{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"SD\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B4F14475-EA6D-43BB-BAF2-1006A22E0877", "Bill to Double Size of Black Hills Veterans Cemetery Passes Senate", "2017-12-23", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) issued the following statements after the Senate passed their bill, the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (S. 35), legislation that would facilitate a permanent land transfer of approximately 200 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside of Sturgis, South Dakota. A companion version, which was introduced by U.S. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), passed the House Representatives earlier this year.\r\nIm glad the Senate unanimously approved this commonsense legislation that will allow the Black Hills National Cemetery to continue being a place for military families to remember and honor loved ones who have served, said Thune. By expanding the cemeterys boundary, we can ensure that our military heroes will have a place to rest in peace for generations to come. We still have some work ahead us, and Im hopeful well be able to get this bill to the president as soon as possible.\r\nIt is important for South Dakotas veterans to know that the Black Hills National Cemetery willhave space forthem for generations to come,said Rounds. Im glad our legislation to expand the cemeterys boundary passed the Senate and look forwardtorectifying our bill with the House-passed version so we can get it to the presidents desk in a timely manner.\r\nI applaud the Senate for passing this legislation to expand the Black Hills National Cemetery, said Enzi. Since Wyoming is one of the few states that does not have a VA National Cemetery, it is important that surrounding states have the capacity to ensure an honorable resting place for Wyomings veterans for years to come. That is why it is critical that Black Hills National Cemetery can continue to serve the region for decades as a place for military families to honor their loved ones.\r\nUnder current law, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act limits transfers like this one to a lifespan of 20 years. The Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act would make this particular transfer permanent", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=666F5686-A526-4AD7-9C2D-B91C317B8448", "Noem: More Control over Your Paycheck", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tIve told this story often, but it bears repeating because its the foundation of what Ive fought for in tax reform. A while back, I met a young mom in the grocery store. She had a handful of coupons and a cart of groceries. We got to talking about how much costs have gone up. Healthcare, electricity, you name it  all were on the rise. And so, she asked me: When is it going to get better? To that mom, I want to say this: 2018 will be better because of tax reform.\r\nIn South Dakota, the average household income is $54,000. For that family of four, we doubled their standard deduction, meaning the first $24,000 a married couple earns is now tax free. Were also doubling the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child, and were pushing the familys tax rate down to 12 percent. If you crunch the numbers, that the average family of four in South Dakota making $54,000 will go from an $830 tax liability under current law to a $780 tax refund under tax reform. Thats a change of $1,600.\r\nAnd it could be even higher. Families will continue to have access to the Child Care Credit, which I fought alongside Ivanka Trump and others to preserve. The home mortgage interest deduction, the Adoption Tax Credit, charitable contributions, and popular retirement savings options are also retained. Deductions for 529 education savings accounts and medical expenses are enhanced, as is the refundability of the Child Tax Credit.\r\nThese credits and deductions can have a powerful impact on those we care about, because they put money back into our families and communities, rather than into the greedy hands of Washington.\r\nAt the same time, this tax reform package is designed to create a healthier economy  one in which wages can rise. Already, weve seen a number of businesses respond by announcing theyre moving jobs back to America and giving their employees a much-deserved Christmas bonus.\r\nIn South Dakota, our number one industry is agriculture, and Im incredibly proud this tax reform package reflects so many of the priorities shared with me by farmers and ranchers across the state. I was the only farmer sitting at the negotiating table when the final deal was made, but I made sure producers would have access to enhanced expensing tools, immediate deductibility, and like-kind exchanges. Additionally, we created a 20 percent small business deduction that will benefit many farms and ranches as well as agricultural cooperatives. While the fight to repeal the un-American Death Tax will continue, Im glad this bill gives farmers, ranchers, and small businesses some relief by doubling the exemption levels and maintaining the stepped-up basis.\r\nI believe 2017 will be marked as the year in which you were put back in control. Federal regulations have been toppled by Congress and President Trump. The judicial system has been flooded with those who believe in liberty and the freedoms enshrined within our Constitution. Tax reforms passage was the capstone and the surest sign that things are going to get better for hardworking Americans.\r\nDuring his remarks on the White House lawn, President Trump explained we were warriors together in tax reform. Its very true. We fought side by side throughout this process, and we did that for a singular reason: We both believe you deserve more control over your paycheck. Youve worked hard for that money, and its time the folks in Washington respect that.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=95F9AAD4-32FF-4592-BF49-AA02AF4B5CD0", "SIGNED INTO LAW: Tax Reform", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today applauded President Donald J. Trump on his signing of H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Noem was instrumental in crafting the legislation as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and then a member of the small negotiating team that made the final deal. A farmer, rancher, small business owner and mother, Noem fought to double the Child Tax Credit, maintain the Child Care Credit, provide ag producers with better expensing tools, and lower tax rates across the board.\r\nIve thought back often on the South Dakotans Ive met who have asked when it was going to get better. Today, things got better for the American people, said Noem. I am proud to have fought beside President Trump for a tax reform plan that puts real money in peoples pockets. A family of four in South Dakota making $54,000 will see a difference in their after-tax income of at least $1,600. Thats $1,600 that can go back into our state and our communities, rather than into the greedy hands of Washington. I thank President Trump for his leadership and for working with us to give the American people more control over their paychecks.\r\nThe average household income in South Dakota is $54,000. Under current law, that family of four would face an $833 tax liability. Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, however, the standard deduction is doubled, meaning the first $24,000 they earn would now be tax free. The Child Tax Credit is also doubled to $2,000 per child. And tax rates are lowered for that family to 12 percent. As a result, that same family would now receive a $781 tax refund, meaning there is a $1,614 difference in after-tax income.\r\nAdditionally, families can still take advantage of the Child Care Credit, home mortgage interest deduction, Adoption Tax Credit, charitable contribution deduction, and popular retirement savings options. The medical expense deduction and 529 Education Savings Accounts have also been enhanced.\r\nNoem served as the only farmer/rancher on the final negotiating team, making her a critical advocate for South Dakotas number one industry. The legislation gives producers access to enhanced expensing tools, immediate deductibility, and like-kind exchanges. It also creates a 20 percent small business deduction that will benefit many farms and ranches as well as agricultural cooperatives. Death Tax exemption levels are also doubled, although Noem continues to push for full repeal.\r\n\r\n Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \r\nLowers individual tax rates, setting them at 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\nNearly doubles the standard deductionto $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.    Provides unprecedented support for families.\r\n \r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child.\r\nEliminates the marriage penalty.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\nPreserves the Adoption Tax Credit.\r\n \r\nEliminates Obamacares individual mandate tax.\r\nPreserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deductionfor existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $750,000, while grandfathering in existing mortgages.\r\nRetains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.\r\nPermanently retains the medical expense deduction and lowers the threshold for two years at a pre-Obamacare level of 7.5% of adjusted gross income.\r\nImproves vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary, and higher education.\r\nContinues the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakotas agriculture community.\r\nOffers a first-ever 20 percent tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 21%.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bill-to-double-size-of-black-hills-veterans-cemetery-passes-senate", "Bill to Double Size of Black Hills Veterans Cemetery Passes Senate", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.17\n\t\t\t Bill to Double Size of Black Hills Veterans Cemetery Passes Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) issued the following statements after the Senate passed their bill, the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (S. 35), legislation that would facilitate a permanent land transfer of approximately 200 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside of Sturgis, South Dakota. A companion version, which was introduced by U.S. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), passed the House Representatives earlier this year.\r\nIt is important for South Dakota's veterans to know that the Black Hills National Cemetery willhave space forthem for generations to come,said Rounds. I'm glad our legislation to expand the cemetery's boundary passed the Senate and look forwardtorectifying our bill with the House-passed version so we can get it to the president's desk in a timely manner.\r\nI'm glad the Senate unanimously approved this commonsense legislation that will allow the Black Hills National Cemetery to continue being a place for military families to remember and honor loved ones who have served, said Thune. By expanding the cemetery's boundary, we can ensure that our military heroes will have a place to rest in peace for generations to come. We still have some work ahead us, and I'm hopeful we'll be able to get this bill to the president as soon as possible.\r\nI applaud the Senate for passing this legislation to expand the Black Hills National Cemetery, said Enzi. Since Wyoming is one of the few states that does not have a VA National Cemetery, it is important that surrounding states have the capacity to ensure an honorable resting place for Wyoming's veterans for years to come. That is why it is critical that Black Hills National Cemetery can continue to serve the region for decades as a place for military families to honor their loved ones.\r\nUnder current law, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act limits transfers like this one to a lifespan of 20 years. The Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act would make this particular transfer permanent.\r\n###\r\n   \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5AD53D30-6D1E-40A2-80BA-9E1C2C2D0367", "Noem Helps Introduce Bill to Strengthen Farm Bill's Commodity Title", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tRep. Kristi Noem joined Reps. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) in introducing new legislation to strengthen the Farm Bills Commodities Title. More specifically, H.R.4654, would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use Risk Management Agency (RMA) data when computing average county yields for the purposes of the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program.\r\nThe commodity program is critical for a number of reasons, said Noem. First and foremost, it provides an important safety net to producers. Additionally, by building safety-net programs, like ARC-County, into the budget rather than doing crisis-by-crisis emergency spending, we can better predict financial needs and avoid deficit spending. The 2014 Farm Bill made a number of important reforms to the program, but improvements are needed to make sure it functions as intended. Im optimistic the adjustments included in our legislation will make this critical safety net stronger and fairer.\r\nThe 2014 Farm Bill included two new programs for covered commodities, Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and ARC. During the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, USDA elected to prioritize county yield data from its National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to determine the yield variable for ARC. Unfortunately, NASS relies upon surveys sent to producers for their information, making it a less reliable method than other data sources, such as RMA.\r\nH.R.4654 would direct the Secretary to prioritize RMA, or crop insurance, data in counties where RMA offers county-wide insurance products. Additionally, the legislation codifies the USDAs earlier decision to operate the program based on the physical location of the base acres, rather than requiring producers to elect one county for all payments.\r\nThis is the fourth Farm Bill proposal Rep. Noem has introduced this Congress. Additionally, she has introduced:\r\n \r\nDonations in Rough Years (DRY) Act, which would permanently allow the hay harvested on certain CRP acres to be donated to ranchers suffering from drought or fire.\r\nWetland Determinations Efficiency and Transparency Act, which would address the backlog of wetland determinations and enact permanent reforms that make the determination process more efficient, accountable and transparent.\r\nFair CRP Payments Act, which would ensure CRP rental payments accurately reflect the current cost of renting farm ground.\r\nAmerican Prairie Conservation Act, which would expand sodsaver protections nationwide.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-cfpb-decision-to-delay-hmda-enforcement", "Rounds Statement on CFPB Decision to Delay HMDA Enforcement", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on CFPB Decision to Delay HMDA Enforcement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today issued the following statement on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) announcement to delay enforcement of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act:\r\nAs the Senate sponsor of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act, I am keenly aware of the burden that HMDA data reporting requirements pose for small banks and credit unions in South Dakota. Today's decision to delay penalties for the collection of HMDA data will give the Senate enough time to consider the Senate Banking Committee's economic growth legislation, which includes my provision that would provide a long-term fix for this problem. This will allow banks to focus on servicing consumers rather than on complying with unneeded federal reporting regulations. I thank Acting CFPB Director Mulvaney for his leadership on this issue and look forward to getting our economic growth legislation signed into law.\r\nToday, the CFPB announced it will not require HMDA data resubmission unless errors are material, nor will the CFPB assess penalties with respect to errors for data collected in 2018 and reported in 2019. The Bureau also announced it intends to open a rulemaking to reconsider changes made to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act by the Dodd-Frank Act. Senator Rounds' Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act, S. 1310, provides an exemption from new HMDA data reporting requirements for small financial institutions that originate 500 closed-end mortgage loans or 500 open-end lines of credit.\r\n# # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=343B0A3C-B9A3-44DD-8A72-1EE24DF308CF", "SD Republicans celebrate tax reform triumph", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After an arduous process and nonstop partisan debate on whether the GOP tax cuts would benefit the wealthy more than the average American income-earner, Republicans ultimately triumphed.\r\nU.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, a South Dakota Republican whos running for governor, celebrated what she called a historic day for hard-working Americans. Noem was heavily involved in the reform effort.\r\nBy lowering tax rates, doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, that family in South Dakota making $54,000 could go from about an $800 tax liability to an over $700 tax refund, Noem said in a call with reporters on Wednesday. Thats a $1,600 difference, and $1,600 that can go back into their families, into the community, rather than into the greedy hands of Washington.\r\nEstimates vary on how much average Americans will benefit from the tax overhaul, but the Joint Committee on Taxation expects favorable outcomes for moderate wage-earners.\r\nIn 2019, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, a 16.3 percent tax cut is estimated for those earning $20,000 to $30,000. Other reports, like Mondays from the Tax Policy Center, expect the tax cuts to provide greater benefits to wealthy Americans.\r\nU.S. Sen. John Thune, also a South Dakota Republican who served on the conference committee that negotiated the final bill, spoke of the pro-growth reform bill after it passed through the Senate.\r\nNext year, families across America will see their tax bills drop and their take-home pay increase, and businesses will find it easier to grow their operations, hire new workers and raise wages, Thune said in a press release. The legislation brings Americas tax system into the 21st century  benefiting workers and our economy.\r\nU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds was also encouraged after the reform effort narrowly squeaked through the Senate.\r\nRounds said he looks forward to the bill being signed into law, possibly before Christmas.\r\nOur tax bill will create a healthy, more vibrant economy that we can pass onto our kids and grandkids, Rounds said in a press release. This legislation puts American businesses back on a level playing field with the rest of the world so we can once again be globally competitive.\r\nThe South Dakota Democratic Party said it will continue to fight for an economy  including a tax system  that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. S.D. Democratic Party Executive Director Sam Parkinson suggested the plan puts millionaires, billionaires and corporations before American families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E888149F-2605-4894-ABD8-95878E4EB3F9", "Tax Reform Heads to President Trump with Noem Vote", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today voted to send the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to President Trump. The legislation has been approved by both the House and Senate. It now awaits the Presidents signature.\r\nNoem, who is the first South Dakota representative in history to serve on the Houses tax-reform committee, was one of nine House Republicans to negotiate the final deal. A farmer, rancher, small business owner and mother, Noem fought to double the Child Tax Credit, provide producers with better expensing tools, and lower tax rates across the board.\r\nToday is a historic day for the American people, said Noem. With todays vote, we put legislation on President Trumps desk that will put more money in the hands of hard working South Dakotans. Tax rates have been lowered. The standard deduction and Child Tax Credit are both doubled. Farmers and ranchers have access to enhanced expensing tools and a new small business deduction. And job creators have a new incentive to bring their headquarters, jobs and higher wages back onto American soil. Here is the bottom line: The American people deserve more control over their paychecks. Theyve worked hard for that money, and its time for folks in Washington to respect that.\r\n Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \r\nLowers individual tax rates, setting them at 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\nNearly doubles the standard deductionto $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.    Provides unprecedented support for families.\r\n \r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child.\r\nEliminates the marriage penalty.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\nPreserves the Adoption Tax Credit.\r\n \r\nEliminates Obamacares individual mandate tax.\r\nPreserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deductionfor existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $750,000, while grandfathering in existing mortgages.\r\nRetains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.\r\nPermanently retains the medical expense deduction and lowers the threshold for two years at a pre-Obamacare level of 7.5% of adjusted gross income.\r\nImproves vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary, and higher education.\r\nContinues the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakotas agriculture community.\r\nOffers a first-ever 20 percent tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 21%.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-encourages-south-dakota-truckers-stakeholders-to-offer-comments-on-eld-rules", "Rounds Encourages South Dakota Truckers, Stakeholders to Offer Comments on ELD Rules", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Encourages South Dakota Truckers, Stakeholders to Offer Comments on ELD Rules \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today encouraged South Dakota truckers and other citizens who may be negatively affected by Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rules to voice their concerns. Last month, the Department of Transportation announced a 90-day delay of its ELD rules for live load truckers, which were originally scheduled to take effect Dec. 18. DoT is now is accepting public comments regarding agricultural commodities HERE until Jan. 19, 2018.\r\nThe ELD rules could have significant, real-world implications for live load truckers and the agricultural economy, said Rounds. This new rule brings to light the hours-of-service challenges for truckers who transport agricultural commodities and have long wait times at grain elevators and livestock barns. I'm grateful DoT Secretary Elaine Chao has recognized the need to seek additional input from stakeholders and encourage South Dakotans to voice their concerns.\r\nThe intent of the delay is to give DoT officials more time to hear the concerns of truckers who transport live-loads and other agricultural products. The announcement came a month after Rounds joined a number of South Dakota truckers in Washington, D.C., to discuss these concerns with DoT officials.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-passage-of-tax-reform-conference-report", "Rounds Statement on Passage of Tax Reform Conference Report", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on Passage of Tax Reform Conference Report \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the tax reform conference committee report:\r\nOur tax relief bill will create a healthy, more vibrant economy that we can pass onto our kids and grandkids, said Rounds. This legislation puts American businesses back on a level playing field with the rest of the world so we can once again be globally competitive. Businesses will be incentivized to remain here in the United States, which will keep good-paying jobs from going overseas.\r\nIt will greatly improve the quality of life for South Dakota families, especially lower-and middle-income families who haven't seen a pay raise in nearly a decade. We look forward to seeing it signed into law by the president before Christmas.\r\nA conference committee is a group of Senate and House negotiators who are tasked with reconciling differences in legislation between the two chambers. Bill text and a summary can be found HERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=72CE1F16-B7E0-45CD-BB8E-DBEBEEF1DD63", "Thune Praises Senate Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of both the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee and the conference committee tasked with negotiating the final tax reform bill, issued the following statement today regarding the Senates passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\r\nThis is a historic moment for our nation. For the first time since 1986, Congress has passed a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code. Our goal with this pro-growth tax reform package was to put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans and create a tax code that fosters economic growth. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act achieves that goal. Next year, families across America will see their tax bills drop and take-home pay increase, and businesses will find it easier to grow their operations, hire new workers, and raise wages. This legislation brings Americas tax system into the 21st century  benefiting workers and our economy. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provides Americans with the relief theyve been waiting for and ensures that America is ready to compete and win in the global marketplace.\r\nSince January 2017, Thune has introduced numerous individual tax reform marker bills that cover multiple portions of the tax code. Thune-authored provisions included in the conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are:\r\n \r\nFaster cost recovery: Modified portions of Thunes Investment in New Ventures and Economic Success Today (INVEST) Act of 2017 (S. 1144), legislation that would simplify accounting rules and reform key parts of the tax code to help small and medium-sized business owners more quickly recover investment costs and certain other tax deductible business expenses. By accelerating cost recovery on property, equipment, inventory, and other common business investments, these provisions would encourage new business growth and help existing businesses, including farms and ranches, expand their operations, create new jobs, and grow the economy.\r\n \r\n \r\nModernized tax code for small and medium-sized businesses: Provisions from Thunes S Corporation Modernization Act of 2017 (S. 711) that would allow foreign individuals to invest in S corporations through Electing Small Business Trusts (ESBTs) and treat ESBTs like S corporation shareholders so both can claim deductions with respect to charitable contributions made by an S corporation. Thune also led efforts during the conference committee to ensure that trusts, including ESBTs, and estates benefit from the new deduction for owners of pass-through businesses like S corporations.\r\n \r\nAdditional tax reform benefits:\r\n \r\nShared goals on agriculture cooperatives and renewable energy tax credits: Through his role as a member of the conference committee, Thune helped a number of other senators to include their shared priorities.Working with Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thune helped improve the new deduction for pass-through businesses so owners of agricultural cooperatives benefit from the 20 percent deduction. Thune also worked with Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), and Grassley to ensure that tax credits for renewable energy, like wind and solar, are taken into account under the new international tax rules.\r\n \r\n \r\nProtecting more family-run farms and ranches from the death tax: Thune doesnt believe death should be a taxable event, which is why he introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act in January 2017 and still strongly supports this approach. The conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes his provision from the Senate tax reform bill that would double the exemption level, providing additional relief (compared to current law) to more of South Dakotas family-run businesses, farms, and ranches that are currently threatened by the death tax, which is important progress and a step toward full repeal.\r\n \r\nClick here for legislative text of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference report and here for policy highlights.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=752933BE-4B67-458B-9666-BA7CAD2C7BEB", "Tax provision supporting cooperatives included in final tax bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ripon Advance \r\n\tU.S. Sen. John Hoevens (R-ND) amendment continuing fair tax treatment for cooperatives has been incorporated into the House-Senate conference committees final tax relief legislation.\r\nSen. John Thune (R-SD) joined Hoeven in writing the amendment, which aims to ensure that elimination of the Section 199 domestic production activity deduction will not raise taxes for agricultural producers in the Dakotas and across the United States.\r\nThe Section 199 deduction was created in 2004 to relieve the tax burden on domestic manufacturing and certain other production activities. Elimination of it in the congressional draft tax bills had presented cooperatives with a potentially big problem because such action would have raised their taxes and led to higher member costs.\r\nWe worked hard to ensure the final tax relief legislation provided certainty for cooperatives and treated them fairly, said Hoeven, who pointed out on Dec. 16 that cooperatives provide important community and agricultural services while filling a vital role in the U.S. economy.\r\nI appreciate Sen. Thune, as well as our colleagues in the Senate and the House, for working with us to secure this important provision for our cooperatives, Hoeven added.\r\nHoeven cited the support of Republican cosponsors of the amendment, including Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Joni Ernst of Iowa, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Mike Rounds of South Dakota, Jerry Moran of Kansas, and Steve Daines of Montana, as well as Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) for her role in gaining House backing.\r\nAgricultural stakeholders applauded Hoevens amendment as essential to producers and their communities.  Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, noted Hoevens tireless work to ensure that farmers and their co-ops were treated fairly.\r\nThe provisions that he and Sen. John Thune were able to secure in the bill will, we believe, keep money in the pockets of family farmers across the country at a time when low commodity prices mean that every penny counts, Conner said.\r\nTom Astrup, president and CEO of American Crystal Sugar Company, praised Hoevens hard work on behalf of family farmers.\r\nSen. Hoeven fought effectively to craft a good alternative to Section 199, the Domestic Production Activity Deduction, which is eliminated under the tax bill, Astrup said. We think the alternative will continue to provide important job-creating incentives to rural America, which is extremely important given this challenging period for the farm economy.\r\nCHS Inc. President and CEO Jay Debertin added that Hoevens leadership in the tax reform debate means that its members  both farmers and local co-ops  will continue driving economic activity in North Dakota and across their service territories.\r\nThe Section 199 deduction helped to create jobs and broaden the tax base in many rural communities and the loss of the deduction would have had impacts far beyond agriculture, Debertin said. Sen. Hoeven has prevented that scenario through his efforts to make the new tax code work for co-ops and their members.\r\nChris Policinski, president and chief executive officer of Land OLakes Inc., praised Hoeven for leading the effort to ensure that eliminating the Section 199 deduction wouldnt have the unintended consequence of raising taxes on producers during hard times across the countryside.\r\nHoeven said on Saturday that he looks forward to advancing this and the rest of our tax relief legislation to help grow our economy and benefit middle-class Americans, workers, small businesses, farmers and ranchers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1B9449AB-C2BC-4879-BDEA-AE50FCBC5D6C", "With Leadership from Noem, House Passes Comprehensive Tax Reform", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today led the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Noem, who is the first South Dakota representative in history to serve on the Houses tax-reform committee, was one of nine House Republicans to negotiate the final deal. A farmer, rancher, small business owner and mother, Noem fought to double the Child Tax Credit, provide producers with better expensing tools, and lower tax rates across the board. Watch video of Noems closing arguments today. Read the conference report here. A summary can be found here.\r\nThe average household income in South Dakota is $54,000, and year after year, these families are seeing their expenses go up. Their healthcare costs are skyrocketing. Their energy costs are double the national average. These are hardworking families, and they deserve a break, said Noem. This legislation gives them that break. By lowering tax rates and doubling both the standard deduction and the Child Tax Credit, that family of four making $54,000 will see a $1,600 difference in after-tax income. Thats $1,600 that will go back into our communities, rather than into the greedy hands of Washington.\r\nNoem, a mother of three, was a champion of the Child Tax Credit and fought to ensure the Child Care Credit was also preserved. South Dakota has one of the highest rates of working moms in the country, making these credits critical for many South Dakota families.\r\nAdditionally, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is designed to build a healthier economy, explained Noem. The post-tax reform economy is one in which that family making $54,000 could get a raise. Its an economy in which job creation can boom again.\r\nIn addition to managing her familys farm and ranch operation, Noem has owned and operated a hunting lodge, run an insurance business alongside her husband, and helped manage her mothers restaurant. With those experiences in mind, Noem pushed to lift the tax burden on small business. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, small businesses would receive a first-ever 20 percent tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income.\r\nI have spoken to hundreds of South Dakota farmers and ranchers throughout this process, said Noem, who served as the only farmer-rancher on the final negotiating team. Lowering tax rates was critical to them, but providing more robust expensing tools was also a big priority. Under this plan, producers will be able to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment as a means to manage cash flow and continue to deduct interest on loans, a provision critical to a highly leveraged industry like agriculture.\r\nNoems entry into public service came after her family was hit by the Death Tax following a farm accident that took her dads life. Noem went on to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature where she was appointed to the House Taxation Committee. Following her election to the U.S. House, Noem served on a series of committees, including the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully negotiated the 2014 Farm Bill as a member of that Conference Committee. In 2015, Noem earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first South Dakotan in history to do so. Noem became one of nine House Republicans to serve on the Tax Reform Conference Committee, which negotiated the tax reform deal.\r\n Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \r\nLowers individual tax rates, setting them at 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\nNearly doubles the standard deductionto $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.\r\n Provides unprecedented support for families.\r\n \r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child.\r\nEliminates the marriage penalty.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\nPreserves the Adoption Tax Credit.\r\n \r\nEliminates Obamacares individual mandate tax.\r\nPreserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deductionfor existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $750,000, while grandfathering in existing mortgages.\r\nRetains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.\r\nPermanently retains the medical expense deduction and lowers the threshold for two years at a pre-Obamacare level of 7.5% of adjusted gross income.\r\nImproves vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary, and higher education.\r\nContinues the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakotas agriculture community.\r\nOffers a first-ever 20 percent tax deduction that applies to the first $315,000 of joint income earned by S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships.\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 21%.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/audio-files?ContentRecord_id=D0DFAB2D-6E1B-470F-B6FA-F2201FBF810F", "Thune News Conference", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=F2740E9F-3D24-41E7-B560-29FC8B539891", "Noem signs conference report on tax reform bill", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KELO-AM \r\n\tRep. Kristi Noem today signed the Tax Reform Conference Report, which is the legislative language agreed to by the House and Senate.\r\nThe American people deserve more control over their paychecks, saidNoem. Theyve worked hard for that money. They ought to be the ones deciding how, where, and when to spend it. This legislation does just that, while at the same time strengthening families and creating a healthier economy in which wages can rise.