Senator John Thune, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), criticized today’s decision by the Obama Administration to not pursue the development of the Next Generation Bomber. “I am puzzled by this decision by President Obama. Only three months ago, Secretary Gates wrote in the Foreign Affairs journal... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate has approved legislation to fund the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security for the entirety of Fiscal Year 2009, which begins on October 1st. In addition, the measure ensures that all other government agencies are funded through a six month... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate 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 and a Thune sponsored energy initiative.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune hosted a meeting in his office today with Mr. Michael Donley, Acting Secretary of the Air Force, General Norton Schwartz, the President’s nominee to be Air Force Chief of Staff, and General Duncan McNabb, the President’s nominee to be Commander, U.S. Transportation Command. “As a member of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today joined a select bipartisan group of Senators in meeting with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Rice, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Hadley and other top Administration officials at the White House to discuss ongoing efforts in Iraq. “With South Dakotan soldiers and... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced passage of the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2006 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. “I was proud to support this important funding package because of the many direct benefits it will provide to South Dakota—to our veterans, our active military and many... Continue Reading
Today Senator John Thune (R-SD) made the following statement regarding the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s decision to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base from the Department of Defense closure list: “This is a tremendous victory for the people of South Dakota and America’s national security. I commend the BRAC... Continue Reading
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
