Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
- url
- Link to the original release on the member's official site
- text
- Extracted body text (may be empty if the page could not be fetched)
- has_text
- 1 if body text was successfully extracted
- date_source
- How the publication date was determined
- bioguide_id
- Bioguide ID of the member
441 rows where state = "SD" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending
This data as json, CSV (advanced)
| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019-in-review- | 2019 in Review | 2019-12-27 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | As 2019 comes to a close, I’ve had time to reflect on the past year. As a state, we celebrated the commissioning of the USS South Dakota, a Virginia-class nuclear submarine designed to fulfill 21st century mission requirements. We also worked to secure Ellsworth Air Force Base as the location for the first two B-21 Raider bomber squadrons - the training squadron and the operational squadron - solidifying Ellsworth’s long-term role in our national security. We were also hit hard by Mother Nature this year as tornadoes, flooding and late-winter storms wreaked havoc across the state. On a personal level, our family experienced its most difficult challenge to date, as Jean began cancer treatment for a malignant high-grade aggressive tumor near her sciatic nerve. Thanks to her highly-talented team of doctors and our extended South Dakota community who has continually supported us, we are on a path to recovery. Looking back on what we’ve accomplished in Washington, we’ve scored some significant victories. On the health care front, the CREATES Act was included in the end-of-year spending package. This legislation, which I cosponsored, will help lower the cost of prescription drugs by fast-tracking the approval process for generic drugs, thereby enhancing competition in the prescription drug market. We also fully repealed the Cadillac Tax, which is an Obamacare tax that threatened to raise healthcare premiums even higher by imposing a 40 percent tax on certain employer-sponsored healthcare plans. I led this effort in the Senate with Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and our bill to repeal the Cadillac Tax had 64 cosponsors. Now that it is repealed, it no longer threatens to raise the premiums of over 400,000 South Dakotans who get their health insurance through their work. The Senate has also continued to confirm a record number of judges to federal courts. In the past three years, we’ve confirmed 187 judges, nominated by President Trump, to serve lifetime appointments on the federal bench. These judges are committ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=466111FE-E80C-4AAD-BD16-5FAC3023D14A | Happy 100th Birthday, Dad | 2019-12-20 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Sen. John Thune In 1906, two brothers, Nikolai and Matthew Gjelsvik, arrived at Ellis Island from Norway. The only English they knew were the words apple pie and coffee, which they learned on the boat on the way over. The immigration officials at Ellis Island asked them to change their last name because they thought it would be too difficult for people in this country to spell and pronounce. So the two brothers picked a new name. They chose the name of the farm they worked at near Bergen, Norway which was called the Thune farm. So Nikolai Gjelsvik became Nick Thune my grandfather. The two brothers worked on the railroad as they built it west across South Dakota, learned English, and saved up enough money to start a small merchandising company, and then later a hardware store, in Mitchell, South Dakota. To this day there is a Thune Hardware in Mitchell, although the family sold it many years ago. In 1916, Nick Thune married an Iowa girl who had moved to South Dakota to teach school, and they had three sons. Their middle son, Harold, will turn 100 on December 28. That middle son is my dad. My dad is a World War II veteran, a member of the Greatest Generation, and he shares the qualities of so many in that generation humility, patriotism, quiet service. Dad was a Navy pilot who flew Hellcats off the USS Intrepid. And he was an excellent pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down four enemy planes in one engagement (that commendation was issued by Admiral John McCain, Sen. John McCain's grandfather.) But my dad didn't and still doesn't talk about his own exploits. In fact, without my mom, I'm not sure I'd ever have known about my dad's record in World War II. I interviewed Dad for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project a few years back, and he shared a lot of wonderful details about his service. But as usual, his focus was never on his own achievements, but on those of his fellow pilots. I'd also probably never have learned what an outstanding athlet… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=20CBE167-60DF-41BE-A78F-74451A1D7C98 | Thune Statement on RFS Final Rule | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020 and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021. The EPA has committed to ensuring a net of 15 billion gallons of ethanol is blended in 2020, among other reforms. The administration has committed to reaching 15 billion gallons of ethanol-blended fuel next year, and South Dakota will hold them to it, said Thune. This final rule unfortunately falls short of the deal we reached in the Oval Office, and while the proof will be in the implementation, I am glad that EPA has at least recognized the compounded hardships the last three years of small refinery exemptions have placed on farm country. In addition to reducing the number of waivers and having more accountability, I am pleased to see EPA taking additional steps to build off our win to permit the year-round sale of E15, like by supporting an infrastructure program and reducing labeling requirements. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8E7C71F1-EE14-407B-8239-99EC62408F82 | President Expected to Sign Thune-Markey Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Robocalls | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and current chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), also a member of the Commerce Committee and author of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, issued the following statements after the Senate approved a modified version of their bipartisan Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act (S. 151) by a simple voice vote. The Senate first passed S. 151 by a vote of 97 to 1 on May 23, 2019, and the House of Representatives passed a modified version of the bill by a vote of 417 to 3 on December 4, 2019. It now heads to the president, who is expected to sign it into law. Amidst ever-increasing numbers of robocall scams, the TRACED Act, which the Washington Post editorial board recently said is what good, old-fashioned legislating looks like, 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. I have yet to meet someone who says they enjoy receiving those unwanted and illegal robocalls that plague our phones, whether we're at home, at work, or in the car, which is why the TRACED Act takes several important steps in the fight to curb this scourge, said Thune. This bill represents a unique legislative effort that is not only bipartisan at its core, but it's nearly unanimously supported in Congress. Most importantly, this is a significant win for consumers in every corner of the country, and it finally and officially puts illegal robocallers on notice. While no process is perfect, I'm glad we were able to work together with Republicans and Democrats, senators and members of the House to reach this important compromise, which, once signed into law, will begin to make an important down paymen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-rfs-announcement | Johnson Statement on RFS Announcement | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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 made the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a finalized rule, establishing renewable fuel volumes for 2020 as required under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). "EPA's announcement is an improvement in restoring integrity for the RFS, but there is much more work to be done to undo the Small Refinery Exemption abuses and the demand destruction SRE's have caused South Dakota's ethanol industry. I will continue to work with the administration to remove regulatory barriers and encourage ethanol exports across the world." In May, along with Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson, Johnson introduced the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2019 which establishes an annual June 1st deadline for refineries to submit small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions from their RFS blending obligations each year and increases transparency in the process. The RFS Integrity Act would increase transparency by making information with respect to a petition subject to public disclosure. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-final-ethanol-rule | Rounds Statement on Final Ethanol Rule | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule to establish the required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020: “President Trump has made clear that he expects the EPA to follow through on his commitment to farmers by meeting the 15 billion gallon requirement under the RFS. I heard it firsthand during multiple meetings with the president at the White House.” “I understand the hesitation of South Dakota corn and corn ethanol producers to trust that the EPA will follow through on this commitment. While the final rule fails to provide a guarantee, the EPA has committed to using the tools available to make sure 15 billion gallons of ethanol is blended into our fuel supply in 2020. You can be sure we’ll be holding their feet to the fire.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/the-magic-of-christmas | The Magic of Christmas | 2019-12-19 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | As we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, we are reminded of the true reason for the season: the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His teachings remind us to be kind to others, share our gratitude for all the good things in our lives and give back to those less fortunate. Through these acts, we can experience the real magic of Christmas. You may be surprised to hear that Christmas magic is alive and well even in the most unlikely of places—the United States Capitol. Despite what you too often see in the news, we don’t always disagree and bicker. We certainly have our differences, but I have made many friends in Washington on both sides of the aisle. The camaraderie we share as legislators seeking to improve the lives of all Americans is amplified during the Christmas season, and we enjoy taking time out of our busy days to celebrate. Since joining the Senate, I’ve been a regular member at weekly prayer breakfast meetings. Our group is made up of both Republicans and Democrats—we leave our politics at the door and focus on what we have in common, which is our shared faith. At a recent prayer breakfast, we celebrated Christmas by singing some of our favorite carols. I have made good friends through our prayer breakfasts—men and women I may not have gotten to know on a personal level otherwise. The annual bipartisan Secret Santa gift exchange is another holiday tradition we celebrate on Capitol Hill. Each of us is given the name of a senator from the other party, and we all get together for a reception to exchange small gifts. This year, I was able to wrap up some of my favorite chocolates from Deadwood’s Chubby Chipmunk to give to Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada. Senator