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E96CDD55-4692-4737-918C-FDB8C565BA35", "Noem Signs Tax Reform Conference Report", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today signed the Tax Reform Conference Report, which is the legislative language agreed to by the House and Senate. The language will next move to a vote in the House and Senate. Read the conference report here. A summary can be found here.\r\nThe American people deserve more control over their paychecks, said Noem. Theyve worked hard for that money. They ought to be the ones deciding how, where, and when to spend it. This legislation does just that, while at the same time strengthening families and creating a healthier economy in which wages can rise.\r\nNoem continued: I understand that no tax plan is going to be perfect in everyones eyes. While exemption levels were increased on the Death Tax, for instance, I fought  and will continue to fight  to repeal this un-American double tax. Still, this legislation offers critical relief to hard-working families, and Im hopeful it will arrive at the presidents desk soon.\r\nNoems entry into public service came after her family was hit by the Death Tax following a farm accident that took her dads life. Noem went on to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature where she was appointed to the House Taxation Committee. Following her election to the U.S. House, Noem served on a series of committees, including the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully negotiated the 2014 Farm Bill as a member of that Conference Committee. In 2015, Noem earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first South Dakotan in history to do so. Noem became one of nine House Republicans to serve on the Tax Reform Conference Committee, which negotiated the tax reform deal.\r\n Highlights of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \r\nLowers individual tax rates, setting them at 0%, 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% so people can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\nNearly doubles the standard deductionto $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.    Provides unprecedented support for families.\r\n \r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child.\r\nEliminates the marriage penalty.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\nPreserves the Adoption Tax Credit.\r\n \r\nEliminates Obamacares individual mandate tax.\r\nPreserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deductionfor existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $750,000, while grandfathering in existing mortgages.\r\nRetains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.\r\nPermanently retains the medical expense deduction and lowers the threshold for two years at a pre-Obamacare level of 7.5% of adjusted gross income.\r\nImproves vehicles for education by allowing families to use 529 accounts to save for elementary, secondary, and higher education.\r\nContinues the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakotas agriculture community.\r\nCreates a separate and historically low small business tax rate.\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 21%.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EDFB0094-A984-49C9-B09D-E3A271744EAC", "Noem: A New Era", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tIts hard to believe were already at the end of 2017. January started with the inauguration of President Trump, ushering in a new era focused on making America great again.\r\nIn the year that was to follow, the U.S. House of Representatives passed more than 460 bills  far surpassing recent averages. More than 90 of them have made it through the Senate and earned President Trumps signature to become law. Among these were a series of bills that repealed costly Obama-era regulations. One empowered states to defund Planned Parenthood. Another strengthened Second Amendment protections for those with disabilities. Yet another expanded whistleblower protections within the Department of Veterans Affairs.\r\nIn October, the President signed a bill I wrote, which would increase and strengthen womens participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention. When Americas security depends on the success of peace negotiations, we must make sure every proven conflict prevention tactic is on the table. This will help us do that.\r\nIn addition to whats already reached President Trumps desk, the House has passed a series of bills to crack down on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration as well as legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. A bill to improve rural call quality was approved, as was legislation that, if enacted, would ensure those permitted to carry a concealed handgun would be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry.\r\nThe House-passed Working Families Flexibility Act would allow employers to give workers more flexibility in choosing between overtime pay and additional time off  a choice thats difficult to offer under existing labor laws. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that we passed would ban abortion after 20 weeks. And the bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act would pair a responsible budget fix with forest management reforms to dramatically improve the health and resiliency of our forests.\r\nWe also passed the CUFF Act, which I introduced, that would make sure wanted felons and parole violators would no longer have access to certain Social Security benefits. Another bill I introduced that would expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside Sturgis also passed the House. Im hopeful the Senate will take up and pass these bills in the New Year.\r\nTax reform has also steadily advanced throughout this time, as weve remained committed to providing families with relief in the New Year.\r\nBut more work remains  particularly when it comes to the Farm Bill. This last summer, I joined the House Agriculture Committee in a field hearing to discuss the modifications that will be needed. We received a lot of good feedback. Additionally, Ive introduced a series of reforms Id like to see included, such as legislation to improve the wetland determinations process, better ensure fair CRP rental payments, and expand sodsaver provisions nationwide. Ive also put forward a bill to permanently allow the hay harvested on certain CRP acres to be donated to ranchers suffering from drought or fire.\r\nIn addition, I am pushing legislation that would prohibit the IRS from rehiring an employee who has been fired for certain forms of misconduct (yes, its ridiculous we have to pass legislation to do this). Reforms to the Indian Health Service as well as legislation to crack down on sex trafficking and the websites that often facilitate it are also top priorities.\r\nWithout question, the last 12 months have made for quite a year, but with the momentum in our direction, Im excited for what 2018 will bring.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=D1103312-C31F-4FF7-8CF7-3B220E0071BF", "Home for the Holidays", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tAs Congress enters the homestretch here in 2017, Im looking forward to the opportunity to head back to South Dakota in the coming weeks to spend the holiday season with my friends and family. There are few things in life that are as important as spending time with those you love. Theres no better time than now, and theres no better place than South Dakota.\r\nA lot of things have changed over the years, to be sure. Most notably, my family has grown. Brittany and Larissa are both married and now have kids of their own. Many things have also remained the same. We still get together to share old stories and memories, as well as make some new ones along the way. Most importantly, though, we still celebrate Gods gift to mankind, Jesus, who embodies the true meaning of Christmas.\r\nThinking of years past, I can still smell the lutefisk and lefse that my grandmother would make every Christmas Eve when I was a kid. Its funny how memories like that stick with you for a lifetime, but Im glad they do. Like many traditions I had as a kid, my familys holiday meals, for example, have evolved over the years, and weve replaced the traditional Norwegian lutefisk and lefse with clam chowder  a Thune family favorite.\r\nIt wouldnt be the holiday season without all of the festive decorations that adorn community buildings and neighborhood homes, large and small. South Dakota has so many talented holiday decorators that several were chosen this year for a special assignment at the White House in Washington, D.C.Jeremy J. from Emery and Candace S. from Watertown were both among a small group of volunteers who were selected to help decorate one of the most famous and well-recognized homes in the world. Its quite an accomplishment, and I know their families and communities are proud.\r\nSpeaking of families, there isnt a holiday season that goes by that I dont think about the brave men and women around the world who are defending freedom on our behalf and the families who are missing them while they are away. While most people are concerned about getting the seasons most popular gifts, beating holiday traffic, or figuring out how many vacation days they need to use before the new year, our troops are putting it all on the line, sometimes thousands of miles away from the comfort of their friends and family.\r\nTheres plenty in the world today to be down about, but theres so much more for which we can be thankful. Im glad, as always, to be living in the greatest country, surrounded by the greatest people in the world. My wish this holiday season is that you and your family have safe and happytravels, wherever youre headed, and that your journey is filled with all of the joy and happiness that make this time of year so special.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BE579727-65C3-4704-838D-9A9B515E9C5C", "Thune Applauds Tax Reform Conference Committee Agreement", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of both the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee and the conference committee tasked with negotiating a final tax reform bill, issued the following statement today regarding the House and Senate conference committee agreement on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While timing has yet to be finalized, the Senate is expected to consider the bill early next week. Once the bill clears both the House and Senate, it will head to the president for his signature.\r\nMembers of the House and Senate came together to finalize the details of a pro-growth tax reform bill that will provide Americans with more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks. By reducing individual tax rates, doubling the standard deduction, and increasing the child tax credit, our bill will ensure Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earned money. And by lowering taxes on job creators, our bill will foster an economic environment that will give Americans access to more jobs, higher wages, and better opportunities. Our final package delivers on the promise we made to provide real relief to hardworking Americans. After years of economic stagnation, this bill will usher in a new era of economic dynamism in this country. And it will send a message to the world that America is serious about competing and succeeding in the 21st century economy.\r\nSince January 2017, Thune has introduced numerous individual tax reform marker bills that cover multiple portions of the tax code. Thune-authored provisions included in the conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are:\r\n \r\nModified portions of Thunes Investment in New Ventures and Economic Success Today (INVEST) Act of 2017 (S. 1144), legislation that would simplify accounting rules and reform key parts of the tax code to help small and medium-sized business owners more quickly recover investment costs and certain other tax deductible business expenses. By accelerating cost recovery on property, equipment, inventory, and other common business investments, these provisions would encourage new business growth and help existing businesses, including farms and ranches, expand their operations, create new jobs, and grow the economy.\r\n \r\n \r\nProvisions from Thunes S Corporation Modernization Act of 2017 (S. 711) that would allow foreign individuals to invest in S corporations through Electing Small Business Trusts (ESBTs) and treat ESBTs like S corporation shareholders so both can claim deductions with respect to charitable contributions made by an S corporation. Thune also led efforts during the conference to ensure that trusts, including ESBTs, and estates benefit from the new deduction for owners of pass-through businesses like S corporations.\r\n \r\nThune doesnt believe death should be a taxable event, which is why he introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act in January 2017 and still strongly supports this approach. The conference report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes his provision from the Senate bill that would provide additional relief (compared to current law) to more of South Dakotas family-run businesses, farms, and ranches that are currently threatened by the death tax, which is important progress. \r\nThrough his role as a member of the conference committee, Thune helped a number of other senators to include their shared priorities.Working with Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thune helped improve the new deduction for pass-through businesses so owners of agricultural cooperatives benefit from the 20 percent deduction. Thune also worked with Sens. Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Cory Gardner (Colo.), and Grassley to ensure that tax credits for renewable energy, like wind and solar, are taken into account under the new international tax rules.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=3FB2AF44-5DA5-4D98-BE27-ABC67BB15C8F", "New Noem bill takes aim at costly Obamacare tax", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ripon Advance \r\n\tU.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) has introduced a bill that could save American families up to $400 a year on their health care premium costs by delaying a pricey Obamacare tax.\r\nRep. Noem on Tuesday introduced the Protecting Families and Small Businesses Act, H.R. 4620, which would amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and place a two-year delay on the health insurance tax (HIT), an annual health insurance provider fee.\r\nThe best way to lift this burden is to fully and permanently repeal Obamacare, but until that time, I will fight to reduce the financial strain on hardworking South Dakotans. This legislation does just that, said Noem, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.\r\nThe HIT is a direct tax on health insurance providers for benefits they provide individuals and families. The tax ultimately hits consumers who end up paying more for insurance premiums and more in out-of-pocket costs, according to the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan arm of Congress.\r\nMany small businesses and families in South Dakota have faced a stunning reality since the passage of Obamacare: They cant afford to pay for the expensive mandated insurance, but they also cant afford the HIT if they dont provide insurance, said Noem.\r\nEssentially, theyre taxed if they do and taxed if they dont, she said.\r\nThe result is that many employers have been forced to either cut workers hours or limit the growth of their small businesses, the lawmaker said.\r\nH.R. 4620 would provide relief in 2018 from the HIT if the insurer provides the plan holder a premium rebate and delays the tax in 2019 for all insurers.\r\nThe bipartisan bill has garnered support from cosponsor U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).\r\nSeveral other members of the Ways and Means Committee also introduced legislation on Tuesday to provide relief from Affordable Care Act taxes that will take effect in 2018.\r\nRep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) introduced a bill, H.R. 4619, which seeks to provide relief from the HIT for two years for health care plans regulated by Puerto Rico.\r\nReps. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) introduced H.R. 4617, which would provide relief from the 2.3 percent excise tax that applies to the sale of medical device products for five years. That tax, included in the Affordable Care Act, is seen as hurting job growth and innovation.\r\nAdditionally, Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) unveiled H.R. 4618, a bill that would offer relief for two years from a tax on medications that can be bought over-the-counter. The measure would reduce health care costs by allowing for the reimbursement of those types of medication costs under consumer-directed accounts.\r\nHouse Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) welcomed the legislation.\r\nObamacares failures are continuing to hurt families across the country  allowing burdensome health care taxes to continue or go back into effect would make these problems even more severe, said Brady.\r\nAs Congress continues working toward a patient-centered health care system, Brady said House Ways and Means Committee Republicans will act to provide targeted relief from taxes that stand in the way of affordable health care, innovative treatments, access to medications, more jobs, and bigger paychecks for hardworking Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=47A5FE21-BBCA-49AF-B88F-58A3A396C2E8", "Noem, Thune make case for tax reform in conference committee", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NewsCenter 1 \r\n\tThe GOPs major tax overhaul now lies in the hands of the tax reform conference committee, and South Dakota is well-represented.\r\nU.S. Rep. Kristi Noem and U.S. Sen. John Thune, both Republicans,are included on the 29-member committee. The committee is tasked with negotiating one final tax reform bill for both Congress chambers to vote on, as both the House and Senate passed different versions earlier this year.\r\nWednesday, Noem and Thune both delivered their opening statements geared at the importance of passing tax reform.\r\nNoem said the American people should have more control of their earnings.\r\n\"We do this once every 30 years, so let's not tweak it and just change it,\" Noem said,\"let's fix it for the long-term. The American people deserve more control over their paychecks. They've worked hard for that money. They've taken time away from their families to earn that money. They like to be the ones deciding how, where, and when to spend it.\"\r\nAnd Thune said that despite criticism from Democrats, the bill truly does help middle-income families.\r\n\"My colleague from South Dakota talked about the average income, but let's take a family of four with a combined annual income of $73,000 a year, Thune said. Under the Senate bill -and I think the House bill -aswe merge them together, will be very similar. That family would get a $2,200 tax cut, which represents a 60 percent reduction over what they're paying under current law.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6B0B6FE4-C701-4B56-8ADC-3FEDC76DF7EB", "Noem Urges Tax Reform Negotiators to Fix Tax Code with Bold Changes", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today urged tax reform negotiators to use the debate as an opportunity to fix the tax code so it reflects our priorities: building strong families and a stronger future for all Americans. Noem made the push during the Tax Reform Conference Committee\u2019s hearing this afternoon.\u00a0 The Tax Reform Conference Committee, of which Noem is a member, is a small group of lawmakers who have been tasked with completing tax reform negotiations.\r\n\u201cWhat I want to remind each and every conferee here today is that we weren\u2019t called here to make a few tweaks around the edges. We\u2019ve been called here to fix the tax code,\u201d said Noem during her remarks.\u00a0 \u201cThe American people deserve more control over their paychecks. They\u2019ve worked hard for that money. They ought to be the ones deciding how, where, and when to spend it.\u201d\r\nNoem\u2019s entry into public service came after her family was hit by the Death Tax following a farm accident that took her dad\u2019s life. Noem went on to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature where she was appointed to the House Taxation Committee. Following her election to the U.S. House, Noem served on a series of committees, including the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully negotiated the 2014 Farm Bill as a member of that Conference Committee. In 2015, Noem earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first South Dakotan in history to do so.\r\nToday, Noem is a leading voice in support of the\u00a0Death Tax repeal. Earlier this year, conservative, anti-tax leader Grover Norquist explained\u00a0Noem\u2019s \u201chard work and persistence has made our progress to date possible and is our greatest asset in the serious fight to kill the Death Tax once and for all.\u201d The House\u2019s tax reform proposal includes a full and permanent repeal of the Death Tax, which is based on Noem\u2019s legislation.\r\nAdditionally, Noem, a mother to three, has become the leading advocate for a\u00a0pro-family tax policy, working closely with the administration to dramatically increase the Child Tax Credit and related family provisions. She also fought to save the Child Care Credit, an important provision to a state like South Dakota in which more than 80 percent of moms work.\r\nNoem has also championed the exclusion of the\u00a0Indian Health Service\u2019s Student Loan Repayment program\u00a0from tax as well as\u00a0pro-agriculture provisions\u00a0relating to interest deductibility and expensing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=26A452F5-1E89-4B4A-BE47-D8AEBB792643", "Thune Pushes Forward on Tax Reform in Conference Committee Meeting", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, urged his colleagues in the House-Senate tax reform conference committee, of which Thune is a member, to support pro-growth legislation that will provide relief to middle-income Americans by doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, and lowering rates.\r\n\u201cWe came at this with a couple of objectives,\u201d said Thune. \u201cOne of which was to deliver meaningful tax relief to middle-income families. And, you know, you can argue about distribution tables, which I think the distribution tables reflect that, but there are some basic objective facts that are just undeniable. One of which is that this proposal doubles the standard deduction. Another which is, it doubles the child tax credit. Another is that it lowers rates.\r\n\u201cAnd so, if you look at what that impact is on a typical family in South Dakota \u2013 my colleague from South Dakota talked about the average income \u2013 but let\u2019s take a family of four with a combined annual income of $73,000 a year. Under the Senate bill \u2013 and I think the House bill, as we merge them together, will be very similar \u2013 that family will get a $2,200 tax cut, which represents a 60 percent reduction over what they\u2019re paying under current law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B369BA5F-DFB9-47BD-991D-C81B34B32E4D", "Noem Introduces Bill Aimed at Decreasing Health Insurance Costs", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today introduced the Protecting Families and Small Businesses Act, which would delay Obamacare\u2019s costly Health Insurance Tax (HIT) by two years. If enacted, the provision could save families as much as $400 per year in healthcare premium costs, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.\r\n\u201cMany small businesses and families in South Dakota have faced a stunning reality since the passage of Obamacare: They can\u2019t afford to pay for the expensive mandated insurance, but they also can\u2019t afford the HIT if they don\u2019t provide insurance.\u00a0 Essentially, they\u2019re taxed if they do and taxed if they don\u2019t,\u201d\u00a0said Noem.\u00a0 \u201cAs a result, many employers have been forced to either cut workers\u2019 hours or limit the small business\u2019 growth.\u00a0The best way to lift this burden is to fully and permanently repeal Obamacare, but until that time, I will fight to reduce the financial strain on hardworking South Dakotans. This legislation does just that.\u201d\r\nThe HIT is a direct tax on health insurance providers for the services they provide to individuals, families, and other beneficiaries.\u00a0 According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this tax is passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. \u00a0Additionally, the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation found the HIT will cost between 152,000 and 286,000 jobs by 2023, with 57 percent of those lost jobs represented in small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-ndaa-being-signed-into-law", "Rounds Statement on NDAA Being Signed into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on NDAA Being Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Includes 8 of Rounds' provisions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued a statement after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018 into law. The NDAA includes 8 provisions authored by Rounds.\r\n\r\nThe NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we pass each year, said Rounds. It authorizes funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) so our armed forces are able to successfully carry out their missions. The NDAA authorizes nearly $700 billion for defense programs, and specifies where funds should be spent once the defense appropriations bill is passed. I'm pleased that eight of my provisions were included in the NDAA this year.\r\n\r\nRounds' provisions included in the NDAA:\r\n \r\nRequirement for a comprehensive plan for sharing depot-level maintenance best practices. \r\nRequirement for statutorily-mandated caregiver counseling for service members pending separation from the DOD. \r\nRequirement for expedited evaluation and treatment for prenatal surgery under the TRICARE program. \r\nRequired report on what acquisition authorities afforded the armed services should also be afforded to U.S. Special Operations Command.\r\nExpanded role for the service chiefs in decisions regarding acquisition programs for new weapons.\r\nA resolution on the use of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program and DOD Information Technology Exchange Program to hire personnel with cyber skills and abilities for the DOD. \r\nRequirement for a report on progress made in implementing the Cyber Excepted Personnel System. \r\nAuthority for military officers to opt-out of promotion board consideration.\r\n \r\n###\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6A7230B1-BE06-4B6C-8344-A5206D11BE54", "Thune Commends FCCs Internet Freedom Order", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, ahead of the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) planned Thursday vote on Chairman Ajit Pai\u2019s Restoring Internet Freedom order to repeal regulation of the internet put in place in 2015 under the Obama administration, today took to the Senate floor to praise the FCC\u2019s work and transparency while calling on supporters of an open internet to support bipartisan legislation.\r\nSen. Thune\u2019s remarks below (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cMr. President, for more than two decades, under both Republican and Democratic Presidents, and Republican and Democratic Congresses, the United States pursued a bipartisan \u201clight-touch\u201d approach to internet regulation.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe internet as we know it today flourished under this \u201clight-touch\u201d approach, much to the benefit of American consumers and the domestic economy.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIt also made America the world leader in internet technology, and positioned us to continue that leadership in the years to come.\r\n\u201cIn 2002, broadband internet was classified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) \u2013 our nation\u2019s communications regulator \u2013 as an information service under Title I of the Communications Act.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis classification exempted the internet from burdensome regulations contained in Title II of the Communications Act, which were designed in the Depression era for the old telephone monopolies.\u00a0\r\n\u201cUnder the Obama administration, though, we saw repeated attempts to bring the internet under greater government control.\r\n\u201cFinally, in 2015, at the explicit direction of President Obama, the FCC did as it was told and reclassified broadband internet access service as a Title II service, subjecting broadband internet to onerous common carrier rules \u2013 and opening the door to further regulation, including price regulation.\u00a0\r\n\u201cNot surprisingly, with heavier regulation came a decline in broadband investment.\u00a0 Indeed, we have seen private investment in broadband infrastructure decline over the past two years.\r\n\u201cThis decline should not be mistaken as a sign that broadband infrastructure is not needed.\u00a0 In fact, the opposite is true, as there are still 34 million Americans who lack access to broadband services at home.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn states like my home state of South Dakota, encouraging broadband deployment continues to be critical to ensuring rural areas have the same economic opportunity as their urban counterparts.\r\n\u201cThe federal government should not be putting up barriers to broadband deployment \u2013 it should be removing them.\u00a0\r\n\u201cCongress and the FCC need to ensure a regulatory framework is in place that protects consumers, but doesn\u2019t stand in the way of investment and innovation.\r\n\u201cPrior to the FCC\u2019s 2015 actions to bring broadband under Title II, and for more than a decade under the \u201clight-touch\u201d regulatory framework of Title I, we saw unprecedented growth that revolutionized our daily lives and allowed us to stay better connected with our loved ones.\u00a0\r\n \u201cThe internet created new jobs and expanded opportunities for education and commerce.\u00a0 It became the greatest engine of innovation for our times.\r\n\u201cAnd despite the fearmongering and doomsday rhetoric that continues to plague this debate, when the FCC moves forward with its order and restores the internet to its pre-2015 regulatory status, the internet will continue to thrive and serve as an engine for future economic growth.\r\n\u201cI commend Chairman Pai and the Commission for all the hard work over the last year that has gotten us to this point.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI also commend Chairman Pai for his commitment to transparency throughout this process.\r\n\u201cFor the first time in the history of the Commission, under Chairman Pai\u2019s leadership, the public was able to view the Restoring Internet Freedom item three weeks prior to the FCC\u2019s vote.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThat is true of all documents to be considered by the Commission \u2013 a major departure from the previous administration\u2019s actions, which were often not made public until the very last minute.\r\n\u201cAs a result of Chairman Pai\u2019s commitment to transparency, the public has the benefit of not only viewing the item, but also participating in the process.\u00a0\r\n\u201cDespite attempts by those more interested in politicizing the issue and distracting from the debate, this item resulted in the most well-informed and exhaustive record of comments ever submitted at the FCC.\r\n\u201cThe FCC is now well-positioned to move forward to ensure the internet is open and free.\r\n\u201cRegrettably, however, the debate doesn\u2019t end here.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe outcry from opponents of the FCC\u2019s proposal is that the internet will fall apart without adequate consumer protections.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThere is obviously immense passion that follows the issue of net neutrality.\u00a0 Americans care deeply about preserving a free and open internet.\u00a0 As do I and so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.\r\n\u201cAs I have stated repeatedly, and I will say again today, Congressional action is the only way to solve the endless back and forth on net neutrality rules that we\u2019ve seen over the past several years.\r\n\u201cIf my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and those who claim to support net neutrality rules, want to enshrine protections for consumers with the backing of the law, I call on you today to join me in discussing legislation to do just that.\r\n\u201cWhile we won\u2019t agree on everything, I believe there is much room for compromise.\u00a0 So many of us in Congress already agree on many of the principles of net neutrality.\u00a0\r\n\u201cTrue supporters of an open internet should be demanding such legislative protections today \u2013 not posturing while waiting for years during protracted legal proceedings or waiting for the political winds to turn.\r\n\u201cIf Republicans and Democrats have the political support to work together on such a compromise, we can enact a regulatory framework that will stand the test of time.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve stood willing to work with any and all supporters of net neutrality protections for many years now and I continue to stand ready today.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIt is time for Congress to settle this debate and I welcome discussion on ways to ensure a free and open internet for decades to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A2B63757-4503-4B4D-9F5B-73C7D56FA720", "Thune: Tax Reform Bill Nearing Finish Line", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today discussed the status of tax reform. The Senate passed its bill on December 2, which is currently being reconciled with the House version in the House-Senate conference committee, of which Thune is a member. Thune highlighted the fundamental principles of the bill, including doubling the standard deduction, doubling the child tax credit, and lowering rates.\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.\r\nThune\u2019s remarks (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cMr. President, it\u2019s a good week here in the Senate.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re getting closer and closer to the finish line on tax reform.\r\n\u201cAnd that means we\u2019re getting closer and closer to real relief for the American people.\r\n\u201cOur legislation is going to cut tax bills for American families.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to increase their wages.\r\n\u201cAnd it\u2019s going to give them access to new jobs and opportunities.\r\n\u201cThe tax bill the Senate passed December 2 would cut income tax rates for American families starting next month.\r\n\u201cIt would double the standard deduction.\r\n\u201cAnd it would double the child tax credit.\r\n\u201cThat would mean a substantially lower tax bill for American families next year.\r\n\u201cUnder our bill, a family of four making $73,000 would see a $2,200 tax cut.\r\n\u201cBut our bill doesn\u2019t just provide immediate relief for families.\r\n\u201cOur bill also sets families up for economic health for the long term by giving them access to higher wages, new jobs, and better opportunities.\r\n\u201cAnd how does it do this?\r\n\u201cBy improving the playing field for American businesses.\r\n\u201cIn order for individual Americans to thrive economically, we need American businesses to thrive.\r\n\u201cThriving businesses create jobs.\r\n\u201cThey provide opportunities.\r\n\u201cAnd they increase wages and invest in their workers.\r\n\u201cBut our current tax code has not been helping businesses thrive.\r\n\u201cFor years now, our tax laws have left businesses of all sizes struggling under the burden of high tax rates and an outdated tax system that has left American businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy.\r\n\u201cSmall businesses employ nearly half of American workers and create a majority of the new jobs in this country.\r\n\u201cBut right now, small businesses face high tax rates that can make it difficult for these businesses to even survive, much less thrive and expand their operations.\r\n\u201cOur bill fixes this.\r\n\u201cTo start with, our bill implements a new deduction for pass-through businesses like partnerships, LLCs, and S corporations.\r\n\u201cThis deduction would allow them to keep more of their money, which would allow them to reinvest in their operations, increase wages, and hire new workers.\r\n\u201cOur bill also reforms current provisions in the tax code that frequently leave small businesses with very little cash on hand.\r\n\u201cUnder our legislation, small businesses would be able to recover the capital they\u2019ve invested in things like inventory and machinery much more quickly \u2013 and in certain cases, immediately.\r\n\u201cThis in turn would free up capital that small businesses could use to expand and create jobs.\r\n\u201cOur legislation also includes provisions I helped develop that would simplify accounting rules for small businesses, which would also help reduce their tax burden, leaving more of their earnings to reinvest in their businesses and their workers.\r\n\u201cMr. President, in addition to providing relief to small businesses, another thing our bill does to boost Americans\u2019 wages is lower our massive corporate tax rate.\r\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s corporate tax rate is currently the highest in the industrialized world, which puts U.S. businesses at a major disadvantage next to their international competitors.\r\n\u201cReducing the corporate tax rate would enable U.S. businesses to compete on a more level playing field, which would in turn free up money that U.S. businesses could use to create jobs and increase wages.\r\n\u201cThe White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that reducing the corporate tax rate to 20 percent would increase wages for U.S. households by $4,000.\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s money that families could use to save for retirement, help pay for a child\u2019s education, replace an aging vehicle, or invest in their home.\r\n\u201cOur bill would also boost wages and increase opportunities for Americans by ending the outdated tax framework that is driving American companies to keep jobs and profits overseas.\r\n\u201cOur nation currently operates under a so-called worldwide tax system.