Senator John Thune today issued the following statement regarding recent severe flooding in the eastern part of the state: “The recent flooding in several areas of eastern South Dakota created a dangerous and crisis situation for many families and businesses. My thoughts and concerns go out to the families whose... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune issued the following statement on the decision by the Department of Justice on the Smithfield merger announced today. “The decision of the Justice Department is another sign that it does not take healthy competition in agricultural markets seriously. I intend to demand more hearings from the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today introduced legislation that would provide a significant boost to the nation’s capacity to develop wind energy, a renewable energy source that has the potential to help the U.S. become more energy independent. The Wind Energy Development Act of 2007 would extend the current Renewable Energy... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today met with Teresa Lasseter, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, in his Washington office to discuss his concerns about the proposed South Dakota FSA county office closings. Also attending the meeting with Thune was FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations, Steve Connelly, who is overseeing the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today praised the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Black Hills Health Care System for their decision to open an outreach clinic in Wessington Springs. The VA announced yesterday that Dr. Bernard Linn and his staff will conduct clinics one day a month in the Horizon Health Care,... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, expressing his concerns with the impending reintroduction of the black-footed ferret and requesting that, prior to the release of black-footed ferrets in Wind Cave National Park, the Interior Department provide written confirmation of specific guarantees to landowners... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that he along with Senators Charles Grassley of Iowa and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska sent a letter to officials at the Department of Justice and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services requesting funds for the National Training Center (NTC) in Sioux City, Iowa. The... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today participated in a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the rapid loss of honeybee colonies due to the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder. Senator Thune questioned Mark Brady, the President of the American Honey Producers Association, concerning the impact of the honeybee decimation on the pollination process... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune has introduced S. 1106, legislation that would extend the U.S. tariff on imported ethanol for two additional years. The current tariff is set to expire on December 31, 2008. “Extending the U.S. tariff on ethanol imported from foreign countries is a necessary and responsible step, to protect... Continue Reading
Nationwide, nearly one in four veterans live in a rural community. Despite this, a 2004 study by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) found that veterans living in rural areas are in poorer health than their urban counterparts. Last year, in response to the unfair disparity, United States Senators Ken... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the Supreme Court decision upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003. “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is a major triumph in the battle to protect life in this country. I thank the Justices... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to properly reclassify fuel ethanol plants under the Clean Air Act to meet our growing energy needs and bolster ethanol production across the country. “Today’s ruling by the EPA is a major step forward for the... Continue Reading
