanol produced from forest waste counting towards the Renewable Fuels Standard.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today participated in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee Field Hearing, which dealt with the progress being made by Operation Dakota Peacekeeper, a joint effort by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to combat crime on the Standing Rock Reservation. The hearing... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that he is an original cosponsor of S. 3406, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act. This bipartisan legislation would clarify the intent of the original ADA and would better protect the rights of all Americans with disabilities. “The original Americans with Disabilities Act... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the U.S. Senate’s passage of the conference report of H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Reauthorization and College Opportunity Act of 2008. “As the parent of two college-aged daughters, I can attest to the rising costs of higher education,” said Thune. “It is estimated that... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune along with a bipartisan coalition of Senators – known informally as the “Gang of 10” – today unveiled a sweeping energy proposal, the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 (New ERA Act), which would reduce gas prices, lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen America’s... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune will join Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) at a field hearing to receive testimony on the progress of “Operation Dakota Peacekeeper,” the increased policing effort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The hearing will be held at the Science and Technology building at... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Edward Schafer’s announcement that USDA will not allow early termination of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts without penalty. “South Dakota agriculture and our state’s economy depend on CRP and other conservation easement programs for protection... Continue Reading
President Bush signed into law S. 2731 today, a $50 billion foreign assistance bill, which includes Senator John Thune’s amendment directing $2 billion to address tribal issues. The Thune amendment authorizes $1 billion in authorization for law enforcement and improved health care in Indian Country and authorizes $1 billion for... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made a statement after today’s “Gang of Ten” meeting. The “Gang of Ten,” of which Senator Thune is an original member, is a bipartisan group of Senators committed to addressing high gas prices by expanding domestic oil production and reducing consumption. “The energy crisis we face in... Continue Reading