\r\n\u201cThat means that American companies pay U.S. taxes on the profit they make here at home, as well as on part of the profit they make abroad, once they bring that money back to the United States.\r\n\u201cThe problem with this is that American companies are already paying taxes to foreign governments on the money they make abroad.\r\n\u201cThen when they bring that money home, they can end up having to pay taxes again on part of those profits, and at the highest tax rate in the industrialized world.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that this discourages businesses from bringing their profits back to the United States to invest in their domestic operations, new jobs, and increased wages.\r\n\u201cOur bill replaces our outdated worldwide tax system with a territorial tax system.\r\n\u201cUnder our legislation, American companies would no longer face the double taxation that has encouraged them to send their investments and their operations overseas.\r\n\u201cInstead, U.S. companies would have a strong incentive to invest their profits at home in American jobs and American workers.\r\n\u201cAll in all, the Tax Foundation estimates that in addition to increasing wages, our bill would create nearly 1 million new jobs for American workers and boost the size of the economy by 3.7 percent.\r\n\u201cMr. President, this week members of the House and Senate, myself included, are working on the final draft of comprehensive tax reform legislation.\r\n\u201cWe hope to send a final bill to the president next week.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m thankful to have been able to be part of this tax-writing effort.\r\n\u201cThe bill we\u2019re finalizing \u2013 which is the product of years of work by members of both parties \u2013 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to profoundly change the American people\u2019s lives for the better.\r\n\u201cOur tax bill will provide real, immediate, direct relief to Americans now.\r\n\u201cAnd it will give Americans access to the kind of jobs, wages, and opportunities they need for a secure and prosperous future.\r\n\u201cAfter years of economic stagnation, the bill we\u2019re drafting will usher in a new era of economic dynamism in this country.\r\n\u201cAnd it will send a message to the world that America is serious about competing and succeeding in the 21st century economy.\r\n\u201cMr. President, I\u2019m grateful to my colleagues on the House and Senate tax-writing committees for all the work they\u2019ve done to put together this legislation.\r\n\u201cAnd I look forward to working with my colleagues on the conference committee to finish our final draft and get the bill across the finish line.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=AEEB568F-C8C6-46FE-B84C-0C487DECBF3C", "South Dakota has big voice on tax-reform committee", "2017-12-10", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rapid City Journal \r\n\t\r\nSouth Dakota could have outsize influence on the congressional conference committee that is resolving differences between House and Senate tax-reform legislation, with three people who were born and raised in the state appointed to the 29-member group.\r\n\r\n\r\nTwo members of the states congressional delegation, Sen. John Thune and Rep. Kristi Noem, are on the committee, making South Dakota one of seven states with at least two lawmakers on the roster. Another member of the committee, Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, was born in Vermillion and raised in Rapid City.\r\n\r\n\r\nAll three are Republicans who will bring similar views to the negotiations, but there are numerous differences in the House and Senate bills, and Noem in particular has indicated a willingness to press for specific items.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOne such item is the House bills eventual repeal of the estate tax, aka death tax, on large inheritances. The Senate bill would not repeal the estate tax but would double the current exemption so that estates worth up to $11 million could be passed to heirs tax-free.\r\n\r\n\r\nNoems view on the issue is colored by her family history. Her father died in a farm accident, and she has said her family suffered from the application of the estate tax. In a news release about her appointment to the conference committee, Noems office described her as a leading voice in support of the Death Tax repeal.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe release also said Noem will focus on increasing the child tax credit, preserving the child care credit, excluding the Indian Health Services Student Loan Repayment program from tax, and including pro-agriculture provisions related to interest deductions and expenses.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile there are differences between the two versions, Im optimistic were coming at this with a united front, striving for the same vision of stronger families and a stronger future for all Americans, Noem said in a written statement on her appointment to the conference committee.\r\n\r\n\r\nThunes news release on his appointment to the committee focused less on specific provisions and more on overall goals, but he did highlight several items of importance.\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth chambers have outlined our priorities, which include doubling the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, lowering tax rates for all taxpayers, particularly low- and middle-income Americans, and reforming our business tax code, Thunes statement said.\r\n\r\n\r\nIn his weekly column and in a recent speech on the Senate floor, Thune framed the two pieces of legislation as the culmination of a long struggle for tax reform, and he stressed the importance of putting a bill on the presidents desk while acknowledging that the bill will not be perfect.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith Congress poised to pass the first major tax reform legislation in more than three decades, I believe were about to take one of those historic steps that will mark a critical point in Americas history, Thune said, and Im excited about what it means for South Dakotans.\r\n\r\n\r\nBrady, who graduated from Rapid City Central High School and the University of South Dakota and worked as a chamber of commerce executive in Rapid City before moving to Texas, is the chairman of the conference committee.\r\n\r\n\r\nLike Thune, Brady has focused his public statements on the importance of resolving differences and sending a bill to the president.\r\n\r\n\r\nThis is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver on our tax reform promise, Brady said in a written statement. Im excited to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate on a plan we can send to President Trump this year.\r\n\r\n\r\nSome of the conference committees work is happening behind closed doors, and there is no definitive schedule or deadline. Noem said Thursday during a teleconference with reporters that there could be a formal, public meeting of the committee this coming week, and she hopes a bill will be signed into law before Christmas.\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth the House and Senate bills would provide large tax cuts to corporations and more modest cuts for families and individuals. Although some estimates say the tax cuts could add at least $1 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years, some Republican proponents of the bill insist that the cuts will generate enough economic growth to eliminate the impact on the debt.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=EE887E4A-3A9C-460F-A430-22E25ED1861A", "Cattlemens President Says South Dakota Well Represented On Conference Committee", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WNAX \r\n\tSenator John Thune and Congresswoman Kristi Noem have been named to the conference committee that will iron out a final tax reform measure. South Dakota Cattlemens Association President Larry Stomprud says hes pleased theyre on the committee and that should bode well for passage in the tax bill on one of their priorities which is elimination of the estate tax.\r\nHe says while both the House and Senate legislation have many similarities there are differences that will have to be worked out. Stomprud says both measures are positive for agriculture.\r\nStomprud says the sooner the conference committee can get the bill done the better as that would give farmers and ranchers certainty moving forward.\r\nThe House version of the tax bill calls for repeal of the estate tax while the Senate measure makes some adjustments to it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B205ED41-AAD3-4BC7-84B9-4285081D428E", "NOEM: Our Way of Life", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tOur Constitution makes it clear: \u201cthe right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.\u201d For much of American history, that point was understood.\r\nMaybe that\u2019s why the right to bear arms is one of the least debated constitutional amendments in Supreme Court history. In fact, the landmark 2008 Heller decision was the first time in 50-plus years that the Court weighed in on the Second Amendment and examples of cases before 1939 are few and far between.\r\nI believe that\u2019s because for most of American history, firearms were integral to the way we lived. People understood how to use them and taught their children how to as well. In South Dakota, that way of life still exists. I\u2019m really proud of that, and I will always fight to protect it.\r\nThis December, the House passed legislation to further secure our Second Amendment rights. More specifically, the package included the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which I cosponsored. If this legislation is signed into law, those permitted to carry a concealed handgun will be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry. We have a similar reciprocity agreement on the books in South Dakota that lets non-residents carry in the state, but I believe that right should be protected nationwide.\r\nThis was the second major bill I\u2019ve helped pass to protect the Second Amendment this year. Under President Obama, the Social Security Administration had overstepped its mission and discriminated against certain Americans with disabilities. More specifically, federal bureaucrats barred some Social Security beneficiaries who don\u2019t manage their own finances from purchasing guns. I cosponsored legislation reversing this decision, which Congress passed and President Trump signed into law this February.\r\nThe Second Amendment is as important and relevant today as it was when the Founding Fathers wrote it into our Constitution more than 250 years ago.\r\nI live just down the road from Kones Korner in Castlewood. It started as a gas station in the 1920s, but over the years the owner turned his gun hobby into an extension of the business. He now carries an inventory of more than 2,500 guns. He\u2019s built a livelihood around the way we live in South Dakota, around the Second Amendment. And he isn\u2019t the only one.\r\nHunting is a huge contributor to our state\u2019s economy. In 2016, hunters spent $683 million in the state, supporting thousands of jobs and creating countless opportunities for folks to thrive in South Dakota. I know when our kids were little we started a hunting lodge, which I managed for a number of years. It was rewarding work that helped us make ends meet when yields were down.\r\nI am proud of the way we live in South Dakota \u2013 of our hobbies and our traditions. Many of us grew up with a shotgun in the pickup, learning gun safety from a young age. We celebrate the liberties and freedoms we\u2019re entitled to under the Second Amendment \u2013 constitutionally protected liberties and freedoms that should not be infringed upon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-opposes-continuing-resolution-", "Rounds Opposes Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Opposes Continuing Resolution  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after voting no on the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through December 22, 2017:\r\nThe federal government's budget process hasn't worked in more than four decades. I have been a vocal critic of the current system, which largely rubber-stamps federal spending with very little debate or discussion. This year, working within this broken system, we gave negotiators extra time to work out a compromise on spending. Now we are one day from their extended deadline and yet no closer to a deal than they were three months ago. So they are asking for more time to negotiate, with a new deadline just before the holidays, hoping it will add pressure for Members to accept conditions they may otherwise disagree with. This is not good policy.\r\nA number of us have worked on proposals to modify our current budget process'  a term I use loosely  so that we can actually do the work we were sent here to do: make informed policy decisions and make certain the federal government is being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Yet Congress continues this pattern of passing short-term, stopgap spending bills.\r\n\r\nI cannot, in good conscience, lend my support to this continuing resolution that merely continues federal spending and whose lone policy change could actually end up hurting South Dakota families. If we are ever to get our spending under control, eliminate wasteful programs and provide much-needed stability for our military, we must reject the status quo.\r\nThis practice will not change until more of us send the message that we must either repair this broken system or we get our work done on time. The American people expect no less.\r\nAs a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am concerned about the impact continuing resolutions have on military readiness. Military leaders have repeatedly warned our committee of the dangers that these short-term, stopgap spending bills have on their ability to adequately train, equip and maintain the force. In particular, under continuing resolutions, the Defense Department is restricted from starting new programs which is deeply concerning in today's rapidly-changing threat environment. An example is the mounting cyber threat to our armed forces and our civilian critical infrastructure. If we are to adequately recover readiness levels that were lost over the last eight years as well as modernize our armed forces in this increasingly dangerous and complex world, we must give them the funding stability and certainty that continuing resolutions fail to provide.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=866646CC-A19E-448D-BC80-208A39F0600E", "Were Standing at the Doorstep of History", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tThe term \u201chistoric\u201d is a bit of a relative term, I suppose. In most cases, it\u2019s in the eye of the beholder. \u201cHistory,\u201d on the other hand, is far more finite. It either is or it isn\u2019t. All of the actions we take in Congress eventually become part of history, and many of them, to one degree or another, are historic. With Congress poised to pass the first major tax reform legislation in more than three decades, I believe we\u2019re about to take one of those historic steps that will mark a critical point in America\u2019s history, and I\u2019m excited about what it means for South Dakotans.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nThe idea of reforming the U.S. tax code is not new. Since I joined the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee in 2011, we\u2019ve held nearly 70 hearings on tax-related issues. In 2015, I chaired one of the Finance Committee\u2019s bipartisan working groups that made recommendations on how to reform the tax code. When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was in the Finance Committee, we spent nearly 24 hours over several days debating and voting on 63 Democrat amendments to the bill. We spent nearly an entire legislative week debating the bill on the Senate floor, considering amendments and motions from Republicans and Democrats. I\u2019m proud that this process has been open and that it followed regular order.\r\nIs the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act perfect? No, it\u2019s not. But in my experience in Congress, the legislative process very rarely, if ever, yields a perfect outcome. Whether we like it or not, that\u2019s how our democracy works. The bill does, however, represent some of the best ideas we\u2019ve considered over the years, and it would go a long way in providing relief to low- and middle-income Americans throughout the country.\r\nThe Senate bill would double the standard deduction, which would expand the \u201czero tax bracket\u201d for low-income Americans and significantly reduce the tax burden for other filers. It would double the child tax credit \u2013 welcome news for families that are struggling to make ends meet \u2013 and it would cut taxes for taxpayers in all income groups. The bill also makes important reforms to the business side of the tax code that would spur economic growth and create more opportunities for American job creators and their employees.\r\nThe House and Senate have both passed tax reform bills that reflect the same broad principles I\u2019ve just described. It\u2019s now time for the two chambers to negotiate a final bill that we can pass and send to the president. I\u2019m humbled to have been selected as one of only a handful of members to help merge the two bills and, by doing so, get us closer to the finish line. I\u2019m looking forward to the work that\u2019s ahead.\r\nHours before the Senate passed its bill on December 2, I went to the Senate floor to share some thoughts with my colleagues, and I think there are a few points worth repeating. America may have been through a rough patch lately, but she is coming back stronger than ever. America led the world in the 20th century, and this tax bill makes it clear that she is going to do the same in the 21st century. I was reminded of Ronald Reagan\u2019s presidential ad quoting that it was morning in America again. It may not be morning yet, but the dawn is peaking over the horizon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=449749E9-DBB0-4F1B-AD89-67B2D35D3DE1", "Noem a part of Tax Reform Conference Committee", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Black Hills FOX \r\n\tThe Republican drive for tax reform continues in Washington.\r\nEarlier this week, South Dakota Representative Kristi Noem was named to the Tax Reform Conference Committee.\r\nThat group is tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of tax reform legislation.\r\nThursday, Noem talked about the the concern some have about the impact of tax reform on the deficit.\r\n\r\nNoem says, \"When people talk about they that, they look at it from the scope of no perceived economic growth. and we know for a fact from all the previous analysis, and economists and previous behavior that's happened throughout history that when you make a change in tax policy, it changes people's behavior. So we know when you give more Americans more money in their pocket, that they're able to go out and purchase things for their family, maybe take a vacation or have some extra money they could use in case of emergency.\"\r\n\r\nWyoming Senator Mike Enzi is also on that Tax Reform Conference Committee with Noem.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=9804DA8A-F28D-4505-A537-1B5CB344C7A9", "Noem, Rounds continue push for tax reform", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"In fact, South Dakota numbers are that it results in an average of a $1,200 to $1,400 tax cut for the average South Dakota family, but would also increase their wages by $4,000 per household,\" Noem said in a Thursday call with reporters. \"So that's life-changing for those average South Dakotans that are looking at this proposal and what it means to them and their family.\"\r\nNoem, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee who's also running for her state's Republican nomination for governor in 2018, has been a key player in this round of tax reform talks from the beginning. And she pinned blame on Democrats for bringing negative attention to the plan, which slashes the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent.\r\n\"I'd say it's directly related to all the fake news that's out there and the lies that the Democrat(ic) Party is putting out,\" Noem said. \"I mean, it's unbelievable when I turn on my TV or listen to the news reports, the absolute untruths that we're hearing about this tax reform bill.\"\r\nLater in the day, Rounds spoke on the same topic of tax reform, but with emphasis on the Senate version of the bill.\r\nThe bills have some differences. Among them, the Senate bill creates seven tax brackets compared to the House bill's four, the House bill preserves the health insurance mandate and the Senate bill increases the child tax credit from $1,000 per child to $2,000. The House bill increases the child tax credit to $1,600 per child.\r\nOn Thursday, Rounds spoke highly of the big boost he envisions for tax paying families through the proposal to increase the child tax credit. But he focused mainly on the potential re-investment the bill could add back into the American economy.\r\n\"It does provide, we believe, for bigger paychecks and more jobs and opportunities, because businesses won't be leaving our country,\" Rounds said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-joins-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in_letter-urging-extension-of-secure-rural-school-program", "Rounds Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in  Letter Urging Extension of Secure Rural School Program", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in  Letter Urging Extension of Secure Rural School Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Impacts Black Hills Area Schools\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined a bipartisan group of 32 senators in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), urging them to include a reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program in any end-of-year legislation. SRS supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, emergency services and many other essential county services for more than 775 counties across the country.\r\n\r\nThe SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies, the senators wrote. In the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-year legislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.\r\n\r\nThe SRS program expired on September 30, 2015, and it has not been reauthorized since. Forest counties and schools received their last authorized SRS payment in 2016. Without SRS, existing revenue-sharing payments are not sufficient to support critical services these counties must provide.\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter: \r\n\r\nDear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer:\r\n\r\nWe write to strongly urge the inclusion of at least a two-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which enjoys tremendous bipartisan support, in any end-of-the-year legislation.\r\n\r\nOn U.S. Forest Service land, the federal government has historically shared 25 percent of timber harvest revenues with counties to compensate for federal ownership. On certain land managed by the Department of Interior, the Bureau of Land Management shares 50 percent of the revenue from federal timber sales with counties. Due to declining timber harvests, a critical source of funding for rural counties, sometimes referred to as forest counties, has seen significant decreases, often decimating impacted county budgets.\r\n\r\nIn 2000, Congress passed SRS with broad bipartisan support as a fiscal solution to help fund essential services resulting from the reduced revenue-sharing receipts. Since then, SRS has been a critical lifeline for over 775 counties in over 40 states across the country by helping fund more than 4,400 schools, road maintenance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. However, SRS authorization lapsed last year and rural counties are now back to simply receiving the timber revenue-sharing receipts. These receipts are up to 80 percent less than what forest counties received under SRS.\r\n\r\nWe are now witnessing firsthand the hardships rural counties face as a result of SRS authorization lapsing. Without the certainty of SRS payments, schools, libraries, and jails are closing. Schools that remain open will see a reduction of teachers. Roads go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental and physical health services are scaled back or even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers are forced to patrol larger and larger areas.\r\n\r\nThe SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies.\r\n\r\nIn the interest of working together in a bipartisan way to support local rural communities, we ask that you include a reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools in any end-of-the-yearlegislation. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.\r\n\r\n Sincerely,\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A8772884-1251-4437-B4DF-EBBBB0987B55", "Thune Introduces Bill to Reauthorize Critical Drought Information Program", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this week introduced legislation (S. 2200) to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which provides vital drought information to farmers, ranchers, and other industries affected by severe weather conditions. This legislation would encourage important partnerships with the private sector, integrate seasonal and subseasonal drought and water forecasts, and support ongoing soil moisture monitoring to better aid farmers.\r\n\u201cAs South Dakota farmers and ranchers recover from devastating drought conditions, it\u2019s important that Congress stays on the ball when it comes to updating critical drought tools like NIDIS,\u201d said Thune. \u201cThis updated legislation improves current law while complementing the subseasonal provisions of my weather bill that was enacted earlier this year, keeping South Dakotans better informed and prepared to handle potential droughts.\u201d\r\nNIDIS was established by Congress in 2006 with an interagency mandate to coordinate and integrate drought research and create a national drought early warning system. The early warning system utilizes new and existing partner networks to optimize the expertise of a wide range of federal, tribal, state, local, and academic partners in order to make climate and drought science readily available, easily understandable, and usable for decision makers. It would also improve the capacity of stakeholders to better monitor, forecast, plan for, and cope with the impacts of drought. The NIDIS program is a function of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, of which the Commerce Committee has jurisdiction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F8D17C0A-2273-49A2-8D42-8CFC432549CB", "Noem-Backed Second Amendment Protections Pass House", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today helped lead the House in passing H.R.38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. If this legislation, which she cosponsored, is signed into law, those permitted to carry a concealed handgun will be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry.\r\n\u201cFor most of American history, firearms were integral to the way we lived,\u201d said Noem. \u201cPeople understood how to use them and taught their children how to as well. In South Dakota, that way of life still exists. I\u2019m really proud of that, and I will always fight to protect it. While we have some reciprocity agreements on the books in South Dakota, this legislation would extend the policy nationwide to better protect the right to bear arms. I love the way we live in South Dakota. We celebrate the liberties and freedoms we\u2019re entitled to under the Second Amendment, and our Constitution demands they not be infringed upon.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-delivers-opening-statement-at-epw-subcommittee-hearing-on-natural-disaster-clean-ups", "Rounds Delivers Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing on Natural Disaster Clean Ups", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Delivers Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing on Natural Disaster Clean Ups \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, today delivered his opening statement at a hearing entitled Challenges Facing Superfund and Waste Cleanup Efforts Following Natural Disasters.\r\n\r\nToday this subcommittee will conduct a review of the response, remediation and recovery challenges faced by states and public officials tasked with securing superfund sites and managing waste debris in the aftermath of these natural disasters, said Rounds in his opening remarks. Our goal today is to conduct oversight on the agency coordination among federal, state, and local officials following these destructive events. We will also hear about the preparations that were made to secure superfund sites in advance of these natural disasters occurring, and hear suggestions on how the planning and preparation for natural disasters can be improved.\r\n\r\nRounds' remarks as prepared for delivery:\r\n\r\nThe Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight is meeting today to conduct a hearing entitled Challenges Facing Superfund and Waste Cleanup Efforts Following Natural Disasters.\r\n\r\nIn the past four months, three major hurricanes brought record-setting flooding and rainfall in Texas, the Gulf Region, and the Caribbean. \r\n\r\nThey also threatened the dozens of contaminated superfund sites that were located in their path.\r\n\r\nFurther, in October, deadly wildfires scorched over 245,000 acres in California. \r\n\r\nThese wildfires left an estimated $85 billion dollars of economic damage in their wake.\r\n\r\nThis hearing is especially appropriate today as California again finds itself facing wildfires in Southern California.\r\n\r\nThese ongoing fires have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.\r\n\r\nNatural disasters such as these not only cause loss of life, but also billions of dollars in damage to the economy, infrastructure, and homes. \r\n\r\nThey also have the potential to expose communities and the environment to hazardous chemicals stemming from contaminated superfund sites that could be damaged by the storm.\r\n\r\nThe Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, also known as CERCLA, was created to manage hazardous substances and to respond to environmental emergencies, spills, and natural disasters.\r\n\r\nAs the lead agency, the EPA coordinates cleanups, hazardous waste management, and emergency responses with various other federal agencies, such as FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps, as well as state and local officials.\r\n\r\nThroughout Hurricane Harvey, the EPA worked with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to secure dozens of superfund sites in the Houston area and monitor for potential leaks from the sites.\r\n\r\nFollowing the hurricane, the EPA used aerial imaging to conduct assessments of these sites but state and federal officials faced significant challenges in accessing these sites for testing.\r\n\r\nOf the thirteen sites the EPA identified as being possibly damaged, only two were immediately accessible for sampling. \r\n\r\nThe remaining eleven were inaccessible due to flood waters, requiring officials to wait until the waters receded before the sites could be evaluated.\r\n\r\nShortly after Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma threatened 22 current or former National Priority List sites within Florida's southernmost 100 miles.\r\n\r\nIn anticipation of the hurricane, technical staff in the EPA Region 4 office reviewed sites to secure any potential vulnerabilities and many of these sites remained secure after Irma made landfall.\r\n\r\nTwo weeks later, as Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as a category 4 storm, nineteen superfund sites were at risk. \r\n\r\nOf these, five sites in Puerto Rico were deemed especially hazardous to human health and the environment. \r\n\r\nToday, nearly two and a half months after Hurricane Maria made landfall, the relief and remediation effort in Puerto Rico is ongoing.\r\n\r\nIn addition to these deadly hurricanes, throughout the month of October, California experienced some of the deadliest wildfires in its history. \r\n\r\nThese wildfires necessitated a federal cleanup effort that involved hundreds of EPA staff and a weeks-long effort to remove thousands of hazardous waste products, largely consisting of household chemical products, from the area.\r\n\r\nToday this subcommittee will conduct a review of the response, remediation and recovery challenges faced by states and public officials tasked with securing superfund sites and managing waste debris in the aftermath of these natural disasters. \r\n\r\nOur goal today is to conduct oversight on the agency coordination among federal, state, and local officials following these destructive events. \r\n\r\nWe will also hear about the preparations that were made to secure superfund sites in advance of these natural disasters occurring, and hear suggestions on how the planning and preparation for natural disasters can be improved.\r\n\r\nIn general, CERCLA provides substantial discretion to the EPA to expand requirements for disaster planning and post-disaster response.\r\n\r\nBut while CERCLA does provide the EPA with flexibility in disaster planning and remedial actions, there are few statutory requirements for proactive disaster planning and response.\r\n\r\nI am hopeful that today's hearing will provide suggestions for improvement to disaster planning and post-disaster response so we can make certain that in the event of a natural disaster, these sites remain secure and pose no threat to the surrounding communities and environment.\r\n\r\nI'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today and I look forward to hearing your testimony.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=695C5103-46EC-4116-80BB-BB5D035528C2", "Thune Presses Trump Administration to Prioritize Agriculture in NAFTA Negotiations", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\u00a0U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a meeting with U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Thune, who was joined by several colleagues, emphasized the importance of agricultural trade in South Dakota and the significant harm any disruption would cause.\r\n\u201cAgriculture is the top industry in South Dakota, and it is supported by many hardworking men and women on farms and ranches throughout the state,\u201d said Thune. \u201cI strongly encouraged Secretary Ross to keep the unique needs and dynamics of the agriculture industry at the forefront of the administration\u2019s NAFTA renegotiation effort. I appreciate the secretary\u2019s willingness to meet. He knows that I\u2019ll be following this process closely, and I look forward to receiving additional updates from the administration.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D7E5CF07-73AD-4F57-90FF-5CA8AEAF8BE9", "Thune Appointed to Committee That Will Negotiate Final Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, has been appointed to the conference committee that is tasked with negotiating a final tax reform bill after the House and Senate each passed their respective versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate passed its version on December 2, but a final bill must pass both chambers of Congress before it can be sent to the president for his signature. As one of eight Republican senators serving on the conference committee, Thune\u2019s selection ensures that South Dakota\u2019s interests will be represented at the negotiating table.\r\n\u201cThe House and Senate are on the same team, we\u2019re headed toward the same end zone, and we have the same goal in mind \u2013 putting a pro-growth tax reform bill that helps middle-income Americans on the president\u2019s desk as soon as possible,\u201d said Thune. \u201cBoth chambers have outlined our priorities, which include doubling the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, lowering tax rates for all taxpayers, particularly low- and middle-income Americans, and reforming our business tax code. Delivering on this promise that we made to the American people will lead to an environment that will foster greater economic growth and create additional opportunities for families to get ahead. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and I am committed to ensuring that our final product delivers on the goals we\u2019ve set out to achieve.\u201d\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FA784E08-1F87-4718-B0E5-7D03BEE8B220", "VIDEO: Restoring Americas Place in the World", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Finance Committee, today released a video entitled, \u201cRestoring America\u2019s Place in the World,\u201d which highlights the Senate\u2019s tax reform plan that passed on December 2. The video features portions of Thune\u2019s speech that he delivered just hours before the tax reform bill passed the Senate and clips from throughout the year of Thune visiting with South Dakotans.\r\n\u201cAmerica has always been about opportunity,\u201d said Thune. \u201cA place where you can start from nothing and become anything. This bill is about helping Americans for the long term. It\u2019s about restoring the American Dream. It\u2019s about giving Americans access to the kinds of wages, jobs, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure and a more prosperous future. And it\u2019s about sending a message to the world that America is finally serious about competing for 21st century jobs and innovation.\r\n\u201cFor years our tax laws have kept American businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy. That ends now. Instead, American businesses will have money to invest in American workers. They will be able to expand their domestic operations. And what\u2019s the result of that? More growth here at home, more jobs, and more opportunities, and an America that can lead the world, innovation, job creation, and economic growth.\r\n\u201cAmerica may have been through a rough patch lately, but she is coming back stronger than ever. America led the world in the 20th century, and this tax bill makes it clear that she is going to do the same in the 21st century.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m reminded of Ronald Reagan\u2019s presidential ad quoting that it was morning in America again. It may not be morning yet, but the dawn is peaking over the horizon.