Senator John Thune yesterday joined a host of Senate colleagues in introducing the “Domestic Energy Production Act of 2008” (S. 2958). The legislation would reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy by expanding the recovery and development of traditional energy sources while simultaneously investing in alternative energy technologies. “Global... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously approved the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects. “South Dakota... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today praised a proposal by U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne which would allow individuals the right to possess firearms in and around national parks and wildlife refuges subject to applicable state laws. Senator Thune had previously requested that the current restrictions on such weapons in national parks... Continue Reading
Today Senator John Thune was cautiously optimistic that the final Farm Bill framework announced late Friday means an elusive Farm Bill agreement has tentatively been reached. “Fighting for agriculture is never easy in Washington, even in a Farm Bill,” said Thune. “Although we had to pull out all the stops... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune made the following comments regarding today’s Farm Bill developments: “Although all the details have not been made public, it appears a deal on the Farm Bill has been reached. It has been almost seven months since the current Farm Bill originally expired and it is long past... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today met with Mayor Dave Munson of Sioux Falls where the two discussed the importance of the city’s flood control project. The need to complete the project has been elevated as a result of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) plan to revise the city’s 100-year floodplain.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune late yesterday introduced an amendment to S.1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act. Thune’s amendment would make the annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA, for disabled veterans automatic and permanent. “Too often Congress gets caught up in politics and important priorities fall off the chart. This is... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today praised negotiators from both the United States and South Korea for their agreement to lift the South Korean ban on U.S. beef. South Korea has closed its doors to imports of U.S. beef since 2003. “This is great news for cattle producers across the country,” said... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today called on President Bush to use his upcoming meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to discuss re-opening South Korean markets to U.S. beef. South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef in 2003, and then briefly reopened it before once again suspending beef trade with... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that excess laptop computers from the United States Geological Survey/Earth Resources Observation and Science (USGS/EROS) office in Sioux Falls will be donated to South Dakota’s tribal leaders. Senator Thune’s office has been working with USGS/EROS to facilitate this donation. “USGS/EROS has a history of working... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today met with Sioux Falls mayor Dave Munson and other officials from South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota to discuss 2009 funding for the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. Following the meeting, Senator Thune made the below statement: “Everyone connected to the Lewis and Clark project knows... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune sent a letter on Monday to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Agriculture Committees, and the other 58 Members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee urging them to adopt the Senate’s version of the “sodsaver” provision in the 2008... Continue Reading
