Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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289 rows where chamber = "House", state = "SD" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-praises-house-passage-covid-19-relief-bill | Johnson Praises House Passage of COVID-19 Relief Bill | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the bipartisan U.S. House passage of a COVID-19 relief package, an effort Johnson has spearheaded with the Problem Solvers Caucus since September. "Congress finally got its act together. I was proud to vote in support of a tailored COVID-19 relief package that supports our small businesses, schools, and hurting American families," said Johnson. "It wasn't a perfect bill, but it's a good one. While it took far too long to get here, we got a good bill across the finish line. The Problem Solvers Caucus was instrumental in getting this done, and I am grateful I had the chance to be a part of historic bipartisan efforts that serve America. This is an extraordinary measure that meets an extraordinary challenge. With the distribution of a vaccine, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm pleased this bill repurposes funds from previous legislation appropriating only an additional $325 billion. As we turn the corner, Congress needs to prioritize an orderly budget process and fund the government in a fiscally sustainable way." The relief package, included in the end of the year omnibus spending deal, includes the following Johnson priorities: | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-asks-south-dakota-when-do-i-get-vaccine | Johnson Asks South Dakota: “When Do I Get Vaccine?” | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), in an attempt to increase public discussion about the COVID-19 vaccine, is asking South Dakotans to vote when he should receive his shot. "Some elected officials, like Vice President Mike Pence, are getting the vaccine early to increase public confidence and model good behavior," Johnson said. "Other leaders are waiting, not wanting to go to the front of the line. Good arguments can be made on both sides, which is why I want South Dakotans to help with this decision." Given the toll COVID-19 has taken on the United States, Congressman Johnson heralds the vaccine as an important development and is hopeful a conversation about when he should receive the vaccine will increase awareness and vaccine acceptance. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-backed-surprise-medical-billing-proposal-advances | Johnson-Backed Surprise Medical Billing Proposal Advances | 2020-12-15 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – On Friday evening, a bipartisan, bicameral surprise billing agreement was announced by the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Education and Labor Committee, and the Senate Health Committee. Surprise billing has been a priority of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) during his first term and this package will be included in an end of year omnibus bill. Surprise medical billing occurs when a person receives an unexpectedly high medical bill as a result of being out-of-network, this usually occurs in emergency situations. The Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act, a Johnson-cosponsored bill, passed out of the Ways and Means Committee in February. Many provisions of this bill were included in the proposal. This legislation protects patients from unexpected medical bills for out-of-network services. Rather than establish a federal rate setting system, it would allow providers and insurance companies to resolve payments through arbitration. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-congratulates-congressional-app-challenge-winner-brookings | Johnson Congratulates Congressional App Challenge Winner from Brookings | 2020-12-09 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) congratulated Congressional App Challenge winner, Samyok Nepal, a student from Brookings High School. Nepal designed an app called Bobcat Notify, which alerts students on school closures for snow days. "Technology is a part of our daily lives," said Johnson. "This congressional app competition was created to capture the interest of students toward a growing field and my office received several outstanding app creations. Samyok's idea and app design were far beyond his years and I'm proud South Dakota is home to such talented young coders and developers." "During the spring of 2019, we were hit by an extreme snowstorm that shut schools down for days or in some cases -- weeks at a time," said Samyok Nepal. "Whenever there was snow on the ground, I found myself focusing more on constantly refreshing the school district website instead of working on homework or studying for my next test. Students didn't get notifications about snow days, so I decided to come up with my own solution. After I put the app on social media, it grew quite quickly." The Bobcat Notify app has over 1,500 users and can be downloaded in the App Store. Nepal is currently working on expanding his app to all schools in his district. Nepal was selected as the winner by a panel of Computer Science teachers in South Dakota. Johnson announced the Congressional App Challenge in July. For further information about the Congressional App Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/fda-holds-emergency-use-authorization-meetings-johnson-spanberger-push | As FDA Holds Emergency Use Authorization Meetings, Johnson, Spanberger Push for Guaranteed Access to Free COVID-19 Vaccine for Medicare Beneficiaries, Passage of SAVE for Seniors Act | 2020-12-08 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL) today pushed congressional leadership to pass their bipartisan Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act to make sure seniors on traditional Medicare have access to a future COVID-19 vaccine without cost-sharing. The SAVE for Seniors Act would clarify that Medicare must cover – without cost-sharing – a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, just as it would do for one licensed under the Public Health Service Act. By closing this loophole, the legislation ensures that seniors are not the only group who must pay out-of-pocket for a COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly all private insurers have committed to covering a COVID-19 vaccination for free, and Medicaid is required to do so at no cost. "Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic and complex health conditions are more at risk of suffering severe illness from COVID-19, and many of these individuals receive health coverage through Medicare," said Spanberger and Johnson. "According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8 out of 10 deaths reported in the U.S. from COVID-19 have been in adults 65 years of age or older. Residents and employees of long-term care facilities are especially vulnerable to the virus, and have accounted for 40% of deaths nationwide. On December 1st, the CDC announced that long-term care residents – many of whom are Medicare beneficiaries – will be the highest priority to receive the vaccine, with seniors and those with underlying conditions next on the list. Their letter continues, "Congress must act to clarify that Medicare beneficiaries will not face out-of-pocket costs for a vaccine, regardless of its pathway to market. There is an abundance of research showing that cost sharing causes patients to delay or forgo care. Since both vaccine candidates require two doses and two visits to a provider, removing financial barriers is especially important to ensure individuals complete… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-legislation-honoring-ben-reifel-headed-president-s-desk | Johnson Legislation Honoring Ben Reifel Headed to Presidents Desk | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today, legislation authored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) to honor former Congressman and Rosebud Sioux tribal member Ben Reifel passed the U.S. Senate and will head to the president's desk for his signature. The bill designates the United States Postal Service building in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the Ben Reifel Post Office Building. Ben Reifel represented South Dakota well, and his legacy will live on, said Johnson. I'm grateful to play a small role in ensuring his name is displayed throughout our great state. Our tribal communities are full of tremendous leaders and Ben Reifel is proof of that. Former Congressman Ben Reifel was a strong proponent of the Indian Civil Rights Act and fought to ensure that tribes received proper compensation for native land transfers. He was a leader in Congress on Indian Affairs and the first person of Lakota Sioux descent in Congress. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-legislation-honoring-ben-reifel-headed-presidents-desk | Johnson Legislation Honoring Ben Reifel Headed to President’s Desk | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation authored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) to honor former Congressman and Rosebud Sioux tribal member Ben Reifel passed the U.S. Senate and will head to the president's desk for his signature. The bill designates the United States Postal Service building in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the Ben Reifel Post Office Building. "Ben Reifel represented South Dakota well, and his legacy will live on," said Johnson. "I'm grateful to play a small role in ensuring his name is displayed throughout our great state. Our tribal communities are full of tremendous leaders and Ben Reifel is proof of that." Former Congressman Ben Reifel was a strong proponent of the Indian Civil Rights Act and fought to ensure that tribes received proper compensation for native land transfers. He was a leader in Congress on Indian Affairs and the first person of Lakota Sioux descent in Congress. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-weapon-system-provision-included-ndaa-conference-report | Johnson Weapon System Provision Included in NDAA Conference Report | 2020-12-04 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, a provision authored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) to improve the Department of Defense's (DoD) approach to overseeing weapon systems investments was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report. "This bipartisan provision streamlines America's weapon system investments, saves the taxpayer money, and improves national security," said Johnson. "My provision will optimize our investment in weapons systems within the DoD and I'm proud it was included in the final NDAA Conference Report. I'm grateful both sides were able to reach an agreement to provide a pay increase to our servicemembers and enhance our military readiness around the globe." This provision will require DoD to develop a formal implementation plan to establish the necessary technology, systems, and data to perform enterprise-level portfolio management. As a result, the Department will be on a path toward maximizing taxpayer dollars to develop and field capabilities required by our men and women in uniform. This is the fifth provision authored by Johnson to pass the House during his first term. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/problem-solvers-caucus-pushes-their-bicameral-bipartisan-emergency-covid-19 | PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS PUSHES THEIR BICAMERAL, BIPARTISAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE | 2020-12-03 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Thursday, December 3, 2020, members of the Problem Solvers Caucus stood together to fight for their common-sense bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief package. It is being supported by a rapidly growing group of Senators on both sides of the aisle, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and others to help American families, small businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. Leaders in both parties have stated support for the Problem Solvers Caucus' framework as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral legislation. Rep. Dusty Johnson said, "It's time to act. Our relief proposal has gained broad support amongst businesses, political leaders, and most importantly, the American people. Let's get something done TODAY." "We won't leave town until we pass a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer. "Too many families, small businesses, and communities are suffering all across our country — and that's why the momentum around our bipartisan, bicameral framework is continuing to grow by the hour." "The bipartisan, bicameral relief package we've put forward with our Senate partners is already generating significant support from leaders across Washington because it is right in the range of reason," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Reed. "Millions of Americans don't have time for Congress to continue playing games; let's pass this common-sense emergency relief measure to ensure our communities receive the federal support they deserve." "Vision without action is just a daydream, and we have had enough daydreaming in Congress. We need to show Americans and our allies across the world that the great experiment of America still works. The clock is ticking, but we can and must pass the Emergency COVID Relief Framework. Failure is not an option when Americans are suffering," said Rep. Dean Phillips. "The effects of this pandemic have been cruelly uneven. While some individuals and businesses remain unscathed or even be… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-manchin-collins-warner-cassidy-shaheen-murkowski-king-romney-hassan | JOHNSON, MANCHIN, COLLINS, WARNER, CASSIDY, SHAHEEN, MURKOWSKI, KING, ROMNEY, HASSAN ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FRAMEWORK | 2020-12-01 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Tom Reed (R-NY-23), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Dean Phillips (D-MN-3), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7), and Fred Upton (R-MI-6) of the Problem Solvers Caucus announced a bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework that will help American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The Problem Solvers Caucus, made up of 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans, helped draft and endorsed the package. A breakdown of the COVID-19 emergency relief framework can be found here. "Our nation's top economists have made it clear: Congress needs to act sooner than later on targeted focused relief," said Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). "I'm proud to be a part of this bipartisan, bicameral group that's put much-needed relief before politics. More than half of these dollars have been repurposed from CARES Act funding – it's a responsible proposal. Our teachers, healthcare workers, business owners, and producers continue to step up as we battle COVID-19, it's time Congress does too." "Millions of Americans have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are hurting, but Congress has been deadlocked for months with both sides unwilling to compromise to help our fellow Americans who are in desperate need," Senator Manchin said. "The bipartisan, bicameral framework announced today proves that we can reach across the aisle and create meaningful compromise that will help those who need it most for the next few months. Our $908 billion framework provides our front line healthcare providers, students, families, small businesses, and workers with the support they need and deserve during this devastating pandemic. I urge my fellow colleagues to work with our bipartisan, bicameral group on this proposal so C… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-applauds-senate-passage-impact-aid-bill | Johnson Applauds Senate Passage of Impact Aid Bill | 2020-11-12 | 2020 | 2020-11 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the Senate passage of his bipartisan bill to safeguard Educational Impact Aid for military and tribal schoolchildren amid the pandemic. The bill is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act (H.R. 8472) ensures that Federal Impact Aid for public school districts with high concentrations of children of U.S. servicemembers and tribal land will not be adversely affected by COVID-19. Johnson's bipartisan bill was first introduced on August 25th, and was passed in the House by unanimous consent on October 2nd. Senator Thune led this legislation in the Senate. "In October, I visited with Bennett County High School administrators. They stressed the importance of this program when it comes to ensuring their school has the funding it needs to get by," said Johnson. "This fix will provide certainty to schools like Bennett, and I'm grateful for the bipartisan work that was put into this to make sure it got done before the end of the year." The Impact Aid Program is critical for schools located on federal property. These public schools collect less in local property taxes to fund their schools and without the program would be underfunded. The bill allows these districts to use their student headcount from the 2020-2021 school year, which have already been calculated, for their Impact Aid applications for the 2021-2022 school year, which are due this fall. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:39:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/america-special-place | America is a Special Place | 2020-10-30 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | I was reminded of that this week as I had coffee with Svitlana and Iryna. Both of these women moved to America from Ukraine two years ago. Both are married to hardworking husbands, and both have children. Over coffee we discussed our families, our work experiences, and the differences between Ukraine and the United States. According to Iryna and Svitlana, the bread is better in the Ukraine, but the people in America are much nicer. In South Dakota, "everyone smiles all the time," they told me. Their journeys to America weren't easy. They dealt with years of paperwork and the complications of moving. Once here, they faced the confusion of a new language, new measuring systems, new practices, and starting over with a brand new life. Both ladies are college-educated and worked professional jobs in Ukraine. Once they settled in South Dakota, Iryna worked in a factory making furniture and Svitlana worked at a meat processing facility. Both jobs placed substantial physical demands on them. With radical change in most every aspect of their life, at times Svitlana, Iryna and their families were simply shell-shocked. They have grown to love America, but initially, Svitlana said, "there were days when we just sat in our apartment, wondering what we had done." I asked them why they did it. Why come to America, when doing so would cause them so much disruption and challenge? They talked about the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine, and about the freedoms Americans enjoy, but there was an even greater motivator for both families to immigrate. "In America, if you work hard, you can find opportunity," Iryna told me. "I wanted that, especially for my children." Our country is experiencing a particularly divided and acrimonious time. Many of us have grown quick to highlight the weaknesses of our country and our fellow Americans. As I listened to the incredible experiences of these two women over coffee, though, I was filled with admiration for them and pride for this country. I was reminded that America is a special pl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/interior-announces-delisting-gray-wolf-lower-48 | Interior Announces the Delisting of the Gray Wolf in the Lower 48 | 2020-10-29 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced the delisting of the gray wolf in the lower 48 states. "Today is a great victory for science and professional wildlife management. The gray wolf is one of the few actual success stories of the Endangered Species Act and has met every scientific criteria for delisting. Its delisting will cede control back to where it belongs, state and tribal governments. This is a clear win for the farmers, ranchers, and every day citizens who's livelihoods have been threatened by growing unmanaged gray wolf populations. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt for acting on sound science and taking this decisive action," said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04). "This final rule puts the process of managing the gray wolf back where it belongs – in the capable hands of individual states. Over the past decade, our courts have been abused by radical environmental groups filing frivolous lawsuits to prevent states from managing the gray wolf population, despite repeated delisting decisions. I applaud the rule announced today that will provide individuals with the certainty they need to protect their livestock and livelihoods under their respective state's management of the gray wolf,"said Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (WY-AL). "The Endangered Species Act is intended to restore populations, and accordingly the gray wolf is no longer endangered. I applaud the Administration for working to ensure state governments, our ranchers, and landowners have a say over the management of the gray wolf in the future," said Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). "The gray wolf is an Endangered Species Act success story. By empowering states to manage gray wolf populations, the federal government is recognizing the effectiveness of locally-led conservation efforts, basing management decisions on sound science – instead of politics, and providing certainty to familie… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-spanberger-introduce-save-seniors-act-guarantee-access-free-covid-19 | Johnson, Spanberger Introduce SAVE for Seniors Act to Guarantee Access to Free COVID-19 Vaccine for Medicare Beneficiaries | 2020-10-21 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure seniors on traditional Medicare have access to a future COVID-19 vaccine without cost-sharing. The CARES Act, which became law in March 2020, requires Medicare to cover a COVID-19 vaccine without any cost-sharing for the beneficiary, beginning on the date that said vaccine is licensed under Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act. However, due to the urgency of the ongoing pandemic, the most likely pathway to market for a COVID-19 vaccine is through an Emergency Use Authorization, under Section 564 of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns that due to language in the CARES Act, traditional Medicare beneficiaries might face cost-sharing for a COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized for emergency use under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. The SAVE for Seniors Act would clarify that Medicare must cover – without cost-sharing – a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, just as it would have done for one licensed under the Public Health Service Act. By closing this loophole, the legislation ensures that seniors are not the only group who has to pay out-of-pocket for a COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly all private insurers have committed to covering a COVID-19 vaccination for free, and Medicaid is required to do so at no cost. "From the onset, we've known that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts our senior citizens," said Johnson. "Making sure that as many people as possible can receive a safe COVID-19 vaccine is critical, and our bill will ensure the vaccine is covered for South Dakota seniors." "Seniors are the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and ensuring that older Americans have affordable, easy access to a vaccine must be a top priority," said Spanberger. "This bill would correct a critical error in the CARES Act that co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-proposal-combines-dc-suburbs-maryland | Johnson Proposal Combines DC Suburbs with Maryland | 2020-10-07 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act, legislation that would revert the majority of Washington, D.C., suburbs to the state of Maryland. The National Capitol Service Area, consisting solely of the National Mall and federal buildings would remain the District of Columbia. "The Founders never intended statehood for our nation's capital," said Johnson. "Rather than create a new state out of D.C., it makes more sense to return suburban areas back to the original state that possessed them, Maryland. As the push for D.C. statehood continues, Congress should consider alternatives that not only make sense for the residents of D.C. but also for the nation as a whole." In 1847, thirty-one miles were returned to the state of Virginia. Currently, the District of Columbia does not have voting representation in Congress, however, the district receives three electoral votes in the presidential election. Johnson also introduced a resolution to repeal the 23rd Amendment which provides electoral votes to the District of Columbia. If residential areas of Washington were returned to the state of Maryland, residents would have full representation in Congress, in addition to representation through the Electoral College. A bill to give statehood to Washington, D.C., passed the U.S. House on June 26, 2020. This bill has not been considered by the U.S. Senate. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/what-they-re-saying-johnson-leads-cattle-reform-bill-house | What Theyre Saying: Johnson Leads Cattle Reform Bill in the House | 2020-10-05 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. On Thursday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the PRICE Act, a bill that provides greater price reporting and transparency, comprehensive risk management solutions, bolsters small processor and producer-owned cooperative processing opportunities, and updates the Packer and Stockyards Act to create a cattle contract library. Cosponsors of the bill include Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), David Rouzer (R-NC), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Jason Smith (R-MO), Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN).Here's what supporters are saying: General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Ranking Member Rep. Glenn GT' Thompson: Cattle producers nationwide have been hit hard by the pandemic and the supply chain disruptions that have followed, and they deserve our support for working around the clock to put food on the tables of American families. The PRICE Act will provide increased transparency and fairness, particularly for our small and family-owned ranches. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane: The Tyson fire in Holcomb, KS and the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have brought the issues of price transparency in the cattle markets and beef processing capacity to a boiling point within our industry. This legislation is a significant step in the right direction as we continue to explore ways to support producers who have been impacted by two major black swan events, in an already volatile cattle market. We are grateful to Rep. Johnson and all the cosponsors for their bipartisan leadership in this space and will continue working alongside them to see these reforms enacted. The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) Vice PresidentJustin Tupper: The provisions laid out in the PRICE Act provide a solid foundation with which to buildout a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/what-theyre-saying-johnson-leads-cattle-reform-bill-house | What They’re Saying: Johnson Leads Cattle Reform Bill in the House | 2020-10-05 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the PRICE Act, a bill that provides greater price reporting and transparency, comprehensive risk management solutions, bolsters small processor and producer-owned cooperative processing opportunities, and updates the Packer and Stockyards Act to create a cattle contract library. Cosponsors of the bill include Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), David Rouzer (R-NC), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Jason Smith (R-MO), Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Jim Hagedorn (R-MN). Here's what supporters are saying: General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Ranking Member Rep. Glenn ‘GT' Thompson: "Cattle producers nationwide have been hit hard by the pandemic and the supply chain disruptions that have followed, and they deserve our support for working around the clock to put food on the tables of American families. The PRICE Act will provide increased transparency and fairness, particularly for our small and family-owned ranches." The National Cattlemen's Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane: "The Tyson fire in Holcomb, KS and the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have brought the issues of price transparency in the cattle markets and beef processing capacity to a boiling point within our industry. This legislation is a significant step in the right direction as we continue to explore ways to support producers who have been impacted by two major black swan events, in an already volatile cattle market. We are grateful to Rep. Johnson and all the cosponsors for their bipartisan leadership in this space and will continue working alongside them to see these reforms enacted." The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) Vice President Justin Tupper: "The provisions laid out in the PRICE Act provide a solid foundation with which to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-sweeping-cattle-reform-bill | Johnson Introduces Sweeping Cattle Reform Bill | 2020-10-01 | 2020 | 2020-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the PRICE Act, a bill that will increase transparency in the cattle market, improve risk management, and support new and expanding meat processors. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the "Box Beef & Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report, which identified a number of systemic issues in the cattle market. Johnson introduced the PRICE Act in response to the findings of this report. The cattle market faced extreme volatility following the Tyson Holcomb plant fire in 2019 and again during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PRICE Act provides greater price reporting and transparency, comprehensive risk management solutions, bolsters small processor and producer-owned cooperative processing opportunities, and updates the Packer and Stockyards Act to create a cattle contract library. "Cattle country is hurting and has not fully recovered," said Johnson. "USDA laid out several areas where Congress can implement real solutions to improve the market – the PRICE Act is the answer to many of the issues our ranchers have faced for years. Our producers want a fair market and fair prices and that's what this bill delivers. Congress needs to deliver for cattle country." "Our nation's cattle producers are facing unprecedented market challenges due to supply chain disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as last year's fire at the Holcomb, KS beef plant," said Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway. "I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the PRICE Act, which offers a suite of consensus proposals that will improve the marketplace." "Ranching and beef production have been fundamental to Florida's heritage and economy for hundreds of years," said Congressman Soto. "Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit cattle country with one of the toughest challenges it will ever face. The bipartisan PRICE Act offers a solution to create cooperative opportunities for smaller processors bearing … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:34:36Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-legislation-honoring-ben-reifel-passes-house | Johnson Legislation Honoring Ben Reifel Passes the House | 2020-09-30 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) to designate the United States Postal Service building in Rosebud, South Dakota, as the Ben Reifel Post Office Building passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson introduced the legislation in May 2019 and spoke about Ben Reifel's legacy on the House floor. The legislation is supported by Ben Reifel's family, and it is the second Johnson sponsored tribal-related bill to pass the House this year. "Ben Reifel is a role model," said Johnson. "His service to Indian Country and to our nation deserves to be honored in South Dakota. I'm grateful my bill to rename the Rosebud Post Office passed the House of Representatives today." "Our family is excited to see this legislation pass the House. Naming the post office in Rosebud, our grandfather's home, is especially important. If he were alive, I think he would be especially touched by this effort," Lisa Moss, granddaughter of Ben Reifel. Former Congressman Ben Reifel was a strong proponent of the Indian Civil Rights Act and fought to ensure that tribes received proper compensation for native land transfers. He was a leader in Congress on Indian Affairs and the first person of Lakota Sioux descent in Congress. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rounds-thune-johnson-army-corps-announces-major-step-toward-implementation | Rounds, Thune, Johnson: Army Corps Announces Major Step Toward Implementation of Snowpack Monitoring System | 2020-09-29 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep Dusty Johnson R-S.D.) today praised the news that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has awarded major contracts to four universities, including South Dakota State University (SDSU), to establish a network of stations to monitor snowpack and soil moisture throughout the plains area of the Upper Missouri River Basin. SDSU will receive a $12.8 million contract, and earlier today the first task issue was issued for the first 10 sites to be installed in South Dakota. The project is expected to be completed by 2025. "Following the flooding events of 2011 and 2019, it's abundantly clear that we need more accurate weather monitoring throughout the Missouri Basin," said Rounds. "Since coming to the Senate nearly six years ago, I've been working to implement a snowpack monitoring system, which will allow the Corps to make better, more accurate decisions with regard to river management. While there is more work ahead, today's announcement is a huge first step toward better river system management." "When it comes to weather related events, having the most accurate, up to date information is one of the best tools we have to help mitigate potentially devastating consequences," said Thune. "As we approach the 10th anniversary of historic flooding of 2011 in the Missouri River Basin, this important system will build on our work to improve forecasting and information sharing in an effort to ensure reliable information is available to state and local governments and residents as flood mitigation efforts are implemented." said Thune. "I look forward to seeing the university's work on this important issue." "No South Dakotan can forget the devastating flooding on the Missouri in 2011," said Johnson. "Accurate snowpack monitoring and preparation are key. I'm confident SDSU will utilize these tools to ensure boots on the ground have an accurate forecast so South Dakotans can be best prepared." In addition to SDSU, the University of Wyoming, the Unive… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-conaway-lead-introduction-digital-commodity-legislation | Johnson & Conaway Lead Introduction of Digital Commodity Legislation | 2020-09-24 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C — Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway and Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD) introduced the Digital Commodity Exchange Act of 2020, legislation that creates a single, opt-in national regulatory framework for digital commodity trading platforms under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Cosponsors of the Digital Commodity Exchange Act (DCEA) include Congressmen Tom Emmer (MN-06), David Schweikert (AZ-06), Austin Scott (GA-08), and Darren Soto (FL-09). The text of the bill can be found here, a summary of the bill here, and Rep. Conaway's statement here. Here's what supporters are saying: House Agriculture Committee Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Subcommittee Ranking Member Dusty Johnson (SD-AL): "America is an innovative nation. That innovation often outpaces the federal regulatory environment. The Digital Commodity Exchange Act ensures Americans can have confidence in emerging financial tools. This bill offers necessary protections without stifling the creativity of new market commodity tokens." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-tribal-school-bill-passes-house | Johnson Tribal School Bill Passes the House | 2020-09-21 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), which will divert millions back to tribal students' education, passed the U.S. House unanimously. The Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act (H.R. 895) makes tribal grant schools eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program. Johnson, along with President of the Oglala Lakota Nation Education Coalition Cecelia Fire Thunder, testified on the bill in committee last year. "For ten years, leaders have tried to fix this mistake, and I'm glad we got it done today. I'm grateful for the input tribal members gave me along the way," said Johnson. "The Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act directs critical dollars back to the students. My bill creates much-needed parity among tribal schools, and I'm looking forward to seeing it pass the Senate." "This simple and clean legislative fix would directly benefit our tribal grant schools by allowing them to access lower cost health insurance options, resulting in significant overall savings. Not only would this fix benefits for more than 500 employees working at tribal grant schools on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, it would also free up millions of dollars to be used to better the education for thousands of tribal students at these schools. Tribal grant schools should not be treated differently than other tribal schools and I'm glad the House has acted. I urge the House and Senate to work together to get this bill across the finish line," said Cecelia Fire Thunder, President, Oglala Lakota Nation Education Consortium. Rep. Johnson speaks on the U.S. House floor in support of H.R. 895. Click here or above to view his full remarks. This legislation would amend Section 409 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to clarify that tribal grant schools are eligible to participate in the FEHB program and the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program. In 2010, Congress reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. A provision was include… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-cfap-announcement | Johnson Statement on CFAP Announcement | 2020-09-18 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) made a statement following President Trump's announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $14 billion for agriculture producers still struggling from COVID-19 supply chain disruption. The second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020. "Throughout the CARES Act negotiations, rural America fought hard to be included in COVID-19 relief," said Johnson. "The impact of the pandemic impacted markets differently as we witnessed supply chain disruptions, and I'm grateful USDA acted quickly to address these issues. Secretary Perdue has addressed many concerns raised by South Dakotans in this second round of CFAP, particularly for livestock producers. As USDA continues to help our producers, Congress should uphold our end of the bargain and pass an end of year bill that continues to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation. We can't let our Farm Bill programs be disrupted." CFAP 2.0 includes several of Johnson's priorities including: -Wool, bison, pheasants, goats, and other specialty livestock are now eligible for assistance. -Additional assistance for cattle producers. Producers are eligible for $55 per head on inventory from April 16 – August 31. -Additional assistance for pork producers. Producers are eligible for $23 per head on inventory from April 16 – August 31. -Additional assistance for sheep producers. Producers are eligible for $27 per head on inventory from April 16 – August 31. -Assistance for row-crops oEligible acres of the crop multiplied by a rate of $15 per acre; OR oEligible acres of the crop multiplied by a nationwide crop marketing percentage, multiplied by a crop-specific payment rate, and then by the producer's weighted 2020 Actual Production History (APH) approved yield. For full details of the program, click here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=430B77DA-74C2-4817-976B-4CA131E79B5A | A Reason for Gratitude in Tough Times | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | South Dakota veterans and the Hot Springs community are currently celebrating the VA's announcement that it has begun the process of rescinding the order to close the Hot Springs VA facility. This was a hard-fought victory in a battle that we weren't always sure we would win. It started almost a decade ago, in 2011, when the Obama administration announced plans to realign read, close the Hot Springs VA facility. I was well aware of what the Hot Springs facility means to South Dakota veterans and to the entire Hot Springs community, and I determined that there wasn't going to be a closure if I could help it. I knew that closing the Hot Springs facility would put accessible care out of the reach of a lot of rural and tribal veterans. Not only rural and tribal South Dakota veterans, but rural and tribal veterans from neighboring Wyoming and Nebraska who depend on the Hot Springs facility for care. Traveling to Rapid City for care, as the VA proposed, would be a real hardship, if not an impossibility, for many of these veterans. I also strongly disagreed with moving not only medical care but the vital post-traumatic stress disorder program from Hot Springs to Rapid City. Not only would this put this program out of the reach of some veterans, I believed it was also a mistake to remove a tremendously effective program from the place where it has been so successful and try to reconstitute it elsewhere. So I got to work in Congress, along with other members of the South Dakota delegation. My first priority was simply trying to get Hot Springs' veterans a hearing with the VA. In 2016, after years of trying, we persuaded then-VA secretary Bob McDonald to visit Hot Springs. Unfortunately, the visit didn't work, and the next year the secretary signed an order finalizing the decision to close the majority of the facility.But the battle wasn't over. In 2014, I had succeeded in attaching a measure to appropriations legislation prohibiting the closure of the Hot Springs facility until a national VA realignment strategy was… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=76492E3E-8794-4112-8690-68C1A3F6C2DE | Thune: Congress Must Step Up and Advocate for Americas Producers | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today discussed the importance of prioritizing farmers and ranchers across America, especially considering the additional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thune, along with farm-state senators, including Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), continue to advocate for full funding of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The CCC ensures that USDA has the resources it needs to provide assistance to producers through farm programs. Excerpts of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, while most sectors of our economy were thriving before the coronavirus pandemic hit, farmers and ranchers were struggling. Low prices, extended trade disputes, and natural disasters had meant a tough few years for agriculture producers even before the arrival of the coronavirus. Yesterday, I held virtual meetings with South Dakota farmers and ranchers and heard firsthand about the challenges they are facing because of the pandemic. Mr. President, agriculture is the lifeblood of my home state of South Dakota, and making sure our ag producers have what they need to keep feeding our nation and the world is one of my top priorities here in Washington. During debate on the CARES Act our largest coronavirus relief bill to date I fought to make sure that we included relief for farmers and ranchers. The final bill included $14 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation, plus an additional $9.5 billion in emergency support to allow the Department of Agriculture to provide income and price support for farmers and ranchers. USDA has been putting these resources to work to provide assistance to producers in South Dakota and across the country who were affected by the pandemic, and they have been a lifeline to many farmers. But more needs to be done to support our nation's agriculture industry. And part of doing that is funding the Commodity Credit Corporation in the continuing resolution. The Commodity Credit Corporation ensures that … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=88DBA5FD-9103-4E6F-9287-322BF1D1544A | Wicker, Thune, Fischer, Blackburn Introduce Consumer Data Privacy Legislation | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, Deb. Fischer, R-Neb., chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., today introduced the Setting an American Framework to Ensure Data Access, Transparency, and Accountability (SAFE DATA) Act. The legislation would provide Americans with more choice and control over their data and direct businesses to be more transparent and accountable for their data practices. The bill would also enhance the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) authority and provide additional resources to enforce the Act. As COVID-19 increases activity online and opportunities to misuse personal data continue to surge, it is time to pass a uniform, national privacy law, said Wicker. More than ever, we need to stop bad actors and restore consumers' trust in the internet marketplace. Today I am introducing a bill that would provide all Americans with baseline protections and more transparency, choice, and control over their data. It would also strengthen the FTC's ability to hold businesses accountable when using data for nefarious purposes. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation so that we can instill confidence in consumers and in the long-term sustainability of our digital economy. Today's introduction of the SAFE DATA Act is the right step toward a more comprehensive online transparency and reform effort, and, importantly, the legislation sets a single national data privacy standard for consumers,said Thune.I'm glad the broader legislation includes my Filter Bubble Transparency Act, legislation that would make it easier for internet platform users to understand the potential manipulation that exists with secret online algorithms. Thanks to Chairman Wicker for his action on this issue, and I look forward to bringing more attention to this bill at next… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=97581ED1-9334-44E4-A0DC-3E8B54D70568 | Delegation Introduces Bill to Allow State to Conduct Clean-Up Effort at Gilt Edge Mine | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today introduced the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act, legislation that would authorize the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County. The land transfer authorized bythis legislation would allow the state to conduct a clean-up effort within the boundary of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its clean-up actions. The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act would ensure the state of South Dakota is able to manage an effective clean-up at the mine, said Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. We appreciate the state's leadership on this effort and would like to thank the state for working with us on this common-sense legislation. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-introduces-bill-allow-state-conduct-clean-effort-gilt-edge-mine | Delegation Introduces Bill to Allow State to Conduct Clean-Up Effort at Gilt Edge Mine | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today introduced the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act, legislation that would authorize the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County. The land transfer authorized by this legislation would allow the state to conduct a clean-up effort within the boundary of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its clean-up actions. "The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act would ensure the state of South Dakota is able to manage an effective clean-up at the mine," said Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. "We appreciate the state's leadership on this effort and would like to thank the state for working with us on this common-sense legislation." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-langevin-cicilline-introduce-stopgap-measure-continue-transportation | Johnson, Langevin, Cicilline, Introduce Stopgap Measure to Continue Transportation Projects During the Pandemic | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), have introduced the Highways Coronavirus Relief Act, bipartisan legislation to temporarily increase the amount the federal government contributes to federal highway projects. The bill aims to ensure states, which generally pay for a portion of projects backed by the federal highway trust fund, can continue major infrastructure improvements as they attempt to deal with budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Robust federal infrastructure investments help revitalize the economy and improve quality of life," said Langevin. "As states continue to face steep fiscal challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must keep transportation projects moving forward to support good-paying jobs for local workers and build the foundation for Rhode Island's future. This legislation will provide the federal resources states need to keep critical construction activities going for the immediate future as we continue to press for broader aid for states." "Improving and modernizing our infrastructure is a critical priority," said Cicilline. "This bill will help create jobs in our state. I am proud to co-sponsor it and to continue working to rebuild our roads, bridges, and schools." "Prior to COVID-19 our nation's infrastructure wasn't in great shape," said Johnson. "With state government's seeing less revenue because of the pandemic that means fewer dollars for necessary infrastructure projects. We can't allow our state highways and roads to get further behind – this legislation would help us stay on top of our nation's infrastructure projects. I'm proud to help lead this effort along with Representative Langevin." Rhode Island's state share of federal formula grant transportation projects generally amounts to $45 million a year. By temporarily removing the requirement for states to provide matching funds for active construction projects, Rhode Island and other states will be able to continue their infrastructure improvements… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/problem-solvers-caucus-unveils-march-common-ground-covid-stimulus-framework | PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS UNVEILS “MARCH TO COMMON GROUND” COVID STIMULUS FRAMEWORK | 2020-09-17 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON - Today, Tuesday, September 15, 2020, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus – 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans -- unveiled its "March To Common Ground" framework to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table. The 50-member bipartisan Caucus, developed and came together in support of the framework after extensive listening to constituents and outreach to stakeholders over the past six weeks. The package addresses key areas of need, including COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus, worker and liability protection, small business and non-profit support, food security, schools and child care, housing, election support, and state and local aid. In light of the urgent needs facing millions of Americans, families, and small businesses, the framework is designed for a six month horizon and through the next inauguration, except for state and local funding which extends for a full year. Depending on the severity of the pandemic and if a successful vaccination program is adopted by March, 2021, a system of automatic "boosters" are designed to incrementally increase the amount of relief to individuals and families. Conversely, a system of "reducers" will decrease the total cost of the package. The framework calls for both new stimulus money and the reallocation of previously appropriated "CARES Act" funding, and allocates resources to the following key categories: Testing & Healthcare ($100B) Direct Assistance to Individuals & Families ($316B) Unemployment Assistance ($120B) Small Business & Non-profit Support ($290B School & Child Care ($145B) State & Local Aid ($500.3B) Election Support ($400B) Broadband, Agriculture, USPS, & Census ($52B) Worker & Liability Protections Automatic Boosters & Reducers The full framework can found here. "Americans deserve a functioning Congress that can rise to the challenge and deliver the relief they need," said PSC Co-Chair Tom Reed. "Our framework reflects months of bipartis… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=113BC963-06AE-4BEA-8009-93A4C3E4CE63 | Thune, Moran, Young Bill to Update E-Sign Clears Key Senate Hurdle | 2020-09-16 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) today applauded the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over technology and consumer protection, for passing their E-SIGN Modernization Act, legislation that would streamline how consumers consent to receiving electronic documents like bank statements, account information, and contracts.The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) became law in 2000 and provides a framework for how transactions involved in interstate or foreign commerce can be completed using electronic signatures and electronic documents. Technology has come a long ways since E-SIGN became law 20 years ago, so it only makes sense that we update this legislation to adjust to the new normal, said Thune. Today's passage in the Commerce Committee brings this bill one step closer to reality making it easier for consumers to receive electronic documents. Eliminating unnecessary and harmful rules that do not reflect the capabilities of modern technology while improving consumers' abilities to participate in online commerce has been a significant priority of mine as Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, said Moran. This legislation is a timely update as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of streamlining online banking processes for all Americans. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, it's time we help more people easily access their bank information from a computer or other electronic device,said Young.I'm encouraged by today's passage of theE-SIGN Modernization Actin the Commerce Committeeas we work to get this bill over the finish line so that Americans can access critical documents and bank statements electronically. E-SIGN currently requires consumers to reasonably demonstrate that they can access documents electronically before they can receive an electronic version, which is an outdated requirement that is no longer necessary given a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2FB37599-3DB4-43E8-86A9-BAAA344E91FC | Thune: Congress Cannot Ignore the Effect Washington Spending Has on Future Generations | 2020-09-16 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the soaring U.S. national debt and the effect it could have on future economic growth. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), next year, America's debt will be greater than its gross domestic product (GDP) and rise to 107 percent in 2023, the highest percentage in the nation's history. Thune expressed his frustration with his Democratic colleagues and their general lack of concern regarding the amount of money that would be spent to advance their own political agendas like the Green New Deal. Excerpts of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, at the beginning of September the Congressional Budget Office issued its latest budget outlook. The news wasn't good. CBO announced that next year, our country's debt is projected to exceed the amount of our gross domestic product. In other words, the size of our debt will be greater than the size of our economy. That is a very bad position to be in. Countries with that kind of debt-to-GDP ratio face time-sensitive decisions if they want to avert an all-out economic crisis. Greece is just one recent example. We all know the kind of economic devastation, and accompanying turmoil, that Greece has experienced in recent years. Now, as the United States, we can probably hang on a little longer than most other countries before entering a full-blown debt crisis. And it's helpful that our economy was surging before being waylaid by the onset of the coronavirus. But even we can't hang on forever. Sooner or later, if we don't address the size of our soaring debt, we're going to have a problem. A lot of problems, in fact. Now, Mr. President, that is not something most of my colleagues across the aisle want to hear. They'd like to spend as much as they want, whenever they want, on whatever new government program they've come up with. And they imply that Republicans are miserly for not wanting to join them. Republicans, Democrats imply (or say), just don't care about the ordinary Americ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=CE99B9E1-0372-4D67-9E73-73E8F9E65153 | Blackburn, Thune Move to Expand TSA PreCheck Enrollment Options for Rural Americans | 2020-09-15 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington Today, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Mobile Enrollment Act to improve Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck services, including by enabling Americans in rural communities to enroll online, rather than making an unnecessary trip to an enrollment-friendly airport during the COVID-19 pandemic. This corrective legislation will get the TSA back on track to provide secure, user-friendly mobile enrollment options for rural Americans. It will also create opportunities for public and private entities to join forces in validating identity through mobile biometric capture, said Senator Blackburn. Additionally, this legislation will create new high-skilled engineering jobs in Franklin. The federal government needs to continue to adapt to the needs of the pandemic, and prioritizing access to government resources for rural Tennesseans will continue to be at the top of my list. Currently, residents of rural states like South Dakota are at a disadvantage when it comes to signing up for TSA PreCheck, since the state's only enrollment center is located in Sioux Falls, said Senator Thune. Creating a secure, fully mobile enrollment process greatly expands the accessibility of PreCheck for all Americans, making the traveling experience a little easier for the flying public. The Mobile Enrollment Act will: Force TSA to follow Congressional intent, Ensure there is a multi-vendor secure end-to-end mobile enrollment solution that will allow citizens in rural communities' choice and ease of access for PreCheck enrollment, and Fast-track implementation of mobile biometric capture which is a critical tool in the advancement of digital government services. IDEMIA, the current Universal Enrollment Service contract holder which conducts TSA's PreCheck and other vetting programs, employs 300 people in Franklin, Tennessee. Senator Blackburn's continued leadership and advocacy of this legislation helps to ensure continued job growth in Tennessee,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DBFE864A-563A-4CAA-B409-729C76325869 | Thune: Democrats Threaten to Change 200-Year-Old Senate Practice for Political Gain | 2020-09-15 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his disappointment in the idea that Democrats would consider changing the Senate's 200-year-old practice on the legislative filibuster. The filibuster is one of the most prominent rules that distinguishes the Senate from the House of Representatives and requires the consensus of at least 60 senators before the body can vote on a contentious bill. Thune discussed several recent examples of Senate Democrats using the legislative filibuster this year alone when it suited their needs as the minority party. Excerpts of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, on Friday NBC News reported, and I quote, Democratic insiders are assembling a coalition behind the scenes to wage an all-outwar on the Senate filibusterin bullish anticipation of sweeping the2020 election. It was disturbing confirmation that the campaign by some Democrats to eliminate the Senate's nearly 200-year-old practice for considering legislation has become official. And it puts in stark contrast the choice voters will face in November. So what is the legislative filibuster? It is the product of the Senate's tradition of unlimited debate. The legislative filibuster is essentially the requirement that 60 senators agree before the Senate can end debate and vote on a contentious bill. In other words, you need 60 percent of the Senate to agree before you can pass a bill. What this means in practice is that unlike in the House of Representatives, where legislation can easily pass with the support of just one party, in the Senate you generally need the support of at least some members of the other party before you can pass legislation. Nowadays the Senate's filibuster rule could be said to be the primary thing that distinguishes the Senate from the House of Representatives. And that matters because the Senate is SUPPOSED to be different from the House of Representatives. The framers of the Constitution designed the Senate to be, as the minority leader once said alluding to the leg… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=305AE0C0-7397-4157-B63B-D3CC338199F6 | Delegation Applauds Environmental Protection Agency Decision to Deny Gap-Year Small Refinery Exemption Petitions | 2020-09-14 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied dozens of requests from oil refineries seeking economic hardship exemptions from ethanol blending requirements under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) dating from 2011 through 2018. Administrator Wheeler's rejection of these gap year waiver petitions is welcome news for the American ethanol industry and our farmers, said Thune. Not only is this decision consistent with the RFS, it helps uphold President Trump's commitments to our homegrown biofuels industry. I am encouraged by this announcement, which, in conjunction with the Tenth Circuit ruling, should bring a drastic reduction in small refinery exemptions. Without the threat of looming gap SREs, I look forward to further restoring integrity to the RFS and ensuring this vital market for American farmers is available in the future. The EPA's excessive issuance of Small Refinery Exemptions has undermined the integrity of the RFS for years, harming South Dakota corn and corn ethanol producers by reducing demand, said Rounds. Today's decision upholds the integrity of the RFS and Congress' intent of the law.Over the past year, I have been working with a handful of senators and President Trump to make sure the EPA requires 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol to be blended into our fuel supply. Today's announcement is a step in the right direction to make sure that happens. I urge the EPA to deny additional outstanding waivers when they're received from the Department of Energy. There's been a lot of uncertainty for biofuels this year, said Johnson. I'm encouraged the Trump administration is taking steps to deny refinery blending waivers. We need to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and the biofuels industry deserves long-term certainty. That's whyI'll keep pushing my bill, the RFS Integrity Act, to ensure our producers aren't disadvantaged. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-applauds-environmental-protection-agency-decision-deny-gap-year | Delegation Applauds Environmental Protection Agency Decision to Deny ‘Gap-Year’ Small Refinery Exemption Petitions | 2020-09-14 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied dozens of requests from oil refineries seeking economic hardship exemptions from ethanol blending requirements under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) dating from 2011 through 2018. "Administrator Wheeler's rejection of these gap year waiver petitions is welcome news for the American ethanol industry and our farmers," said Thune. "Not only is this decision consistent with the RFS, it helps uphold President Trump's commitments to our homegrown biofuels industry. I am encouraged by this announcement, which, in conjunction with the Tenth Circuit ruling, should bring a drastic reduction in small refinery exemptions. Without the threat of looming gap SREs, I look forward to further restoring integrity to the RFS and ensuring this vital market for American farmers is available in the future." "The EPA's excessive issuance of Small Refinery Exemptions has undermined the integrity of the RFS for years, harming South Dakota corn and corn ethanol producers by reducing demand," said Rounds. "Today's decision upholds the integrity of the RFS and Congress' intent of the law. Over the past year, I have been working with a handful of senators and President Trump to make sure the EPA requires 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol to be blended into our fuel supply. Today's announcement is a step in the right direction to make sure that happens. I urge the EPA to deny additional outstanding waivers when they're received from the Department of Energy." "There's been a lot of uncertainty for biofuels this year," said Johnson. "I'm encouraged the Trump administration is taking steps to deny refinery blending waivers. We need to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and the biofuels industry deserves long-term certainty. That's why I'll keep pushing my bill, the RFS Integrity Act, to ensure our producers aren't disadvantaged." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/mckinley-degette-gianforte-welch-johnson-matsui-lead-bipartisan-effort-stand | McKinley, DeGette, Gianforte, Welch, Johnson, Matsui Lead Bipartisan Effort to Stand Up for Rural Patients, Hospitals | 2020-09-14 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E., (R-W.Va.), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Doris Matsui (D-CA), led a group of 243 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar requesting an immediate response is taken to ensure covered safety net providers continue to receive crucial 340B drug discounts. Recently, several major drug manufacturers announced that they will limit or restrict federally required 340B drug discounts for eligible health care organizations. These providers rely on 340B savings to ensure access to care for low-income and rural patients. "The 340B program plays an integral role in ensuring eligible health care organizations have access to vital lifesaving medications. As Members of Congress deeply committed to the important safety net mission of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, it is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure covered entities continue to receive crucial 340B drug discounts," wrote the Members. "Drug manufacturers are flouting their statutory obligations by restricting access to safe, affordable medications for low-income Americans who also are among those most affected by COVID-19," said Bruce Siegel MD, MPH, President and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals. "We thank the nearly 250 House members led by Reps. McKinley, DeGette, Gianforte, Welch, Johnson, and Matsui, for their swift action to urge the administration to stop big pharma's ill-timed and illegal efforts to narrow the 340B program." Read the full letter below or click here. Dear Secretary Azar: The 340B program plays an integral role in ensuring eligible health care organizations have access to vital lifesaving medications. As Members of Congress deeply committed to the important safety net mission of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, it is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure covered entities continue to receive crucial 34… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=838C66FE-60AA-44E9-AE97-9D8E3238692B | Never Forget | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | I was in Washington, D.C., on September 11, 2001. I remember stepping out of the congressional office buildings and looking west down the National Mall toward the Pentagon. Black smoke was billowing from the horizon. Members and staff were fleeing from the Capitol building. A deep and heavy sense of fear blanketed the city. That's when everything we had seen unfolding on television suddenly became real. America was under attack. As we all tried to process what was happening in real time, I recall wondering, was the Capitol next? What about the White House? We didn't know it at the time, but, as America would later learn, thanks to the heroic action of the everyday heroes on United Flight 93, both locations, and likely targets, were spared. At one point in the day, I spoke to my youngest daughter, Larissa. She, like most Americans, had two seemingly simple, yet pointed questions: Are we safe? And are we going to get the bad guys? I was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives at the time, but in that moment, I knew I was answering her questions as a dad and as an American citizen: Yes, we're safe. And yes, we're definitely going to get the bad guys. In the days and weeks that followed, America was united. We were united in our grief. We were united in our anger. And we were united in what it meant to be an American. In one of the more symbolic moments in the wake of these attacks, I recall when former President George W. Bush threw the first pitch at Yankee Stadium ahead of game three of the World Series. He took to the mound, bullet-proof vest under his jacket, to chants of USA! USA! USA! He looked around the stadium, wound up, and threw a perfect strike, right down the middle of home plate. As the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City since noted, This moment preceded one of the most extraordinary and needed wins in the Yankees' history. Although they would lose the series, winning each of the three contests at Yankee Stadium signaled to the city and to the world that life would go on. As America b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=396FDF5D-FD66-4EA8-BFF5-153FAF141D5A | Thune: Republicans Have Been Ready to Negotiate, But Democrats Must Be Willing to Genuinely Compromise | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) discussed today's vote on COVID-19 relief legislation that prioritizes federal assistance to help hard-hit small businesses, safely get students back to school, and support frontline workers who are fighting the coronavirus. Thune noted that Democrats' desire for political gain appears greater than their desire to provide urgently needed relief to the American people. Excerpts of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, once again this week, Republicans are bringing forward a proposal to provide additional coronavirus relief to help protect jobs, to get kids and teachers back in the classroom safely, and to provide funding for the treatments and vaccines we need to defeat this virus. And once again, Democrats are objecting. It's the same old song Republicans' bill doesn't spend enough. Let's talk about that for a