\u201d\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=174E7B69-94DE-4467-9650-7F1F7D936E66", "Local truckers raise concerns about electronic logs mandate", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KSFY \r\n\tPeople across the country and in Sioux Falls gathered to discuss their concerns about the upcoming Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate and how it could affect truckers.\r\n\r\nUnder new regulations all trucking companies will be mandated to install and use ELDs to track hours of service. Some truckers say that the use of these devices work well with large trucking businesses, but for smaller businesses some say the new mandate would become a financial burden.\r\n\r\n\"The majority of the trucking industry is single truck owner operators like myself or small companies, 20 trucks or smaller, and it's just not working,\" truck driver Kevin Steinchan said.\r\nRep. Kristi Noem has joined lawmakers from Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota in signing on as a co-sponsor of a bill that would delay the mandate, which is set to go into effect on December 18.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=4F9DF14C-4987-45B1-9A62-548A5351F32A", "Ryan picks his negotiating team for tax cut bill", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Hill \r\n\tSpeaker\u00a0Paul Ryan\u00a0(R-Wis.) on Monday evening named nine Republicans from relevant committees to serve on the House-Senate conference committee on tax-cut legislation.\r\nThe conference will be led by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman\u00a0Kevin Brady\u00a0(R-Texas) and include four other GOP members of the tax-writing panel: Reps.\u00a0Devin Nunes\u00a0(Calif.),\u00a0Peter Roskam\u00a0(Ill.),\u00a0Diane Black\u00a0(Tenn.) and\u00a0Kristi Noem\u00a0(S.D.).\r\nNunes is a senior member of the panel, Roskam is chairman of the Ways and Means tax-policy subcommittee and Black is chairwoman of the House Budget Committee. Noem has been prominently featured at events promoting the tax efforts, particularly on efforts to repeal the estate tax. Both Black and Noem are running for governor.\r\nRyan also named four GOP lawmakers to the conference to focus on provisions outside of the Ways and Means Committee's jurisdiction. The Senate-passed bill allows for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, sells oil from the strategic petroleum reserve and repeals ObamaCare's individual mandate.\r\nHouse Natural Resources Committee Chairman\u00a0Rob Bishop\u00a0(R-Utah) and committee member\u00a0Don Young\u00a0(R-Alaska) will be on the conference committee as well as House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman\u00a0Greg Walden\u00a0(R-Ore.) and panel member\u00a0John Shimkus\u00a0(R-Ill.).\r\nThe announcement of the conference members follows a vote earlier Monday evening to go to conference with the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=945093C3-8827-4019-9CB1-613B6EDE239A", "U.S. Representative Noem To Sit On Tax Bill Conference Committee", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SD Public Broadcasting \r\n\tU.S. Representative Kristi Noem will sit on the committee tasked with ironing out differences in the tax bills passed by the GOP-controlled House and Senate.\r\nNoem joins four of her colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee on the panel. Two members come from both the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee.\u00a0\r\nNoem says she's confident the group can produce a bill leading to higher wages and job creation.\u00a0\u00a0Congressional Democrats say the current legislation benefits the wealthy and large corporations and penalizes the middle class.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=BB312F31-1B29-4FBE-90F5-A8038415D9F6", "Truckers Gather in Tea To Protest New Federal Mandate", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KDLT \r\n\tTruckers protested the federal government mandating all truckers use electronic logging devices across the country Monday.\r\n\u201dThe government is mandating that I need to have what we are considering an ankle bracelet,\u201d said Kevin Steichen, a trucker.\r\nTruckers currently log the hours they work by hand on paper, but many lawmakers say it\u2019s time for ELDs. These devices will monitor and record hours digitally.\r\n\u201dThey think we\u2019re outlaws and that\u2019s the furthest thing from the truth,\u201d said Steichen. \u201cI am far from an outlaw.\u201d\r\nTruckers can legally work 14 hours per day. Currently, they can break that up that time however they want to, but with ELD\u2019s, they worry they\u2019ll be racing against the clock once it starts.\r\n\u201cIf we were to be out of hours an hour or two hours away from our destination with live animals, we need to take an 10 hour break,\u201d said Minnesota trucker Kelly Leuthold.\r\nMany lawmakers across the country support the mandate, including those picked by the Tump administration.\r\nThe American Trucking Associations say that\u00a0federal data shows an ELD reduced the truck crash rate by 11.7% and reduced hours-of-service violations by 50% when compared to users of paper logs.\r\n\u201cLike I usually drive 62 to 65 out on the road and that\u2019s because of the fuel cost and everything like that and it\u2019s a lot safer anyway,\u201d said Brookings trucker Tom Kuechenmeister. \u201cWhen I got that ELD, I\u2019m sitting there watching that clock count down on the dash and the first month I found myself running closer to 70 to 75.\u201d\r\nThose against this new mandate have proposed a bill that would delay the mandate for another two years, and it\u2019s backed strongly by South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem.\u00a0 Fewer nap breaks and quicker speeds are creating safety concerns for these small business folks.\r\n\u201cMy kids and my wife mean so much to me,\u201d said Steichen.\u00a0 \u201cIf I can be safe and make it home, that\u2019s gonna be the big thing.\u201d\r\nFor now, opponents say time is running out to keep the mandate from hitting the books, and the road.\u00a0 They have until December 18 to overturn the mandate.\r\n\u201dThey\u2019re not out there for me,\u201d said Steichen. \u201cNobody\u2019s fighting for me. They don\u2019t want to hear my voice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FD39459B-B447-4176-BE1B-8581F75ED1D6", "Noem Earns Seat on Tax Reform Conference Committee", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem was today named to the Tax Reform Conference Committee, a small group of lawmakers who have been tasked with completing tax reform negotiations.\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s almost no federal policy that has a bigger impact on families\u2019 day-to-day lives than the tax code,\u201d said Noem. \u201cIn tax reform, we\u2019re talking about giving folks a break at those critical life milestones, such as when they grow their family, buy a home, start a business, or pass that business down to their children. We\u2019re also talking about improving things on a broader scale so wages rise and more jobs open up in our hometowns. While there are differences between the two versions, I\u2019m optimistic we\u2019re coming at this with a united front, striving for the same vision of stronger families and a stronger future for all Americans.\u201d\r\nNoem\u2019s entry into public service came after her family was hit by the Death Tax following a farm accident that took her dad\u2019s life. Noem went on to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature where she was appointed to the House Taxation Committee. Following her election to the U.S. House, Noem served on a series of committees, including the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully negotiated the 2014 Farm Bill as a member of that Conference Committee. In 2015, Noem earned a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first South Dakotan in history to do so.\r\nToday, Noem is a leading voice in support of the Death Tax repeal. Earlier this year, conservative, anti-tax leader Grover Norquist explained Noem\u2019s \u201chard work and persistence has made our progress to date possible and is our greatest asset in the serious fight to kill the Death Tax once and for all.\u201d The House\u2019s tax reform proposal includes a full and permanent repeal of the Death Tax, which is based on Noem\u2019s legislation.\r\nAdditionally, Noem, a mother to three, has become the leading advocate for a pro-family tax policy, working closely with the administration to dramatically increase the Child Tax Credit and related family provisions. She also fought to save the Child Care Credit, an important provision to a state like South Dakota in which more than 80 percent of moms work.\r\nNoem has also championed the exclusion of the Indian Health Service\u2019s Student Loan Repayment program from tax as well as pro-agriculture provisions relating to interest deductibility and expensing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-announces-nominations-to-us-service-academies", "Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies", "2017-12-04", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Nominated 23 South Dakota Students\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated 23 South Dakota students to our nation's service academies for the 2018-2019 school year.\r\n\r\nIt is an honor to nominate South Dakota's best and brightest students to our nation's service academies each year, said Rounds. This year, I was fortunate to receive nomination applications from an outstanding group of students. Each of the students I nominated possesses the leadership qualities and academic excellence to succeed at our nation's service academies. I wish them all the best.\r\nEach year, members of Congress are allowed to nominate students from their state to the U.S. service academies. Each academy then gives full and fair consideration to these nominations when selecting enrollees. More information about the academy application process can be found here.\r\nRounds' principal nominees to the service academies, who are guaranteed admission if they meet all of the requirements of the academy to which they are nominated include:\r\n \r\nCaleb Carnes of Beresford to the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nJennifer Chatwell of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Naval Academy\r\nCain Lounsbery of Brookings to the U.S. Military Academy\r\n \r\n\r\nCompetitive nominee with a letter of assurance of acceptance: \r\n \r\nSilas Diaz of Rapid City to the U.S. Naval Academy\r\n \r\nRounds competitive nominees to the service academies: \r\n \r\nRyan Berry of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Military Academy\r\nAlexander Crowson of Brussels, Belgium (South Dakota resident) to the U.S. Military Academy\r\nGrady Dehler of Rapid City to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nIsaac Doten of Sturgis to the U.S. Naval Academy\r\nTyler Eberle of Rapid City to the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy\r\nRyan Habeck of Ft. Pierre to the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nTigh Hight of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Military Academy\r\nTessa Kimbler of Aberdeen to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nMeredith Lammers of Dakota Dunes to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy\r\nRyan Maertz of Watertown, SD to the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nAlexander Miller of Brandon, SD to the Merchant Marine Academy\r\nJayden Pittman of Baltic to the U.S. Military Academy\r\nAlexia Scott of Aberdeen to the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nMadison Skinner of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nMark Springman of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Military Academy\r\nArianna Stangohr of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nBrock Walker of Sioux Falls to the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy\r\nJustice West of Piedmont to the U.S. Naval Academy\r\nBrighem Williams of Lead to the U.S. Naval Academy\r\n \r\n\r\nCompetitive nominations are submitted to the academies, along with nominees from other states, and selected by the academy on a limited, competitive basis.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1054A1ED-552B-4EB9-A2C3-0D310F62C661", "Thune Statement on Senate Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-02", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the Senate\u2019s passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\r\n\u201cFor too long, Americans have struggled to make ends meet in a weak economy. Today the Senate has taken an important step forward in providing them with relief. By cutting taxes for middle-income Americans and providing job creators with the environment they need to hire more workers and increase wages, this tax reform package will turn the economic tide and help Americans get ahead. I commend Chairman Hatch and my colleagues for all the work they have done this year to ensure this bill made it over the finish line here in the Senate. I look forward to working with my Senate and House colleagues to ensure our pro-growth tax reform package is signed into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5B94ED1D-2C5A-4AAF-A12D-8F080CC83784", "Noem: Tis the Season for Small Business", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cSmall Business Saturday\u201d is a relatively new phenomenon. While Black Friday has marked the beginning of the Christmas shopping season for more than a half century, the Saturday after Thanksgiving didn\u2019t earn its title until 2010. But despite the lack of a formal shopping day for all these years, small businesses have found success in South Dakota for generations.\r\nTime and again, South Dakota is ranked as a top state to start and run a business, which might explain how we have more than 83,000 in the state. I\u2019ve always been proud to have contributed to this culture of small business, running our farm and ranch, starting a hunting lodge, helping manage a restaurant my mom had, and pursuing a handful of other ventures. I\u2019m grateful for those experiences and now use them to write better policy.\r\nOne of the reasons so many small businesses succeed in South Dakota is that we have an extremely favorable tax environment. A 2017 study by Fundera confirmed South Dakota small businesses can take advantage of the second-lowest tax burden in the nation.\r\nI pushed for this low-tax approach as we\u2019ve debated federal tax reform as well. Through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed the House in November 2017, we reduce small business rates to historically low levels, expand expensing tools, preserve interest deductibility, repeal the Death Tax, and more. Additionally, for those small businesses that file as individuals, we double the standard deduction, keep popular retirement savings options, and dramatically increase the Child Tax Credit and other family credits.\r\nOutside of tax reform, I\u2019ve heard from a lot of small businesses about the Health Insurance Tax (or HIT). This is an Obamacare tax that disproportionately affects middle-income Americans and small businesses. The National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation found the HIT will cost between 152,000 and 286,000 jobs by 2023, with 57 percent of those lost jobs coming from small businesses.\r\nWhile I\u2019m fighting to repeal Obamacare entirely, I\u2019ve also introduced separate bipartisan legislation to repeal the HIT. If enacted, the provision could save families as much as $400 per year in healthcare premium costs, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.\r\nAdditionally, I\u2019ve worked closely with the Trump administration to roll back harmful regulations that have stopped companies of all sizes from expanding. Month after month, we\u2019ve seen the impact of those changes. During the third quarter of 2017, the U.S. economy grew by 3.3 percent \u2013 the fastest expansion we\u2019ve seen in three years. That growth fuels job creation and is key to pushing wages higher.\r\nAround 59 percent of South Dakota\u2019s workforce, or more than 200,000 people, is employed by a small business. K Bar J Leather Company is one of those companies, employing about 10 people in Newell. The company\u2019s founder, Jack, actually went to prom with one of my neighbors, but he and I had the chance to sit down when he was in Washington, D.C., this summer to show off his leatherwork to President Trump. It was part of the administration\u2019s \u201cMade in America Week.\u201d\r\nJack got started in the 1970s and has built his business while building a family. Today, the company produces about 2,000 pairs of chaps a year. It\u2019s businesses like this that keep our small towns alive and keep South Dakota\u2019s economy as strong as it is.\r\nAs you get ready for the season of gift-giving, I encourage you to use every Saturday as a \u201cSmall Business Saturday.\u201d In giving them your business, you\u2019re supporting your state, your community, your neighbors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-senate-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act", "Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.01.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\r\n\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act overhauls our tax code in a manner that will allow businesses to flourish again and families to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. It will provide more jobs, bigger paychecks and a fairer tax system, especially to lower- and middle-income Americans who haven't seen a pay raise in nearly a decade. Additionally, businesses will have the stability they need to confidently grow their companies, hire more workers, increase wages and reinvest back into the economy. This will lead to a healthier, more prosperous America that we can be proud to pass on to our kids and grandkids.\r\n\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act must now be reconciled with the House-passed version, where final differences will be worked out.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=1FA6BC57-81F3-4054-9047-665AD9BDA944", "Behind-the-Scenes Work in the Senate", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tIf you tune in to a cable news show, you\u2019ll likely find members of Congress, pundits, and other analysts dissecting the latest stories of the day or providing their perspective on why a certain policy would be good or bad for the American people. If you flip over to C-SPAN, you might find a similar scene. While it\u2019s certainly not primetime, edge-of-your-seat television, it does offer Americans an important glimpse into the democratic process.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nSometimes, though, rather than watching a heated debate between Republicans and Democrats, a loyal C-SPAN viewer might instead discover an empty Senate or House chamber with classical music filling the otherwise quiet airwaves. Such a scene doesn\u2019t mean members of Congress aren\u2019t hard at work \u2013 quite the opposite, actually. A lot of the work that\u2019s done in Congress is accomplished behind the scenes in the various committees on which we serve.\r\nIn the Senate alone, there are 20 committees, 68 subcommittees, and four joint committees. All of them play a distinct and integral role in writing legislation and providing oversight of the executive branch. The Senate is in the personnel business, too. The committees vet and the Senate confirms the president\u2019s nominees to posts in the executive and judicial branches of the federal government. All that to say, without committees, it would be very difficult to get our work done for the American people.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nI serve on three committees in the 115th Congress: the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Finance Committee; and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, of which I serve as chairman. These committee assignments put me in a unique position to deliver positive results on the issues that matter most to South Dakotans.\r\nPlanes, trains, and automobiles \u2013 that\u2019s a quick and easy way to describe a large portion of the issues we oversee in the Commerce Committee. In a state that depends on all forms of transportation, leading this committee gives me the chance to highlight South Dakota and all of its particular needs. With the committee\u2019s involvement in advancing 21st Century technology, I\u2019m hoping South Dakota can be at the forefront on issues like autonomous vehicle and 5G mobile broadband technologies.\r\nThe benefit of serving on the Agriculture Committee is an obvious one. Agriculture is the top industry in South Dakota, and it helps put food on dining room tables around the state, country, and world. With the 2018 farm bill right around the corner, the Agriculture Committee is going to be working hard to get a bill on the president\u2019s desk next year. I\u2019ve gotten a head start and have already introduced multiple individual farm bill proposals that would improve current programs in different titles of the bill. I\u2019m planning to introduce additional proposals throughout this process, too.\r\nThe Finance Committee has been the epicenter for a number of the Senate\u2019s major legislative initiatives this year, most notably the effort to pass a pro-growth tax reform bill to help middle-income South Dakota families keep more of their hard-earned paycheck. The government takes too large of a bite out of family budgets, which is why tax reform is needed now more than ever.\r\nEvery day that I serve in the Senate is a humbling one, and the opportunity to pursue opportunities like these on behalf of South Dakotans through my committee work makes my job even more fulfilling.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-respect-act-passes-senate", "Rounds' RESPECT Act Passes Senate", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.17\n\t\t\t Rounds' RESPECT Act Passes Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill Repeals a Number of Outdated Statutes that are Still Part of Current Law Related to Native Americans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Senate's unanimous passage of his Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act.\r\n\r\nPassing the RESPECT Act out of the Senate is the first step toward getting it signed into law, said Rounds. Our legislation will eliminate a number of outdated, offensive laws against Native American citizens in the United States that are still on the books today. Though we can't rewrite the past, we can work toward mending relations and furthering respect for future generations. TheRESPECTAct is one way to show healing, understanding and progress.\r\n\r\nRoundsreintroduced the RESPECT Act this year, and it passed out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee unanimously. TheRESPECTAct is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association and is cosponsored by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). \r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B5533C5D-F5A6-47A6-9E71-A0E3AB5AA727", "Noem: Tools for a Healthier Forest", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Have you ever hiked the Black Hills during the winter? There\u2019s something almost magical about it. It\u2019s so quiet and yet surprisingly energizing. I absolutely love it.\r\nBut underneath the snow is a forest in repair. For more than two decades, the Mountain Pine Beetle has damaged more than 30 percent of the 1.2-million-acre forest. Earlier this year, the U.S. Forest Service announced the beetle had finally been beat, albeit significant work remains to repair the damage and make the forest more resilient against future outbreaks.\r\nIn November 2013, then-U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell came to the Black Hills with me to view the damage firsthand. While he felt good about the tools we had to combat the pine beetle, we couldn\u2019t apply them on a large enough scale.\r\nIn the months that followed the visit, I helped write new reforms and fought to get them included in the 2014 Farm Bill. As a result, we cut through the red tape, got boots on the ground faster, and allowed the Forest Service to work on the scale this epidemic required. Around 1 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest benefited from the provisions, which have proven critical in curtailing the pine beetle\u2019s spread \u2013 something U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recognized when I welcomed him to the Black Hills earlier this year.\r\nWe are incredibly fortunate to have so many dedicated foresters in the Black Hills, and their work is often pointed to as a model for the nation. In Rapid City, I had the opportunity to catch up with a number of Rangers and forestry officials just before Thanksgiving. We talked in depth about the forest\u2019s health and how the new tools are working. It was encouraging to hear their optimism for the Black Hills\u2019 future. But the reality remains that years of damage have left behind thousands of acres of dead and dying trees. There\u2019s still more work to do.\r\nThis November, I helped the U.S. House of Representatives pass the Resilient Federal Forests Act on a bipartisan basis. Now being considered in the Senate, this legislation would pair a responsible budget fix with forest management reforms to dramatically improve the health and resiliency of our forests.\r\nMore specifically, with fires breaking out across the country in recent years, too much federal funding has been transferred from forest management to firefighting. The resource drain only perpetuates the problem and increases the risk of future wildfires. By allowing more flexibility in how funds flow between various agencies, this bill would fix the problem without authorizing any new spending.\r\nThis bill also eliminates duplicative paperwork and begins to address obstructionist litigation \u2013 or lawsuits set up to stop responsible forest management programs, like logging infested trees. Both of these reforms will help eliminate hurdles we\u2019ve dealt with in the Black Hills.\r\nThe bill also increases tribal participation in forest health projects and strengthens Impact Aid to South Dakota schools that have a lot of Forest Service and other federally controlled lands in their districts. All around, it\u2019s an important bill for South Dakota \u2013 one that can help make sure those magical winter hikes through the Black Hills\u2019 snow-covered trees can be experienced by this generation and the next.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=9F19E463-4A63-4137-9CE8-DFD39447F7F4", "Small Businesses are a Not-So-Small Part of South Dakotas Economy", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Whether it\u2019s Sioux Falls or Rapid City or any city in between, the communities dotting South Dakota\u2019s landscape have far more in common than just a shared area code. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s a blink-and-you\u2019ll-miss-it town or a multiple-exits-on-the-interstate city, you\u2019re likely going to pass or visit a South Dakotan-owned small business along the way.\r\nIn fact, it wouldn\u2019t be out of the ordinary if the only businesses in some communities were small family-owned operations. They help keep gas tanks, coffee mugs, and lunchboxes full, and they help keep cars, trucks, and farm equipment on the road and in the field. They\u2019re the lifeblood for many South Dakota communities.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nThere are more than 83,000 small businesses across South Dakota, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. These businesses, of which nearly one-third are owned by hard-working South Dakota women, employ nearly 60 percent of South Dakota\u2019s private workforce and account for more than 96 percent of all the businesses in the entire state. Of all the South Dakota companies that exported goods in 2013, more than 75 percent of them were small businesses, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.\r\nIn addition to being a large part of South Dakota\u2019s economy, small businesses play an important role in the American Dream, too.\r\nAfter my grandfather and his brother immigrated to the United States, they laced-up their boots, looked for work, and found jobs as railroad workers as the transcontinental railroads made their way across the country. They worked hard, saved up, and opened a hardware store in Mitchell. My grandfather then moved to Murdo, my hometown, to run another hardware store. My mom and dad worked there for years, too, and although the ownership has changed over the years, the Mitchell store still bears the Thune family name.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nAll that to say, small businesses are a big deal here in South Dakota, and they have a long history here, too.\r\nThere\u2019s a lot to be thankful for this time of year, including the contributions small business owners make to the communities in which they operate. That\u2019s a large part of why Small Business Saturday \u2013 the Saturday after Thanksgiving \u2013 has become such a popular event in communities around the country.\r\nBeing a small business owner means far more than flipping the sign on the front door from \u201copen\u201d to \u201cclosed\u201d and earning a paycheck. It means more than just working in a community. It means being part of a community. These are the same folks who support the local booster club, help organize the local Fourth of July parade, and greet hometown heroes when they return home from war.\r\nThere are already plenty of good reasons to show small businesses that this kind of local support is mutual, but by shopping small on Small Business Saturday, we can collectively send that message loud and clear.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C7CF4A4F-CA5E-4538-90C3-6B9CECCAA510", "Tax Reform Designed for Agriculture, Says Noem", "2017-11-18", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "While speaking at the South Dakota Farm Bureau Centennial Convention Saturday evening, Rep. Kristi Noem discussed her fight for a tax code that works better for agriculture. Noem serves as one of the only farmers and ranchers on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over tax reform. During the closing debate on tax reform in the House, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady \u2013 a Rapid City native and University of South Dakota graduate \u2013 called Noem \u201ca champion of family-owned farms and businesses.\u201d\r\n\u201cOur farm has been in the family for more than a century,\u201d said Noem. \u201cThe tax reform proposal we\u2019re working on is designed to help farms across South Dakota last a century more.\u201d\r\nNoem continued: \u201cMany South Dakotans have heard my story. After my dad died in a farming accident, we were hit by the Death Tax, which affected our operation for nearly a decade. I\u2019m thrilled the House tax reform bill would finally get rid of this un-American tax.\u201d\r\nGrover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform stated Noem\u2019s \u201chard work and persistence has made our progress to date possible and is our greatest asset in the serious fight to kill the Death Tax once and for all.\u201d\r\nThe House tax reform proposal includes a full and permanent repeal of the Death Tax, based on Noem\u2019s Death Tax Repeal Act. It also includes key provisions designed to help farmers and ranchers succeed, including lower tax rates, immediate expensing, and provisions related to like-kind exchanges.\r\nSouth Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal, who testified before Noem\u2019s House Ways & Means Committee about tax reform, stated, \u201cThis is a tax reform built for farmers, and Rep. Noem was integral in achieving that. From significantly lower tax rates to repealing the Death Tax, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act is more fair and takes a big step toward rewarding rather than punishing hard work and success.\u201d\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s not just the Death Tax that disproportionately impacts South Dakota producers,\u201d said Noem. \u201cAlmost any farmer you talk to will tell you that taxes are too high. We\u2019re going to change that. Through tax reform, we significantly lower tax rates and double the standard deduction, which is going to make a significant difference in the tax bill producers receive. But we also allow for interest deductibility. I fought to get immediate expensing included as well, and we were successful in getting other expensing tools that are critical for highly-leveraged industries like agriculture. This is a proposal designed with farmers and ranchers in mind. It\u2019s designed to keep more money in their pockets.\u201d\r\nDuring the process of helping to draft the House\u2019s tax reform proposal, Noem has met with hundreds of South Dakotans to discuss the plan \u2013 both in the state and in her Washington, D.C. office. The House passed their tax reform proposal in mid-November. The Senate continues to debate their version. Once passed, the House and Senate will go to Conference to merge the two documents before both chambers take a final vote and put the legislation on the president\u2019s desk.\r\n KEY TAX REFORMS FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS \r\nSignificantly lowers individual tax rates and puts a historically low small business rate in place.\r\nNearly doubles the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.\r\nRepeals the Death Tax by 2025, doubling the exclusion for the first seven years and maintaining stepped-up basis.\r\nAllows for immediate expensing, which will help farmers upgrade their operations by letting taxpayers depreciate 100 percent of qualified expenses the year they are purchased. It would also now apply the expensing benefits to assets in which the taxpayer is not the original owner.\r\nExpands interest deductibility, which allows farmers and ranchers to deduct interest payments and is critical for a highly-leveraged industry like agriculture.\r\nExpands cash accounting to protect farmers and others from paying taxes on things they have yet to receive payment on.\r\nPreserves options for like-kind exchanges.\r\nExpands Section 179, which allows farmers and ranchers to deduct the cost of some types of property as an expense, allowing farmers to better manage depreciation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=195226BF-1575-4505-9712-BEAE21B22CC2", "Blessed, Honored, and Thankful", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tThe story of the first Thanksgiving is one you\u2019ve probably heard (some version of it anyway). But I recently came across what happened a couple of years later when the second Thanksgiving was celebrated. The pilgrims had faced a tough drought that year. It hit their yields pretty hard and food became scarce. The colony\u2019s governor called for a fast to preserve resources. When the fast was finally lifted, the pilgrims gathered together and the thanksgiving feast began.\r\nI imagine their meal was hardly the spread many of us have today, but there\u2019s something neat about the fact that this tradition of gratitude has lasted through the generations.\r\nWhile we don\u2019t face a food shortage as the pilgrims did, South Dakota does understand the impact of a drought. It\u2019s made for a really rough harvest in much of the state this year and forced many families to tighten their belts a bit.\r\nI became the general manager of our farm in the mid-1990\u2019s, so I\u2019ve been through years like this. They were tough. But looking back, I know we had so much to be grateful for. We built a lot of efficiencies into our operation during those lean years (to be fair, we had to). It forced us to diversify our operation, which led me to start a hunting lodge \u2013 an experience I still appreciate today. The long days could be grueling, but there\u2019s a part of me that misses them now. We worked hard, but we worked as a family. And those memories mean the world to me.\r\nMy day-to-day life looks different today, but I still count the blessings. I get frustrated by Washington a lot, but I never take for granted the responsibility you\u2019ve given me.\u00a0 I\u2019m honored beyond belief to represent South Dakota. I\u2019m grateful for the love and compassion so many have shown. I\u2019m grateful for those who are willing to talk with me about the things we disagree on. I\u2019m grateful for every win we achieve and to share the experiences of South Dakota with folks from across the country. I\u2019m grateful to be able to travel the state almost every week and to spend time with people I might not have had the chance to otherwise connect with.\r\nWhen you\u2019re in the thick of things, it can be hard to see the blessings that are right in front of you. I recognize that. But taking the time to acknowledge those blessings can really shift a person\u2019s perspective. My mom is a big fan of Willie Nelson, and I loved how he put it: \u201cWhen I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.\u201d\r\nLike many families, we take time to count our blessings at the Thanksgiving table every year. Part of me has always wondered if the pilgrims shared that tradition too. While so much has changed over the last 400-plus years, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if the conversations around the Thanksgiving table were actually quite similar: I\u2019m grateful for family, for a home, for freedom, for what we could harvest despite the drought.\r\nFrom Bryon, Kassidy, Kennedy, Booker and I, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-supports-bipartisan-agreement-on-economic-growth-legislation", "Rounds Supports Bipartisan Agreement on Economic Growth Legislation", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Supports Bipartisan Agreement on Economic Growth Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill Includes Six of Rounds' Provisions\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan proposal released by the committee this week to improve our nation's financial regulatory framework and promote a healthy economy.\r\n\r\nIn South Dakota, our banks and credit unions play a vital role in helping businesses thrive, said Rounds. They help families fulfill their dreams of homeownership, buying a new car or saving for the future. Relieving our financial institutions from unnecessary regulatory burdens will increase credit access for South Dakotans across the state. Our proposal would begin the process of rolling back some of Dodd-Frank's one-size-fits-all' regulations that are hurting our financial institutions and would allow them to once again be able to grow and support their communities.