Press Releases - Senator John Thune

Thune, Merkley, Collins, and King Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Small Food Processors

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide much-needed federal support to America’s small meat and poultry processors and help strengthen and streamline their operations. The legislation would give small food processors more access to information that... Continue Reading

Thune, Brown Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Electronic Prior Authorization System, Get Older Americans Timely Access to the Care They Need

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) this week introduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, bipartisan legislation that requires private insurance companies that operate Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to establish an electronic prior authorization (ePA) system to approve medical services in a more timely manner.... Continue Reading

Thune: Thankful for Bravery of Vaccine Volunteers

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the ongoing negotiations in Congress on an additional COVID-19 relief package and expressed the urgent need for relief for the American people. Thune also thanked the COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers who have bravely put themselves on the line for the sake of this... Continue Reading

Thune Highlights American Entrepreneurship Hearing and Subcommittee Chairmanship

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today highlighted yesterday’s “Betting on the Rest: Expanding American Entrepreneurship Outside Traditional Hubs” subcommittee hearing, which focused on examining where venture capital is being invested in this country. During the hearing, Thune questioned industry... Continue Reading

Thune: Senate Republicans Continue to Fight for Additional Relief Funding as First Batch of COVID-19 Vaccines are Distributed

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the recent distribution of the first COVID-19 vaccines and celebrated that 100 million Americans are expected to be vaccinated by March 2021. Thune highlighted the significant progress that has been made, but he noted that Congress’s work toward providing additional COVID-19 relief is... Continue Reading

Rapid City CEO Joins Thune-Led Hearing to Examine Expansion of American Entrepreneurship

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today led a hearing titled “Betting on the Rest: Expanding American Entrepreneurship Outside Traditional Hubs” to examine the venture capital gap that exists between different geographic regions in America, how COVID-19 could redefine this... Continue Reading

Wicker, Thune, Moran Statement on Government Cyberattack

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, today released the following statement regarding the... Continue Reading

Senate Passes Thune, Peters, Roberts Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Representation for Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Sectors in the Development of Federal Drone Policy

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), today applauded the Senate for passing their legislation to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) chief drone policy committee includes representation for agriculture, forestry, and rural America. The Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act would also... Continue Reading

Thune Applauds Senate Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important measures Congress passes every year, and I’m pleased that the Senate passed it today with overwhelming bipartisan... Continue Reading

Thune: Coordination Between All Modes of Transportation is Critical to Efficient Vaccine Distribution

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today participated in a hearing titled “The Logistics of Transporting a COVID-19 Vaccine” to examine transportation and logistics plans for ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are delivered across the country. During the hearing, Thune questioned a... Continue Reading

Thune Praises Roberts for Decades of Public Service

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) for his dedicated career of service to the American people, which includes serving our country as a U.S. Marine, 40 years of service in Congress, and his strong advocacy for American agriculture. Roberts was the first member of... Continue Reading

Thune: COVID Pandemic Shouldn’t Create Surprise Tax Bills for Remote and Mobile Workers

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today urged Congress to protect doctors and nurses who worked across state lines and those who have been working remotely during the pandemic from surprise state income tax bills. The long-standing issue for the mobile workforce has been heightened due to the pandemic, as medical... Continue Reading