minute, Mr. President. First of all, Republicans are not claiming that the bill we put on the floor this week contains the last dollars we'll need to spend in response to the coronavirus. We may need to spend more. This bill is simply an attempt to direct relief funds to some of the biggest priorities right now like helping the hardest-hit small businesses weather this crisis and providing more resources for testing, treatment, and vaccines. These are areas we should all agree on. Second of all, Democrats' coronavirus proposal the $3 trillion bill they proposed is both unrealistic and irresponsible. Our nation is deeply, deeply in debt right now. Next year, our country will owe more than we produce for the first time since the end of World War II. That is a very bad place to be. Now, in times of crisis, sometimes you do have to borrow money. And that's what we had to do earlier this year, with the CARES Act and other coronavirus relief legislation. But we have an absolute responsibility to every American, to every hardworking individual in this country, to ensure that we are only borrowing what is absolutely necessary. And Democr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4008A916-EF91-4A51-AB64-700D0E52BCB6 | Delegation Applauds Progress Toward Keeping Hot Springs VA Medical Center Open | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie indicated the VA would begin the process to formally rescind its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA medical center. It is good to see that the VA is formally moving forward to deliver on Secretary Wilkie's March 3, 2020, reassurances that the Hot Springs campus will remain open to serve our veterans, said Thune. The fight to keep The Veteran's Town' open began nearly 10 years ago when President Obama first announced plans to realign' the facility a technical way of saying they wanted to close it. Since that time, I've fought hard to keep pressure on the VA so the facility remained open, knowing how much it means not just to our veterans, but to the community as a whole. For years, we told VA officials that once they visited Hot Springs, they would realize its true value and potential, which is why I was proud to help lead the effort that brought Secretary Wilkie to The Veterans Town' in March a visit that I believe ultimately helped move this process along. This is good news, and I could not be more proud of the Hot Springs community for continuing to fight this long and tough battle. There's still more work to be done, but I remain committed to South Dakota's veterans. The Hot Springs VA facility provides top-notch care to rural veterans across the region, said Rounds. While we're still reviewing the action, this announcement is a positive step toward securing the campus as a place for veterans to receive these vital healthcare services in the years ahead. We also recognize that there is more work to be done. We'll continue working with the VA to make sure it follows through on finalizing this decision to keep the Hot Springs VA campus open. South Dakotans have been fighting for Hot Sprin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6B4F5AEC-ECDC-49FA-BB38-1D0F8E901FD0 | Thune Statement on Democrats Filibuster of Coronavirus Relief Funding | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats filibustered crucial COVID-19 relief legislation that would respond to this crisis by prioritizing federal assistance to help hard-hit small businesses, safely get students back to school, and support frontline workers who are fighting the coronavirus. When it comes to the coronavirus crisis, it should be clear to any objective observer that Democrats would rather keep a political issue than give the American people and businesses the assistance they need, said Thune. With today's vote, Democrats apparently believe that approving zero dollars in COVID relief funding is a better outcome than working with Republicans to find common ground on a targeted approach to this critical issue. It's disappointing, to say the least. Despite many good-faith attempts from Republicans, Democrats are unwilling to compromise unless Republicans simply concede to adding trillions of additional dollars to our national debt. If Democrats were serious about coronavirus relief, they would be willing to negotiate with Republicans to arrive at a bill that both sides could agree to and that could actually pass Congress. While this setback is disappointing, Republicans are committed to providing targeted resources to continue to fight COVID-19 and support families and businesses. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FA68E986-3397-4D33-AEE5-EAC4065D7271 | With Delegation Support, Department of Transportation Awards South Dakota Critical Highway Funding | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to awarda $22 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to reconstruct 30 miles of Highway 46 between US-81 and I-29 near Beresford and Irene, a critical route for agriculture producers in southeast South Dakota and for those driving between Yankton and Sioux Falls. Today's announcement is exciting news for the state and builds on several infrastructure improvements made with the help of the Department of Transportation over the past three years, said Thune. This project is a priority for the region, and I am glad that those traveling along this corridor will soon benefit from this infrastructure investment. South Dakota's highways connect our cities and towns, allowing for the transportation of goods and commodities, said Rounds. As our highways age, it's important we perform necessary maintenance to keep them in safe working condition for years to come. I thank Secretary Chao for approving a BUILD Grant to help reconstruct and widen a 70-year-old section of SD HWY 46 in southeastern South Dakota. This BUILD Grant has been a priority of the delegation and the South Dakota Department of Transportation, said Johnson. The expansion of SD 46 roadway will ensure South Dakota stays connected from Yankton to Sioux Falls, and I'm grateful Secretary Chao recognizes the importance of this key infrastructure project. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-applauds-progress-toward-keeping-hot-springs-va-medical-center-open | Delegation Applauds Progress Toward Keeping Hot Springs VA Medical Center Open | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie indicated the VA would begin the process to formally rescind its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA medical center. "It is good to see that the VA is formally moving forward to deliver on Secretary Wilkie's March 3, 2020, reassurances that the Hot Springs campus will remain open to serve our veterans," said Thune. "The fight to keep ‘The Veteran's Town' open began nearly 10 years ago when President Obama first announced plans to ‘realign' the facility – a technical way of saying they wanted to close it. Since that time, I've fought hard to keep pressure on the VA so the facility remained open, knowing how much it means not just to our veterans, but to the community as a whole. For years, we told VA officials that once they visited Hot Springs, they would realize its true value and potential, which is why I was proud to help lead the effort that brought Secretary Wilkie to ‘The Veterans Town' in March – a visit that I believe ultimately helped move this process along. This is good news, and I could not be more proud of the Hot Springs community for continuing to fight this long and tough battle. There's still more work to be done, but I remain committed to South Dakota's veterans." "The Hot Springs VA facility provides top-notch care to rural veterans across the region," said Rounds. "While we're still reviewing the action, this announcement is a positive step toward securing the campus as a place for veterans to receive these vital healthcare services in the years ahead. We also recognize that there is more work to be done. We'll continue working with the VA to make sure it follows through on finalizing this decision to keep the Hot Springs VA campus open." "South Dakotans have been fighting for Hot … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-support-department-transportation-awards-south-dakota-critical | With Delegation Support, Department of Transportation Awards South Dakota Critical Highway Funding | 2020-09-10 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to award a $22 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to reconstruct 30 miles of Highway 46 between US-81 and I-29 near Beresford and Irene, a critical route for agriculture producers in southeast South Dakota and for those driving between Yankton and Sioux Falls. "This BUILD Grant has been a priority of the delegation and the South Dakota Department of Transportation," said Johnson. "The expansion of SD 46 roadway will ensure South Dakota stays connected from Yankton to Sioux Falls, and I'm grateful Secretary Chao recognizes the importance of this key infrastructure project." "Today's announcement is exciting news for the state and builds on several infrastructure improvements made with the help of the Department of Transportation over the past three years," said Thune. "This project is a priority for the region, and I am glad that those traveling along this corridor will soon benefit from this infrastructure investment." "South Dakota's highways connect our cities and towns, allowing for the transportation of goods and commodities," said Rounds. "As our highways age, it's important we perform necessary maintenance to keep them in safe working condition for years to come. I thank Secretary Chao for approving a BUILD Grant to help reconstruct and widen a 70-year-old section of SD HWY 46 in southeastern South Dakota." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0D13E70D-9E5D-4520-9E17-4CE5EDEC7B4E | Thune: Senate Republicans New COVID-19 Relief Bill Prioritizes Struggling Americans | 2020-09-09 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed new COVID-19 relief legislation that was recently introduced by Senate Republicans. This legislation prioritizes assistance to helping the hardest-hit small businesses, getting students back to school, and providing additional resources to fight the coronavirus. Thune urged Senate Democrats to stop politicizing the coronavirus and prioritize the American people. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, we got more good news about our economic recovery on Friday. The economy added 1.4 million jobs in August, and the unemployment rate fell again, to 8.4 percent. Now, Mr. President, let's be clear: 8.4 percent is not where we want to be. But it is a tremendous improvement from where we were just four months ago, near the beginning of the pandemic, when the unemployment rate was 14.7 percent. And it is very encouraging to see the economy rebounding so quickly. The last time America went through a really rough time economically during the first few years of the Obama-Biden administration unemployment stayed high for years. In fact, during the Obama-Biden administration, America went through two solid years of unemployment above 9 percent. So it's been great to see the economy rebounding at a rapid pace. Again, we're still a long way from where we need and want to be. 8.4 percent is not an acceptable unemployment rate. But we're definitely on the right track. Mr. President, one reason our economy is rebounding quickly is because the economy was thriving before COVID came along. Republican tax reform and pro-growth policies had driven unemployment below 4 percent and created jobs and opportunities for Americans. Having the economy in a healthy position pre-COVID laid the groundwork for a strong recovery. And the policies we put in place during the early days of the pandemic to help businesses particularly small businesses survive the pandemic and keep workers on the payroll have gone a long way toward helping our economy rebo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=97CC9020-5CA2-41CC-96A2-97B46172F277 | Thune and Johnson Seek Nominations to U.S. Military Academies | 2020-09-09 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) today announced that they are accepting applications to the U.S. military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2021. Students interested in attending a service academy must first obtain a nomination from a member of Congress. Thune and Johnson will make nominations to the Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The service academies provide an excellent educational opportunity for a select number of young men and women each year. The deadline for submitting an application to both offices will be November 13, 2020, with interviews in Sioux Falls and Rapid city to be held on December 5. Interested individuals should contact Cathy Mendel in Thune's office at 605-334-9596 and Chelsea Schull in Johnson's office at 605-275-2868 for more information. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-and-johnson-seek-nominations-us-military-academies | Thune and Johnson Seek Nominations to U.S. Military Academies | 2020-09-09 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) today announced that they are accepting applications to the U.S. military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2021. Students interested in attending a service academy must first obtain a nomination from a member of Congress. Thune and Johnson will make nominations to the Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The service academies provide an excellent educational opportunity for a select number of young men and women each year. The deadline for submitting an application to both offices will be November 13, 2020, with interviews in Sioux Falls and Rapid city to be held on December 5. Interested individuals should contact Cathy Mendel in Thune's office at 605-334-9596 and Chelsea Schull in Johnson's office at 605-275-2868 for more information. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=9FD27421-F612-4835-8870-67FF61CD8763 | Staying on Course to Advance Self-Driving Vehicles | 2020-09-04 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Each year, more than 35,000 people die in automobile accidents on our nation's roads.Approximately 90 percent of those accidents can be attributed to human error, which is why self-driving or automated vehicles (AVs) present an opportunity to make incredible gains in the safe movement of people and goods on our roads.South Dakotans are already familiar with automation, which has brought several economic, safety, and efficiency benefits to the agriculture sector, and I believe South Dakota also stands to benefit greatly from the deployment of AVs. These vehicleshave the potential to greatly improve mobility and quality of life for all Americans, especially the disabled and the elderly, whose mobility is often limited by a lack of viable transportation options. And this emerging technology will also allow planners to reimagine civic challenges and opportunities like parking and traffic flow, making roads safer and less congested. Back in 2017, when I chaired the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I introduced the American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies or AV START Act which, if enacted, would provide the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) with new tools to safely test and deploy AVs. AVs will only be able to operate safely when the companies developing them are certain these vehicles can safely react to driving situations we all encounter each day.That is why AV testing is so critical.It ensures AVs are capable of safely navigating roadways and constantly changing traffic conditions.DOT recently launched the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing, or AV TEST Initiative, to facilitate greater awareness and engagement by industry, consumers, and the general public as AV testing becomes increasingly prevalent across the nation. While Congress is often slow to react to new technologies, I remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner to ensure a strong legislative framework is put in place to promote the s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-tillis-request-ppe-tax-deduction-teachers | Johnson, Tillis Request PPE Tax Deduction for Teachers | 2020-09-01 | 2020 | 2020-09 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) urged U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to include personal protective equipment (PPE) as a deductible classroom expense under the Educator Expense Deduction. Currently, educators can deduct up to $250 of supplementary classroom materials and equipment. "Under normal circumstances, teachers often cover classroom costs out of pocket. As many school districts return to in-person learning, it is likely that teachers will on, a case-by-case basis, make purchases to protect their health and the health of their students," said the members. "We ask that purchases made for COVID-19 prevention be a deductible expense." Text of the full letter here or below: The Honorable Steven T. Mnuchin Secretary of the Treasury U.S. Department of Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Mnuchin, We are writing to request guidance to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizer, plexiglass and other protective measures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as state and local officials are deductible classroom expenses under the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Educator Expense Deduction authorized by section 62(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As school districts work on providing a safe classroom environment and enough PPE, some teachers may wish to supplement these efforts and take further personal precautions for their health and the health of their students. We ask that purchases made for COVID-19 prevention be a deductible expense. According to the IRS, if you're an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married and filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $250 each) of unreimbursed trade or business expenses. Qualified expenses are amounts the educator incurred for participation in professional development courses, books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:28:51Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=DEC0E4CF-58ED-4C34-9D34-7793782E0D7B | Thank You to South Dakotas Frontline Heroes | 2020-08-28 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | As the coronavirus pandemic spread from city to city and state to state throughout the country, heroes emerged in some unlikely forms. Delivery drivers helped keep our economy moving, literally. Grocery store workers risked their own health and safety to ensure shelves were stocked and home necessities were available. Sanitation and utility workers helped keep our lights on, our internet connected, and trash off of our streets. And, of course, doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals stepped up in a big way and have been fighting on the frontline since this crisis first began. From the early days of the pandemic, when Congress was grappling with how to respond, members of South Dakota's health care community were some of the first and most consistent calls I made. I can recall sitting in my office in Washington in between meetings about what would eventually become the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act bipartisan legislation that was unanimously approved by Congress in March and getting real-time updates from medical professionals on the ground in South Dakota. Congress knew that the virus wouldn't affect every state the same way, so it was critical to hear what folks were seeing and hearing throughout the country. The feedback I received from South Dakota's health care providers helped shape my approach to coronavirus relief discussions in Congress. I wanted to ensure our health care community had the tools it needed to prepare for what was coming and to act when necessary. Since the CARES Act's passage, I'm proud to say that nearly $520 million in federal relief funds have been allocated to South Dakota's health care community to help fight this battle. Just because Congress acted, it doesn't mean my reliance on these frontline workers' advice and feedback has ended. This is an unprecedented crisis, and I want to be sure the federal investment in the response is working effectively and efficiently. I also want to be sure there aren't additional needs that aren't being m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-honors-west-river-vietnam-veterans | Johnson Honors West River Vietnam Veterans | 2020-08-26 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today in Rapid City, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) honored thirteen Veterans who served during the Vietnam War with a commemoration pin for their service to our nation. "Too many of our Vietnam-era veterans were not welcomed home properly. It's never too late to do the right thing," Johnson said. "That's why it's important for me to look these leaders in the eye and tell them that our grateful nation thanks them for their service." Rep. Johnson honors Vietnam Veterans will commemorative pins for their service during the Vietnam War. Vietnam Veteran Stanley Self Sr. Stanley served in the Marine Corps from 1963 to 1967 and medically retired in 1969 as an E3 Lance Corporal. He was a machine gunner and had been stationed at Camp Lejeune and Oahu. Vietnam Veterans and Brothers, John Deming (left) and Dean Deming (middle). John served in the Army from 1968-1971. Dean served in the Army from 1963 to 1966, and then in the National Guard for a year before going back to the Army from 1967 to 1970. Vietnam Veteran Jack Dean. Jack was in the Navy and served combat time in Vietnam. He then served in the Air Force and retired as an E6 Technical Sergeant. He was the SD State VFW President from 2000-2001 and current Post 463 Commander. Jack is also the SD State Council President for Vietnam Veterans of America. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:24:54Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=1C086510-7D39-4122-AA27-54044AE137FC | A Little Bit of Commonsense Goes a Long Way | 2020-08-21 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | I've always thought that when we Americans get up in the morning, when we see bacon, eggs, toast, and milk on our breakfast table, we should give thanks that our farmers are survivors. You are the real miracle workers of the modern world keepers of an incredible system based on faith, freedom, hard work, productivity, and profit a system that feeds us and sustains millions of the world's hungry. When President Reagan delivered that message to the American people in 1982, the U.S. agriculture economy was in the throes of a severe recession. South Dakota's farmers and ranchers are familiar with adversity, and while today's agriculture economy technically isn't in a recession, technicalities don't matter. Times are really tough, and an already sluggish agriculture economy has been accentuated by the hurdles of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farm and ranch families know I'm in their corner, no matter the circumstances. While the farm bill is one of the best chances to enact meaningful and long-term policy changes, it only comes around every five years, at the earliest. Conditions in farm country can change on a dime, though, which means we don't have the luxury of sitting around and waiting for the next farm bill to come around. I'm always learning from and listening to South Dakota's agriculture community and acting when necessary. In 2019, many producers throughout the Great Plains, including South Dakota, weren't able to plant their fields due to extreme weather events. Given the reality of a late planting season, many producers turned to cover crops on their prevented plant acres, of which there were nearly 4 million acres in South Dakota alone. While it's a good option for producers, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency rule prohibited haying or grazing prevented plant acres prior to November 1 each year without a reduction in producers' prevented plant payments. Anyone who's spent a fall or winter in South Dakota knows that by the time November rolls around, we've likely already encounte… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-peterson-introduce-bill-include-newspaper-printing-costs-paycheck | Johnson, Peterson Introduce Bill to Include Newspaper Printing Costs in Paycheck Protection Program | 2020-08-19 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced the Preserving Readership and Information of Newspapers for Tomorrow (PRINT) Act, which would include the cost of print production of local print media in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Currently, local media is eligible for the PPP, but printing costs are not forgivable under the program guidelines. "A free press is critical to our democracy," said Johnson. "Our local news teams work day in and day out to keep South Dakotans informed of what's happening both locally and nationally. Unfortunately, local media hasn't been immune from the financial impact of COVID-19. A slowdown of advertisements and subsequent layoffs continue to threaten our ability to maintain a free press, the PRINT Act will help alleviate some of the burden our print shops are facing." "We rely on local newspapers for information about what the city council and county boards are doing, the births, deaths and weddings, what's happening at school, who's running for office, and how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting our lives," said Peterson. "COVID-19 has made the already vital role of local news even more critical, at a time when many small businesses are struggling to keep the doors open. The PRINT Act will help our small and rural newspapers to continue their important work informing our communities." "Keeping the newspaper going during the pandemic is an essential service. Second only to staffing costs are production expenses—printing, ink, paper and the contracts associated with getting the paper out. Allowing community newspapers that still have PPP dollars through the end of the year to spend their money on printing would help our local newspapers to survive." – Matthew Adelman President, National Newspaper Association and Publisher. "South Dakota's newspapers are appreciative of Rep. Johnson's legislation to include the costs of printing and production in the Paycheck Protection Program. Having that flexibility in a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:24:54Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AC6B3ED2-A521-4231-92E9-059A48E20782 | Following Thune-Johnson Request, USDA Provides Flexibility for Harvesting and Grazing Cover Crops on Prevented Plant Acres | 2020-08-17 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, respectively, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would allow producers to graze or harvest cover crops on prevented plant acres in certain counties prior to November 1, following their request in June. South Dakota producers will be allowed to hay, graze, or chop cover crops on prevented plant acres beginning September 1 in Beadle, Brown, Brule, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand, Hanson, Hyde, McPherson, Marshall, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, and Walworth counties. Although we were hoping this announcement would have been made in June, we are glad some producers in South Dakota will have relief during these unprecedented environmental and economic circumstances, said Thune. The November 1 date puts producers in northern states like South Dakota at a disadvantage, especially considering South Dakota's uncertain fall and winter weather.I will continue working on a long-term legislative solution to permanently remove this date restriction, which would help level the playing field and give our producers the certainty they need. During these times, what South Dakotans need most is flexibility, said Johnson. Our producers continue to request changes to the prevent plant harvest date and for the last two years we've been able to get that done. This is good news for our farmers and ranchers, but I will continue to push for legislative solutions like the FEEDD Act to provide more certainty to our producers facing unpredictable South Dakota winters. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-thune-johnson-request-usda-provides-flexibility-harvesting-and | Following Thune-Johnson Request, USDA Provides Flexibility for Harvesting and Grazing Cover Crops on Prevented Plant Acres | 2020-08-17 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, respectively, today issued the following statements after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would allow producers to graze or harvest cover crops on prevented plant acres in certain counties prior to November 1, following their request in June. South Dakota producers will be allowed to hay, graze, or chop cover crops on prevented plant acres beginning September 1 in Beadle, Brown, Brule, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand, Hanson, Hyde, McPherson, Marshall, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, and Walworth counties. "Although we were hoping this announcement would have been made in June, we are glad some producers in South Dakota will have relief during these unprecedented environmental and economic circumstances," said Thune. "The November 1 date puts producers in northern states like South Dakota at a disadvantage, especially considering South Dakota's uncertain fall and winter weather. I will continue working on a long-term legislative solution to permanently remove this date restriction, which would help level the playing field and give our producers the certainty they need." "During these times, what South Dakotans need most is flexibility," said Johnson. "Our producers continue to request changes to the prevent plant harvest date and for the last two years we've been able to get that done. This is good news for our farmers and ranchers, but I will continue to push for legislative solutions like the FEEDD Act to provide more certainty to our producers facing unpredictable South Dakota winters." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:24:54Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=06A32488-FAF5-416C-906B-A5E0FF55DB79 | Statement on the Passing of Harold Thune | 2020-08-15 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the passing of his father, Harold Thune. My dad was the embodiment of the American Dream, said Thune. He was a small-town South Dakota kid who worked hard and valued God, family, and country. He lived a life of purpose that imparted a set of values on me and my siblings that I've always tried to embody and pass on to my kids and grandkids. And as a kid himself, he answered our nation's call to defend freedom and help free the world from tyranny and oppression during World War II. He was my hero. One of the greatest treasures my dad gave me was the appreciation for being part of a team, no matter what station in life I've found myself in sports, in politics, in governing, and, most importantly, in being part of a family. He'd always talk about making the pass, finding your teammate, making the team better. Whether we were on the basketball court, sitting around the kitchen table, or in the halls of Congress, his advice always made sense now more than ever. This hurts, and I'm going to miss him, but I can't help but smile knowing he's been reunited with my mom, the love of his life. I'll miss you, dad, but thank you for making me a better person, a better father, and a better citizen of this country you helped defend. Harold Thune, 100, was a World War II veteran, educator, and lifelong South Dakota resident. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=BE356BA0-4999-4E9E-89E3-A45060555B16 | Here to Take Your Call | 2020-08-14 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | This year has been full of unexpected and unprecedented experiences. A global pandemic will do that, as we've all come to learn. And while the hardworking, common-sense people of South Dakota have been an example of how to respond to a national crisis like this one, by striking a balance between public safety and personal freedom and responsibility, we, too, have seen our day-to-day lives affected by this ongoing outbreak. In March, after Congress responded to this crisis by passing a massive relief bill that provided funding for personal protective equipment for frontline medical personnel, vaccine and treatment development, direct relief payments to American citizens, and forgivable loans for small businesses, the reality really started to set in. America hadn't seen a public health crisis like this in more than 100 years, and given today's global and interconnected economy, we found ourselves in completely uncharted territory. While I knew our state and local communities would face uncertain times in the days, weeks, and months ahead, I had one message for my team throughout South Dakota and in Washington, D.C. While I knew they, too, and their families were experiencing the same risks and set of unknowns as everyone else, I didn't want the people of South Dakota to feel an ounce of difference when they reached out to my office for help. My team didn't skip a beat, which will come as no surprise to those who've had the opportunity to work with them over the years. They went right to work and have helped me every step of the way to continue providing the same level of service and professionalism the people of South Dakota have grown to expect during the best of times, let alone in the middle of a national crisis like this one. Phone calls were answered; letters and emails were opened, read, and responded to; constituent casework continued to be addressed, and South Dakotans' feedback was delivered to my colleagues in Washington. Our country certainly knows more about this invisible enemy today than we did i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=AE6184DA-55AA-4571-B74F-917962CA493D | Safeguarding South Dakotas Top Industry | 2020-08-07 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | While most sectors of our economy were thriving before the coronavirus pandemic hit, farmers and ranchers were struggling. Low prices, extended trade disputes, and natural disasters had meant a tough few years for agriculture producers even before the arrival of the coronavirus. So the pandemic has hit farmers and ranchers particularly hard. Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, and making sure our agriculture producers have what they need to keep feeding our nation and the world is one of my top priorities in Washington. During debate on the CARES Act our largest coronavirus relief bill to date I fought to make sure that we included relief for farmers and ranchers. The final bill included $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation, plus an additional $9.5 billion in emergency support to allow the Department of Agriculture to provide income and price support for farmers and ranchers. Days after the bill passed, I led a bipartisan group of senators and representatives in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging him to use a portion of the funds to provide support for hard-hit cattle producers.In mid-April, the Department of Agriculture responded to that letter and other petitions by announcing that it would issue $16 billion in direct payments to agriculture producers, including livestock producers, affected by the virus. Sign-ups for this funding began at the end of May, and according to the most recent data, South Dakota agriculture producers had received approximately $342 million. The coronavirus relief legislation we passed in late March established the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to small businesses to help them keep their employees on their payroll during this crisis. Self-employed Americans, which describes many farmers and ranchers, are eligible for these loans. But in practice, the program's guidelines have excluded a lot of agriculture producers. Low commodity prices and a challenging planting season meant that many farmers and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B777F900-BC0F-4E12-A10F-07FFC030FA23 | Thune Introduces Bill to Recognize Environmental Benefit of Biofuels, Efficient Farming | 2020-08-06 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONU.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced the Adopt GREET Act,legislationthatwould require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling for ethanol and biodiesel.Specifically, the bill would require EPA to adopt either the Argonne National Lab's Greenhouse Gas and Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model orthe2019U.S.Department of Agriculture(USDA)methodologywithin 90 days of enactment.For biodiesel, EPA would be required adopt the GREET Model.EPA would then be required to update its modeling every five yearsor report to Congress to affirm its modeling is current or otherwise explain why no updates were made. Analysis by USDA has found that greenhouse gas emissions from corn-based ethanol are about 43 percent lower than those from conventional gasoline,said Thune.But despite strong bipartisan support for updating its modeling, the EPA still insists on using greenhouse gas reduction data on ethanol from a decade ago, which substantially understates the degree to which current corn-based ethanol reduces emissions. By adopting contemporary greenhouse gas modeling, the EPA would formally recognize the greenhouse gas reductions driven by American biofuels. This would make American biofuels even more attractive to countries implementing clean fuel standards and other programs to lower their emissions. And needless to say, increasing our exports of biofuels would be a shot in the arm to American corn farmers and ethanol producerswhose operations arein jeopardy from the pandemic. We know ethanol is a low carbon fuel, and Senator Thune's legislation to use sound science to update its carbon footprint at EPA is long overdue,said Lisa Richardson, executive director of South Dakota Corn. We're pleased to see Senator Thune introduce this legislation to require EPA to adopt the GREET Model or USDA's methodology,said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy.Biofuel plants continue to innovate, and the science on biofuels has dramatically improved. Trov… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AD1CFD37-5BF1-4469-AA17-0F804BB5FC34 | Thune, Rounds Introduce Legislation to Improve Snowpack and Drought Monitoring in the Upper Missouri River Basin | 2020-08-05 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that would improve flood monitoring systems and the accuracy of soil moisture and snowpack data. The bill would authorize funding for the Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps') continued installation of a network of weather monitoring stations as well as funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement a pilot program to acquire and utilize the data. Following the historic and devastating flooding across South Dakota in 2011 and 2019, it became clear that more accurate flood prediction and weather forecasting products were needed, said Thune. By authorizing funding to update these monitoring stations and partnering with the state systems, we will have the capability to gather more accurate data and improve not only our flood risk monitoring efforts, but also drought monitoring and weather forecasting generally. South Dakotans are all too familiar with the devastating impact flooding can have when the river is not properly managed, said Rounds. Since coming to the Senate, I've pushed the Corps of Engineers to implement the snowpack monitoring system that was recommended after the 2011 flood and included in a 2014 water resources bill. And, we've been successful in assuring dozens of monitoring sites scheduled to be operational by next year, with over 400 more in the coming years. Our legislation would force the federal government's hand with the force of law. It will enable the full completion of a system that accurately forecasts snowmelt effects so that the Corps water management team makes the best decisions to protect the people who make their homes in the Missouri River basin. The Missouri River Basin Drought and Snowpack Monitoring Act' will be viewed as a milestone in American weather monitoring, said Barry Dunn, president of South Dakota State University. This Act leverages the Missouri River Basin network of State mesonets to help our states' residents better adapt a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F0450033-BD94-4D4B-86A8-2920E296ED06 | Thune: Democrats Unwillingness to Compromise is Stalling Relief for American People | 2020-08-05 | 2020 | 2020-08 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act, the next coronavirus relief legislation that was introduced by Senate Republicans. Thune expressed his hope that Democrats will put aside their political agenda and work in good faith to find a compromise that will help those Americans who continue to struggle during the ongoing pandemic. Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, last week, Senate Republicans introduced a new coronavirus relief bill the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act. Our bill is a $1 trillion piece of legislation focused on getting Americans back to work, getting kids and college students back to school, and providing health care resources to help defeat this virus. Of course, when we introduced this bill, we knew our version wouldn't be the final draft. We knew we'd need to negotiate with our Democrat colleagues just like we did with the CARES Act, our largest coronavirus relief bill, back in March. Back in March, committee chairmen and ranking members got together and compromised and worked out differences, and we ended up with a strong, bipartisan bill. Was it a perfect bill? No. Did everyone get everything he or she wanted? No. But it was a strong, bipartisan bill that was praised by Democrats and Republicans alike. Mr. President, I'd like to say that we're engaging in those same types of negotiations right now. But I'm not sure you can call what's happening right now negotiations. Negotiations involve both sides being willing to give something up, to compromise, to move toward a solution. And while Republicans are willing to make compromises to ensure that we can deliver another coronavirus relief bill to the American people, Democrats apparently aren't willing to make any. Back in May, House Democrats passed a massive $3.4 trillion piece of legislation that they called a coro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=4EF54823-A2EA-4BA1-9E51-A4FBB3D83513 | The Work Goes On | 2020-07-31 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | While the Senate continues to carefully monitor the implementation of our COVID relief efforts, listen to and learn from states and communities, evaluate where future health and economic assistance might be required, and develop targeted proposals to help those in need, we're also focused on other issues that are important to the American people. We can walk and chew gum at the same time, as the old saying goes. In recent weeks and months, the Senate approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which supports our military men and women and their families, passed the Great American Outdoors Act, a major lands bill that will help clear maintenance backlogs at national parks in South Dakota, and confirmed executive branch nominations and lifetime judicial branch nominations to federal benches around the country. We've also continued a lot of the behind-the-scenes committee work that vets nominees and prepares legislation for future consideration on the Senate floor. I serve on the Finance Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Commerce Committee, and I'm the chairman of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight and the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet (CTII). I recently convened a pair of hearings at the CTII subcommittee, which is the only subcommittee that's comprised of every member of the full Commerce Committee. The high interest in serving on the subcommittee is a testament to its focus on a wide range of issues that affect Americans in every corner of the United States, especially South Dakota. For example, bridging the digital divide is critical for rural America, and it's something I've been fighting to accomplish for years. While the divide has gotten smaller, there's still more work to do, which is why one of my recent CTII hearings focused on the public and private sectors' coordinated effort when it comes to federal spectrum management. Think of spectrum as the airwaves over which information flows to and from internet- or Bluetooth-con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-johnson-announces-congressional-app-challenge | Rep. Johnson Announces Congressional App Challenge | 2020-07-30 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today announced South Dakota's first Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an app competition for students in middle and high school across the country. The CAC accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.). The Challenge's submission portal is now open. Students must register online by September 10th and submit their app by October 19th. The competition welcomes all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. The House of Representatives encourages students of all skill levels to participate in the Congressional App Challenge. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges in South Dakota and honored by South Dakota's Congressional office. Winning apps will be featured on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website. "The Congressional App Challenge was created because Congress recognized STEM and computer science skills are essential for economic growth," said Johnson. "The U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts, and we have a programmer shortage. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs. To maintain American competitiveness, it's crucial that the United States invests in our youth now and helps them acquire these valuable skills." For further information about the Congressional App Challenge and to register for the competition, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us. ## | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=294ACE96-9360-485A-AF73-0531FDFFFA4C | Thune: PACT Act Would Increase Internet Accountability and Consumer Transparency | 2020-07-29 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today discussed the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) to address some of the issues surrounding Section 230 and user-generated content sites, like consumer protection for online platform users.Yesterday, Thune led a subcommittee hearing to examine online platforms' content moderation practices and to discuss what legislative measures can be taken to ensure consumers are protected and empowered while on the internet. During the hearing, one of the original authors of the Section 230 provision, former Representative Chris Cox, confirmed that the PACT Act could go a long way toward making user-generated internet sites more accountable to consumers. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, yesterday, in my role as head of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, I led a hearing looking at proposed reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. So what is Section 230? Well, Section 230 provides internet sites that hostuser-generated content sites like YouTube or Twitter or Facebook with immunity for the content users post on their sites. So, for example, if somebody uploads a YouTube video with defamatory content, YouTube isn't held responsible for that content. It's not unfair to say that Section 230 has enabled the internet as we know it. Without Section 230 protections, many of the sites we rely on for social connection or news or entertainment would never have come into being. If a solo blogger, for example, could be held responsible for monitoring each and every comment on his or her site, no matter how many hundreds or thousands there are, it's unlikely blogging would ever have taken off. And if YouTube were responsible for the content of every one of the millions of videos on its site well, it's… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3DC8A420-806D-4448-A6BC-58E1B15BBAC3 | New COVID-19 Relief Package Includes Thune Provision for Remote and Mobile Workers | 2020-07-28 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed his Remote and Mobile Worker Relief Act, a bipartisan provision included in the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act, the next coronavirus relief package that Senate Republicans introduced yesterday. Thune's provision would ensure medical professionals from around the country who supported areas hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic do not face unexpected or increased state income tax bills. The provision would also address potential problems remote workers are facing during the pandemic, including the possibility of having their state income taxes become out of balance because they worked from home in a different state than their ordinary place of employment during the pandemic. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, yesterday I was privileged to be able to pay my respects to Representative John Lewis as he lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda a fitting place for an American hero. His death is a loss, but his dauntless courage and deep conviction have carved out for him a permanent place in American history. When we tell stories of those who have made America greater, John Lewis's name will always be among them. Mr. President, yesterday Senate Republicans introduced the next phase of our coronavirus relief effort the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act, or HEALS Act. This bill has been carefully targeted to address the most pressing issues facing our nation right now getting kids back to school, getting workers back to work, and ensuring that we have the health care resources necessary to defeat this virus. The HEALS Act will provide economic incentives to help businesses retain workers. It will give additional support to hard-hit small businesses. It will provide checks to American families to help them weather the economic challenges they're facing. It will give schools more than $100 billion to help them safely reopen, so kids and college students aren'… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=465D76D2-494C-43D7-A453-1F2F17616254 | Thune: Digital Consumers Deserve and Expect Adequate Online Control and Protection | 2020-07-28 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today led a hearing titled, The PACT Act and Section 230: The Impact of the Law that Helped Create the InternetandanExamination of Proposed Reforms for Today's Online World, to examine online platforms' content moderation practices and to discuss what legislative measures can be taken to ensure consumers are protected and empowered while on the internet. During the hearing, Thune questioned experts on transparency requirements that could be used to protect consumers online. The reality is that the platforms have a strong incentive to exercise control over the content each of us sees, because if they can present us with content that will keep us engaged on the platform, we will stay on the platform longer, said Thune.Moderation is an important function that platforms must provide in order to deliver a valuable experience to their users.Unfortunately, it's hard for users to get good information about how content is moderated. The Internet has evolved significantly since Section 230 was enacted. Long gone are the days of the online bulletin boards.Today, internet platforms have sophisticated content moderation tools, algorithms, and recommendation engines to promote content and connect users, all optimized toward keeping every user engaged on the platform. The platforms have monetized these systems through targeted advertising and related businesses and have consequently become some of the largest companies in the world.Moreover, these platforms have become essential to our daily lives, as many Americans live, work, and communicate increasingly online. On June 24, 2020, Thune joined Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), ranking member of the subcommittee, in introducing thePlatform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The PACT Act would strengthen transparency in the process online platf… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-spanberger-introduce-bill-strengthen-telehealth | Johnson, Spanberger Introduce Bill to Strengthen Telehealth | 2020-07-28 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.-AL) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) introduced the COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act to appropriate additional funds to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) COVID-19 Telehealth Program authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On April 2, 2020, the FCC announced the program and set the maximum award at $1 million. Due to the popularity of the program, on June 25th, FCC announced it would no longer accept applications from providers for funding from the program. On July 8th, FCC announced the release of the final tranche of approved funding applications from the original $200 million appropriation through the CARES Act. South Dakota health care providers were recipients of the program. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act would add an additional $200 million to the program. Last week, Johnson and Spanberger led 41 bipartisan members asking for additional data on the program and ways to strengthen our nations telehealth. "South Dakota has seen the benefits of expanding telehealth firsthand," said Johnson. "It's easy, it's quick, and it protects vulnerable populations seeking health care during this worldwide health crisis. South Dakota patients deserve quality care and our bill would provide the resources needed to strengthen additional telehealth programs in South Dakota and across the country." "During a public health crisis, families, seniors, and veterans need to have reliable access to their doctors and caregivers. Telehealth has provided a solution for thousands of Central Virginians to receive the high-quality care they need, while still taking precautions to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19," said Spanberger. "Telehealth has clearly demonstrated its importance and its popularity during the pandemic, and our COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act recognizes the role this technology should continue to play as we see a resurgence of the virus in communities ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-gianforte-demand-hhs-strip-convicted-pedophile-government-pension | Johnson, Gianforte Demand HHS Strip Convicted Pedophile of Government Pension | 2020-07-27 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Greg Gianforte (R-MT) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to hold convicted pedophile and former Indian Health Service (IHS) pediatrician Stanley Patrick Weber fully accountable for his actions. The Representatives demanded HHS take quick action to revoke Mr. Weber's government pension after an investigation reported the felon, convicted of child sexual abuse, was still receiving his pension. "Over the past few years, the American public has been shocked and horrified to learn about the appalling crimes against children perpetrated by Stanley Patrick Weber during his lengthy tenure at IHS. Despite multiple concerns and allegations throughout his tenure at IHS hospitals in Montana and South Dakota, IHS and the Public Health Service (PHS) allowed Mr. Weber to continue treating young Native American boys. These children were often disadvantaged, and Mr. Weber actions were a despicable abuse of authority and control. Thankfully, Mr. Weber has finally been put where he belongs: behind bars," said Johnson and Gianforte. "By allowing Mr. Weber to continue to collect his pension, the PHSCC has not held him fully responsible for his actions. We urge that the agency to convene the board of inquiry and take quick action to revoke Mr. Weber's government pension." The text of the full letter here and below: Dear Secretary Azar and Surgeon General Adams, We write to you today regarding the government pension of convicted pedophile and former Indian Health Service (IHS) pediatrician Stanley Patrick Weber. Despite Mr. Weber's guilty conviction, his pension from the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) reportedly continues. Over the past few years, the American public has been shocked and horrified to learn about the appalling crimes against children perpetrated by Stanley Patrick Weber during his lengthy tenure at IHS. Despite multiple concerns and allegations throughout his tenure at IHS hospitals in Montana and South D… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=B5104BD6-A6BD-42EA-8C7A-2DCE55DC1808 | Defending Those Who Defend America | 2020-07-24 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | The Senate recently completed consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) annual legislation to authorize funding for our military and national defense. Like the last two NDAAs, this year's bill focuses on restoring military readiness and ensuring that our nation is prepared to meet threats posed by major powers like Russia and China. A lot of people tend to take it for granted that we have the strongest military in the world. But the truth is, years of underfunding and budgetary uncertainty, combined with heavy operational demands, left our military under-equipped, under-manned, and under-prepared to meet the threats of the 21st century. In November 2018, the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission released a report warning that our readiness had eroded to the point where we might struggle to win a war against a major power like Russia or China.And the commission noted that we would be especially vulnerable if we were ever called on to fight a war on two fronts. Over the past two years, we've made real progress on restoring military readiness. But we still have more work to do. This year's NDAA continues our investment in ensuring that our military is prepared to meet current and future threats in any domain. In particular, it focuses on implementing the National Defense Strategy by building on the work we've done to ensure our country is prepared to counter the threat posed by great powers. Most notably, the bill establishes the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which will act as a check on Chinese aggression in the Pacific region. It will help ensure that American troops are better prepared to meet threats in that area of the world. And it will send a clear message to China that America is committed to the security of our allies in the Pacific and keeping global waterways open and free. No matter what weapons or ships or technology we have, our greatest resource will always be the men and women of the United States military. And we have an obligation to them and to their families… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7E2D7196-620A-44AC-B9FA-4D4E054B9132 | Thune Statement on Senate Passage of Pro-Troop Defense Bill | 2020-07-23 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual legislation that authorizes funding for the U.S. military and national defense. The NDAA is an important step forward in making sure our troops have the resources they need to protect Americans and are prepared to meet threats posed by major world powers like Russia and China or rogue nations like North Korea and Iran, said Thune. I'm glad the Senate was able to work together to pass this bill in a bipartisan manner, andI'm grateful for Senator Inhofe's leadership on this legislation. As we look to getting this bill through conference and to the president's desk, I will continue working to support our troops, including the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, and readying Ellsworth Air Force Base for the future B-21 mission. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B83859F7-F551-459C-8EBC-7FC6C89EA610 | Thune: Effective Spectrum Policymaking Will Benefit Rural America and Help Win the Race to 5G | 2020-07-23 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today led a hearing titled, The State of Spectrum Policy, to examine the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA's) role in spectrum management and policymaking. During the hearing, Thune questioned industry experts on new ways to improve the spectrum policymaking process in order to generate peak potential for consumers. Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless communications, said Thune.Next-generation wireless networks require efficient and effective use of low, mid, and high bands of spectrum. If we do not have proper management of this limited resource, we simply won't have enough of the right kinds of spectrum available. And in the global race to deploy next-generation networks and services, we have a responsibility to furnish Americans with the spectrum-fueled 5G ecosystem thatwill be needed to maintain our competitive edge. This is particularly important for those of us in more rural parts of America.If inadequacy of spectrum resources makes 5G less viable, it will be the rural areas where it no longer makes sense to deploy next-generation telecommunications services. Thune's full remarks (as prepared for delivery): Good morning and welcome to today's hearing reviewing the state of U.S. spectrum policy. This Committee has long recognized the need for a thoughtful approach to spectrum policy and the important role both the FCC and NTIA have in spectrum management. I appreciate all of you taking the time out of your schedules to discuss this topic. Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless communications. Next-generation wireless networks require efficient and effective use of low, mid, and high bands of spectrum. If we do not have proper management of this limited resource, we simply won't have enough of the right kinds of spectrum available. And in the global race to deploy next-generati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=51EF587E-1D21-4C0F-B323-65154B7FB6AF | Thune Statement on USDA Cattle Market Investigation Report | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its investigation into cattle market volatility during the coronavirus pandemic and following a 2019 fire at a Tyson Foods beef plant in Holcomb, Kansas. The report provides an analysis on cattle market conditions and considerations for improving the cattle market. The investigation into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act is ongoing. South Dakota's cattle producers are facing extreme volatility in the cattle market, and I remain concerned about potential anticompetitive activity in the highly concentrated meatpacking industry. said Thune. I look forward to reviewing the considerations provided in this report, and I will continue to press the Department of Justice to conclude its investigation into potential price manipulation and other anticompetitive activities in the meatpacking industry. On April 8, 2020, Thune urged USDA to take further action to strengthen the integrity of the cattle market by requesting that USDA's Packers and Stockyards Division investigate the cattle market volatility due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to conclude its investigation into beef pricing margins after the Holcomb, Kansas, Tyson plant fire. The following day, Thune urged Attorney General William Barr to open an investigation into the beef industry. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8785E8B4-1B59-430F-9C8D-C8DEF6E176AA | Thune: Next Coronavirus Relief Funding Package Prioritizes Kids, Jobs, and Health Care | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the next coronavirus relief funding bill that Republicans plan to introduce in the near future, which will prioritize kids, jobs, and health care. Thune emphasized the importance of targeting this relief effort and prioritizing the most prevalent needs, since every dollar of additional spending will be borrowed and need to be paid back by future generations. Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, before I begin, I would like to take a moment to honor Congressman John Lewis, who died on Friday. A leader of the Civil Rights movement, he was one of the 13 original Freedom Riders and an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. He was a man of conscience, conviction, and supreme courage. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up.You have to do something,' he would say. John Lewis did something. Confronted by the great sin of segregation, John Lewis put himself front and center in the fight. He organized sit-ins. He led demonstrations. He marched for freedom. And he paid for his convictions with his blood. A man who espoused non-violence, he suffered incredible brutality at the hands of both police officers and civilian mobs. He was attacked and beaten an untold number of times. During a march in Selma, Alabama on a day that lives in infamy a police officer fractured John Lewis's skull, leaving him with a scar that he carried to the end of his life. Yet John Lewis was unbowed. No matter how many times he was attacked or what he suffered, he got up again and rejoined the fight. His death, Mr. President, is a great loss. But John Lewis will live on, in the annals of American heroes. May we all have his courage in fighting for the right. Mr. President, so far, Congress has provided $2.4 trillion to fight the coronavirus. Over the past couple of months here in the Senate, we've been closely tracking the implementation of t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9D967421-07E8-4813-A695-2B6D1A9D32CF | Thune, Enzi Introduce Legislation to Improve Integrity of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), members of the Senate Finance Committee, today introduced legislation that would improve the integrity of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The bill would also reduce the issuance of fraudulent claims by requiring beneficiaries of the program to provide documentation proving employment or planned employment to their state unemployment insurance (UI) office in order to receive PUA benefits. While it's very important that we make sure those who are struggling with unemployment because of the COVID-19 pandemic have the assistance they need during these tough times, it's just as important that PUA benefits are going to folks who are actually eligible, said Thune. By adding this layer of transparency to this program we created in the CARES Act, we can ensure it is actually serving the people Congress intended. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented unemployment and while it's important to help those struggling, we need to make sure that unemployment money is going to those who are eligible, said Enzi. This bill would close a loophole to help prevent fraud in the program and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent as intended. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Integrity Act would require current and future PUA beneficiaries to provide documentation proving employment or planned employment to obtain or retain PUA benefits. The CARES Act established PUA to provide UI benefits to individuals not otherwise eligible, like the self-employed and independent contractors. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A0CEA6AA-DD88-4918-85B9-9D9DF69C282F | Thune to Lead Subcommittee Hearing on Legislation to Strengthen Online Transparency, Accountability, and Consumer Protection | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen.John Thune, (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled,The PACT Act and Section 230: The Impact of the Law that Helped Create the InternetandanExamination of Proposed Reforms for Today's Online World, at 10:00 a.m. EDT/ 9:00 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.The hearing will examine the important role of Section 230 in promoting and disseminating speech online, and the history, evolution, and expansion of Section 230's protections for online platforms. The hearing will provide an opportunity to discuss ways to ensure platforms are accountable for their content moderation practices and what legislative measures, from transparency to accountability tools, can empower consumers online. On June 24, 2020, Thune joined Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), ranking member of the subcommittee, in introducing thePlatform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The PACT Act would strengthen transparency in the process online platforms use to moderate content and hold those companies accountable for content that violates their own policies or is illegal. Witnesses: The Honorable Christopher Cox, counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bokius LLP; director, NetChoice Ms. Elizabeth Banker, deputy general counsel, Internet Association Mr. Jeff Kosseff, assistant professor, Cyber Science Department, United States Naval Academy Mr. Olivier Sylvain, professor of law, Fordham University Hearing Details: Thursday, July 28, 2020 10:00 a.m. EDT/ 9:00 a.m. CDT Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Witness testimony,opening statements, and a live video of the hearingwill be available onwww.commerce.senate.gov. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-usda-cattle-investigation | Johnson Statement on USDA Cattle Investigation | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) release of the "Box Beef & Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report." This investigation was announced by USDA Secretary Perdue on August 29, 2019, following the Holcomb, Kansas fire and was expanded to cover COVID-19 after the cattle market faced price disruption. "I'm disappointed the investigation's report did not conclude or outline any potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. This report is incomplete, and I will continue to push USDA to finish the job," said Johnson. "I am pleased that the report identified a number of policy approaches to address market weaknesses. Many of USDA's suggestions directly relate to cattle market legislation I've already been fighting for. In its report, USDA highlighted the importance of small processor capacity and risk management tools for producers, my bills would solve both areas of market weakness. We have more work to do. I'm hopeful USDA's support will only drive the momentum of getting these proposals across the finish line." Rep. Johnson is supportive of several policy proposals included in USDA's investigation report and has introduced several bills on related areas of weakness: USDA calls for adding capacity at the small processor level: This year Rep. Johnson introduced H.R.6977, Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020 and H.R.7425, the DIRECT Act of 2020 to accomplish these exact goals without compromising food safety or export markets, as outlined in the report. USDA Rural Development lending program should be tailored to help processors: Rep. Johnson is currently working on legislation to improve these tools to make them more available to small processors wishing to expand or producer cooperatives to enter this space. USDA supports better risk management tools for livestock producers: In the aftermath of the Holcomb fire, Rep. Johnson introduced H.R.4773, Livestock Risk M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/opening-statement-ranking-member-dusty-johnson | Opening Statement: Ranking Member Dusty Johnson | 2020-07-21 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Madam Chair. When Secretary Perdue announced the creation of the Farmers to Families Food Box program, I was excited. This was a way to expeditiously assist producers—many of whom were plowing over crops or dumping milk because of supply chain disruptions—as well as consumers who found themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and in great need. USDA's promise to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and certain meat products was welcome news. And to date, their purchases have far exceeded their own goals. Since May 15, Feeding South Dakota has accepted 95,241 boxes—over 1.57 million pounds of food. These boxes have included a combination of produce, fluid milk, protein, and mixed dairy. About 95 communities throughout South Dakota have benefited from Farmers to Families. Of course, no program is without growing pains. I wrote to the Secretary on May 22 to further understand some of the things I was reading and hearing about; the Secretary responded, explaining everything from the contracting flexibilities under the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 18, to PACA licenses, to further awards. And here we are, 90 days after the initial announcement of this program, attempting to find fault in small details instead of celebrating a bold effort to feed those impacted by this virus. This should be celebrated, no matter which administration was in charge. Farmers to Families works. It is wildly successful, and it is doing exactly what was intended—connecting farmers to families in need. But instead of applauding the efforts of the Department and Administration, we sit here to discuss the cherry-picked challenges certain areas of the country have faced. Meanwhile, the other part of CFAP receives almost no attention from this Committee. On April 1, I helped lead a bipartisan, bicameral group of over 140 members urging targeted, temporary and equitable relief for cattle producers. From what I can see, there has been no greater push for assistance than that for catt… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/spanberger-johnson-lead-bipartisan-effort-calling-fcc-strengthen-support | Spanberger, Johnson Lead Bipartisan Effort Calling on FCC to Strengthen Support for Telehealth Providers During Pandemic & Beyond | 2020-07-21 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL) today led a 41-Member, bipartisan effort calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide greater certainty and support to healthcare providers standing up telehealth services, which are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter sent to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the bipartisan group of lawmakers described how high costs and insufficient broadband internet connectivity prevent many rural patients and providers from fully accessing the benefits of telehealth. The lawmakers called for more information to be made available to Congress regarding the COVID-19 telehealth program authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as they expressed concerns that many eligible providers did not receiving an award from the initial funding package. "We write to request more information about the funding made available to providers through the COVID-19 telehealth program authorized by the CARES Act. More and more patients are seeking care from providers over telecommunications technology rather than in a brick and mortar office or clinic," states the letter. "We believe this shift has the potential to improve access to care for marginalized populations, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes by facilitating better monitoring of chronic health conditions. "In Central Virginia, we've seen firsthand how seniors, veterans, and families have been able to access both routine appointments and lifesaving care through telemedicine. Especially during this public health crisis, we need to keep our most vulnerable neighbors safe, and thankfully, many of our region's healthcare providers use telehealth to deliver quality care without putting Virginians at greater risk," said Spanberger. "Unfortunately, unreliable internet access and rising costs often prevent patients from accessing these telehealth services. That's why I led 40 of my c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/usda-cattle-market-investigation-findings-coming-soon | USDA: Cattle Market Investigation Findings Coming Soon | 2020-07-21 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, during the House Agriculture Committee's Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations Subcommittee hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Ibach on the ongoing investigation into the cattle markets following the Holcomb, Kansas fire in 2019. During Johnson's questioning on the status of the investigation, Undersecretary Ibach told Johnson USDA was "nearing conclusion" and looks forward to "releasing a report from USDA in the very near future." Ibach also stated "there may be action that the committee may want to consider as a result of the report." "Our producers have waited over a year for answers from USDA's investigation into the volatile cattle markets," saidJohnson. "It's something I'm eager to see and will continue to push for." In 2019, Johnson urged USDA to provide a thorough investigation to producers following cattle market volatility after the August 2019 Holcomb, Kansas Tyson beef processing plant. After continued instability caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Johnson urged President Trump to conduct a multi-agency investigation into the cattle markets. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=BD8175D2-9332-4CA2-869C-0A62BE586083 | No Surprise Tax Bills for COVID Relief Workers | 2020-07-17 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | As New York struggled with tens of thousands of coronavirus cases, medical professionals from across the United States headed to New York City to help.Their work was crucial to New York's efforts to contain the pandemic and undoubtedly helped save lives.And in May, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced their reward: tax bills from the state of New York. That's right.Tax bills.Doctors and nurses who voluntarily crossed state lines to come help in some cases, sacrificing vacation time to do so are now being informed that they will owe New York's substantial income tax on any money they made while they were there.And while individuals can generally receive a tax credit from their home state for tax paid to another state, thus avoiding double taxation of that income, many will be paying a much higher tax rate than normal on money they earned during their time in New York. This situation is even more perverse for residents of states like South Dakota that don't have an income tax against which a credit can be claimed. These individuals will simply have to absorb the entirety of the unexpected expense. These medical professionals are not alone. They are confronting a challenge that many Americans who regularly travel for work face a challenge that has been highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic.And that is navigating the complexities of paying income tax when you spend time working in different states throughout the year. Generally your income is taxed by the state in which your income is earned, your home state.But some states like New York aggressively tax individuals whom they deem to have earned income in their state, even if the income earned is simply what the individual makes for attending a one-day conference in the state.Other states allow individuals to work for a longer period as long as 60 days in some instances before they require a nonresident to file an income tax return in their state.If you work as a traveling nurse, a salesman, or a corporate trainer all jobs that might regularly take y… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8040E945-ECEC-4088-9F3D-BDE6F78227D9 | Thune to Lead Subcomittee Hearing on Spectrum Policy | 2020-07-16 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sen.John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled,The State of U.S. Spectrum Policy, at 10:00 a.m. EDT / 9:00 a.m. CDT on Thursday, July 23, 2020.The hearing will examine the Federal Communications Commission's and National Telecommunications and Information Administration's role in spectrum management and policymaking. Witnesses will have the opportunity to discuss how the increased demand and competition for licensed and unlicensed spectrum resources have impacted spectrum policies in the United States. Witnesses: Mr. Tom Power,senior vice president and general counsel, CTIAThe Wireless Association Mr. Mark Gibson,director of business development, CommScope Dr. Roslyn Layton,visiting researcher, Aalborg University Mr. Michael Calabrese,director, Wireless Future Project, Open Technology Institute at New America *Witness list subject to change Hearing Details: Thursday, July 23, 2020 10:00 a.m. EDT / 9:00 a.m. CDT Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Witness testimony,opening statements, and a live video of the hearingwill be available onwww.commerce.senate.gov. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9474EC61-1D64-4330-8635-2B1E77997C26 | Thune and Markey Applaud FCC TRACED Act Mandate | 2020-07-16 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), authors ofthe Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, today issued the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) report and order to establish safe harbors from liability for voice service providers that block unwanted robocalls. It also provides protections for legitimate callers and seeks further information and feedback from consumers and industry stakeholders on call blocking and TRACED Act implementation. Access to accurate information in the middle of this health crisis is critical and can help save lives, which unfortunately means it's no surprise that bad actors are using this pandemic to take advantage of people through illegal robocalls, said Thune and Markey. Today's action by the FCC to implement key provisions from our TRACED Act will help protect consumers from robocallers who are acting in bad faith. On top of everything else Americans are dealing with during this pandemic, now is not the time to worry about the scams illegal robocallers are trying to peddle. We look forward to working with the FCC and our colleagues in Congress as our bipartisan effort to ban these nuisance robocalls continues to take effect. Thune and Markeyintroducedthe TRACED Act on January 17, 2019, and it became law on December 30, 2019. The bill was supported byattorneys generalin all 50 states, by allcurrent commissionersat the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission, and byindustry and consumer groups,including AARP. The TRACED Act gives regulators more time to find scammers and levy fines for those who are caught, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption,and brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally flout laws. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-stabenow-johnson-and-loebsack-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-letter-urging | Thune, Stabenow, Johnson, and Loebsack Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging USDA to Provide Flexibility for Harvesting and Grazing Cover Crops on Prevented Plant Acres | 2020-07-12 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging it to exercise its authority to allow producers to graze or harvest cover crops on prevented plant acres prior to November 1. "While we do not expect nearly as many prevented plant acres as last year, we request that you again provide relief for producers by eliminating the penalties for grazing, haying, or chopping cover crops approved by USDA as long as the activities are outside of the primary nesting season.," the members of Congress wrote. "This would help ensure that producers have adequate sources of feed for the backlog of livestock due to the meat processing capacity shortfalls because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also encourage the adoption of cover crops, which improve soil health, suppress weeds, and reduce erosion. At a minimum, we encourage USDA to move up the date for grazing, haying, or chopping cover crops on these acres from November 1 to September 1 due to unprecedented environmental and economic circumstances." Cosigning the letter were Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Reps. Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Mike Bost (R. Ill.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). Full text of the letter below: The Honorable Sonny Perdue Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 Dear Secretary Perdue: We write to request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) again exercise its… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=F7208271-DF3E-469B-A6F2-14A227BEE95D | Senator Thune's Weekly Column: Rules for the Digital Road | 2020-07-10 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | I currently serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and I'm the senior Republican on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Both panels play an integral role in developing federal technology policy and providing oversight of some of the nation's largest technology companies, including Twitter, Facebook, and Google, just to name a few. My goal as a federal policymaker has always been to apply a light-touch approach to internet regulation that creates a positive environment for consumers and entrepreneurs, while ensuring users are protected and online platforms follow all of the appropriate rules and regulations. It's that type of balanced approach that has allowed the internet to flourish as much as it has in its relatively short history. An overly regulated internet hinders innovation and growth, but an under-regulated internet would create its own set of problems. For example, think of the internet as a new interstate highway system that's been built from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast. In a completely regulation-free environment, a driver could access the highway without a driver's license and travel as fast as he or she wanted through big cities, small towns, and the open road. If you multiplied that unregulated driver by hundreds of thousands of people, that would obviously be unsafe for the people on the highway and in the towns through which it travels. That's why governments and regulators apply speed limits, stops signs, traffic lights, and licensing requirements to ensure drivers, and those people around them, have the freedom to travel as safely and efficiently as possible. As traffic patterns, volume, and other needs on our nation's roadways evolve, so too does the internet. That's why it's so important for Congress to stay ahead of the curve and always work toward striking the right balance on internet regulation. If we don't, we risk creating a system where the rules that apply in the offline… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=0B8FC7E5-A755-456C-A4D5-7A1689E974BC | The Importance of Mount Rushmore, the Shrine of Democracy | 2020-07-02 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | There are a number of presidents who have come to Mount Rushmore through the years, starting in 1927 with Calvin Coolidge when he authorized the first funding for the carving of the memorial. I've been there with two former presidents, and I imagine that every president who has served since the monument's completion has looked up there and eyeballed whether or not there might be room for one more face. Having grown up in western South Dakota, I know firsthand what the monument means to our economy. Everyone in my family, and everyone in most families in my hometown, worked in businesses that served travelers who were heading to or coming from Mount Rushmore. I had two brothers who worked in filling stations. My sister waited tables. My younger brother worked at my hometown's local attraction, the Pioneer Auto Museum. I cooked at a restaurant, the Star Family Restaurant. My parents, who worked in the school system during the school year, managed a motel during the travel season, where all of us kids pitched in whenever we could. We didn't have time or money for a vacation, except for one thing our annual Labor Day weekend visit to the Black Hills, which always included a trip to Mount Rushmore. I have to say, it never got old, and I'm still in awe when I see it today. Mount Rushmore is one of the most unique sculptures on the entire planet, and it never disappoints. From the father of our country George Washington to the author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson to the man who preserved the Union through the tumult of the Civil War Abe Lincoln to the Rough Rider, the man in the arena, who helped tame the west Teddy Roosevelt Mount Rushmore captures the greatness and the uniqueness of this American experiment. This monument continues to remind us of our past and inspire our future. Tens of millions of Americans have passed by this shrine of democracy over the past 80-plus years, and may tens of millions more come this way for decades and centuries to come as we continue to celebrate … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=45AE0D5B-8732-430B-A31E-8A3B354B46B2 | Thune Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Certainty for the 340B Program | 2020-07-02 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced legislation that would provide certainty to hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The 340B program has been critical to South Dakota hospitals that are relying on the certainty it provides especially during this ongoing health crisis, said Thune. This commonsense and targeted measure would ensure that no hospital that is currently eligible for the 340B program can lose eligibility due to a reduction in hospitalizations during the pandemic. I urge my colleagues to support this important and timely legislation. Michigan's hospitals and health care providers are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to make sure they have the resources they need to save lives,said Stabenow.The 340B program helps safety-net providers care for patients by reducing pharmaceutical costs. Our bipartisan bill ensures that the COVID-19 crisis doesn't impact health care providers' ability to participate in the program. The 340B drug pricing program has been an important tool for Ohio's hospitals throughout the years, providing them with the flexible resources needed to meet the ongoing needs of their communities without a penny from the federal government, said Portman. As the ongoing pandemic disrupts our health care system, we must ensure that programs like the 340B program can be there to support our hospitals and our communities.I'm proud to support this bill so that we can ensure that our hospitals can continue to use the program throughout and after the pandemic. Our hospitals, health care workers, and the patients they serve need certainty during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and we must work together to limit disruptions to our health care system, said Baldwin. The 340B program has served Wisconsin well by helping to lower drug pric… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9F0049BB-F6EB-4BB6-A8E1-5CA4E0C17268 | Thune, Moran, and Young Introduce Bill to Update E-SIGN | 2020-07-02 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over technology and consumer protection, today introduced the E-SIGN Modernization Act, legislation that would streamline how consumers consent to receiving electronic documents like bank statements, account information, and contracts.The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN) became law in 2000 and provides a framework for how transactions involved in interstate or foreign commerce can be completed using electronic signatures and electronic documents. As technology continues to advance and transform, so too should the laws that govern it, said Thune. Computers, smart phones, and other devices are more reliable and accessible than ever before. This legislation makes necessary updates to E-SIGN to reflect these advancements in technology and make it easier for consumers to receive documents electronically. Given the major advancements in technology and consumer accessibility that have occurred in the past two decades since the E-SIGN Act was first enacted, it's time to modernize this law, Moran. This legislation is a timely update to expand consumer access to online and mobile financial services in line with modern practices. During this challenging time, Americans are increasingly faced with outdated barriers to accessing critical documents and bank statements electronically, said Young. TheE-SIGN Modernization Actwill streamline this decades-old system and allow more people to access their bank information from a computer or other electronic device. As we mark the E-SIGN Act's 20thanniversary this week, we applaud Senator Thune's leadership in modernizing the law while preserving its important consumer protections, said Rob Nichols, president and CEO of American Bankers Association. This legislation will help ensure customers' requests to access digital banking services are quickly hono… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-amendment-refine-weapon-systems-investments-included-house-ndaa | Johnson Amendment to Refine Weapon Systems Investments Included in House NDAA | 2020-07-02 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the House of Representatives' National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation focuses on improving the Department of Defense's (DoD) approach to overseeing weapon systems investments. "I'm thrilled that my amendment was added to the House of Representatives' annual defense bill," said Johnson. "This amendment will enable the Department of Defense to refine its weapon systems investments and save the taxpayers money while still accomplishing the mission. I am thankful to Congressman Vela and Congressman Wilson for partnering with me on this important measure." "I was proud to champion a bipartisan amendment that asks Department of Defense leadership to coordinate on the tools and workforce necessary to conduct enterprise-level portfolio management, ultimately streamlining our acquisition process and saving taxpayer dollars," said Vela. "I am grateful to co-lead this important piece of legislation which requires the Department of Defense to use portfolio management best practices to improve weapon system investments. This approach would reduce government waste and inefficiency by significantly reducing duplicative efforts within DoD, saving our taxpayer dollars, and funding other crucial objectives to supporting our national security," Congressman Wilson said. "I am also thankful that this legislation was included in the Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA that passed by unanimous consent out of the Armed Services Committee last night. I commend Representatives Dusty Johnson and Filemon Vela for their leadership on this issue and look forward to President Donald Trump signing this critical provision into law." If enacted, this provision will require DoD to develop a formal implementation plan to establish the necessary technology, systems, and data to perform enterprise-level portfolio management. As a result, the Department will be on a path toward maximizing taxpaye… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:18:24Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-cuellar-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-support-meat-and-poultry | Johnson, Cuellar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Meat and Poultry Producers | 2020-06-30 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act. This legislation will allow state inspected meat to be sold across state lines through e-commerce, allowing small producers and processors more options to directly market to consumers. "As a result of COVID-19, meat processing plants across the country have been forced to close or slow operations and as a result we've seen a renaissance in small processors," said Johnson. "Many states, including South Dakota, have inspection standards that are at least equal to what the federal government requires. This bill cuts through red tape and allows producers, processors and retailers to sell state inspected meat and poultry direct to