Senator John Thune today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to not move forward with proposed regulations on the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that would amount to a national energy tax. The tax would increase energy rates paid... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune applauded the World War II-era Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) who today received the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Building. Ten women with significant ties to South Dakota served as WASPs during World War II, with two... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today released the following statement regarding legislation introduced by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) to delay the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating stationary sources of greenhouse gases for two years: “The Obama administration and its allies in Congress have failed to advance cap-and-trade legislation, so the EPA... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated an additional 33,500 acres to South Dakota for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This announcement is part of a 300,000 acre nationwide general CRP sign up. CRP, which was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, provides... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune last night introduced an amendment to a tax extenders bill currently before the Senate that would create and expand small business tax incentives. The incentives are targeted at helping small businesses invest in new capital and hire workers. Senator Thune has proposed redirecting unspent portions of last... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune commended Republicans in the House of Representatives for offering a motion that would have given House Members an opportunity to end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and allow unspent funds that are paid back to lower the national debt. Democrats successfully blocked the measure to proceed... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today highlighted a letter sent by agricultural groups in South Dakota and across the nation expressing support for a Senate resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act to be offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The resolution formally states the Senate’s disapproval of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune issued the following statement after today’s vote of 53 to 45 on his amendment to end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The amendment would prohibit further commitments of TARP funds and would mandate that all returned funds be used to lower our national debt. The amendment... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today introduced an amendment to the House-passed debt ceiling increase currently before the Senate that would end the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Senator Thune’s amendment would prohibit the Treasury Department from making any further commitments of TARP funds and would mandate that all returned funds be... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune joined other members of the Congressional Coalition for Adoption today in sending a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that as plans are made for U.S. and international response to the crisis in Haiti, that the needs of orphan children be considered in the next... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded Republicans in the House of Representatives for offering a motion that would amend pending financial reform legislation by ending the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and requiring that unspent funds lower the budget deficit and that returned TARP funds be used to pay down the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune applauded today’s announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the agency has determined the black-tailed prairie dog does not require designation as a threatened or endangered species. “Anyone who lives or ranches on the grasslands of South Dakota can see that prairie dogs are thriving,... Continue Reading