\r\n\r\nThe proposal includes six provisions that Rounds has introduced:\r\n \r\nThe Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act, which provides small banks and credit unions with data reporting relief;\r\nRelief from Dodd-Frank capital rules that allows banks to count high-quality municipal bonds toward capital requirements, providing help to both banks and local governments that issue debt;\r\nRelief from the supplemental leverage ratio (SLR) for custody banks that service organizations like mutual funds and state and local pension plans;\r\nProvisions in the Community Bank Access to Capital Act that would:\r\n\r\nFree small banks from having to complete arduous and expensive tests mandated by Dodd-Frank;\r\nMake it easier for banks with less than $3 billion in assets to raise capital and grow;\r\nThe Protecting Veterans Credit Act, which protects the credit of veterans who are awaiting delayed payments from the VA Choice program; and\r\nRural appraisal relief for cases when borrowers apply for a loan less than $400,000 and have trouble finding a qualified appraiser.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn addition to Rounds, the bipartisan agreement is co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=448ABD78-7E80-4522-9F01-E0702187F317", "A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tOne of the main reasons I wanted to join the Senate Finance Committee was for the opportunity to reform and modernize our wildly outdated tax code. Fortunately, that once-in-a-generation opportunity has finally presented itself, and I\u2019m excited by the momentum in Congress that is getting us closer to delivering a pro-growth tax reform bill to the president that will directly benefit middle-income South Dakota families.\r\nThe U.S. tax code is like a time capsule. It\u2019s stuck in 1986. More than three decades have passed since Congress has taken a hard look at reforming it. Think about everything that\u2019s changed in the last 31 years. The United States has elected five new presidents, of which three served a full eight years. The internet was invented. For me personally, I\u2019ve watched my daughters grow up, and I now have grandchildren. If that doesn\u2019t put this into perspective, I don\u2019t know what will.\r\nThere are a lot of reasons to support the Senate tax reform plan, but I\u2019m particularly interested in all of the positive things it would do to provide relief for middle-income families. First, it doubles the standard deduction for individual and joint filers, which would reduce the tax burden on families. Since fewer people would need to itemize, it would simplify the code, too. Doubling the standard deduction means the first $24,000 of a family\u2019s income wouldn\u2019t be subject to federal income tax. For a family that earns less than $24,000 per year, they wouldn\u2019t pay any federal income taxes at all.\r\nSpecifically in South Dakota, the Senate tax reform plan, according to a Tax Foundation analysis of the initial plan, would result in a $2,528 boost in after-tax income for middle-income families and more than 2,700 new full-time jobs for South Dakota workers.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe Senate tax reform plan doubles the child tax credit to $2,000 and expands eligibility, which would help folks who are raising a family and trying to make ends meet. The plan also fulfills one of the most fundamental goals we set out to achieve: It lowers federal income tax rates for all levels of income earners in South Dakota, including those in the bottom-to-middle brackets.\r\nThe plan would also reform the tax code for U.S. businesses.\u00a0For too long, we have been losing jobs to overseas competitors, in part because our businesses pay some of the highest taxes in the industrialized world.\u00a0This plan would make U.S. businesses more competitive, which would create jobs and increase wages for American workers.\r\nOver the last five years, tax reform has really been a bipartisan issue. During Democrat and Republican administrations, and under Democrat and Republican chairmen of the Finance Committee, we\u2019ve held nearly 70 hearings on tax-related issues. Two years ago, I worked with Sen. Ben Cardin, one of my Democrat colleagues who also serves on the Finance Committee, on a bipartisan proposal to reform the business side of the tax code. This year alone, I\u2019ve introduced multiple bipartisan tax reform proposals, including one that\u2019s cosponsored by the top Democrat on the Finance Committee.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nI remain hopeful that bipartisanship will prevail here, too, and that by the end of this process, my colleagues will see the benefits of this plan and realize the real winners of pro-growth tax reform are middle-income American families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=75205917-3E9F-4A8D-9E85-EB9A034A8E26", "With Noem's Leadership, House Passes Tax Reform Proposal", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a landmark tax reform proposal, drafted in part by Rep. Kristi Noem. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which has found support from many South Dakotans, is expected to increase wages by 3.1 percent, add nearly 1 million jobs, and raise after-tax incomes by thousands of dollars, according to the non-partisan Tax Foundation. Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Taxation found there would be \u201ca tax benefit to all income categories.\u201d\r\n\u201cI have worked hours going line by line through this legislation to make sure the policies contained in it are going to work for families, that they\u2019ll increase wages for folks, and create more opportunity in America,\u201d said Noem.\r\nOn the House Ways & Means Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over tax reform, Noem has championed many of the bill\u2019s family-centered policies. Noem was vocal about the need to significantly expand the Child Tax Credit and led efforts to ensure the Child Care Credit and flexible spending benefits remained in the House proposal.\r\n\u201cI am extremely proud of the steps we\u2019ve taken to strengthen families in this bill,\u201d continued Noem. \u201cSouth Dakota has the highest rate of working moms in the nation. Parents are already stretched thin, so the provisions in this bill are designed to help them \u2013 help them pay their bills, take care of their kids, go to work, and maybe at the end of the day, take a weekend where they can go and do something fun with their kids. That\u2019s important to South Dakota.\u201d\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also includes a handful of provisions Noem has previously introduced as stand-alone legislation. More specifically, the House tax reform proposal fully and permanently repeals the Death Tax by 2025, based on Noem\u2019s Death Tax Repeal Act. Additionally, the bill excludes the Indian Health Service\u2019s Student Loan Repayment program from tax, a provision that was pulled from Noem\u2019s 2016 HEALTTH Act. Moreover, as one of the only members of the House Ways & Means Committee with a background in agriculture, Noem championed efforts to give farmers, ranchers, and small businesses better expensing tools and drive down the tax rate for small businesses.\r\n\u201cIf we\u2019re going to keep kids in South Dakota, we need to create opportunities in South Dakota,\u201d Noem explained. \u201cThis tax reform package protects family farms from one generation to the next and makes it easier for South Dakota\u2019s hardworking job creators to thrive.\u201d\r\nThe Senate continues to debate their version of tax reform. Once passed, the House and Senate will go to Conference to merge the two documents before both chambers take a final vote and put the legislation on the president\u2019s desk.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-bill-to-help-address-veterans-opioid-abuse-passes-senate", "Rounds Bill to Help Address Veterans Opioid Abuse Passes Senate", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.16.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Bill to Help Address Veterans' Opioid Abuse Passes Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The VA Prescription Data Accountability Act would expand VA's authority to share prescription drug data with state monitoring programs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today praised the Senate's passage of the bipartisan VA Prescription Data Accountability Act, which he introduced with Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) earlier this year. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.\r\n\r\nOpioid abuse is widespread throughout the United States, said Rounds. Sadly, many of our veterans suffer from addiction to prescription painkillers prescribed to them by doctors to treat pain or injuries stemming from their service to our country. Our bill updates current law to give the VA authority to securely share patient data with state prescription drug monitoring programs. These are crucial systems that reinforce safe prescribing practices to cut down on opioid abuse and protect our veterans. I am pleased to see this bill head to the president's desk to be signed into law.\r\n\r\nThe bill would clarify current law to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to share data with state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) for patients who are prescribed opioids by VA providers, including both veterans and their dependents. This legislation, for example, would enable the VA to share data with Indiana's prescription drug monitoring program, INSPECT. VA is currently only sharing prescription data on veterans, not their dependents or others treated by VA providers, due to technical issues related to the VA's health records system. As a result, a significant amount of VA prescription data is not being shared with the state's prescription drug monitoring program.\r\n\r\nThe VA Prescription Data Accountability Actis supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Association of the United States Navy. The Congressional Budget Office has scored the House companion as having no added cost to taxpayers.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D90D1F6F-C84B-46EB-8E9D-898490D8AAB7", "Thune Statement on Senate Finance Committee Passage of Tax Cuts & Jobs Act", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement regarding passage of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act out of the Finance Committee today.\r\n\u201cToday Congress is one step closer to delivering a pro-growth tax reform package to the president\u2019s desk,\u201d said Thune. \u201cSenate Republicans on the Finance Committee came together with the goal of ensuring Americans get to keep more of their hard-earned money. The provisions in our plan deliver that. Our plan cuts taxes for Americans of all income groups and provides a substantial tax cut for middle-income families. By doubling the standard deduction, cutting tax rates, and increasing the child tax credit, we\u2019re able to put more money in the pockets of everyday Americans. And by repealing Obamacare\u2019s unpopular individual mandate tax, we\u2019re able to provide even more relief for middle-income earners. I commend Chairman Hatch for his leadership and my colleagues on the committee for their contributions. I look forward to continuing our work with members of both the Senate and the House to get this bill across the finish line.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=67BDDB39-7CCA-4148-B1C1-E932B9973449", "Thune: Senate Tax Reform Bill Provides More Relief for Middle-Income Americans", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Senate\u2019s tax reform plan, which is currently being considered in the Senate Finance Committee, of which he\u2019s a member. Thune touted a recent Politico article stating that middle-income people would see the largest decline in their tax bills, according to an analysis released by the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation.\r\nThune also expressed his support for modifications that were made to the original bill by Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which include Republican and Democrat amendments and will provide even more relief to middle-income American families.\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.\r\nThune\u2019s remarks (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cMr. President, on Sunday, Politico offered this headline: \u2018Middle Class Biggest Winners in Senate Tax Plan, Study Says.\u2019\r\n\u201cThe article goes on to say, and I quote, \u201cModerate-income people would consistently see the largest percentage declines in their tax bills, according to an analysis released late Saturday by the official, nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation.\r\n\u201c\u2018In 2019, people in the middle of the income spectrum, earning between $50,000 and $70,000, would see their taxes fall by 7.1 percent. Those earning between $20,000 and $30,000 would see a 10.4 percent decline \u2026\u2019\r\n\u201cMr. President, this is what we set out to achieve with the Senate tax bill we released last week: real relief for American families.\r\n\u201cAnd that\u2019s what our bill delivers.\r\n\u201cI don\u2019t need to tell anyone that the American people have had a rough few years.\r\n\u201cStagnant wages and a lack of opportunities have left many American families stretched thin.\r\n\u201cA recent survey found that 50 percent \u2013 50 percent \u2013 of voters consider themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck.\r\n\u201cAnd about one-third of voters say they are just $400 away from a financial crisis.\r\n\u201cBut real help is on the way.\r\n\u201cLast night Chairman Hatch released a revised bill that provides even more relief for middle-class families.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI applaud Chairman Hatch for his work on this revised bill that includes Republican and Democrat amendments and reflects feedback we have received from the whole Republican Conference.\r\n\u201cOur bill provides immediate, direct relief to hardworking Americans.\r\n\u201cOur bill doubles the standard deduction.\r\n\u201cThat means beginning in January a family making $24,000 or less per year won\u2019t be paying any taxes.\r\n\u201cAnd families making more than $24,000 will be paying significantly less than they\u2019re paying today.\r\n\u201cOur bill also doubles the child care tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child.\r\n\u201cWe all know raising children is expensive.\r\n\u201cAnd this provision will provide a significant tax cut to families across the country.\r\n\u201cI want to thank Senators Scott, Heller, Rubio, and Lee for their leadership on this issue.\r\n\u201cTheir advocacy for expanding the child tax credit will result in substantial tax relief for working families.\r\n\u201cBut, Mr. President, \u00a0that\u2019s just the beginning of what this tax bill is going to do for American families.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re not just going to ensure that Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also going to ensure that they can make more of it.\r\n\u201cOur bill is not just going to cut Americans\u2019 taxes:\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s also going to give Americans access to the kind of jobs, wages, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure future.\r\n\u201cSo how does that work?\r\n\u201cWell, in order for individual Americans to thrive economically, we need American businesses to thrive.\r\n\u201cThriving businesses create jobs.\r\n\u201cThey provide opportunities.\r\n\u201cAnd they increase wages and invest in their workers.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBut our current tax code is not helping businesses thrive.\r\n\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s doing the opposite.\r\n\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s strangling both small and large businesses with high tax rates.\r\n\u00a0\u201cSmall businesses are incredibly important for new job creation.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBut right now the high tax rates small businesses face can make it difficult for these businesses to even survive, much less thrive and expand their operations.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur bill will fix this.\r\n\u00a0\u201cTo start with, our bill implements a new deduction for businesses that will allow them to keep more of their money, which will allow them to reinvest in their operations, increase wages, and hire new workers.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur bill also reforms a number of current provisions in the tax code that frequently leave small businesses with very little cash on hand.\r\n\u00a0\u201cUnder our legislation, small businesses will be able to recover the capital they\u2019ve invested in things like inventory and machinery much more quickly \u2013 in certain cases, immediately \u2013 which will free up capital that they can use to expand and create jobs.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur legislation also includes provisions I helped develop that will simplify accounting rules for small businesses, which will also help reduce their tax burden, leaving more of their earnings to reinvest in their businesses and their workers.\r\n\u00a0\u201cMr. President, in addition to cutting rates for small businesses, our bill also reduces our corporate tax rate.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur nation\u2019s corporate tax rate is currently the highest in the industrialized world, which puts U.S. businesses at a major disadvantage next to their international competitors.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBy reducing the corporate tax rate, our bill will enable U.S. businesses to compete on a more level playing field with their competitors, which will in turn free up money that U.S. businesses can use to create jobs and increase wages.\r\n\u00a0\u201cThe White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that reducing the corporate tax rate to 20 percent will increase average household income by $4,000 annually.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur bill also ends the outdated tax framework that is driving American companies to keep jobs and profits overseas.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur nation currently operates under a so-called worldwide tax system, which means that American companies pay U.S. taxes on the profit they make here at home, as well as on part of the profit they make abroad, once they bring that money back to the United States.\r\n\u00a0\u201cThe problem with this is that American companies are already paying taxes to foreign governments on the money they make abroad.\r\n\u00a0\u201cThen when they bring that money home, they can end up having to pay taxes again on part of those profits, and at the highest tax rate in the industrialized world.\r\n\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that this discourages businesses from bringing their profits back to the United States to invest in their domestic operations, new jobs, and increased wages.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBetween 1983 and 2003 \u2013 when the U.S. tax rate was much more competitive with those of other countries \u2013 there were 29 corporate inversions where U.S. companies moved abroad.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBetween 2003 and 2014 \u2013 when other countries were dropping their corporate tax rates and shifting to territorial tax systems \u2013 there were 47 such inversions.\r\n\u00a0\u201cOur bill addresses this drag on our economy by moving from our outdated worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system.\r\n\u00a0\u201cBy shifting to a territorial tax system \u2013 a move, I should note, that has been supported by members of both parties \u2013 we eliminate the double taxation that encourages companies to send their investments and their operations overseas.\r\n\u00a0\u201cCombine that with the reduction in our high corporate tax rate, and our bill provides a strong incentive for U.S. companies to invest their profits at home in American jobs and American workers instead of abroad.\r\n\u00a0\u201cAll in all, the Tax Foundation estimates that in addition to increasing wages, our bill will create nearly 1 million new jobs for American workers.\r\n\u00a0\u201cMr. President, the legislation we unveiled last week is the product of years of work here in the Senate \u2013 work by members of both parties.\r\n\u00a0\u201cI hope my Democrat colleagues will join us to advance this bill, which is partly the result of their labors.\r\n\u00a0\u201cThis is the kind of chance we all dreamed of when we came to Washington \u2013 a once-in-a-generation chance to make a real difference in the lives of ordinary Americans.\r\n\u00a0\u201cTo substantially improve their lives today and give them access to a brighter, more secure, and more prosperous future.\r\n\u00a0\u201cMr. President, I look forward to debating this bill over the next few weeks and getting a final version to the president\u2019s desk.\r\n\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s time to give the American people a tax code that works for them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=8E2CD9E9-5428-40AF-A4ED-4B4711E11BBA", "South Dakota bends IHS' ear", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KELO Radio \r\n\tSouth Dakota's Congressional Delegation on Tuesday met with President Trump's choice for head of the Indian Health Service, and they gave Robert Weaver an earful of complaints.\r\n\u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019ve become all too familiar with the horrific problems that occur at IHS, and it is important for Mr. Weaver to understand the importance of restoring trust and accountability in the agency, particularly in the Great Plains region,\u201d said Senator John Thune.\r\nSenator Mike Rounds weighed in.\r\n\u201cFor years, Indian Health Service has failed to fulfill its trust and treaty obligation to provide adequate health care to tribal members. The quality of care at IHS facilities in the Great Plains Region is simply unacceptable.\"\u00a0 Rounds said he shared with Weaver his proposed legislation for a comprehensive review of the IHS.\r\nLast but not least, Kristi Noem shared her concerns.\r\n\u201cThe Great Plains area of the IHS is a train wreck,\u201d she said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to need aggressive, out-of-the-box thinking to get things back on track. During today\u2019s meeting, I stressed with Mr. Weaver just how urgent the situation truly is...\"\r\nWeaver is a member of the Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma. He was nominated by the President last month. Weaver has nearly two decades of experience in hospital, mental health administration, and entrepreneurship.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A27B63D2-352E-465D-8FF8-5AC6482E2AAE", "Delegation Meets With Indian Health Services Director Nominee", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today met with Robert Weaver, the president\u2019s nominee to be director of Indian Health Service (IHS). Weaver, who was nominated for the position in October, has nearly two decades of experience in hospital, mental health administration, and entrepreneurship. Weaver is a member of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma and is currently a\u00a0consultative representative to U.S. Government Relations for his tribe in the area of health care.\r\n\u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019ve become all too familiar with the horrific problems that occur at IHS, and it is important for Mr. Weaver to understand the importance of restoring trust and accountability in the agency, particularly in the Great Plains region,\u201d said Thune. \u201cOur meeting today gave me the opportunity to let Mr. Weaver know that fixing the IHS system and dramatically improving the quality of care provided to tribal members is one of my top priorities, and, if confirmed, I am committed to working with him to improve the agency.\u201d\r\n\u201cI appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mr. Weaver today,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cFor years, Indian Health Service has failed to fulfill its trust and treaty obligation to provide adequate health care to tribal members. The quality of care at IHS facilities in the Great Plains Region is simply unacceptable. During our meeting, we had the chance to talk about my proposed legislation to require an assessment of the financial, administrative and quality problems at the agency, and I was pleased that he agrees on the necessity of such an assessment. He also agreed on the importance of consultation with tribal leaders. If confirmed, I look forward to working with him and tribal leaders to identify and fix the many problems at IHS.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Great Plains area of the IHS is a train wreck,\u201d said Noem. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need aggressive, out-of-the-box thinking to get things back on track. During today\u2019s meeting, I stressed with Mr. Weaver just how urgent the situation truly is and how great the deficiency of care really is. I was also grateful to talk through some of the solutions I see ahead. The bottom line is this though: Families are receiving third-world care and it\u2019s costing them their lives. This needs to be fixed now.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delegation-meets-with-indian-health-service-director-nominee", "Delegation Meets With Indian Health Service Director Nominee", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.14.17\n\t\t\t Delegation Meets With Indian Health Service Director Nominee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Delegation expresses concern about Great Plains IHS facilities, necessary steps for improvement\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today met with Robert Weaver, the president's nominee to be director of Indian Health Service (IHS). Weaver, who was nominated for the position in October, has nearly two decades of experience in hospital, mental health administration, and entrepreneurship. Weaver is a member of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma and is currently aconsultative representative to U.S. Government Relations for his tribe in the area of health care.\r\nI appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mr. Weaver today,said Rounds.For years, Indian Health Service has failed to fulfill its trust and treaty obligation to provide adequate health care to tribal members. The quality of care at IHS facilities in the Great Plains Region is simply unacceptable. During our meeting, we had the chance to talk about my proposed legislation to require an assessment of the financial, administrative and quality problems at the agency, and I was pleased that he agrees on the necessity of such an assessment. He also agreed on the importance of consultation with tribal leaders. If confirmed, I look forward to working with him and tribal leaders to identify and fix the many problems at IHS.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5D2BDB0B-891B-494B-8E6A-29E127DC94C0", "Delegation Meets With Indian Health Service Director Nominee", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today met with Robert Weaver, the president\u2019s nominee to be director of Indian Health Service (IHS). Weaver, who was nominated for the position in October, has nearly two decades of experience in hospital, mental health administration, and entrepreneurship. Weaver is a member of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma and is currently a\u00a0consultative representative to U.S. Government Relations for his tribe in the area of health care.\r\n\u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019ve become all too familiar with the horrific problems that occur at IHS, and it is important for Mr. Weaver to understand the importance of restoring trust and accountability in the agency, particularly in the Great Plains region,\u201d said Thune. \u201cOur meeting today gave me the opportunity to let Mr. Weaver know that fixing the IHS system and dramatically improving the quality of care provided to tribal members is one of my top priorities, and, if confirmed, I am committed to working with him to improve the agency.\u201d\r\n\u201cI appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mr. Weaver today,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cFor years, Indian Health Service has failed to fulfill its trust and treaty obligation to provide adequate health care to tribal members. The quality of care at IHS facilities in the Great Plains Region is simply unacceptable. During our meeting, we had the chance to talk about my proposed legislation to require an assessment of the financial, administrative and quality problems at the agency, and I was pleased that he agrees on the necessity of such an assessment. He also agreed on the importance of consultation with tribal leaders. If confirmed, I look forward to working with him and tribal leaders to identify and fix the many problems at IHS.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe Great Plains area of the IHS is a train wreck,\u201d said Noem. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need aggressive, out-of-the-box thinking to get things back on track. During today\u2019s meeting, I stressed with Mr. Weaver just how urgent the situation truly is and how great the deficiency of care really is. I was also grateful to talk through some of the solutions I see ahead. The bottom line is this though: Families are receiving third-world care and it\u2019s costing them their lives. This needs to be fixed now.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=87AFADF6-7FBE-45E7-9831-E52544ADE3D9", "Weekly Column: True Patriots", "2017-11-10", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Every November, we set aside time to recognize those who have acted on our behalf to protect freedom and defend our liberties \u2013 those who have worn our nation\u2019s uniform \u2013 who have earned the title \u201cPatriot\u201d and can call themselves a \u201cUnited States Veteran.\u201d\r\nMore than 72,000 veterans call South Dakota home. Each has spent years serving so others could enjoy the blessings of liberty that we celebrate in this country. As a small token of gratitude for their sacrifices, our office hosted a Veterans Day Open House this year in Sioux Falls. For a few hours, we sat down and talked with South Dakota veterans over cookies and coffee, helping many navigate complicated federal programs, such as Social Security and VA benefits.\u00a0 I\u2019m incredibly grateful to those who took the time to stop in, and I hope others recognize our door is always open to you.\r\nIn addition to helping veterans get the federal benefits to which they\u2019re entitled, I\u2019ve been fighting to make sure the promises made to veterans are kept. This summer, for instance, President Trump signed legislation I supported that aims to expand whistleblower protections within the VA and streamline the process required to fire any VA employee. This is a critical step in improving VA operations.\r\nMore recently, we worked with the president to give troops the largest pay raise in years and expand veterans\u2019 access to education and workforce training. I\u2019m glad both have been signed into law.\r\nAdditionally, the House passed the Black Hills National Cemetery Act, which I introduced.\u00a0 The legislation would expand the Sturgis-area cemetery by 200 acres, ensuring we keep this important promise to veterans for decades to come. I\u2019m hopeful the Senate will take up the bill soon.\r\nThis is all in addition to legislation we passed last Congress to increase mental health access for veterans and incentivize small businesses to hire those who have served.\r\nThere\u2019s more work to do, however. I continue to fight to keep the Hot Springs VA open. There are changes that must be made to the VA CHOICE Program, which the House Veterans Affairs Committee is working very hard on.\r\nThere is no way to fully compensate our veterans for the sacrifices they\u2019ve made, but this November, I encourage you to take a moment and personally thank one of South Dakota\u2019s 72,000 patriots and their families. There is a price to freedom, and we can never forget that.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=270C0D74-2F32-4115-BF09-7DE1C36605E1", "Rep. Kristi Noem says the tax reform bill is a smart move for our generation", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KEVN \r\n\tRepresentative Kristi Noem says House Republicans introduced a tax reform package last week that she says will finally give people some breathing room.\r\nAlthough congressional Republicans have moved forward with their plan to overhaul the nation's tax system by the end of the year, they still have a ways to go before it heads to the president's desk.\r\nNoem says they are currently going through the Democrat amendments and they aren't happy with them.\r\nShe says she's looking for growth in the economy by getting people higher paying jobs and cutting rates to bring relief to their pocket books.\r\nShe says it's an ongoing debate and although they are trying to meet in the middle, she says the Democrats are only looking to cause the president to fail.\r\nRep. Kristi Noem says, \"This is just not going to be bipartisan. They're not going to work together on something that's this important to our president, that's this important to our country and so that's why we just have to make sure that we're making the right decisions, making sure that we're putting families first, that we're putting the hardworking folks in this country first and make sure that the policy is solid, so that we go forward and really do grow our economy.\"\r\nNoem says it's been 31 years since we did tax reform in this country and we have to stick to our principles.\r\nShe says she's been in tax reform meetings for years and she says the question people should be asking themselves is if they trust the government to make decisions about how to spend your money or if you should trust families to make those decisions.\r\nShe says if this bill is passed, people's paychecks will be bigger come January.\r\nThe House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-16 along party lines to send the measure to the full House.\u00a0\r\nDemocrats say it's a tax bounty for the rich.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6B2FA7BF-284E-4CDD-8884-BC658D6DCB86", "Tax Reform Advances with Approval from Noem's Committee", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today joined the House Ways & Means Committee in approving the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, setting the stage for the tax reform bill to be considered by the full House in the coming weeks. The legislation, which has found support from many South Dakotans, is expected to increase wages by 3.1 percent, add nearly 1 million jobs, and raise after-tax incomes by thousands of dollars, according to the non-partisan Tax Foundation. Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on Taxation found there would be \u201ca tax benefit to all income categories,\u201d and the Tax Policy Center found \u201cthe legislation would reduce taxes on average for all income groups.\u201d\r\n\u201cIt is the privilege of a lifetime to go through this tax reform plan line by line and fight for South Dakota priorities,\u201d said Noem. \u201cToday is an exciting day. This is the most significant step we\u2019ve taken toward comprehensive tax reform in more than 30 years, and I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve put forward. It\u2019s a plan that finally respects and rewards hard work. It delivers much lower tax rates and simplifies things enough so most people won\u2019t need an army of accountants to pay their taxes or build their business. We\u2019re making sure everyone starts playing by the same rules and can experience the benefits of higher wages and increased job creation. I look forward to continuing this debate in the full House and remain optimistic about what this plan can do for the hardworking people of South Dakota.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nPOLICY HIGHLIGHTS\r\nSimplifies the tax code so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSignificantly lowers individual tax rates to Zero, 12%, 25% and 35%, while also nearly doubling the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers. High-income Americans will maintain the 39.6% rate.\r\n \r\n0%: Married couples making less than $24,000 / Single filers making less than $12,000 (the increased standard deduction protects these families from taxation)\r\n12%: Married couples making $24,000-$90,000 / Single filers making $12,000-$45,000\r\n25%: Married couples making $90,000-$260,000 / Single filers making $45,000-$200,000\r\n35%: Married couples making $260,000-$1,000,000 / Single filers making $200,000-$500,000\r\n39.6%: Married couples making more than $1,000,000 / Single filers making more than $500,000\r\n \r\nProvides unprecedented support for families:\r\n \r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $1,600 per child (60% larger than under current policy).\r\nEliminates the \u201cmarriage penalty.\u201d\r\nCreates a new Family Flexibility Credit, which provides a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\nAllows unborn children to be named beneficiaries of 529 education savings plans\r\n \r\nPhases in full and permanent Death Tax Repeal by doubling the Death Tax exemption levels for the first seven years and then fully repealing the Death Tax by 2025.\r\nPreserves and strengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit with provisions to stop widely reported fraud.\r\nGives support at important milestones in life:\r\n \r\nPreserves the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction for existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $500,000.\r\nRetains popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and IRAs.\r\n \r\n \r\nStreamlines higher-education benefits.\r\n \r\nExcludes the Indian Health Service\u2019s Student Loan Repayment program from tax to help in recruiting. It\u2019s based on Noem\u2019s 2016 legislation.\r\nContinues the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nAllows businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakota\u2019s agriculture community.