consumers through online stores across state lines." "America's meat industry has been hit hard by financial challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic," said Cuellar. "The bipartisan legislation will open up new markets for meat producers and processors by allowing meat inspected by the State to be sold online and across state lines. As a senior member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Appropriations, I will continue to fight for the men and women who work every day to keep food on our table during these unprecedented times. I want to thank Congressman Dusty Johnson for his commitment to supporting our meat industry." The DIRECT Act will: Amend the retail exemption under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act to allow processors, butchers or other retailers to sell normal retail quantities (300 lbs. of beef, 100 lbs. of pork, 27.5 lbs. of lamb) of State Inspected Meat online to consumers across state lines. Allow new direct-to-consumer options for producers, processors and small meat markets. Maintains traceability of sales easily accessed in the event of a recall. Allows retail sales to consumers, minimizing the risk for further processing in export, keeping equivale… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:12:47Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=14698780-FE07-4D25-A3E8-CB43550B06A2 | The Cause of Human Freedom | 2020-06-26 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | On July 3, 1986, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan were in New York to help kick off Liberty Weekend, which celebrated the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and commemorated its 100th anniversary in America. The next day, on Independence Day, President Reagan addressed the nation from the deck of the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy in New York Harbor. With Lady Liberty in the distance, he said, All through our history, our presidents and leaders have spoken of national unity and warned us that the real obstacle to moving forward the boundaries of freedom the only permanent danger to the hope that is America comes from within. Seemingly reflecting on what he'd just said, Reagan continued, It's easy enough to dismiss this as a kind of familiar exhortation. Yet the truth is that even two of our greatest Founding Fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, once learned this lesson late in life. It carries me back,' Jefferson wrote about correspondence with his cosigner of the Declaration of Independence [and former political foe], to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man, his right to self-government. Laboring always at the same oar, with some wave ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless we rowed through the storm with heart and hand ' It was their last gift to us, this lesson in brotherhood, in tolerance for each other, this insight into America's strength as a nation. And when both died on the same day within hours of each other, that date was July 4th, 50 years exactly after that first gift to us, the Declaration of Independence. Fourth of July will likely look different this year, but once you strip away the parades, and barbeques, and other festivities, it carries the same meaning it always has: America is the greatest country the world has ever known, not only because of what we have achieved, but, as Adams and Jefferson proved, because we're humble enough to know that … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-service-academy-class-2024 | Johnson Announces Service Academy Class of 2024 | 2020-06-25 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today announced nine South Dakota students who will be attending one of the United States Service Academies. These students were nominated by Johnson and received an appointment to each student's preferred academy. "Saying it is an honor to nominate students from across our great state to serve our nation doesn't do the moment justice," said Johnson. "These are not ordinary high school graduates. Some grew up knowing they were interested in attending an academy, some grew up in a family with a long line of military service and some have no family military history at all. But what they do have in common is a good moral character, their commitment to our nation's defense and selfless bravery and courage. They all feel called to serve their country and I will be forever grateful." The following students were nominated by Rep. Johnson and have since accepted their appointments to attend a United States Service Academy: United States Naval Academy – Annapolis, MD: Eleanor Abraham, Brookings High School (Brookings, SD) Julia Lair, Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, SD) Madeline Loewe, Lennox High School (Lennox, SD) United States Military Academy – West Point, NY: Enoch Crow, James O'Neill High School (originally from Rapid City, SD; family currently stationed at West Point, NY) Isaac Buchholtz, T.F. Riggs High School (Pierre, SD) Max Martin, Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, SD. United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, CO: Corwyn "Ethan" Wipf, Rapid City Christian High School (Rapid City, SD) Pierce Okken, Harrisburg High School (Sioux Falls, SD) Zachary Curd, O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls, SD) The deadline to apply for a Class of 2025 Service Academy nomination is October 30, 2020. For more information on the nomination process, please visit /services/military-academy-nominations. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:12:47Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-legislation-protecting-mount-rushmore | Johnson Introduces Legislation Protecting Mount Rushmore | 2020-06-25 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | dustyjohnson | https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. –U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) today introduced the Mount Rushmore Protection Act. This legislation prohibits the use of federal funds to alter, change, destroy or remove the likeness, the name of, or any of the faces on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. "These presidents championed the cause of freedom," said Johnson. "Those seeking to remove these iconic faces are undermining the contributions these leaders made in pursuit of a more perfect union. Removal would do nothing to move our country forward." Full text of Johnson's legislation is linked here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:12:47Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3F16F9FE-99AC-4BD0-92D6-406FBF19EB25 | Thune: Senate Democrats Filibuster Policing Reform Debate and Put Politics Ahead of Change | 2020-06-24 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today, prior to Senate Democrats voting to block debate from even commencing, discussed the American people's desire to have a policing reform debate in this country. Thune also discussed Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, an extensive bill that focuses on a number of common-sense, bipartisan priorities. Thune believes that while this legislation might not be perfect, both Republicans and Democrats should at least be able to support getting on the bill to begin having this important conversation. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, in just a few minutes, we will vote on whether to move forward on Senator Scott's policing reform bill. We are at a turning point in our country's history a moment when Americans of every background and political persuasion are united in a call for change. And we have a chance to give it to them. Over the course of the next two weeks, we have a chance to pass legislation that will permanently reform policing in this country. Legislation that will improve training, increase accountability, and give increased security to families who worry that their son or daughter could be the next George Floyd or Breonna Taylor. Senator Scott's legislation the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act or JUSTICE Act is the product of years of serious work. It is an extensive bill that focuses on a number of areas that call for reform. One of the most important sections of the bill is the George Floyd and Walter Scott Notification Act, which would correct deficiencies in law enforcement reporting of use-of-force incidents. Right now, the FBI National Use of Force Data Collection only receives data on about 40 percent of law enforcement officers. That needs to change. The only way we can understand the scope of the problems we're facing is to have full and accurate data. A complete data picture will allow us to pinpoint problem… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A175FBFE-98F7-4B8F-9F9C-29B9289CEE74 | Thune, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Update Section 230, Strengthen Rules, Transparency on Online Content Moderation, Hold Internet Companies Accountable for Moderation Practices | 2020-06-24 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, today joined Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), ranking member of the subcommittee, in introducing the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act, new bipartisan legislation to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The PACT Act will strengthen transparency in the process online platforms use to moderate content and hold those companies accountable for content that violates their own policies or is illegal. There is a bipartisan consensus that Section 230, which governs certain internet use, is ripe for reform, said Thune. There is also a bipartisan concern that social media platforms are often not transparent and accountable enough to consumers with respect to the platform's moderation of user-generated content. That's why I'm proud to join Sen. Schatz in introducing the PACT Act, which would strengthen online transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. It would, among other things, require technology companies to have an acceptable use policy that reasonably informs users about the content that is allowed on platforms and provide notice to users that there is a process to dispute content moderation decisions. The internet has thrived because of the light touch approach by which it's been governed in its relatively short history. By using that same approach when it comes to Section 230 reform, we can ensure platform users are protected, while also holding companies accountable. Section 230 was created to help jumpstart the internet economy, while giving internet companies the responsibility to set and enforce reasonable rules on content. But today, it has become clear that some companies have not taken that responsibility seriously enough, said Schatz. Our bill updates Section 230 by making platforms more accountable for their content moderation policies and providing more tools to protect consumers. Enacted in 1996, Section 230 of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EB49DB01-7681-4DCD-AF8C-FEAEC6C8A484 | Thune, Smith Introduce Bill to Ease Application Process for the Impact Aid Program During COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020-06-24 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today introduced the Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act, legislation that would allow school districts participating in the Impact Aid Program to use their student headcount from the 2020-2021 school year, which have already been calculated, on their Impact Aid applications for the 2021-2022 school year. School districts will begin to complete their Impact Aid applications for the 2021-2022 school year this fall, and this bill would ensure that schools do not need to recalculate federally connected students during the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Impact Aid is a program that reimburses school districts located on federal property or for their students that live on federal land and, therefore, collect less in local property taxes to fund their schools. There are several school districts throughout the state of South Dakota that rely on the Impact Aid Program to help support their schools and students, said Thune. By allowing these school districts to use prior-year student headcounts on their Impact Aid applications this fall, we can ensure that school districts across the state will have the funding they need during these uncertain times and will continue benefiting from this important program. As we continue torespond tothe coronavirus pandemic we need to make sure that schoolsin Minnesotahave strong investments so students cankeep learning,saidSmith.Wehave a special obligationtofederallyimpactedschools, which are located inschooldistricts with a significant amount ofnontaxablelandand because ofthat receive direct federal payments.I'mgladto workwith Sen. Thune tohelpensure that nextfall'sImpact Aidapplications and student counts are not disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. As federally impacted school districts develop our plans for the next school year, we appreciate Senators Thune and Smith for addressing our concerns about conducting accurate Impact Aid student counts, said Chad Blotsky, president of the Nationa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=60CA7114-2AD9-4F7E-AE8E-C5BB81077EFD | Investing in the Future of Agriculture | 2020-06-19 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Unlike the majority of the economy, which was thriving before the coronavirus pandemic, the agriculture economy had been struggling for a while. Low prices, extended trade disputes, and natural disasters had meant a tough few years for farmers and ranchers even before the coronavirus hit. Now things are even more challenging. Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, so supporting farmers and ranchers during this crisis has been one of my top priorities.I fought to get agriculture relief money included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act the CARES Act which was signed into law in late March. The final bill included $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation to allow the Department of Agriculture to provide income and price support for farmers and ranchers, plus an additional $9.5 billion in emergency support for agriculture producers affected by the pandemic. Over the past few months, I've kept in frequent contact with the Department of Agriculture and others to amplify producers' concerns and urge swift relief.I've also been focused on developing additional legislation to help farmers and ranchers weather this crisis. I recently introduced legislation to allow emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres for the duration of this crisis. Under current law, agriculture producers can hay or graze their CRP acres during weather-related disasters without a reduction in their CRP payments. My legislation would extend that provision to cover pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. I also introduced the Paycheck Protection for Producers Act, which will help more farmers and ranchers benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program. The coronavirus relief legislation we passed in late March established the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to small businesses to help them keep their employees on their payroll during this crisis. Self-employed Americans, which describes many farmers and ranchers, are eligible for these loans. B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1D209884-1F6F-49E9-8B54-4F715F326642 | Thune Introduces Bill to Advance Rural Broadband Services | 2020-06-18 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today introduced the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act of 2020, legislation that would capture a portion of the proceeds from spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through September 30, 2022, for the buildout of broadband networks. The FCC would be able to utilize the funds to support broadband deployment in rural America. It is critical that South Dakotans in every corner of our state have reliable broadband services, said Thune. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need to ensure that we provide rural areas, not just in South Dakota, but throughout the entire United States, with reliable broadband connectivity. My bill would take an important step toward the goal of closing the digital divide and does so in a responsible manner. NTCA wholeheartedly endorses this legislation and thanks Senator Thune for his leadership on this bill. For years, he has been one of the strongest proponents in Washington for ensuring that every American has access to the communications services necessary for online commerce, remote education, telehealth, and civic engagement in today's world, said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA. The legislation introduced today represents yet another measure of that leadership and a reaffirmed commitment to achieving the goal of universal service. The Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act would leverage efforts that have already proven effective in tackling connectivity challenges in rural America, and provide much-needed resources to help the FCC build upon the successes thus far of these existing programs to close the remaining digital divide. We thank Senator Thune for introducing the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program Act, which recognizes the importance of ensuring all Americans have access to broadband, especially those in rural areas, and seeks to provide the necessary resources t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=400BC10B-6717-4A2F-A155-5D05E4954B00 | Thune, Brown Introduce Bill to Relieve Mobile and Remote Workers of Unfair Tax Burdens Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020-06-18 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, todayintroducedthe Remote and Mobile Worker Relief Act (S. 3995), bipartisanlegislationthat would ensure that medical professionals from around the country who supported areas hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic do not face unexpected or increased state income tax bills. The bill would also address potential problems remote workers are facing during the pandemic, including the possibility of having their state income taxes become out of balance because they worked from home in a different state than their ordinary place of employment during the pandemic. Doctors and nurses who voluntarily crossed state lines to help during the pandemic in some cases sacrificing vacation time to do so should not be at risk of facing a much higher or unexpected tax bill as a reward for their service and sacrifice, said Thune. This situation is even worse for residents of states like my home state of South Dakota that don't have a state income tax against which a credit can be claimed. This bill ensures these mobile workers are not unfairly taxed, while also providing certainty for those who are working remotely. Healthcare workers have been on the frontlines of this pandemic for months now, said Brown. Not only are they combatting this virus in their own communities, but many of them have travelled across state lines to help in areas that have been hit hardest. A surprise tax bill is the last thing they need. We should make it easier for these mobile workers to support themselves and their families. S. 3995 builds off of Thune and Brown's Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act, which they introduced early last year, by establishing a special 90-day standard for health care workers who traveled to another state to help during the pandemic. The change would help ensure that no health care worker faces an unexpected… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0A15516D-654B-4DAE-9201-8C136C77A50B | Thune on Fox Business: We Want to Pass a Law to Reform Policing, Show Americans We Hear Them | 2020-06-17 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Fox Business' CAVUTO Live to discuss the Republican-led JUSTICE Act, sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.),aimed atimproving policing in America. Thune also discussed legislation he'll be introducingtohelp relieve remote and mobile workers of unfair tax burdens an issue highlighted by the experiences of health care workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Clickhereor on the image above to watch the video. Thune on the JUSTICE Act to improve policing in America: This is a good bill. It's a strong bill. It was put together based upon the consensus of law enforcement around the country, and meetings with members from the African American community. I think that Tim Scott has really done a nice job, and I think he deserves a lot of credit for itUltimately what we want to do is make a law. We want to get a result. We want to demonstrate to the people of this country that we've heard them, that we're listening, and in the end,we want to do some policing reforms. The question will be whether or not the Democrats actually want a result or they want the issue, and we will find out next week There's common ground out there.What the Democrats want to see happen, Republicans want to see happen, there's 70-75percent overlap.If they'll allow us to get onto the bill, we will open it up to amendments. And if the Democrats have ideas about how to improve it through the amendment process, they'll get that chance. Let's get a result. Let's put something on the president's desk that actually improves policing in this country and sends a clear message to those out there who are frustrated that Washington isn't listening. Thune on cities and states having a harder time recovering after COVID-19: People who are packed into densely populated areas of the country, our bigger cities, may be looking for a little bit more open space, and I also think a lot of that has to do with our tax policies this may be an opportunity for people to give consideration to another p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=164016B4-3E21-4A7D-B9E4-D7B3DABC65A7 | Thune: Proud to Support JUSTICE Act Police Reform Bill | 2020-06-17 | 2020 | 2020-06 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, which addresses various aspects of policing reform. The JUSTICE Act would provide funding to improve police officer training, hiring, and the use of body worn cameras. It would also discourage the use of certain techniques and practices by leveraging federal funds, call for the development of best policing practices, and require additional reporting on issues such as use of force. Thune is a cosponsor of the JUSTICE Act. Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. Excerpt of Thune's remarks below: Mr. President, in the wake of the recent tragic deaths of several African-Americans at the hands of the police, our country has reached a turning point. Americans of every race, background, and political persuasion are calling for change. Too many Americans feel unsafe right now. Too many Americans live in fear that what happened to George Floyd could happen to their own fathers and sons and brothers. Too many Americans see in law enforcement officers individuals to be feared rather than trusted. Americans are ready for all that to end. They want reform and increased accountability. They want to make sure that we are holding our law enforcement officers to the highest standards. And they want their fellow Americans to feel confident that what happened to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many others will not happen to their loved ones. Mr. President, members of Congress have been listening. I have been listening. And today I am proud to rise in support of Senator Scott's policing reform bill, which I am co-sponsoring. Senator Scott's Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act or JUSTICE Act is the product of a lot of serious work years of it, in fact. The JUSTICE Act is an extensive bill that addresses various aspects of policing reform. One important section of the bill is the George… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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