U.S. Senator John Thune today introduced legislation that will begin to tackle the nation’s ballooning $13 trillion debt by reforming the budget process and cutting federal spending and borrowing. “As families across our country make tough financial choices to live within their means, Washington continues to spend borrowed money at... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune has been awarded the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) 2009 Taxpayers’ Friend Award, based on a comprehensive rating of his voting record on tax, trade, regulatory, and fiscal policy. NTU, a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen group whose mission is to work toward lower taxes and smaller government at... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune today made the following statement regarding Elena Kagan’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court: “After meeting with Solicitor General Kagan and after careful deliberation, I cannot support her confirmation to the Supreme Court. While Ms. Kagan’s background in academia is impressive, I have deep reservations about... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, along with Senator Johnson and Representative Herseth Sandlin, today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting that South Dakota livestock producers who are unable to generate adequate forage for their livestock this year-due to excessive rainfall and subsequent flooding-be allowed to... Continue Reading
Efforts to correct a flaw in current law that excludes some disabled Native American veterans from housing assistance programs took a huge step forward today as legislation to amend eligibility requirements has been approved by the Indian Affairs committee. The Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2010, introduced by U.S.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to prevent state and local governments from imposing unreasonable restrictions on an individual’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms. “Today’s ruling is a victory for the Second Amendment rights of people across our great state and throughout the country.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act (S. 797) yesterday by unanimous consent. The Tribal Law and Order Act provides for the appointment of special U.S. Attorneys who can ensure that violent crimes on reservations are prosecuted, improves the training programs... Continue Reading
Senators Chuck Grassley, John Thune, Mike Johanns and Kit Bond today pressed President Barack Obama on his administration’s decision to further delay the entry of E15 blends of gasoline into the market. The Senators asked the President for prompt action on the waiver petition and immediate consideration of an interim... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today addressed the National Congress of American Indians’ (NCAI) mid-year conference hosted in Rapid City. President Theresa Two Bulls, of the Oglala Sioux Tribe located in Pine Ridge, serves as NCAI’s Secretary. “I’m pleased to welcome the National Congress of American Indians’ mid-year meeting to our great... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today criticized the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) renewed effort to regulate the Internet under Title II of the Communications Act. FCC commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines to launch the regulation effort. “Yesterday’s decision by Chairman Genachowski and the other Democratic commissioners to pursue new government control... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune yesterday introduced the GOP alternative amendment to the Democrats’ Tax Extenders Bill currently before the Senate. Thune’s amendment fully pays for extending important tax provisions and Unemployment Insurance benefits, provides a longer-term physician reimbursement, and cuts wasteful spending. “My amendment sends a strong signal to the American... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today reacted to an announcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that the agency would again delay implementation of the “Red Flags” rule that would require small businesses like doctors’ and dentists’ offices, veterinary clinics, and accounting offices to take the same costly steps as banks and... Continue Reading
