U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Thune (R-SD), U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD), South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, and representatives of the Save the VA Group today met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss the future of VA facilities in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Pat Russell, Bob Nelson, Dr.... Continue Reading
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today announced they received a long-awaited response from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki regarding the VA Black Hills Health Care System’s proposal to shutter VA facilities in Hot Springs. In October, the delegation and Members... Continue Reading
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today wrote to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki opposing the Veterans Administration’s proposal for the future of the Black Hills Health Care System. The letter expresses the concern that our veterans would no longer be... Continue Reading
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to request a meeting in Hot Springs regarding the proposed changes to the Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS). The delegation was joined by Senator... Continue Reading
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) sent a letter today to the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, Jr., requesting that the Navy name the next Virginia class attack submarine the USS South Dakota. The full text of the letter is... Continue Reading
Washington, D.C.–Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) announced today that South Dakota young people interested in being nominated to one of the four U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2016 should apply by October 31, 2011. South Dakota residents between the ages... Continue Reading
Continuing efforts to make sure all of America’s veterans are taken care of when they return from combat U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R- SD) introduced legislation that will correct a flaw in current law that excludes some disabled Native American Veterans from housing assistance programs. The... 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 noted that Frank Buckles, who at 108 years old is the last surviving American World War I veteran, spoke before the Senate National Parks Subcommittee in support of Senator Thune’s bipartisan bill (S. 2097) to establish a national World War I memorial on the National Mall... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today hailed the signing of Veterans’ Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act as an important step forward for improving the veterans’ health care system. The new law requires Congress to allow advance funding for the Veterans Affairs Department’s medical programs one year in advance of the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the announcement by the Veterans Health Administration that the Office of Rural Health will allocate over $1.5 million for mental health services for veterans living in rural areas surrounding Sioux Falls, South Dakota and St. Cloud, Minnesota. Overall, the Office of Rural Health is... Continue Reading
Today, the South Dakota Congressional delegation will address nearly 120 World War II-era veterans from the greater Sioux Falls area at the United States Marine Corps Memorial who have traveled to DC with the Honor Flight Program. Originating in 2005 in Ohio, the Honor Flight program provides veterans a trip... Continue Reading