Tom Carper of Delaware gave me a baseball cap commemorating USS Delaware SSN 791, a nuclear attack submarine that was commissioned shortly after USS South Dakota SSN 790. Of course, none of us would be able to celebrate the holidays freely if not for our men and women in uniform. This time of year we are reminded of those who are spending … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=F82E27C5-4124-4AEF-AD53-50270F8AB0AC | Thune Reflects on 2019 Accomplishments | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed his number one priority in the Senate: serving the people of South Dakota. Thune discussed the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act, which will authorize the full annual funding request for development of the B-21 bomber, his effort to help Sioux Falls become one of the most rural 5G-enabled cities in the country, and other wins for the people of South Dakota. Thune also discussed his continued effort to strengthen the agriculture economy for our farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, we're wrapping up the year here in the Senate, and I'm looking forward to getting home to Sioux Falls for Christmas. Before we leave, we'll wrap up this year's spending bills, including the defense funding bill. Yesterday, we passed the National Defense Authorization Act, yearly legislation to authorize funding for our military and our national defense. I'm pleased to report that this year's bill authorizes the full annual funding request for development of the B-21 bomber, which will be coming to Ellsworth in the not-too-distant future. Thenews that Ellsworth Air Force Base had been selected as the first home of the future B-21 Raider was exciting news this year. Ellsworth has been a priority of mine since I first came to the Senate and worked with a lot of dedicated people to prevent Ellsworth from being closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005. Since then, I've worked with the other members of the South Dakota delegation and Air Force and community leaders to make sure the base never again finds itself in the same position. Among other things, our efforts resulted in the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex into the largest training air space in the continental United States. And it's undoubtedly partly thanks to this air space that Ellsworth was chosen as the first home for the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A5F9ABBD-2E64-42F3-A6DD-23F26A030E52 | Thune Reflects on 2019 Accomplishments | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed his number one priority in the Senate: serving the people of South Dakota. Thune discussed the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act, which will authorize the full annual funding request for development of the B-21 bomber, his effort to help Sioux Falls become one of the most rural 5G-enabled cities in the country, and other wins for the people of South Dakota. Thune also discussed his continued effort to strengthen the agriculture economy for our farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, we're wrapping up the year here in the Senate, and I'm looking forward to getting home to Sioux Falls for Christmas. Before we leave, we'll wrap up this year's spending bills, including the defense funding bill. Yesterday, we passed the National Defense Authorization Act, yearly legislation to authorize funding for our military and our national defense. I'm pleased to report that this year's bill authorizes the full annual funding request for development of the B-21 bomber, which will be coming to Ellsworth in the not-too-distant future. Thenews that Ellsworth Air Force Base had been selected as the first home of the future B-21 Raider was exciting news this year. Ellsworth has been a priority of mine since I first came to the Senate and worked with a lot of dedicated people to prevent Ellsworth from being closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005. Since then, I've worked with the other members of the South Dakota delegation and Air Force and community leaders to make sure the base never again finds itself in the same position. Among other things, our efforts resulted in the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex into the largest training air space in the continental United States. And it's undoubtedly partly thanks to this air space that Ellsworth was chosen as the first home for the B-21. Ellsworth is going from strength to strength, and I'm honored… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-house-impeachment-vote | Rounds Statement on House Impeachment Vote | 2019-12-18 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump: “The House Democrats have voted to impeach this president, and yet, they still have not provided the evidence to substantiate an impeachable offense. The Senate will execute its constitutional duty, bring this process to a close, and get back to doing the people’s work.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6F06E6F9-75A0-43A9-95F0-0BE056E71389 | Thune: Tax Reform Has Delivered on Its Promises | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the upcoming two-year anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law and the positive results it has delivered to the American people. Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law in December 2017, hard-working middle-income American families have seen lower rates, improved benefits, better job opportunities, and many other positive results. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, December 22 will mark the second anniversary of the signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Tax reform was a big priority for Republicans. We wanted to help American families by reducing their tax burden and spurring the kind of economic growth that would result in better jobs and better wages. And so at the end of 2017 we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We cut tax rates for American families, doubled the child tax credit, and nearly doubled the standard deduction. We lowered tax rates across the board for owners of small and medium-sized businesses, farms, and ranches. We expanded business owners' ability to recover the cost of investments they make in their businesses, which frees up cash that they can reinvest in their operations and their workers. And we lowered our nation's massive corporate tax rate which up until January 1 of 2018 was the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world and brought the U.S. international tax system into the 21st century so that American businesses are not operating at a competitive disadvantage next to their foreign counterparts. And over the last two years, tax reform has done exactly what we intended. It's allowed American families to keep more of their hard-earned money, and it's helped spur wage growth and increase the availability of good jobs for American workers. For 2018, the average family of four with an income of $75,000 saw a tax cut of more than $2,000. On top of that, company after company r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=74BEE8BA-8347-4149-89B1-5FA613FE4F6A | Delegation Urges Veterans Affair Secretary to Prioritize Hot Springs VA in 2020 | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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 urged U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to prioritize visiting the Hot Springs VA medical center in 2020 and address the long-standing matters of uncertainty at the facility. The letter follows the secretary's September 27, 2019, statement of intent to visit Hot Springs, which he issued in advance of traveling to the Fort Meade VA medical center. As you look ahead to your 2020 schedule, we request that you expand upon this experience and work to address the long-standing matters at the Hot Springs VA, the delegation wrote. As you know, the Hot Springs VA is a priority for veterans in western South Dakota and neighboring states.Unfortunately, thecampus has endured a persistent cloud of uncertainty for nearly a decade, which has affected employee recruitment and retention, reduced urgent care hours, required the use of short-term contractors. In November 2018, the South Dakota congressional delegation wrote to request that you visit Hot Springs to meet with veterans and VA employees that would be personally affected by the VA's realignment plan, as well as see firsthand the quality care and healing environment in the Veterans Town.' Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) was copied on the letter. Full text of the letter below: December 17, 2019 The Honorable Robert Wilkie Secretary U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary Wilkie: Thank you for your continued work to address the significant challenges facing America's veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as you seek to improve access to quality care and increase VA accountability. We hope your October 3, 2019, visit to the Fort Meade VA medical center was productive and informative with respect to the unique challenges veterans in our region of the country face concerning access to care. We especially appreciate your attention to the needs of rur… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A7C2AE45-B988-4329-B96F-6A0625E54E30 | Thune Statement on Senate Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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 passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is a positive step toward ensuring our troops are able to continue the important work of protecting Americans at home and abroad. Support for our national defense is essential and should never be subjected to partisan posturing. I am pleased Congress has been able to come to a consensus on this important legislation legislation that also delivers the largest pay raise for our military in a decade and authorizes a significant down payment for the B-21 bomber, which will soon be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. In today's global atmosphere, we must ensure America's military stands strong. With the passage of the NDAA, Congress delivers on fulfilling that fundamental responsibility. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ndaa-passes-senate-with-rounds-support-includes-a-number-of-south-dakota-priorities | NDAA Passes Senate with Rounds Support, Includes a Number of South Dakota Priorities | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. It now heads to the president’s desk for signature. “Providing our troops with the tools they need to complete their missions fulfills one of our most fundamental duties: to provide for our national defense,” said Rounds. “This year’s NDAA continues to rebuild our military, gives our service members additional resources to meet new challenges and takes care of military families. I look forward to the president signing it into law.” “Mike has been an important voice on the Armed Services Committee and throughout negotiations on the final Defense Authorization Act,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe. “As chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, he spearheaded numerous provisions in this year’s bill that will protect our networks from our adversaries and expand our cyber capabilities to maintain our technological edge. I thank him for his leadership on these and other critical defense issues.” Bill Highlights: Implements the National Defense Strategy, which provides clear direction for restoring our military’s competitive edge in an era of re-emerging, long-term power competition. Authorizes a 3.1 percent pay raise for our troops, the largest in a decade. Authorizes full funding for the B-21 Raider bombers, to be stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Creates a Space Force as a sixth branch, under the