\r\nCreates opportunities to create more jobs and raise wages. \r\n \r\nCreates a separate and historically low small business tax rate.\r\nLowers the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 20%.\r\n \r\n\r\nADDITIONAL INFORMATION\r\nNoem, the first South Dakotan in history to serve on the House Ways & Means Committee, has played a pivotal role in drafting the legislation that advanced today. In the process, Noem met with hundreds of South Dakotans to discuss the plan \u2013 both in the state and in her Washington, D.C. office. She also participated in more than a dozen formal Ways and Means Committee hearings on tax reform and brought South Dakota farmer Scott VanderWal to the table to testify on tax reform\u2019s impact on agriculture. All in all, the House Ways and Means Committee has been working on this proposal for more than six years, holding more than 40 public hearings since 2011.\u00a0\r\nYou can also find examples of how certain taxpayers would be impacted by tax reform here as well as statements from South Dakotans about the plan here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-senate-tax-reform-proposal", "Rounds Statement on Senate Tax Reform Proposal", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.09.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on Senate Tax Reform Proposal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on tax reform proposal introduced by the Senate Committee on Finance.\r\n\r\nThe release of the Senate's tax reform proposal today is another step toward delivering relief to American families and small businesses, said Rounds. We are committed to a tax reform plan that will provide more jobs, bigger paychecks and a fairer tax system for South Dakotans. I look forward to reading the bill in its entirety and working with my colleagues in the Senate to advance legislation that will boost our economy and put more money in American workers' pockets.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=9C79F58B-C4BC-4CD5-A9CE-67CE5DC98F71", "For Many South Dakota Families, Every Day is Veterans Day", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tFor South Dakota families that have a loved one who is either currently serving in the military, has already hung up his or her uniform, or whose beloved sevicemember is no longer with us, every day is Veterans Day. These family members are proud of their mom or dad, son or daughter, and every day is an opportunity to celebrate and honor them. Speaking from personal experience, there isn\u2019t a day that goes by that I don\u2019t think about my dad and his service to the nation during World War II. And as the world has become increasingly complex and dangerous, I am reminded daily of the freedoms and security we enjoy because of the selfless service of our veterans across our state and nation.\r\nFor folks without a family connection to a veteran or the military in general, the level of respect is no less. Veterans are an integral part of our community \u2013 they\u2019re our colleagues, our friends, and our neighbors. No matter the connection, though, every November 11, we all pause to draw special attention to the service and sacrifice made by the men and women in uniform who have served or continue to serve here and around the world.\r\nWhile Veterans Day is a time for ceremonies and parades, it\u2019s also an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the sacrifice America\u2019s war heroes have made over the generations and the contributions they\u2019ve made to the strength of our democracy. It\u2019s because of them that we\u2019re still able to call America a beacon of hope and opportunity around the world.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThis year, for the first time ever, the president has designated the entire month of November as Veterans and Military Families Month. Following the president\u2019s proclamation, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin said, \u201cOur veterans and military families are an important part of our lives throughout the year, and by focusing for the first time nationally on a whole month of activities nationwide for Veterans and Military Families Month, we can more fully celebrate and recognize their contributions to the nation.\u201d I\u2019m glad to see the administration is focused on this important issue.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nParticularly for me as a legislator, an important part of honoring America\u2019s veterans is ensuring we\u2019ve got their back when they leave the front lines of the battlefield and return home to potential challenges with furthering their education, finding a good-paying job, and staying healthy.\r\nThis year alone, Congress has sent several critical bills to the president for his signature, including the \u201cForever GI Bill,\u201d which expands veterans\u2019 eligibility for GI Bill benefits. We also passed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act and the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, both of which have been signed into law.\r\nI\u2019m especially happy to report that earlier this year, Secretary Shulkin quickly acted on my request to more prominently feature the Veterans Crisis Line on the VA\u2019s website, www.VA.gov. The line is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and veterans can reach out any time by texting 838255 or calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing one. I appreciate his responsiveness on this important issue and will continue to engage with him on issues impacting South Dakota veterans.\r\nLet\u2019s never forget the reasons why America has so much to celebrate and be thankful for, and let\u2019s never compromise in our collective effort to ensure America\u2019s veterans have the tools, resources, support, and respect they need and deserve once their military service has ended.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2BD712FB-D014-41DE-AE8E-81ADDB32E023", "Senate Tax Reform Plan Would Help Middle-Income South Dakotans, Farmers and Ranchers", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the Finance Committee\u2019s release of a comprehensive tax reform plan based on the unified framework. Several Thune-authored provisions from previously introduced tax reform bills were included in the broader Senate plan. These provisions, in addition to Thune\u2019s work on the broader plan, will help middle-income families, small and medium-sized businesses, and family-run farms and ranches throughout South Dakota. As a member of the Finance Committee, Thune will play a critical role when the committee begins consideration of the plan on Monday, November 13.\r\n\u201cMiddle-income Americans are tired of struggling under a weak economy. They are ready for relief. This legislation is good news for American workers and American families. The legislation the Senate Finance Committee unveiled today lowers tax rates, doubles the standard deduction, and increases the child tax credit, all of which will put more money into the pockets of hardworking Americans and give them more flexibility to care for their families. By lowering taxes on small businesses and other job creators, our bill also makes the reforms necessary to boost our economy and give Americans access to the kinds of jobs, wages, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure future. I commend Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch for his leadership and look forward to working with our colleagues in the House and the Trump administration to ensure a pro-growth tax reform package is signed into law.\u201d\r\nSince January 2017, Thune has introduced numerous individual tax reform marker bills that cover multiple portions of the tax code. Thune-authored provisions included in the Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are:\r\n \r\nModified portions of Thune\u2019s Investment in New Ventures and Economic Success Today (INVEST) Act of 2017 (S. 1144), legislation that would simplify accounting rules and reform key parts of the tax code to help small and medium-sized business owners more quickly recover investment costs and certain other tax deductible business expenses. By accelerating cost recovery on property, equipment, inventory, and other common business investments, these provisions would encourage new business growth and help existing businesses, including farms and ranches, expand their operations, create new jobs, and grow the economy.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\nThune\u2019s New Economy Works to Guarantee Independence and Growth (NEW GIG) Act of 2017 (S. 1549), legislation that addresses the classification of workers \u2013 independent contractors versus employees \u2013 and creates a safe harbor for those who meet a set of objective tests that would qualify them as an independent contractor. This legislation is important for traditional independent contractor arrangements, like computer consultants, freelance writers, and delivery drivers, as well as all of those individuals who participate in the on-demand economy and provide a rapidly growing range of services.\r\n \r\nSen. Thune doesn\u2019t believe death should be a taxable event, which is why he introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act in January 2017 and still strongly supports this approach. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a provision that would provide additional relief (compared to current law) to more of South Dakota\u2019s family-run businesses, farms, and ranches that are currently threatened by the death tax, which is important progress.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-delivers-opening-statement-on-his-ihs-assessment-bill", "Rounds Delivers Opening Statement on his IHS Assessment Bill", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.08.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Delivers Opening Statement on his IHS Assessment Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today spoke in support of his legislation, S. 465, the Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act of 2017, during a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing. Since taking office in 2015, Rounds and his staff have analyzed the IHS and its shortcomings, concluding there are three primary areas of concern: there is no funding allocation strategy for the 12 IHS regions, there is no standard of quality measurement and there is high turnover of staff resulting in low accountability amongst management. Rounds' assessment legislation is the first step toward setting us on a path to address the agency's longstanding failures.\r\n\r\nFor years, tribal members in my home state of South Dakota have dealt with unimaginable horrors in dealing with IHS facilities, said Rounds in his opening remarks. Tribal members are suffering and even dying due to inadequate and disgraceful care. IHS will only continue to fail unless we take a close look into the operations, funding, quality of care, and management at IHS. I believe that a comprehensive assessment of IHS is a necessary first step toward making calculated and systematic changes at IHS.\r\n\r\nRounds' remarks as prepared for delivery:\r\n\r\nGood afternoon, I first want to start off by thanking Chairman Hoeven, Vice-Chairman Udall and the members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for their dedicated service to the Native American communities. \r\nToday, I am introducing my bill to provide for a comprehensive assessment of the Indian Health Service, S.465. \r\nAs you know, the IHS is the agency responsible for providing health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives as required by federal treaty agreement. \r\nFor years, tribal members in my home state of South Dakota have dealt with unimaginable horrors in dealing with IHS facilities. \r\nUpon taking office in 2015, my staff and I have spent significant time trying to learn more about these problems. \r\nIn our research, we found four primary areas of concern: there is no funding allocation strategy for the 12 IHS regions, there is no standard of quality measurement, there is high turnover of staff resulting in low accountability amongst management and there is no consultation with tribes.\r\nThe IHS serves approximately 2.2 million Native Americans, who are members of 567 federally recognized tribes. \r\nFor fiscal year 2017, IHS was appropriated just under $5 billion dollars in discretionary funding and $147 million dollars in mandatory funding from the Special Diabetes Program. \r\nThis does not include third-party collections of approximately $1.1 billion dollars. \r\nDespite a large user population and an annual appropriation of $5 billion, IHS does NOT have a funding formula. \r\nRegional allocations are not based upon the number of people who received healthcare through IHS, regional user population growth or types of services offered. \r\nWhile many believe that IHS is underfunded, from my standpoint, investing more taxpayer money into a dysfunctional system will only compound the problem. IHS lacks an efficient system and accountability; this needs to be addressed before we consider funding. Then, I agree it will be time to talk about adequate funding.\r\nFurthermore, there are no consistent qualitative measurements. The most recent qualitative measurements are from 2008  nearly a decade old  so it's unclear if IHS management has a sense of which regions are successful or failing. \r\nIHS divides itself into 12 service areas in the United States. IHS's Great Plains Area, which serves South Dakota tribal members, has the worst health care disparities of all IHS regions, including:\r\n \r\nLowest life expectancy,\r\nHighest diabetes death rate, 5 times the U.S. average,\r\nHighest TB death rate, and \r\nHighest overall age adjusted death rate. \r\n \r\nTo give you an idea of some of the things we are seeing and hearing in our area: \r\n \r\nThe Wall Street Journal reported in June 2017, At the Indian Health Service hospital in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, a 57-year-old man was sent home with a bronchitis diagnosisonly to die five hours later of heart failure. \r\nWhen a patient at the federal agency's Winnebago, Nebraska, facility stopped breathing, nurses responding to the code blue found the emergency supply cart was empty, and the man died. \r\nIn Sisseton, South Dakota, a high school prom queen was coughing up blood. An IHS doctor gave her cough syrup and antianxiety medication; within days she died of a blood clot in her lung. \r\nAnd just this August, IHS officials announced that patients who have recently received care at the podiatry clinic in the Winnebago IHS Hospital may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis.\r\n \r\nBecause there are not standard of quality expectations and a methodology to measure quality; these facilities are failing very basic quality performances that our people deserve. In fact, the quality problems have become so pervasive, that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, accreditation of several IHS facilities are in jeopardy.\r\nThroughout the past year-and-a-half, the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Hospitals in the Great Plains Region have been operating under a Systems Improvement Agreement with CMS trying to regain their accreditation status. \r\nThankfully, the Systems Improvement Agreement at Rosebud was completed on September 1st of this year. \r\nHowever, our office was made aware of multiple timeline extensions in Pine Ridge because these IHS direct-care facilities continued to fail CMS surveys. \r\nJust last Friday, the Pine Ridge IHS Hospital was deemed not in compliance with CMS's conditions of participation for emergency services. By issuing a final notification for the Pine Ridge IHS Hospital, the facility is in immediate jeopardy status and hospital's provider agreement will be terminated at the end of next week.\r\nTermination means that IHS can no longer bill Medicare for services, impacting Medicaid funding as well. Further, future third-party revenue available to IHS to fund services, maintenance projects and other necessary costs will likely be reduced.\r\nFinally, there is high turnover throughout the entire IHS organization. \r\nFor example, within my home state's Great Plains Region, we've had 5 different area directors in the last 21 months. That's an average tenure in this important management position of roughly 4 months. And as you may know, nationally there has not been a permanent director leading IHS since February of 2015.\r\nTribal members are suffering and even dying due to inadequate and disgraceful care.\r\nIHS will only continue to fail unless we take a close look into the operations, funding, quality of care, and management at IHS. I believe that a comprehensive assessment of IHS is a necessary first step toward making calculated and systematic changes at IHS. \r\nS. 465 would accomplish this goal and set us on a path to address the long standing failures of IHS. \r\nMy legislation would require the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an assessment of IHS's health care delivery systems and financial management processes only at direct-care facilities. Let me be clear, this assessment is not proposed for tribes with 638 Agreements in place; only direct IHS facilities.\r\nThis assessment I am proposing is a proven model for identifying potential reforms. We all remember the problems in 2014 in Veterans Administration health care. To address this issue Congress passed legislation calling for the Secretary of the VA to conduct an overall and systematic assessment of VA healthcare. \r\nThe integrated report was completed within the mandated timeframe of less than a year, and was officially submitted to the Secretary of the VA in September 2015. The assessment provided feedback and recommended changes that could lead to improvement in health outcomes. \r\nThe same should be done for the Indian Health Service. \r\nThank you.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=02FFCCA1-FBAC-4D72-A75F-560FEE19B010", "Thune Presses Current and Former Leaders of Equifax and Yahoo! in Commerce Hearing Examining Data Breaches", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today convened a hearing titled, \u201cProtecting Consumers in the Era of Major Data Breaches.\u201d The hearing featured testimony from current and former officials who worked on Yahoo!\u2019s response to the 2013 data breach, which affected all 3 billion user accounts and was just revealed last month. It also featured current and former CEOs of Equifax, which suffered a 2017 breach that reportedly affected approximately 145 million individuals and exposed sensitive personal and financial information.\r\nDuring the hearing, Thune questioned Yahoo!\u2019s former CEO Marissa Mayer on Yahoo!\u2019s security collapses and its failure to effectively respond to those collapses in a timely matter. Thune also pressed Equifax\u2019s former CEO Richard Smith and interim CEO Paulino Barros on Equifax\u2019s known security vulnerabilities that led to its recent data breach and how the company is currently addressing these issues.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nThune\u2019s opening statement (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cNow that our executive session is complete, we turn to the issue of data breaches.\u00a0\r\n\u201cData breach is not a new issue for the Committee to explore.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn fact, the Committee has been focused on the consumer impact of data breaches since before I was elected to the U.S. Senate.\r\n\u201cThe September 2004 ChoicePoint breach, what many consider to be the first high-profile data breach of the modern era, prompted a number of investigations from this Committee, the FTC, and federal and state authorities.\u00a0\r\n\u201cFor those that don\u2019t remember, ChoicePoint was a data aggregation company originally created by Equifax, who as fate would have it, is represented here today.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn terms of the trajectory of congressional inquiry into major data breaches, you might say we have come full circle.\r\n\u201cIn the intervening years, Congress, and this Committee in particular, have paid close attention to data breaches big and small.\r\n\u201cIn addition, the Committee has entertained a variety of proposals to strengthen data security requirements for companies across the board, as well as to impose federal requirements for affected companies to notify their consumers following the discovery of a breach.\u00a0 \u00a0\r\n\u201cSadly, we are truly in the era of major data breaches.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThese include the large-scale breaches at Equifax and Yahoo! that we are examining today.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWhile the Yahoo! breaches are larger in terms of affected consumers, the Equifax breach is potentially much more severe given the sensitive nature of the consumer information compromised.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIn fact, I have heard from many constituents in South Dakota who are concerned about the lasting effects of the Equifax breach.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI have also heard complaints that it is difficult to set up a credit freeze, and questions about whether credit monitoring is an effective tool to prevent identity theft.\r\n\u201cThe Equifax breach reportedly exposed the sensitive personal data of about 145.5 million U.S. consumers, including their names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and in some cases, driver\u2019s license numbers.\u00a0\r\n\u201cAlso exposed were the credit card numbers for more than 200,000 U.S. consumers and dispute documents containing personal identifying information for more than 180,000 U.S. consumers.\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday, Equifax will have an opportunity to provide an update regarding the breach, as well as its much-criticized efforts to mitigate the harm and prevent anything like this from happening again.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Yahoo! breach we will discuss today\u00a0 compromised over 3 billion user accounts and followed a prior breach in which hackers stole similar types of information from at least 500 million users.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe compromised data included names, telephone numbers, dates of birth, partial passwords, unencrypted security questions and answers, backup e-mail addresses, and employment information.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe 3 billion figure constitutes the entirety of the Yahoo! Mail and other Yahoo!-owned accounts at the time of the breach.\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday Yahoo! representatives will have an opportunity to provide an update regarding these breaches as well as efforts to mitigate the harm and ensure the security of consumer data going forward.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe massive data breaches at Equifax and Yahoo! illustrate quite dramatically that our nation continues to face constantly evolving cyber threats to our personal data.\u00a0\r\n\u201cCompanies that collect and store personal data on American citizens must step up to provide adequate cybersecurity.\u00a0 And there should be consequences if they fail to do so.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Committee has made cybersecurity a priority, and I am hopeful that today\u2019s hearing will help the Committee to better understand these challenges as it considers legislation to address data breach notification and data security issues.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWhen there is risk of real harm stemming from a breach, we must make sure that consumers have the information they need to protect themselves.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThat is why I support a uniform Federal breach notification standard to replace the patchwork of laws in 48 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and three other territories.\r\n\u201cA single Federal standard would ensure all consumers are treated the same with regard to notification of data breaches that might cause them harm.\u00a0\r\n\u201cSuch a standard would also provide consistency and certainty regarding timely notification practices, benefiting both consumers and businesses.\r\n\u201cIn order to ensure that businesses secure information appropriately, I have also advocated for uniform, reasonable security requirements to protect consumer data, based on the size and scope of the company and the sensitivity of the information.\u00a0\r\n\u201cHowever, in this regard, the facts of the Equifax breach are particularly troubling.\u00a0\r\n\u201cAs a credit bureau, Equifax was already subject to the Safeguards Rule under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which is considered to be a stringent regulation.\u00a0\r\n\u201cNevertheless, the Equifax breach occurred and its implications on American consumers appear dire.\r\n\u201cEnhancing security and protecting the personal data of American consumers will continue to be a priority for this Committee.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI want to thank all of the witnesses for appearing here today.\u00a0 I look forward to hearing your testimony.\u00a0\r\n\u201cI will now turn to Senator Nelson for his opening remarks.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5BF09873-1BB4-457D-8AAF-F17848A8CD15", "What They are Saying about Tax Reform", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u201cThis is a tax reform bill built for farmers, and Rep. Noem was integral in achieving that. From significantly lower tax rates to repealing the Death Tax, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act is more fair and takes a big step toward rewarding rather than punishing hard work and success.\u201d  - Scott VanderWal, Farmer near Volga and SD Farm Bureau President, who testified before the House Ways & Means Committee on tax reform\r\n\u201c[Rep. Kristi Noem\u2019s] hard work and persistence has made our progress to date possible and is our greatest asset in the serious fight to kill the Death Tax once and for all.\u201d  - Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform\r\n\u201cPrairie Aquatech will benefit from this tax plan by having a lower corporate tax rate and keeping the money locally to pay employees a higher wage.\u00a0 Since we are a research and development company, the R&D tax credits, interest deductions and being able to write off the cost of new equipment will help us get started as a new business\u2026.\u201d  - Dennis Harstad, VP of Operations/GM at Prairie Aqua Tech in Brookings\r\n\"High-quality child care can help more children be prepared to succeed in life. In fact, research shows that it can help to combat the major barriers that keep 71% of young Americans from being qualified to serve in the military. With child care costs on the rise, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is a critical support for working families\u2026.\u201d  - Major General Donald J. Goldhorn, U.S. Army, Retired \u2013 Castlewood, South Dakota\r\n\u201cThe National Indian Health Board is very pleased to see that the draft House tax proposal includes a provision to make the IHS student loan repayment program tax exempt.\u00a0 This common-sense provision will not only create parity with other federal health programs, but will allow IHS to stretch their scarce resources further and provide more incentives for health professionals to work for the Indian health system\u2026 NIHB expresses our sincerest appreciation to Congresswoman Noem for her commitment to getting this included in the House tax legislation.\u201d  - Caitrin McCarron Shuy, National Indian Health Board\u00a0\r\n\u201cI believe that the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act will help small businesses like mine invest in more equipment, develop better processes, and compete better in the global market which will, in turn, result in more opportunities for employment as we grow and invest in our future.\u201d  - Robb Peterson, President at Glacial Lakes Rubber & Plastics LLC in Watertown\u00a0\r\n\u201cTax reform is absolutely necessary to ensure that \u2018family\u2019 remains the cornerstone of our South Dakota farms and ranches now and for generations to come. Congresswoman Noem\u2019s personal family farm experiences coupled with her position and influence on the Ways and Means Committee lend real life experience to the tax issues such as Estate Tax and Like Kind Exchanges that can be life changing for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.\u201d  - Jerry Schmitz, President of the South Dakota Soybean Association\u00a0\r\n\u201cMolded Fiber Glass Companies supports the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill and sees it as a positive step in helping US, and in particular, South Dakota-based businesses, become more competitive with foreign-based businesses.\u00a0 We also see it as having a very positive impact on Middle Class families which make up our workforce.\u201d\u00a0  - David Giovannini, Sr. Vice President at Molded Fiber Glass Companies in Aberdeen\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe simplification of the filing requirements, the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and modification of the estate tax will take out a lot of the pain, shock, anger, and frustration that Americans feel about their taxes.\u201d  - Casey Peterson, Founder and Shareholder at Casey Peterson LTD CPAs and Financial Advisors\u00a0\r\n\u201cDue to the bill\u2019s provisions that will dramatically improve the competitiveness of US-based corporations (including the immediate and permanent 20% tax rate) and encourage US economic growth and investment, 3M supports H.R. 1 and urges its reporting from the Committee during this week\u2019s markup\u2026.\u201d  \u2013 3M with facilities in Brookings and Aberdeen\u00a0\r\n\u201cEvery dollar is critical to the small business owner in South Dakota, especially those who are just starting out.\u00a0 So any progress towards meaningful tax reform for the small business owner is welcome.\u201d  - Jeff Eckhoff, State Director of the South Dakota Small Business Development Center", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4DF29235-10B4-44CC-8B75-01767ABE68A1", "Thune: Tax Reform Will Increase Economic Growth", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed why reforming the tax code is essential for increasing economic growth in the United States. Thune explained that by reforming our business tax code, in particular, we can boost economic growth, which would allow American businesses to thrive. It would also allow individual, hard-working Americans to thrive, reversing years of recent economic stagnation under the Obama administration.\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.\r\nThune\u2019s remarks (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cMr. President, we\u2019re getting close to making tax relief for Americans a reality.\r\n\u201cLast week, the House released its tax reform bill, and this week, we expect the Senate Finance Committee to release our version.\r\n\u201cIn the coming days, the tax committees in both houses will review the bills, and then we\u2019ll debate them on the floor and develop a final version.\r\n\u201cMr. President, after years of economic stagnation, Americans are ready for relief.\r\n\u201cThey\u2019re ready to keep more of their hard-earned money.\r\n\u201cThey\u2019re ready to finally see a real pay increase.\r\n\u201cAnd they\u2019re ready for access to more economic opportunity.\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s what our comprehensive tax reform bill is going to provide.\r\n\u201cTo start with, our bill is going to put more money in Americans\u2019 pockets by lowering their tax rates and doubling the standard deduction.\u00a0\r\n\u201cUnder our bill, a family making $24,000 or less per year won\u2019t be paying any taxes.\r\n\u201cAnd families making more than $24,000 will be paying significantly less than they\u2019re paying today.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also going to help families by substantially increasing the child tax credit.\r\n\u201cAnd we\u2019re going to simplify and streamline the tax code so that it\u2019s easier for Americans to figure out what benefits they qualify for \u2013 and so they don\u2019t have to spend a lot of time and money filing their taxes.\r\n\u201cBut that\u2019s only the beginning.\r\n\u201cAmericans don\u2019t just want to keep more of their hard-earned money \u2013 they also want to be making more of it.\r\n\u201cBut Americans have had a hard time doing that lately.\r\n\u201cWages have been stagnant for years, and new opportunities have been hard to find.\r\n\u201cAnd so in addition to reforming the individual side of the tax code, we\u2019re going to reform the business side, so that we can give Americans access to the kind of jobs, wages, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure future.\r\n\u201cIn order for individual Americans to thrive economically, we need American businesses to thrive.\r\n\u201cThriving businesses create jobs.\r\n\u201cThey provide opportunities.\r\n\u201cAnd they increase wages and invest in their workers.\r\n\u201cRight now, though, our tax code is not helping businesses thrive.\r\n\u201cInstead it\u2019s strangling both large and small businesses with high tax rates.\r\n\u201cSmall businesses are incredibly important for new job creation\r\n\u201cBut the high tax rates too many small businesses currently face can make it difficult for them to even survive, much less thrive and expand their operations.\r\n\u201cSo we\u2019re going to lower taxes for small businesses, so that they can grow and hire new workers.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also going to allow small businesses to recover their capital invested in things like inventory and machinery more quickly, which will free up capital that they can use to expand and create jobs.\u00a0\r\n\u201cRight now, it can take small businesses years or even decades to recover the cost of their investments in equipment and facilities.\r\n\u201cThat can leave them extremely cash-poor in the meantime.\r\n\u201cAnd needless to say, cash-poor businesses have a hard time expanding, hiring new workers, or increasing wages.\r\n\u201cAllowing small businesses to recover their investments more quickly will mean more jobs and opportunities for American workers.\r\n\u201cIn addition to high tax rates on small and large businesses, another thing that\u2019s decreasing jobs and opportunities for American workers is our outdated worldwide tax system, which is discouraging U.S. companies from investing their profits here at home in American jobs and American workers.\r\n\u201cHaving a worldwide tax system means that American companies pay U.S. taxes on the profit they make here at home, as well as on part of the profit they make abroad, once they bring that money back to the United States.\r\n\u201cThe problem with this is that American companies are already paying taxes to foreign governments on the money they make abroad.\r\n\u201cThen when they bring that money home, they can end up having to pay taxes again on part of those profits, and at the highest tax rate in the industrialized world.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that this discourages businesses from bringing their profits back to the United States to invest in their domestic operations, new jobs, and increased wages.\r\n\u201cBetween 1983 and 2003 \u2013 when the U.S. tax rate was much more competitive with those of other countries \u2013 there were 29 corporate inversions where U.S. companies moved abroad.\r\n\u201cBetween 2003 and 2014 \u2013 when other countries were dropping their corporate tax rates and shifting to territorial tax systems \u2013 there were 47 such inversions.\r\n\u201cOur tax plan addresses this drag on our economy by moving from our outdated worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system.\r\n\u201cBy shifting to a territorial tax system here in the United States \u2013 a move supported by members of both parties \u2013 we will eliminate the double taxation that encourages companies to send their investments and their operations overseas.\r\n\u201cCombine that with a reduction in our high corporate tax rate, and we can provide a strong incentive for U.S. companies to invest their profits at home in American jobs and American workers instead of abroad.\r\n\u201cBusiness tax reform is essential to reversing the economic stagnation of recent years.\r\n\u201cThe White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that the tax reform framework Republicans have presented will boost economic growth by between 3 and 5 percent.\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s good news for the economy.\r\n\u201cMore specifically, however, it\u2019s good news for American workers, who can expect to see their incomes rise as a result.\r\n\u201cA study from the White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent would increase average household income by $4,000 annually.\r\n\u201cAnd Boston University professor and public finance expert Larry Kotlikoff found that lowering the corporate tax rate to 20 percent would increase household income by $3,500 per year on average.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis was most recently confirmed by Martin Feldstein, a Harvard professor and former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, who noted in the Wall Street Journal this week that corporate tax reform is likely to boost household income by $3,500 per year.\r\n\u201cMr. President, it\u2019s been a rough few years for the American economy and American workers.\r\n\u201cBut with comprehensive tax reform, the next few years \u2013 and decades \u2013 can look very different.\r\n\u201cRepublicans\u2019 tax reform legislation is going to provide direct relief to hardworking Americans.\r\n\u201cAnd it\u2019s going to create the kind of economy that will give workers access to more jobs, better opportunities, and higher wages for the long term.\r\n\u201cI look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Hatch, to put the final touches on our bill and take it up in the committee next week.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s time to give the American people some relief.