Thune: Biden Isn’t Fooling South Dakotans

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed President Biden’s recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in which he denies responsibility for his failed policies that helped create record-high inflation and out-of-control fuel costs. Thune noted that the president’s so-called “plan” to fight inflation means little to South Dakotans who... Continue Reading

Thune, Rounds Defend Pro-Life Protections, Vow to Block Taxpayer-Funded Abortions

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined 46 of their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) pledging to block any bill that would undermine pro-life protections, including the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funding for abortion. Last year, Thune and Rounds introduced legislation that would make the Hyde... Continue Reading

South Dakota Values

Click here to watch the video. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about growing up in South Dakota and the values that make it the greatest place in America live, work, and raise a family.   Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery):   “Mr. President, before I begin,... Continue Reading

Thune, Cassidy, Moran, Tillis, Lankford Introduce Legislation to Close Loophole That Allows Illegal Immigrant Criminals to Remain in the United States

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) today introduced the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion (REMOVE) Act, legislation that would close a loophole that currently allows noncitizens convicted of kidnapping or sexual assault to remain in the United... Continue Reading

Thune Advocates for South Dakota Producers and Proactive Forest Management in the Black Hills

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack at a hearing on the challenges facing farmers, families, and rural communities.   Click here to watch the video. On spring weather conditions (excerpt): “In South Dakota,... Continue Reading

Thune Introduces Legislation to Help Retired First Responders Cover Health Care Expenses

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced legislation that would simplify the way in which retired first responders can make tax-free withdrawals from their retirement accounts to go toward qualifying health insurance premiums. Under current law, retirement plans must make direct payments to... Continue Reading

Thune Joins Bipartisan Bill to Protect South Dakota VA Facilities

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined his colleagues in introducing the Elimination of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission Act. This legislation would eliminate the commission that is tasked with identifying facilities that should be consolidated or realigned and protect the several VA facilities across South Dakota... Continue Reading

Thune: Armed Forces Day Recognizes Service, Sacrifice of Americans in the U.S. Military

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his sincere gratitude to all of the airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base, members of the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, and all of the men and women of the United States military for... Continue Reading

Thune Urges DOL to Oppose Biden Administration’s Efforts to Adopt Costly Labor Rules

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) joined his colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Labor to oppose the Biden administration’s proposal to make substantial, misguided, and burdensome changes to the wage regulations issued under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), a federal labor law that is already overly complicated and costly for... Continue Reading

Thune, Colleagues Demand FDA Explanation on Failures that Caused Baby Formula Shortages

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) joined his colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its investigation into Abbott Nutrition’s Michigan manufacturing facility and failure to mitigate the nationwide baby formula shortage. The senators are also seeking answers regarding when the White House was made... Continue Reading

Thune, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Connect Producers with Effective Conservation Practices

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, introduced the Agriculture Innovation Act, legislation that would strengthen agricultural data collection and research to connect farmers and ranchers with the most effective conservative practices. The legislation would improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s)... Continue Reading

Thune: America Depends on Our Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed his priorities for the 2023 farm bill, which would be the fifth farm bill he’s helped write during his time in Congress. Thune noted the importance of serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, which gives him an important platform from which he can address the... Continue Reading