Air Force, devoted to military operations in space. Provides additional resources to research and begin cleanup of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. PFAS substances have emerged as a widespread contaminant to the drinking water sources of communities across the country, as well as military installations, largely due to their use in firefighting foam used by the Department of Defense. Rounds Major Provisions Included: Cybersecurity of the D… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/noem-rounds-request-us-army-corps-of-engineers-increase-missouri-river-mainstem-dam-releases-to-prepare-for-spring-runoff | Noem, Rounds Request U.S Army Corps of Engineers Increase Missouri River Mainstem Dam Releases to Prepare for Spring Runoff | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | PIERRE—Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requesting a marginal increase in releases from Gavins Point Dam. This would allow additional storage in the dam system to accommodate runoff this upcoming spring. Additionally, Noem and Rounds urged USACE to take measures to improve predictions in order to prevent significant flooding during wet years and to make sure water is available during a drought. “At this time, our primary concern is increasing the flows slightly from the mainstem system storage through next spring,” wrote Noem and Rounds in their letter. “We are not advocating the USACE increase releases to irresponsible levels, triggering ice jam formation and producing winter flooding. Instead, we request a marginal increase in system releases from Gavins Point. “Moving forward, we would like to see the USACE take measures to improve predictions on runoff entering the mainstem system. Expanding the states’ existing mesonets would be one option to improve data accessibility. We believe several other technological and equipment modernization measures could be considered to have the most sophisticated predictive analysis reasonably possible. Additionally, we would like to see the USACE look into expanding their predictive algorithms so as to dynamically manage reservoir levels, reducing the potential for floods and increasing water availability during drought conditions.” Full text of the letter: Brigadier General D. Peter Helmlinger Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division P.O. Box 2870 Portland, OR 97208-2870 Dear Brigadier General Helmlinger, We are following up on your phone conversation with Senator Rounds and representatives of the State of South Dakota on November 21, 2019. We appreciate the discussion on current water levels and the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Missouri River operation plans moving forward, as well as your insights on the problems with anticipating river freeze… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-cadillac-tax-repeal-legislation-included-in-omnibus-appropriations-bill | Rounds’ Cadillac Tax Repeal Legislation Included in Omnibus Appropriations Bill | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after it was announced that legislation he introduced to repeal the “Cadillac Tax” was included in the omnibus appropriations bill scheduled to be passed by Congress this week: “Healthcare costs for South Dakota families are already too high,” said Rounds. “The Cadillac Tax threatened to raise healthcare premiums even higher by imposing a 40 percent tax on certain employer-sponsored health care plans. I’m pleased our bipartisan measure to fully repeal the Cadillac Tax was included in the fiscal year 2020 omnibus appropriations bill, and I look forward to continuing to find ways to lower healthcare costs for hardworking families.” Rounds and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to repeal the Cadillac Tax earlier this year. Companion legislation introduced by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Mike Kelly (R-Penn.) passed out of the House this summer. This month, Rounds, Heinrich, Courtney and Kelly sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to take swift action on their legislation before the end of the year. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-names-valley-queen-cheese-factory-of-milbank-as-senate-small-business-of-the-week | Rounds Names Valley Queen Cheese Factory of Milbank as Senate Small Business of the Week | 2019-12-17 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today named Valley Queen Cheese Factory of Milbank as the Senate Small Business Committee’s “Small Business of the Week.” Rounds was invited by Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to select a South Dakota small business to be highlighted by the committee. Valley Queen Cheese was founded in 1929, and remains a family-run operation. It is the largest cheese plant in our state and the largest employer in Milbank. “South Dakota is fortunate to have many thriving small businesses,” said Rounds. “It’s my honor to name Valley Queen Cheese in Milbank as the Small Business the Week. Valley Queen has been a family-run operation for four generations, and currently employs 300 individuals. It gives back to the community through its charitable foundation, which has awarded more than $300,000 in college scholarships to local students. I thank the Nef and Gonzenbach families who started and continue to run Valley Queen Cheese for the great work they do for South Dakota.” Today, Rounds submitted the following excerpt into the Congressional Record in honor of Valley Queen Cheese Factory: Mr. Rounds. Mr. President, today, it is my pleasure to name Valley Queen Cheese Factory of Milbank, South Dakota, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Valley Queen Cheese is a prime example of the important role small businesses play in their local economies and communities. In 1929, Alfred Nef and Alfred Gonzenbach decided Milbank, South Dakota, was the perfect home for their business and founded Valley Queen Cheese. Four