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F5684A77-DEBC-48B1-BDF0-14C1ADD1982C", "Noem's Committee Begins Formal Consideration of Tax Reform Bill", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today joined the House Ways & Means Committee as they began formal consideration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, the tax reform proposal \u2013 which Noem played a pivotal role in drafting \u2013 would increase wages by 3.1 percent, add nearly 1 million jobs, and raise the after-tax income of the average middle-income family.\r\nFor the latest information, please visit Noem.House.gov/TaxReform. To watch the proceedings live, please visit WaysAndMeans.House.gov/Live.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s taken decades to get to this point, but it\u2019s essential we get this right,\u201d said Noem. \u201cFor the next week, we\u2019ll be going through the bill line by line, making sure it reflects our priorities of building strong families and a strong future for all Americans. We\u2019re committed to lowering tax rates, expanding pro-family credits, and creating a tax code that respects and rewards hard work. In return, taxpayers will see wages rise and job creation boom. After years of stagnation, it\u2019s critical we act now. I\u2019m eager to finish our committee work on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act so full House consideration can begin.\u201d\r\nNoem was selected for the House Ways and Means Committee in January 2015. Just over a year later, the committee released a blueprint for tax reform that outlined what a pro-growth, pro-family tax plan would look like. Over the course of the next year, Rep. Noem sat down with hundreds of South Dakotans to discuss the plan \u2013 both in the state and in her Washington, D.C. office. Noem also participated in more than a dozen formal Ways and Means Committee hearings on tax reform and brought South Dakota farmer Scott VanderWal to the table to testify on tax reform\u2019s impact on agriculture.\r\nAll in all, the House Ways and Means Committee has been working on this proposal for more than six years, holding more than 40 public hearings since 2011.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=202E1440-9850-424E-A521-AF6466C97FC9", "ICYMI: Thune Discusses South Dakota History, Economy, and Politics on C-SPAN", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was recently featured on C-SPAN\u2019s \u201cAmerican History TV\u201d where he discussed South Dakota\u2019s history, politics, and economy. As part of its 2017 Cities Tour, C-SPAN stopped in Sioux Falls, among other South Dakota communities, to feature the history and literary life of the community.\r\n\u201cThe center of the country is near and dear to the pulse of the country, and the people out here are as good as they come,\u201d said Thune to CSPAN. \u201cWe have a work ethic second to none. We try and create an environment that is welcoming and warm \u2013 people are friendly. I am always looking for opportunities to promote South Dakota and make it a place people want to do business. We have a lot to sell, and sometimes that story does not get told.\u201d\r\nhttps://www.c-span.org/video/?436745-1/senator-john-thune-interview", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=5D427724-58F0-47EA-9FB8-221705BC5135", "S.D. delegates tout GOP tax bill, promise savings for middle class", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Argus \r\n\tSouth Dakota's Congressional delegates trumpeted the release of a $1.51 trillion GOP tax reform plan Thursday, saying it would save most South Dakotans thousands of dollars each year while also boosting business in the state and across the country.\r\nIn statements to and calls with reporters, Rep. Kristi Noem and Sens. John Thune and Mike Rounds celebrated the proposal, which would cut taxes for corporations and lower tax burdens for low- and middle-class Americans.\r\n\u201cI\u2019m proud that this bill lowers rates for everyone,\" Noem said. \"We've focused on the low- and middle-income folks that are in South Dakota and across our country.\"\r\nThe bill comes with a $1.51 trillion price tag over the next decade, which Republicans said would be reduced as taxpayers and corporations reinvest their savings in purchases or business expansions, boosting the economy.\u00a0\r\nDemocrats and a handful of skeptical Republicans voiced concerns about the proposal's tax cuts for businesses and wealthy Americans, arguing that it wouldn't do enough to help low- and middle-income people.\r\n\r\n\"This bill stresses more tax cuts for corporations and wealthy people than for the middle class,\" said Sam Parkinson, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party. \"We think Republicans in Congress should be working with every member to find solutions.\"\r\nHouse Republicans said they felt confident the measure would pass in that chamber later this month. The Senate plans to draft its own tax reform bill which would be combined with the House proposal in a conference committee.\r\n\"We have taken the first step with the introduction of this bill in promising that we are going to fix this,\" Rounds said. \"I\u2019m very happy that they\u2019ve gotten this far on it.\"\r\nSome of the changes proposed in the Republican plan:\r\n- A consolidation of tax brackets from seven to three, with individual rates of 12, 25 and 35 percent. Earners in the highest bracket wouldn't pay more than 39.6 percent on their earnings\r\n\r\n- Child\u00a0tax credits would grow to $1,600 from $1,000. Additional $300 credits would be applicable for each parent, older family member or nonchild dependent\r\n- Mortgage interest deductions will remain, but future purchases will be capped at $500,000\r\n- The estate tax, imposed on estates worth more than $5 million, would be phased out over six years\r\n- Corporate tax rates would from 35 percent to 20 percent and new companies would be able to write off new investments immediately\r\n- Small business owners would see their tax rates drop to 25 percent", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D513FC14-F9A2-4BA7-892E-94B2CB7C8B59", "Tax Reform: Strong Families. A Strong Future.", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Rep. Kristi Noem \r\n\tI met a woman a while back in the grocery store. She had a cart full of groceries and a handful of coupons. As we waited in line, she asked: \u201cKristi, when is it going to get better?\u201d The cost of those groceries, of healthcare, of childcare \u2013 all were going up. But she hadn\u2019t gotten a raise in years.\r\nI\u2019ve been thinking about that young woman a lot lately. She, like so many South Dakota families, faces that financial pinch every day. When will it get better? Earlier this month, we released a once-in-a-generation tax reform package that I\u2019m optimistic will begin to answer that question.\r\nThe bill \u2013 appropriately named the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \u2013 is designed to strengthen families and offer a more optimistic future for all Americans. More specifically, we significantly lower individual tax rates and nearly double the standard deduction. We also simplify the tax code so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard. Think of the stress that would save come tax time!\r\nWe also provide unprecedented support for families, increasing the Child Tax Credit to $1,600 per child, eliminating the marriage penalty, preserving the Child Care Credit, and creating a new Family Flexibility Credit.\r\nThe Death Tax is fully and completely repealed by 2024, and we double the exemption between now and then. Farmers and ranchers, along with other businesses, will be able to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for agriculture. No changes are made to popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k) or IRA. And we open the door for employers to create more jobs and raise wages by offering a historically low small business tax rate and lowering the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 20 percent.\r\nI know I just threw a lot of numbers at you, so let me explain what it would mean for a typical family. Imagine this: Phil and Kate have two children in middle school. She works at the bank in town; he works for an area farmer. Together, they make $59,000 a year. As a result of the lower tax rates, a significantly larger standard deduction, an enhanced Child Tax Credit and the new Family Flexibility Credit, Phil and Kate would see their total tax bill drop from $1,582 to $400. That\u2019s more money they can use for whatever is important to them, whether it\u2019s paying bills, buying a new fridge, or putting away savings for the future.\r\nLet\u2019s look at another example. Meet Beth. Two years ago, she opened Beth\u2019s Pizza Place. This year, she expects to earn around $62,000 in net income. Under today\u2019s tax code, Beth would pay a little over $8,600 in taxes, but under our plan, her tax bill would fall by more than $3,000, freeing up money to install a new oven or give her employees a little raise.\r\nWhile nothing will be perfect in everyone\u2019s eyes, I\u2019m optimistic about the impact this package could make in the lives of South Dakotans, including that woman I met in the grocery store. It\u2019s taken years to get to his point, but it\u2019s essential we get this right. For kids about to graduate from college, this could be the tax code they live by for much of their adult lives.\r\nAs the first South Dakotan in history to serve on the committee that\u2019s responsible for tax reform, I\u2019m deeply honored to give our state a seat at this table. I was talking with President Trump just after we introduced the bill. His optimism about our plan and commitment to getting it done was beyond encouraging.\r\nThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be debated in my committee for a few more weeks before the full House votes on it. If you\u2019d like to follow along or share your thoughts on it, please visit Noem.House.gov/TaxReform", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=33C3F187-5B37-4324-8837-691C55AEA8B1", "For Self-Driving Vehicle Technology, the Future is Now", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tAs chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I\u2019m fortunate to be involved in a wide range of issues that affect nearly every American in one way or another. My committee has jurisdiction over matters relating to weather forecasting, science, technology, interstate commerce, highway safety, and our nation\u2019s transportation system as a whole. We cover all things planes, trains, and automobiles \u2013 and since we also oversee the U.S. Coast Guard and NASA, I guess you could add boats and spacecraft to that list, too.\r\nThis unique intersection of topics, which is unlike most other committees in the Senate, gives me the opportunity to pursue ideas with an eye toward futuristic realities that are within reach. For example, the Senate has already passed my Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act, which would lay important and necessary groundwork to help the United States \u2013 South Dakota in particular, I hope \u2013 lead the world into the 5G mobile broadband era.\r\nMOBILE NOW is bipartisan, supported by key industry leaders, and would benefit consumers and businesses alike. Getting this bill through the House and across the finish line would mark an important step toward cementing our role in the future of this cutting-edge technology.\r\nThis fall, after spending months working with Republicans and Democrats on my committee, I introduced another bipartisan, forward-looking proposal with Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). The American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act would create a new safety review process at the U.S. Department of Transportation, enhance safety oversight, and clarify the roles for federal, state, and local regulators with respect to self-driving or automated vehicle (AV) technology.\r\nRight now, the federal government is responsible for regulating vehicle performance, while states and local governments regulate drivers and related issues like insurance, speed limits, and most other traffic ordinances. There are varying degrees of AV technology, and in some cases, no human operator is required. This new technological environment blurs the line between federal, state, and local regulatory responsibilities. My bill provides greater clarity for governments and innovators to hopefully prevent unnecessary burdens from standing in the way of progress on AV technology.\r\nRoadways around the country claim more than 35,000 lives every year. More than 90 percent of those fatalities are due to human error like distracted driving or driving under the influence. Safety must always be a priority, and many American-made vehicles on the road today are already equipped with new technology that makes driving easier and safer: self-parking functionality, automatic braking, and lane departure warnings, just to name a few. From a purely safety perspective, if AV technology can save lives by making vehicles safer, why wouldn\u2019t we pursue it?\r\nFor self-driving vehicle technology, the future is now. If the United States doesn\u2019t lead this effort, other countries around the world will. While the AV START Act is Congress\u2019 first effort to harness the safety, quality of life, and economic benefits of this kind of technology, it certainly won\u2019t be the last. There\u2019s a long road ahead of us, but it\u2019s one worth traveling.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=75CFCD4D-DBAD-420C-89A8-1513E918CB13", "Noem, House Republicans unveil tax reform package", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "KELO-AM \r\n\tU.S. Representative Kristi Noem says a chance meeting with a woman in a South Dakota grocery store stuck with her as she worked on the House tax reform package announced Thursday.\r\nThe woman complained about having trouble making ends meet.\r\n\"She was in the forefront of my mind as we worked on the details of this package - the lower rates for everybody, the simplicity, the mortgage interest rate deduction, the family tax credit..\"\r\nAs member of the House Ways and Means Committee that put the proposed package together, Noem played a prominent part in the big announcement on Capitol Hill.\u00a0\r\nThe tax reform plan also includes the eventual death of the estate tax and Noem got personal again, sharing the oft-repeated story about what happened when her farmer father suddenly died when she was just a teenager.\r\n\"I could not believe that the federal government would come to a family that had already paid taxes on all that income and say that because you had a tragedy, now you have to pay again.\"\r\nThis biggest reform package in decades - $1.5 Trillion - is supposed to lower most individual and business tax rates and make doing your taxes so simple that you could use a form the size of a post card. House Speaker Paul Ryan held up a post card for emphasis, during Thursday's announcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=CC08E147-F8C6-4B90-B652-1DAD3FD1D5F9", "SD Republicans show support for tax reform", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In her initial statement, Noem attempted to isolate the ways she believes this plan would benefit everyday South Dakotans. Noem spoke of a woman she met in a grocery story who asked, \u201cWhen is it going to get better?\u201d Noem said the coupon-wielding shopper spoke of the economic peril she\u2019s faced, and the congresswoman said the woman\u2019s concerns have remained in her mind since.\r\nIt\u2019s this tax reform plan Noem said would benefit folks like the mother she met in Watertown.\r\n\u201cQuite honestly, we need to make our tax code better for families like hers,\u201d Noem said.\r\nThe tax reform package would also phase in the repeal of the estate tax, aiming for a full repeal in 2024, and preserve the 401(k) savings option. And as Republicans have promised throughout tax reform talks, the plan would simplify the tax code so a person could file their taxes on a form as small as a postcard.\r\nBut the plan isn\u2019t loved by all South Dakotans.\r\nThe corporate tax rate would drop drastically under the plan, from 35 percent to 20 percent, a benefit to the wealthy that didn\u2019t jive with the priorities of the South Dakota Democratic Party.\r\nSDDP Executive Director Sam Parkinson called the House Republican bill a \u201cmassive tax cut\u201d for the wealthy and big corporations, and said it would end up \u201cblowing a big hole in the deficit.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe urge Rep. Kristi Noem and Senators Thune and Rounds to vote against this awful plan, and work with Democrats to develop a tax plan that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and large corporations.\u201d\r\nOn Thursday, South Dakota\u2019s longest-tenured congressional delegate also offered input on the House Ways and Means Committee\u2019s reform framework.\r\n\r\nU.S. Sen. John Thune, a Republican like Noem, sees the reform effort as a means to \u201cfix\u201d a tax code that hasn\u2019t been altered for decades.\r\n\r\n\u201cThrough comprehensive tax reform, we will be able to provide Americans with more jobs, fairer taxes and bigger paychecks,\u201d Thune said in a written statement released Thursday. \u201c... I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues in the House to deliver a final pro-growth tax reform package to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.\u201d\r\nAnd for U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, it\u2019s about time to overhaul the tax code. By cutting the corporate tax rate, Rounds said, average household income could rise $4,000 per year. If the bill makes it through the House, Rounds said the plan is a good starting point for a Senate response to the proposed legislation.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re really happy to the fact that they\u2019re basically real close to being on time with it, and that allows us the opportunity to actually review it, make recommendations and come up with our modifications, and hopefully make it better than it is already,\u201d Rounds said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=E22491A0-9300-4428-A726-C1B82B7AE660", "House Rep. Kristi Noem joins tax reform", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Black Hills FOX \r\n\tNoem says she hopes to reinforce the mortgage interest rate deduction, the childcare tax credit, the family tax credit, keeping those things going and expand upon them. She says she also intends to create more jobs and higher paying jobs.\r\n\r\nKristi Noem says, \"I'm also thrilled that this bill repeals the death tax because it is an unfair tax, it's a double tax and it's Un-American. We also make sure we keep important provisions for agriculture in South Dakota small businesses like interest deduction. We give them an expensing tool and we lower the small business rate down to 25%\"\r\n\r\nWith passage in the House, the legislation will next be debated in the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=FB71B017-DB08-492F-B2C4-00AFDE32F1CA", "South Dakota is leading the charge against the Death Tax", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Dick Patten, Published in the Capital Journal \r\n\t\r\nThe next few weeks will be a pivotal time in the debate regarding tax reform, and especially the future of the 101- year- old Death Tax. The Mount Rushmore state has been a leader on this issue since 2001. That year, South Dakota voters repealed the state\u2019s Death Tax by an overwhelming 80% of the vote. Not coincidently, the Estate Tax later proved to be a driving force in the election of Senator John Thune, when it was a cornerstone of his campaign in his 2004 victory over incumbent Senator Tom Daschle.\r\n\r\n\r\nSouth Dakota continues to lead the nation\u2019s effort to repeal this tax, championed in the House by Congresswoman Kristi Noem (HR 631) and in the U.S. Senate by Mr. Thune (S 205). Their effort may finally be on the precipice of a major win for family farms, businesses, and their employees. The win \u2013 the repeal of this destructive tax \u2013 would represent a major leap forward in the economic prospects for both South Dakota and the nation.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAccording to the American Business Defense Council, 79% of South Dakotans agree that Death Tax repeal will save hundreds of farms and small business in South Dakota alone. Seventy-six percent of South Dakotans want the Death Tax completely repealed, while only 18% oppose its\u2019 repeal. Seventy-Five percent are also concerned that the life insurance industry is spending millions in lobbying to keep the estate tax.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom a national standpoint, America\u2019s estate tax is the fourth-highest in the world. Russia, China, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and Norway are among the many nations which have repealed their Death Taxes. Congress\u2019 Joint Economic Committee found that the death tax has destroyed roughly $1.1 trillion in capital stock in the economy. Lost capital means fewer trucks, smaller tractors, fewer combines, and less agricultural technology. It also means fewer jobs and lower wages.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nShould repeal occur, it will be largely because of South Dakota\u2019s Congressional leadership at the forefront of this issue, as they fight for the state and national economy. This opportunity to repeal the death tax is critical for our farms and businesses that continue to provide for our families, South Dakota and the United States of America.\r\n\r\n\r\nDuring the Thune vs. Daschle Senate race, Vernell Johnson, South Dakota\u2019s famed auctioneer and author said, \u201cI\u2019ve sold too many of South Dakota\u2019s farms in the last four decades because a family member died. It\u2019s time to get rid of the Death Tax once and for all.\u201d I think that says it all.\r\n\r\n\r\nDick Patten is the President of the American Business Defense Council and a noted business leader and speaker.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=CB6E8BF4-527D-46FB-B128-C526EE73E1B9", "Noem: Tax Reform Means Stronger Families and a Stronger Future", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today announced the release of a once-in-a-generation tax reform package which aims to strengthen families and offer a stronger future for all Americans. The legislation was drafted by the House Ways and Means Committee, on which Rep. Noem is the first South Dakotan in history to serve. For the latest information, please visit Noem.House.gov/TaxReform\r\n\u201cPeople deserve a break,\u201d said Noem. \u201cFor years, we\u2019ve watched as energy, food, healthcare and child care costs increased, but people\u2019s paychecks remained largely unchanged. Small businesses have had a hard time expanding in that type of environment, and families have struggled to achieve the degree of financial independence they\u2019re aiming for. In order for America to move beyond this, we need a tax code designed to strengthen our families and offer a more optimistic future. While no proposal will be perfect in everyone\u2019s eyes, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would make the tax code much more simple and fair, delivering family-friendly credits, lower tax rates, small business incentives, and, ultimately, a full and permanent repeal of the Death Tax. It\u2019s taken years to get to this point, but I\u2019m encouraged by the progress and look forward to continuing this debate in upcoming committee meetings.\u201d\r\nThe tax reform package released today would:\r\n \r\nSubstantially simplify the tax code so an individual or family can file their taxes on a form as simple as a postcard.\r\nSignificantly lower individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to Zero, 12%, 25% and 35%. High-income Americans will maintain the 39.6% rate.\r\n\r\n0%: Married couples making less than $24,000 / Single filers making less than $12,000 (the increased standard deduction protects these families from taxation)\r\n12%: Married couples making $24,000-$90,000 / Single filers making $12,000-$45,000\r\n25%: Married couples making $90,000-$260,000 / Single filers making $45,000-$200,000\r\n35%: Married couples making $260,000-$1,000,000 / Single filers making $200,000-$500,000\r\n39.6%: Married couples making more than $1,000,000 / Single filers making more than $500,000\r\n\r\nNearly double the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for single filers.\r\nProvide unprecedented support for families.\r\n\r\nIncreases the Child Tax Credit to $1,600 per child (60% larger than under current policy).\r\nEliminates the \u201cmarriage penalty.\u201d\r\nCreates a new Family Flexibility Credit, which provides a credit of $300 for each parent and non-child dependent.\r\nPreserves the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (also known as the Child Care Credit) to better support working parents.\r\n\r\nPhase in full and permanent Death Tax Repeal by doubling the Death Tax exemption levels for the first six years and then fully repealing the Death Tax by 2024.\r\nPreserve and strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit with provisions to stop widely reported fraud.\r\nPreserve the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction for existing mortgages and maintains the home mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes up to $500,000.\r\nRetain popular retirement savings options, such as the 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts.\r\nStreamline higher-education benefits.\r\nContinue the deduction for charitable contributions.\r\nExclude the Indian Health Service\u2019s Student Loan Repayment program from tax to help in recruiting. It\u2019s based on Noem\u2019s 2016 legislation. \r\nAllow businesses to immediately write off the full cost of new equipment, which is critical for South Dakota\u2019s agriculture community. \r\nCreate a separate and historically low small business tax rate.\r\nLower the corporate tax rate to a globally competitive 20%.\r\n \r\nNoem was selected for the House Ways and Means Committee in January 2015. Just over a year later, the committee released a blueprint for tax reform that outlined what a pro-growth, pro-family tax plan would look like. Over the course of the next year, Rep. Noem sat down with hundreds of South Dakotans to discuss the plan \u2013 both in the state and in her Washington, D.C. office. Noem also participated in more than a dozen formal Ways and Means Committee hearings on tax reform and brought South Dakota farmer Scott VanderWal to the table to testify on tax reform\u2019s impact on agriculture.\r\nAll in all, the House Ways and Means Committee has been working on this proposal for more than six years, holding more than 40 public hearings since 2011.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0FE95DC9-27A2-4D85-B93D-7EEA33C6094F", "Thune Applauds House Proposal on Tax Reform", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement today regarding the House Ways and Means Committee\u2019s release of a comprehensive tax reform bill based on the unified framework:\r\n\u201cFor the first time in decades, we have an opportunity to fix our broken tax code and provide better economic opportunity for middle-income Americans. Through comprehensive tax reform, we will be able to provide Americans with more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks. I commend House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady and the members of his committee for their work on a bill that provides much-needed relief for American families. I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues in the House to deliver a final pro-growth tax reform package to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=50F1BE3B-6C38-4D1D-BF6E-844449C3A451", "Thune, Senate Health IT Working Group Members Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Meaningful Use Program", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today reintroduced the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Regulatory Relief Act (S. 2059), legislation that would provide regulatory flexibility and hardship relief to address compliance burdens faced by EHR users. Similar legislation was introduced in the 114th Congress.\r\n\u201cHealth information technology, especially the advancements in electronic health records, is an integral part of the future of America\u2019s health care delivery system,\u201d said Thune. \u201cOur bill ensures that unnecessary regulatory burdens do not continue to negatively affect providers\u2019 ability to leverage technology to improve patient care. With such strong and continued support for this legislation, I\u2019m hopeful it will lead to swift and meaningful action in the Senate.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe American Medical Association says that for every hour doctors spend with patients, they spend two hours on electronic health records and desk work,\u201d said Alexander. \u201cThis legislation will help reduce the regulatory burden doctors and hospitals have faced under the Meaningful Use program so they can instead focus on treating patients. I encourage the Senate to pass this bill to take a step towards getting our electronic health records system out of the ditch.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe use of electronic health records in our health care system has the potential to revolutionize patient care,\u201d said Enzi. \u201cBut if we want electronic health records to work for providers and patients, we have to provide relief from unrealistic and burdensome requirements and build flexibility within the program.\u00a0This bill will let hospitals and physicians maximize their use of electronic health records and allow our health information technology systems to move in to the future with a focus on the needs of patients.\u201d\r\n\u201cHealth information technology holds the promise of improving patient care and better utilizing taxpayer funds,\u201d said Roberts. \u201cHowever, the meaningful use program has made health information technology nearly unworkable for our doctors and hospitals. This legislation provides much needed regulatory relief to the program so our health care professionals can spend more time focusing on what they do best \u2013 caring for patients.\u201d\r\n\u201cElectronic health records have the potential to greatly improve care and these common-sense policies can help achieve that goal,\u201d said Burr. \u201cI am pleased to be working with my colleagues to provide greater flexibility to hospitals and doctors to support their efforts to provide quality care to all North Carolinians.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cAs doctors, we best spend our time looking into a patient\u2019s eyes to make sure that she knows even though she has cancer, she has hope \u2014 not clicking on a computer screen to document something unimportant to her, but required by someone far removed from the exam room,\u201d said Cassidy.\r\nThe senators\u2019 legislation would shorten the reporting period for eligible physicians and hospitals from 365 days to 90 days, relax the all-or-nothing nature of the current program requirements, and extend the ability to apply for a hardship exception from the meaningful use requirements.\u00a0Additionally, as implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System continues, the legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to consider forthcoming recommendations from the Government Accountability Office with respect to ensuring flexibility in assessing physician performance.\r\nClick here for a summary document of S. 2059, here for legislative text, and here for information on past work by the Senate\u2019s health IT working group, Re-Examining the Strategies Needed to Successfully Adopt Health IT, of which Thune, Alexander, Enzi, Roberts, and Burr are original members.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=88426039-DB44-4DF4-8F18-558C8C852B94", "Thune, Bennet, Gardner Introduce Bill to Protect Utility Infrastructure from Wildfire Damage", "2017-11-02", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and John Thune (R-SD) today introduced legislation to authorize a pilot program that would encourage vegetation management on U.S. Forest Service land to protect utility infrastructure from passing wildfires.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cWildfires this season have caused significant damage to utility infrastructure across the West,\u201d Bennet said. \u201cThis pilot program would create an opportunity for the Forest Service to partner with utility operators to protect infrastructure in our rural communities. We applaud House passage of the bill and encourage its speedy passage in the Senate to ensure our communities\u2019 power supplies are out of harm\u2019s way.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis bipartisan, commonsense bill will strengthen grid resiliency and protect our energy infrastructure by increasing vegetation management near energy utilities in our National Forests,\u201d Gardner said. \u201cReducing forest fires in Colorado and protecting our grid are two major priorities and Senator Bennet and I will work together across party lines to accomplish these goals.\u201d\r\n\u201cWildfires cause catastrophic damage to homes, property, and infrastructure, including electric transmission lines and facilities,\u201d Thune said. \u201cIn drafting farm bills and other legislation, I\u2019ve taken an active role in efforts to improve forest management practices that would reduce risk of forest fires. This bill offers a voluntary pilot program for proactive vegetation management near utility infrastructures, which could potentially offer protection of transmission lines and equipment when in the path of wildfires.\u201d\r\nThe deteriorating health of forests across the Western United States has resulted in an increased fire threat to utility infrastructure on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land. The National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017 would create a voluntary pilot program that allows the USFS to partner with utility operators to conduct limited and selective vegetation management on a proactive basis. The program participants would be responsible for the cost of the projects, which could include thinning, fuel reduction, and creation and treatment of fuel breaks. The projects would be at the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture in a manner that creates the least disturbance necessary for protection.\r\nCompanion legislation (H.R. 2921), led by Congressmen Kevin Cramer (R-ND-At-large) and Jared Polis (D-CO-2), passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week.\r\nThe text of the bill is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EFBADA97-6DD3-4523-97AF-D431DCD8D587", "Noem: Black Hills to Benefit from New House-Passed Forestry Provisions", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today joined the House in passing H.R.2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act, which pairs a responsible budget fix with targeted forest management reforms to dramatically improve the health and resiliency of the nation\u2019s forests.\r\n\u201cThe years-long pine beetle epidemic has turned much of the Black Hills into a tinder box,\u201d said Noem. \u201cWe are fortunate to have so many dedicated foresters working in this area, and I\u2019m proud to have scored some critical victories in support of their efforts over the years. The Resilient Federal Forests Act would put additional tools at their disposal. With the House\u2019s stamp of approval, I strongly urge the Senate to take the legislation up quickly and allow these critical resources to be deployed.\u201d\r\n\u201cHill City School District is extremely grateful to see an extension of Secure Rural Schools through passage of the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017,\u201d said Mike Hanson, Hill City Superintendent. \u201cOur school district receives no state aid and is heavily impacted through federally owned acres. The loss of Secure Rural School dollars requires the district to increase the use of reserve funds in our operational budget as well as look at cost reductions that may have a negative impact on student learning. This extension of Secure Rural Schools allows our district to continue providing the best educational opportunities for our federally connected students! We wish to thank all members of the House who voted for this Act and especially South Dakota Representative Kristi Noem! Your leadership and dedication makes a powerful impact on our nation\u2019s public schools!\u201d\r\n\u201cThis is a great news for many schools in the Black Hills,\u201d said Mark Naugle, Custer Superintendent.\u00a0\u201cThis legislation will help to make up for the decrease in revenue from local timber harvesting. \u00a0It will also help to offset the impact of Federal ownership of property in local school districts. \u00a0Custer School District would like to thank Representative Noem, and Senators Thune and Rounds, for supporting provisions which help our school districts.\u201d\r\nThe bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act would, among other things:\r\n \r\nPermanently solve the wildfire \u201cborrowing problem. Without authorizing new spending, the bill provides a fiscally responsible solution to end fire \u201cborrowing\u201d (the practice of transferring funds from forest management to firefighting, which increases the risk of wildfires). It does so by allowing FEMA to transfer funds to the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.\r\nEliminate paperwork. The legislation would reduce duplicative paperwork for forest management projects by allowing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) exclusions, as long as the project is consistent with existing forest plans.\r\nAddress obstructionist litigation. To promote the quick resolution of litigation against forest management projects, the bill would create a new arbitration pilot program that would require litigants opposing a forest management activity to come to the table with an alternative proposal rather than just saying \u201cno.\u201d\r\nBolster tribal participation in forest health projects. Under the bill, we would expand authorities for tribes to manage adjacent national forests to reduce the risk of wildfire, insects and disease.\r\nSupport local governments and modernize the Secure Rural Schools & Community Self-Determination Act. With an updated Secure Rural Schools provision, schools in counties like Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade and Pennington would have greater flexibility in how they choose to use these critical funds.