With the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission having barely begun its work reviewing the Pentagon’s BRAC recommendations, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and John Thune (R-SD) are making sure the Department of Defense (DoD) does not attempt to get a head start on implementing its recommendations or prevent... Continue Reading
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist today named Senator John Thune a member of the highway bill conference committee, assuring that South Dakota’s interests will be represented as Senate and House negotiators complete the Highway Bill. “There are some big differences between the House and Senate highway bills that must be... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune said his bill to delay the current BRAC round is gaining momentum at a press conference today with a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives and three military associations. “There is momentum behind this legislation. We have broad bipartisan representation on the bill,” Thune said. “My view... Continue Reading
In response to the continuing refusal by the Department of Defense (DoD) to release all certified data and documentation related to its recent BRAC recommendations, Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) today introduced legislation that would shut down the current BRAC round if DoD does not make... Continue Reading
“I’m happy to see that three of the President’s judicial nominees will receive an up or down vote. However, I still believe that all judicial nominees with majority support deserve the fairness of an up or down vote on the Senate floor.”
WASHINGTON – Today Senator John Thune, R-SD, announced that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that South Dakota gained 2,500 jobs in the month of April. South Dakota was one of six other states with the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment. South Dakota has gained 7,000 jobs since... Continue Reading
Legislation introduced today by Sen. John Thune, R-SD, would delay the current Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The legislation would delay the process until most troops return from Iraq, a complete analysis is conducted on overseas facility requirements and several pending reports are released and their impact on BRAC... Continue Reading
Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) announced today that they have introduced legislation that will allow children whose parents die while in service to our nation to keep eligibility to federal child care benefits for two years. The legislation will cover members of the armed forces, including... Continue Reading
The highway bill set to pass the U.S. Senate today includes significantly more funding than the House-passed version and maintains South Dakota’s historical transportation funding level, Senator John Thune said today. The transportation bill set to pass the Senate includes roughly $1.307 billion for South Dakota’s road needs over the... Continue Reading
“Secretary Rumsfeld’s testimony today underscores the consequences of the next phase in the BRAC process. Ellsworth plays a critical role in the War on Terror every day, and we will continue to advocate its importance to our homeland security mission. When BRAC members visit South Dakota, they will find a... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune (R-SD) made the following statement today regarding the Pentagon’s recommendation to close Ellsworth Air Force Base: “Although this is only the first step in the process, this is upsetting news for all South Dakotans. The Pentagon is flat wrong in failing to recognize Ellsworth’s importance to our... Continue Reading
“Today’s Senate action ensures our troops will continue to have the resources needed to win the War on Terror. This critical supplemental funding gives our troops and diplomats the important tools they need to spread freedom abroad and strengthen our security at home. “The Emergency Supplemental is the latest in... Continue Reading