generations later, Valley Queen remains a family-run operation and is still owned by the Nef and Gonzenbach families. Today, it operates less than 1/2 mile from the original location. It is a recognized leader in the South Dakota business community and the greater dairy industry. Since 2017, Doug Wilke has served as CEO of Valley Queen. With guidance from the board of directors, he currently oversees the largest cheese plant in South Dakota and the largest em… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-resolution-commemorating-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-the-bulge- | Senate Passes Resolution Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge | 2019-12-16 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | In recognition of the Battle of the Bulge beginning 75 years ago today, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution last week commemorating this anniversary. S. Con. Res 23 honors the valiant efforts of the Allied Forces in December 1944, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice in this last major German offensive in Western Europe during World War II. There were 89,000 American casualties in this 38-day battle, and 19,000 American soldiers lost their lives. The Allied victory in this battle helped make possible the final defeat and surrender of Germany in May 1945. The resolution was introduced by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and cosponsored by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Barasso (R-Wyo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.). ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=912A488A-AD7C-404C-812D-110CA2BE3E16 | The Season to Rejoice | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | The holiday season is a special time of year. We get to rejoice in God's gift to mankind while spending time with our family and friends, enjoying traditions of holidays past and the moments and memories created with those we love. It's also a good reminder to slow down and take stock of the blessings that surround us. For me, many of those blessings come in the form of family my wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids; my siblings and my dad, a World War II veteran who will turn 100 years old shortly after Christmas Day. A bounty of blessings, to be sure. The Christmas season can also be a time capsule of sorts both in terms of what you put in and everything you can take out. For example, this time of year often takes me back to a snow-covered Jackson Avenue in Murdo, which we'd sled down as kids. I'm reminded of all those Christmas Eve nights at my grandmother's house and the unmistakable aroma of her lutefisk and lefse wafting through the air. And I can't help but smile when I think of watching Brittany and Larissa perform in church and school Christmas programs through the years. I cherish the old memories and how they've shaped me and our family, but I also look forward to creating new ones with my kids and grandkids, who I hope will be able to remember these moments during Christmases yet to come. Looking back on 2019, like most years, there's a lot for which I can be thankful. Aside from health, happiness, and my family, I'm always thankful to know that I live in the greatest country on the face of the earth. There is no other place on the planet where people enjoy the same freedom and opportunities that are afforded to the American people, and we should never forget that. We also shouldn't forget that our freedom comes at a cost. A big one. I'm so thankful for the men and women in our military for their humility, honor, courage, and sacrifice. I'm also thankful for their families. Ask any service member, and they will tell you that service is a partnership, because families are just as investe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-statement-on-house-judiciary-committee-impeachment-vote | Rounds Statement on House Judiciary Committee Impeachment Vote | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee voted to send impeachment articles to the full House floor. “This is yet another step in the Democrats’ plan to impeach the president, which started over three years ago on the day he was elected. They’re trying to undo the result of the 2016 election by making a mockery of the impeachment process. Based on what we’ve seen from the House Democrats, they have not provided the evidence to substantiate an impeachable offense. Rather, these articles seem to be rooted in Democrats’ disfavor of our president- and that is not an impeachable offense. Impeachment is a grave and serious step in our Constitution that should not be taken lightly. As a member of the Senate, we will do our due diligence to receive the claim made by the House and consider it in a deliberate manner. So far, they’ve failed to make a legitimate claim. “After reviewing the accusations made by the House, the Senate should be able to move expeditiously to bring this to a close and get back to things that matter to South Dakota families.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-tester-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-grant-program-honoring-veterans | Rounds, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Grant Program Honoring Veterans | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced the Memorializing Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation establishing a grant program to help honor the lives of our nation’s veterans. “For more than 40 years, the United States has maintained its military superiority thanks to an all-volunteer force stepping up to the plate,” said Rounds. “Educating the next generation about the service and sacrifices made by our veterans is one way we can encourage young people to join the armed forces and continue this proud tradition. Many South Dakotans have proudly served our country. Sharing their stories can show our state’s young people the honor