\r\n \r\nWith passage in the House, the legislation will next be debated in the U.S. Senate.\r\nNoem has long been an advocate for provisions to increase the health of South Dakota\u2019s forests as well as a champion of modernizing the Secure Rural Schools provisions. In November 2013, Noem brought U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to view the pine beetle epidemic\u2019s damage first hand. Months later, policies Noem helped write were included in the Farm Bill and became law. This included provisions to cut through environmental red tape, get boots on the ground faster, and allow the Forest Service to work on the scale this epidemic required. Around 1 million acres of the Black Hills National Forest benefited from the reforms. In May 2017, Noem welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to the state as well to visit the Black Hills National Forest, among other locations, and discuss outstanding needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-urges-un-ambassador-to-address-north-korea-cyberattacks-", "Rounds Urges UN Ambassador to Address North Korea Cyberattacks", "2017-11-01", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.01.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Urges UN Ambassador to Address North Korea Cyberattacks  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, today joined his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley, urging her to work with members of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution to more aggressively deter and punish North Korea's cyberattacks. While the UN has repeatedly condemned North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the country's regime continues to reap substantial revenue from cyberattacks around the world.This letter comes ahead of President Trump's visit to Asia later this week.\r\n\r\nRecent estimates indicate that North Korea's cyberattacks provide the North Korean government with as much as $1 billion per year  a staggering figure equivalent to one-third of the country's exports, wrote the Senators. North Korea's ransomware attacks and cyber-attacks on banks around the world are producing funding streams that we must cut off immediately. Tough rhetoric must be backed up by practical measures that make it clear to North Korea that their behavior cannot continuewe must do more to confront those countries who enable North Korea and incentivize them to crack down on North Korean hackers and prevent access to their networks.\r\n\r\nIn addition to Rounds, the letter was signed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter: \r\n\r\nDear Ambassador Haley:\r\n\r\nWe write to urge you to continue expanding efforts to hold North Korea accountable with the international community through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). As a permanent member of the UNSC, the United States plays a leading role in developing and passing increasingly stronger resolutions to restrict North Korea's exports in an effort to exact international economic pressure on this rogue regime for its nuclear ambitions. While these resolutions continue to make it more difficult for North Korea to fund its nuclear program, we must also consider lucrative funding streams beyond its exports, including revenue it reaps from cyberattacks. Of the eight UNSC resolutions related to North Korea passed since 2006, none have specifically addressed its use of cyberattacks that wreak international havoc. As such, we urge you to work with members of the UNSC to pass a resolution to more aggressively deter and punish North Korea's cyberattacks in order to cut off this illicit funding stream.\r\n\r\nRecent estimates indicate that North Korea's cyberattacks provide the North Korean government with as much as $1 billion per year  a staggering figure equivalent to one-third of the country's exports. North Korea's ransomware attacks and cyberattacks on banks around the world are producing funding streams that we must cut off immediately. Tough rhetoric must be backed up by practical measures that make it clear to North Korea that their behavior cannot continue. North Korean hackers often operate from abroad, notably in China as they rely on its internet structure. As such, we must do more to confront those countries who enable North Korea and incentivize them to crack down on North Korean hackers and prevent access to their networks.\r\n\r\nAs the targets of these attacks and the impacts of these heists reverberate around the world, the international community must work together to combat them. For instance, last year the Lazarus Group, a North Korean-linked cybercrime ring, stole $81 million from a Bangladesh Central Bank account at the New York Federal Reserve, which would have been $1 billion except for a spelling error. They have been tied to the WannaCry attack earlier this year that impacted over 200,000 victims in 150 countries, as well as the Sony attack in 2014. Last month they were also linked to a $60 million theft from a Taiwanese bank. Without stronger condemnation and efforts to limit North Korea's cyber abilities, these attacks will continue unabated.\r\n\r\nAs a world leader, the United States must do everything in its power to choke off any flow of funding to North Korea to prevent it from advancing its nuclear weapons program. As the international community has begun to unite its position on this issue, we urge you to use this opportunity to identify and address cyber concerns in an effort to more aggressively pursue North Korea's finances. We look forward to working with you on this important national security issue.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-epa-advisory-committee-directive", "Rounds Statement on EPA Advisory Committee Directive", "2017-10-31", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Mike Rounds", "R000605", "www.rounds.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.31.17\n\t\t\t Rounds Statement on EPA Advisory Committee Directive \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, today joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt in announcing a directive to improve the independence, transparency and diversity on EPA federal advisory committees.\r\nSound, reliable science is vital to helping the EPA make important policy decisions that impact the health of American families and their livelihoods, said Rounds. The work conducted by scientists at the EPA should be able to stand the test of time, not be subject to partisan politics. Today's directive is a significant step toward making certain EPA scientific advisory committees are comprised of independent and diverse individuals who can provide EPA with a variety of perspectives on the best way to accomplish its mission. It was an honor to attend today's announcement and I thank Administrator Pruitt for his continued commitment to restoring order at the EPA.\r\nPruitt's directive will strengthen advisory committee member independence, increase state and local government participation, and enhance geographic diversity. Key advisory committees at the EPA include the Science Advisory Board, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the Board of Scientific Counselors.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8ECA3B8D-2631-4FC0-B8FE-BD57689E59B6", "Thune Talks Transportation, Cyber, and Border Security Challenges with Department of Homeland Security Nominee Kirstjen Nielsen", "2017-10-31", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement after meeting this afternoon with President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen:\r\n\u201cOnce confirmed, Kirstjen Nielsen will provide leadership and direction on critical transportation, cyber, and border security initiatives where the department frankly needs to improve performance. As the chairman of a committee with jurisdiction covering key areas and agencies within the department, this afternoon we discussed legislative reforms underway in Congress to aid the department\u2019s important mission as well as the need for department employees to remain vigilant. I look forward to working with her and know her experience working on cybersecurity, at TSA, and at the White House will be invaluable to our nation\u2019s security.\u201d\r\nThe Commerce Committee exercises legislative jurisdiction over the United States Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which are components of the Department of Homeland Security.\u00a0The committee also exercises jurisdiction over efforts to set standards for cybersecurity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C533C464-FDDE-45BF-B798-89F268066155", "Thune: New International Tax System Would Help American Small Businesses", "2017-10-31", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed several of the GOP\u2019s tax reform objectives, including reforming our outdated international tax code. By transitioning from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system where businesses are taxed within the territory they operate, wages will increase and there will be more jobs and opportunities for American workers who are employed by global companies. Small and medium-sized businesses throughout our country that make up the supply chain for America\u2019s global companies would also benefit from a territorial tax system.\r\nTo learn more about Thune\u2019s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.\r\nThune\u2019s remarks (as prepared for delivery):\r\n\u201cMr. President, the House and Senate are moving forward on a final draft of our tax reform bill, and I\u2019m excited about the progress we\u2019re making.\r\n\u201cWe've got one goal in mind with tax reform, Mr. President \u2013 providing real relief to ordinary Americans.\r\n\u201cTo the parents questioning whether they can afford the car they need to fit their growing family.\r\n\u201cTo the single mom wondering how she\u2019s going to pay the bills this month.\r\n\u201cTo the middle-aged couple worrying about a secure retirement.\r\n\u201cEverything in our tax reform framework is centered on providing relief to these Americans.\r\n\u201cTo start with, we\u2019re going to provide them with a substantial amount of direct relief by lowering their tax rates and doubling the standard deduction, so that they\u2019re keeping more of their paycheck every month.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also going to significantly expand the child tax credit.\r\n\u201cAnd we\u2019re going to simplify and streamline the tax code so that it\u2019s easier for Americans to figure out what benefits they qualify for, and so they don\u2019t have to spend a lot of time and money filing their taxes.\r\n\u201cAll of these reforms mean more money in Americans\u2019 pockets.\r\n\u201cBut we\u2019re not stopping there.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also going to focus on reforming the business side of the tax code, so that we can give Americans access to the kind of jobs, wages, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure future.\r\n\u201cIn order for individual Americans to thrive economically, we need American businesses to thrive.\r\n\u201cThriving businesses create jobs.\r\n\u201cThey provide opportunities.\r\n\u201cThey increase wages and invest in their workers.\r\n\u201cAnd they invest in new equipment, facilities, and product lines to innovate and expand their businesses.\r\n\u201cRight now, though, our tax code is not helping businesses thrive.\r\n\u201cInstead it\u2019s strangling both large and small businesses with high tax rates.\r\n\u201cOur nation has the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world \u2013 at least 10 percentage points higher than the majority of our international competitors.\r\n\u201cAnd that\u2019s a problem for American workers, because high tax rates leave businesses with less money to invest in their workers, increase wages, or create new jobs.\r\n\u201cAnd this situation is compounded when you\u2019re an American business with international competitors that are paying a lot less in taxes than you are.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that U.S. businesses struggling to stay competitive in the global economy don\u2019t have a lot of resources to devote to creating new jobs and increasing wages.\r\n\u201cA study from the White House Council of Economic Advisers estimates that reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent would increase average household income by $4,000 annually.\r\n\u201cA second study shows a similar pay increase.\r\n\u201cBoston University professor and public finance expert Larry Kotlikoff found that lowering the corporate tax rate to 20 percent would increase household income by $3,500 per year on average.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s a significant pay raise for hardworking Americans.\r\n\u201cIn addition to lowering the corporate tax rate, there\u2019s another important thing we can do to increase the availability of jobs here at home.\r\n\u201cAnd that\u2019s reforming our outdated worldwide tax system.\r\n\u201cUnder our worldwide tax system, American companies pay U.S. taxes on the profit they make here at home, as well as on part of the profit they make abroad, once they bring that money home to the United States.\r\n\u201cThe problem with this is that most other major world economies have shifted from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system.\r\n\u201cIn a territorial tax system, you pay taxes on the money you earn where you make it, and only there.\r\n\u201cYou aren\u2019t taxed again when you bring money back to your home country.\r\n\u201cMost of American companies\u2019 foreign competitors have been operating under a territorial tax system for years, so they\u2019re paying a lot less in taxes on the money they make abroad than American companies are.\r\n\u201cAnd that leaves American companies at a disadvantage.\r\n\u201cThese foreign companies can underbid American companies for new business simply because they don\u2019t have to add as much in taxes into the price of their products or services.\r\n\u201cAnd when foreign companies beat out American companies for new business, it\u2019s not just American companies who suffer: It\u2019s American workers.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s the American workers employed by these companies who live and work in every state in the union.\r\n\u201cAnd it\u2019s the American workers who work for the small and medium-sized companies that form the supply chain here in the United States.\r\n\u201cFor every American company that operates in countries around the world, there are countless companies here at home that supply the raw material for the products sold abroad.\r\n\u201cBusinesses that handle the packaging and shipping of those products.\r\n\u201cAnd enterprises that supply support services like accounting, legal, and payroll services.\u00a0\r\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s global companies rely on a web of supporting businesses that spans the country.\u00a0\r\n\u201cAnd when these global companies struggle, so do these supporting businesses and their workers.\r\n\u201cBy transitioning from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system, we will not just be boosting wages, jobs, and opportunities for American workers employed by these global companies.\r\n\u201cWe will also be increasing wages, jobs, and opportunities for workers at the countless small and medium-sized businesses throughout our country that make up the supply chain for America\u2019s global companies.\r\n\u201cFinally, Mr. President, our tax plan will tackle the other key part of improving the playing field for American workers:\r\n\u201cAnd that is lowering the tax rates on small businesses.\r\n\u201cSmall businesses are incredibly important for new job creation.\r\n\u201cBut like bigger companies, right now small businesses are being strangled by high tax rates.\r\n\u201cThat can make it difficult for small businesses to even survive, much less thrive and expand their operations.\r\n\u201cLowering small business tax rates \u2013 and making it easier for small businesses to recover their invested capital more quickly \u2013 will free up the money small business owners need to expand their businesses, add workers, or give employees a raise.\r\n\u201cTogether, these aspect of tax reform are essential to reversing the lackluster economy of the last eight years.\r\n\u201cAmericans deserve better, and tax reform can be the key to putting this country back on the path to solid, sustainable economic growth.\r\n\u201cMr. President, before I close today, I\u2019d like to switch gears for a minute and talk about judicial nominations.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019ve had the chance to confirm some excellent nominees so far this year \u2013 many of whom Democrats have ultimately supported.\r\n\u201cBut despite this fact, Democrats have insisted on delaying the process of almost every single nomination to a district or circuit court.\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s pretty much the definition of partisanship \u2013 when you obstruct nominees based not on any disagreement you have with them, but simply because you don\u2019t like the person who\u2019s doing the nominating.\r\n\u201cNow, Mr. President, Democrats\u2019 delays are ultimately pretty pointless.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re not going to stop confirming nominees just because Democrats are dragging out the process.\r\n\u201cBut these delays are a disservice to the American people.\r\n\u201cThere are a lot of important issues the Senate needs to be debating \u2013 from spending bills to tax reform \u2013 and the time we waste on pointless partisan exercises is time taken from those important issues.\r\n\u201cBut Mr. President, while Democrats\u2019 partisanship is frustrating, there\u2019s a much more serious issue that has come up during these judicial confirmations.\r\n\u201cAnd that\u2019s the anti-religious sentiment displayed by some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle during the hearing on judicial nominee Amy Barrett\u2019s nomination, which we\u2019ll be voting on this week.\r\n\u201cMs. Barrett\u2019s qualifications are well known.\r\n\u201cThe American Bar Association, which rates judicial nominees, has given her its highest rating of well-qualified.\r\n\u201cAs my colleague the minority leader has said, the bar association\u2019s evaluation is the \u201cgold standard by which judicial candidates are judged.\u201d\r\n\u201cBut, Mr. President, despite her judicial qualifications, it became clear in the hearing on her nomination that some of my colleagues think she should be disqualified because she is a practicing Catholic.\r\n\u201cThat\u2019s right, Mr. President.\r\n\u201cApparently practicing your religion is now grounds for declaring you unfit to be a judge.\r\n\u201cHere\u2019s what the Constitution has to say about that:\r\n\u201cFrom Article Six, \u2018no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.\u2019\r\n\u201cLet me repeat that, Mr. President.\r\n\u201c\u2018No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.\u2019\r\n\u201cIn other words, Mr. President, in the United States, you can\u2019t be disqualified from serving as a judge because you\u2019re a believing Catholic \u2013 or a believing member of any faith.\r\n\u201cThe only qualification the Constitution imposes is a commitment to uphold the Constitution.\r\n\u201cAnd yet the second-ranking Democrat in the United States Senate apparently thought it was appropriate to ask Ms. Barrett if she was a practicing member of her religion \u2013 with the implication that if she was, it might jeopardize her fitness for being a judge.\r\n\u201cMr. President, Democrats\u2019 questioning is not going to stop Ms. Barrett\u2019s nomination.\r\n\u201cBut it is deeply disturbing nonetheless.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s a scary thing when leaders of a major political party imply that there is no role for religious people in public life.\r\n\u201cAnd I don\u2019t need to tell anybody that that\u2019s contrary to everything our founders stood for.\r\n\u201cThe right to be able to practice religion freely \u2013 yes, in public too \u2013 was so fundamental to the founders\u2019 understanding of liberty that they made it the very first freedom mentioned in the Bill of Rights.\r\n\u201cPeople of faith have made incalculable contributions to our country, and faith has driven some of the greatest movements in American history, from the abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement.\r\n\u201cI hope the Democrat Party doesn\u2019t move further down the path of excluding religious people from public life.\r\n\u201cIf they ever succeed in excluding people of faith from government, they will have destroyed one of the freedoms on which our country rests.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9071D806-92CD-416F-A728-BF22A5D06B1C", "Questions from My Latest Town Hall", "2017-10-27", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It often goes unreported, but the House has passed more than 250 bills this year, many following through on the conservative priorities I\u2019ve been discussing for nearly a decade. These 250 House-passed bills include the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, resources for President Trump\u2019s border wall proposal, protections for unborn children, VA reform, and a rollback of numerous Obama-era regulations.\r\nMore than 50 of these bills have become law, including many regulatory repeals and national-security legislation I wrote to bring more women into peace negotiations. Others, such as Obamacare repeal, continue to be debated in the Senate. This was the opening report I gave at a recent town hall in Mobridge \u2013 one in a series of town halls and telephone town halls I\u2019ve done in recent months.\r\nAfter that initial report came questions. The first was from Carson, a senior at Mobridge-Pollock High School. He wanted to know what had been done on the issue of abortion. I talked to him about how I helped introduce legislation that would define life as beginning at conception. While we haven\u2019t had the opportunity to vote on that specific provision yet, the House did recently pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortions after 20 weeks (the point at which studies indicate babies can feel pain). We were also able to get legislation signed into law this year that would empower states to withhold family-planning funds from organizations like Planned Parenthood.\r\nThe next question came from Jayden, who was wondering what I thought of President Trump. I explained that I was pleased the president was strong on national security, which is his number one job. President Trump also campaigned on building a wall on the southern border, repealing Obamacare, and reforming the tax code \u2013 all of which are priorities that I share. Additionally, he put a pro-life Supreme Court justice on the bench, which was a huge accomplishment.\r\nThen, a Navy veteran from the area asked about the inefficiency that happens in many government-run agencies. I\u2019m incredibly grateful for this man\u2019s service and believe his concerns are well founded. I\u2019ve fought this kind of inefficiency and waste many times, including through my CUFF Act. This legislation, which has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate, would stop certain Social Security benefits from going to people wanted for felonies and parole violations.\r\nThe grand finale question came from a young woman interested in my thoughts on unions. South Dakota is a \u201cRight to Work\u201d state, which means individuals can\u2019t be required to join unions or be forced to pay for union dues as a condition of employment (something that\u2019s required in other states). I think \u201cRight to Work\u201d is the right approach.\r\nI was grateful to everyone who made it to my town hall in Mobridge, and I hope to either see you at one in the near future or talk with you during one of my upcoming telephone town halls. In the meantime, don\u2019t hesitate to visit one of my offices, give us a call, or send me an email. To get the location of the office nearest you, please visit my website: noem.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=2A375088-B22A-4B78-BACD-D3B83F76C3AF", "My Top Priority for Tax Reform: Middle-Income South Dakotans", "2017-10-27", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. John Thune \r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tThe American people have had a rough time over the past few years. Fifty percent of Americans consider themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck, while almost a third of voters say they are just $400 dollars away from a financial crisis. That\u2019s not acceptable. Fortunately, there are things we can do about it, starting with comprehensive tax reform.\r\nComprehensive tax reform is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to provide financial relief to American families and get our economy back on the path to long-term health. That\u2019s why Republicans in Congress have spent several months working with the Trump administration on a tax reform framework that we believe will lead to more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks, and why the tax-writing committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives are currently hard at work drafting legislation.\u00a0\r\nOur tax reform framework prioritizes tax relief for middle-income Americans by ensuring working families receive a much-needed increase in take-home pay. To start with, our plan will lower income-tax rates for hardworking families around the country. We will also double the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly. While all Americans will benefit from this provision, it will particularly benefit the low-income families who need help the most. Under our tax plan, a family making $24,000 or less per year will not have to pay a dime in federal income taxes.\r\nThere is no denying that raising a family in the United States is getting more and more expensive. That\u2019s why we will also help working families by increasing the size of the child tax credit. This will free up money that families can use for anything from dentist bills to college savings. And for low-income families who won\u2019t pay income tax under our plan, up to $1,000 of this new, larger child tax credit will be refundable.\r\nIn addition to direct relief for working families, our tax plan will also provide for the kind of economic growth needed to give hardworking Americans access to new jobs and opportunities and increase their take-home pay. To start with, our plan will lower tax rates for small businesses and family farms and ranches.\r\nSmall and medium-size businesses are an important engine of economic growth, but our tax code makes things more difficult for these job creators by saddling them with high tax rates \u2014 at times even exceeding those paid by some large corporations. By lowering tax rates for these businesses, we can help them reinvest more of their earnings into their operations. The Republican tax plan will also allow small and medium-size businesses to recover their costs more quickly, which will also help free up money they can use to grow their business and create new jobs. This is good news for the American worker.\r\nAmericans have spent too much of the past decade struggling with high taxes, stagnant wages, and a lack of opportunity. It\u2019s time to give them relief. Right now, we have a unique opportunity to implement pro-growth tax reform policies that will provide more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks for hardworking individuals and middle-income families across the country. As we move through the legislative process, I will continue to work with President Trump, my fellow members of the Senate Finance Committee, and leadership in the House to ensure that comprehensive tax reform makes it to the president\u2019s desk for his signature.\r\n*Note to editors: A similar version of this column was published on www.time.com.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8D1BDEEE-75F2-4384-B186-1DCB5C419E46", "Noem Applauds Trump's Actions to Address Opioid Epidemic", "2017-10-26", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kristi Noem today applauded President Donald Trump\u2019s declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioid crisis. The announcement, according to the White House, allows for expanded access to telemedicine service, temporary appointments of specialists needed to respond effectively to our nation\u2019s health emergency, dislocated worker grants, and shifting of resources to better help individuals receive substance abuse treatment.\r\n\u201cFBI reports indicate the rate of violent crime in South Dakota nearly doubled between 2005 and 2015,\u201d said Noem. \u201cWhile there are a number of conditions that can contribute to a surge that severe, many agree drugs have played a big role. No community \u2013 no family \u2013 is immune to addiction. Particularly with opioids, it can often start with a simple prescription for pain medication to deal with a headache. But that same medicine you took to heal can be the drug that leads to a life-altering addiction.\u00a0I\u2019m encouraged by President Trump\u2019s commitment to addressing this crisis, and I look forward to working closely with him and his administration to keep our communities safer and drug free.\u201d\r\nLast Congress, Noem helped pass two major bills to fight the opioid crisis: the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act, both of which were signed into law. \u00a0Among other things, the legislation puts private- and public-sector experts on the case to identify best practices for pain management.\r\nTo follow up on those new laws, Noem has thrown her support behind a series of bills in this Congress to combat the growing drug crisis, including:\r\n \r\nH.R.2857, Supporting Families in Substance Abuse Treatment Act, (Introduced by Noem; Passed House June 20, 2017), which aims to strengthen a state or tribe\u2019s ability to keep families together through the parent\u2019s drug addiction treatment, if that\u2019s what\u2019s right for the child and for the parent\u2019s treatment.\r\nH.R.2834, the Partnership Grants to Strengthen Families Affected by Parental Substance Abuse Act (Cosponsored by Noem; Passed House June 20, 2017), which strengthens the Regional Partnership Grant program, a program that provides funding to state and regional grantees to provide evidence-based services to prevent child abuse and neglect related to substance abuse.\r\nH.R.1741, Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act (Cosponsored by Noem), which makes it illegal to \u201cspot\u201d for drug traffickers at the border. Without this change, helping drug traffickers avoid law enforcement when crossing the U.S.-Mexico border (known as \u201cspotting\u201d) is not an enforceable offense.\r\nH.R.22, Support More Assets, Resources, and Technology on the Border Act (Cosponsored by Noem), which authorizes the deployment of additional personnel and new technologies to secure the border. This includes an authorization for as many as 10,000 additional members of the National Guard to be deployed to the border.\r\nH.R.1057, Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act (Cosponsored by Noem), which is designed to help stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders to drug traffickers in the U.S.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=98AD0550-BE02-47E7-8934-70D5A2E4E661", "Thune Statement on President Trumps Opioid Public Health Emergency Declaration", "2017-10-26", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement today regarding President Trump\u2019s declaration of a nationwide public health emergency to address the opioid crisis:\r\n\u201cAcross America, communities and families are dealing with the devastating effects of the opioid crisis, and drug overdose deaths are on the rise. It is critical that we do everything we can to root out the causes and address the consequences of this tragic epidemic. I commend President Trump for his declaration of a public health emergency to address the opioid crisis. He has made clear he is very passionate about providing vulnerable Americans with the treatment they need to overcome addiction. I will continue to work alongside the president and my colleagues here in Congress to address this epidemic and provide support to all those fighting against opioid addiction.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2BEC612C-9EF1-4EF9-947F-AB3C318B42A8", "Thune, Colleagues Unveil Wildfire Prevention Legislation", "2017-10-25", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "John Thune", "T000250", "www.thune.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\tU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a full committee hearing on a discussion draft of the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017, which was unveiled this week.\u00a0The bill includes provisions drafted by Thune and Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the EPW Committee, Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) The Thune-authored provisions were originally introduced in August 2017 as part of the Forest Management Improvement Act of 2017 (S. 1731). Thune recently participated in a separate EPW hearing to discuss his forestry proposals.\r\n\u201cAfter nearly a quarter century of very-limited-to-hands-off forest management, federal forest fire suppression costs have continued to grow,\u201d said Thune. \u201cWe must take immediate steps to improve the health of our nation\u2019s forestland and be more aggressive and proactive in forest management. I believe this legislation offers several common-sense solutions that would help solve our problem of declining forest health by allowing land management professionals to use more 21st Century land management techniques. Efficient and effective land management makes forests more resilient and better able to withstand fire, pests, and diseases.\u201d\r\nThune\u2019s forestry management provisions that call for increasing categorical exclusions, expediting environmental reviews, simplifying Good Neighbor Authority, improving stewardship contracting, and providing litigation relief are included in the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=6C91FFCC-A48A-430E-B665-36ADCE861E29", "Noem, Rounds highlight importance of pheasant hunting season for South Dakota", "2017-10-24", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Kristi Noem", "N000184", "noem.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ripon Advance \r\n\tWith pheasant hunting season now underway, South Dakota Republicans U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds highlighted the world-class pheasant hunting in their home state and the important source of revenue it generates for small businesses.\r\nLifelong South Dakotans, Noem and Rounds reminisced in their weekly columns about how hunting has been a tradition in their families for generations.\r\nHunting is also a major source of income for the hotels, restaurants and myriad other small businesses that support South Dakota\u2019s tourism industry. Outdoor activities support an estimated 18,000 full- and part-time jobs in South Dakota, generating more than $500 million of income, Noem said.\r\nGiven the importance of hunting on South Dakota\u2019s economy and family dynamics, Noem added, she has worked to protect the state\u2019s pheasant natural habitats.\r\n\u201cIn the 2014 Farm Bill, for instance, I made sure we included critical protections for our region\u2019s native grasslands in the final legislative language,\u201d Noem said. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen this \u2018sodsaver\u2019 program work, and I\u2019m now working to expand the idea nationwide.\u201d\r\nHunting plays a large role in land conservation, as well, Rounds said. He wrote that one of his top priorities when negotiating the upcoming Farm Bill will be to raise the number of acres in the Conservation Reserve Program, one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States.\r\n\u201cOne of the best things we can do as sportsmen and women is continue to promote the use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres,\u201d Rounds said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good program for farmers, because it provides them with an additional source of income and it\u2019s good for hunters because it creates excellent habitat for deer, pheasant and waterfowl to nest.\u201d\r\nTough winter conditions followed by a severe drought has taken a toll on pheasant populations this season, the lawmakers said. As pheasant season opened, South Dakota\u2019s pheasant counts were about 65 percent below the 10-year average, which amounted to about 1.68 pheasants per mile.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s an issue I heard a lot about throughout the summer, but especially during a recent stop in Mobridge \u2014 a community in prime South Dakota hunting territory that was hit particularly hard by the dry conditions,\u201d Noem said.\r\nRounds expressed optimism about the prospects for this year\u2019s pheasant hunting season.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019ve had a tough year in South Dakota with this summer\u2019s drought, and there will be fewer birds out there, but I\u2019m confident hunters will still be able to have a successful season \u2013 both South Dakotans and nonresidents alike,\u201d Rounds said.\r\nNoem echoed that sentiment, noting that South Dakota Department of Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen said the pheasant harvest could still approach a million birds.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 627, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "SD", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 627, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SD&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 627, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "SD", "label": "SD", "count": 627, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 627, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-10-24,http~3A~2F~2Fnoem~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fin-the-news~3FContentRecord_id~3D6C91FFCC-A48A-430E-B665-36ADCE861E29", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=SD&year=2017&_next=2017-10-24%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fnoem~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fin-the-news~3FContentRecord_id~3D6C91FFCC-A48A-430E-B665-36ADCE861E29&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 155.0263948738575, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}