of serving in our armed forces.” The Veterans’ Legacy Program (VLP) is an educational initiative from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) under U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) which commemorates veterans interred in NCA cemeteries through partnerships with institutions of higher learning. Under current law, institutions of higher education experience difficulty obtaining and utilizing federal funding through VLP. This bill would establish a grant program to administer funds more efficiently, facilitating research and developing educational tools to increase public awareness of veteran service and sacrifice. The Memorializing Veterans Act would makes grants available to recipients such as institutions of higher learning, local education agencies, and non-profit entities with a history of community engagement. These grants could be used for research related to national, State or Tribal veterans’ cemeteries, to produce educational materials or to promote community engagement about the history of the veterans interred at those cemeteries. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/south-dakota-well-represented-in-defense-authorization-bill | South Dakota Well-Represented in Defense Authorization Bill | 2019-12-13 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Every year for nearly 60 years, Congress has worked in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). By the end of 2019, we will have passed the 59th NDAA in a row. This one, which authorizes funding for the military for Fiscal Year 2020, includes some major wins for South Dakota, to include Ellsworth Air Force Base and Dakota State University (DSU). As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of our Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I worked with my colleagues to make sure a number of important provisions were included in the NDAA. This year’s bill provides the resources necessary to rebuild and improve our military while also taking care of our troops and their families. It provides the largest pay raise for our troops in a decade, and includes measures to help military families with housing, childcare and moving expenses. Our bill will fully fund the B-21 Raider bomber program, which will help keep the program on time for the B-21 to come to Ellsworth Air Force Base in the mid-2020s. In March, then-Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced that Ellsworth was selected to receive the training squadron and the first operational squadron of B-21 Raiders, which are the Air Force’s next-generation stealth bombers. This decision solidified the important role Ellsworth will play in our national defense for years, if not generations, to come. Making sure the B-21 Raider program is fully funded and delivered on time has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for me. The NDAA also fully funds additional purchases of the F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. The more of these that are purchased in the future, the greater the possibility that we will get them assigned to South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing, which is based at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls. The unit’s current aircraft is the F-16 Block 40. Legislation I offered to establish a cyber consortia for certain universities, including Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison, was also inc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A32E091B-E320-4D12-9E17-CCCA7831AB92 | Thune: Proud of Bipartisan Support for TRACED Act | 2019-12-12 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today discussed the TRACED Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced with Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to combat the illegal robocall epidemic. Thune also discussed the final step in getting the bill to the president's desk passing it in the Senate. Thune is hopeful his TRACED Act could pass before Christmas. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, every American has had to deal with annoying and illegal robocalls. All of us have been interrupted at one time or another by a robocall announcing we've won a prize or claiming to need important banking information so that our account won't be closed. These calls are a major nuisance. But of course they're not just a nuisance. Too many Americans fall victim to sophisticated robocall scammers and have their money or identity stolen. These individuals can spend months or years struggling to get their life back after falling prey to these scammers. There are currently laws and fines in place to prevent scam artists from preying on people through the telephone, but unfortunately these measures have not been sufficient. In many cases, robocall scammers simply build the current fines into the cost of doing business. And the Federal Communications Commission's enforcement efforts are hampered by a tight time window for pursuing violators. I've been working on this issue since my time as chairman of the Commerce Committee, and at the end of last year I introduced the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, or TRACED Act, with my colleague Senator Markey. The Senate passed our bill in May, and last week our bill was passed by the House. The TRACED Act provides tools to discourage illegal robocalls, protect consumers, and crack down on offenders. Criminal prosecution of illegal robocallers can be difficult. Scammers are… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2302A0CE-7443-419C-8834-426B8C9213D7 | Thune Statement on Committee Passage of 5G Spectrum Act | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch Thune's remarks. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the 5G Spectrum Act, which he introduced in November with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Commerce Committee. Their bill would ensure mid-band spectrum is quickly made available in the market by requiring a transparent and competitive public auctioning process. The bill would require that at least 50 percent of the first $40 billion in auction revenue be reserved for the American people and that a portion of those proceeds be dedicated specifically for rural broadband build-out. The bill prescribes a tiered system with respect to auction revenue, requiring 90 percent of the top tier any revenue above $50 billion to be returned to the American people. I support this legislation for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that if we don't win the race to 5G, we're going to lose out on the economic benefit and dividend that comes with that, said Thune. China isn't having this kind of discussion right now. They're just clearing mid-band spectrum and allowing their companies to go after it. This is important to the future of this country that we get this right, and the only way we get it right is we've got to get more mid-band spectrum made available for commercial use And I will take a backseat to no one on this committee or in the Senate when it comes to advocating for more technology to be delivered, services to be delivered to rural areas of this country, and I will continue to do that. The 5G Spectrum Act would: Bring spectrum to market that provides the coverage and capacity essential for deployment in America's rural communities. Require the FCC to conduct a public auction of C band spectrum. Require the auction to start no later than December 31, 2020. Require the FCC to make a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C1ED44E8-F97A-4FA0-ADF7-17E2D171FFD9 | Thune: Pelosi Drug Bill is a Bad Prescription for the American People | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Pelosi prescription drug bill, Democrats' latest installment in their campaign to have the government takeover Americans' health care. If passed, the bill would reduce Americans' access to lifesaving treatments. Thune encouraged Congress to find a solution to lower prescription drug costs without resorting to government price controls and cited bipartisan proposals that could be passed through both chambers of Congress. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, over in the House this week, Democrats are taking up the latest installment in their campaign to have the government take over Americans' health care: the Pelosi prescription drug bill. Now, Mr. President, there's no question that high prescription drug costs are a problem. One in four seniors reports difficulty affording medications, and there are too many stories of patients being forced to ration pills or abandon their prescription at the pharmacy counter. But the Pelosi drug bill is the wrong prescription for the problem of high drug prices. Why? Because it would reduce Americans' access to lifesaving treatments and discourage investment in prescription drug research. Mr. President, between 2011 and 2018, more than 250 new medications were introduced worldwide. American patients have access to nearly all of them. But that's not the situation for patients in a lot of other countries. The Chamber of Commerce reports that patients in France have access to just 50 percent of those new drugs. French patients, in other words, are missing out on fully half of the new drugs that have been introduced in the past eight years. So why do Americans have such tremendous access to new drugs, while other countries trail behind? Because the U.S. government doesn't dictate drug prices or drug coverage. As statistic after statistic demonstrates, when governments s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/annual-defense-reauthorization-including-johnson-s-legislation-passes-house | Annual Defense Reauthorization Including Johnsons Legislation Passes House | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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.) was included in the House passed National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790). The Rapid Fielding Defense Capabilities and Risk Assessment Act was included in the Senate and House of Representatives NDAA Conference Report which passed the House by 377-48. The bill will allow Department of Defense's (DOD) to develop and field defense acquisition capabilities more efficiently, therefore improving military readiness. Our nation's military should never swing in the balance, said Johnson. I am proud to support a bipartisan defense agreement that supports our nation's military branches, ensures survivors of deceased service members receive their benefits, and provides the biggest raise our troops have seen in over a decade. My legislation helps streamline defense acquisition efforts, and I'm grateful it was included in this bipartisan and bicameral agreement. The fiscal year 2020 NDAA Conference Report authorizes $738 billion in defense funding and provides a 3.1% military pay-raise. Additionally, the legislation includes a three-year phased repeal of the Widow's Tax. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/annual-defense-reauthorization-including-johnsons-legislation-passes-house | Annual Defense Reauthorization Including Johnson’s Legislation Passes House | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | 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.) was included in the House passed National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790). The Rapid Fielding Defense Capabilities and Risk Assessment Act was included in the Senate and House of Representatives NDAA Conference Report which passed the House by 377-48. The bill will allow Department of Defense's (DOD) to develop and field defense acquisition capabilities more efficiently, therefore improving military readiness. "Our nation's military should never swing in the balance," said Johnson. "I am proud to support a bipartisan defense agreement that supports our nation's military branches, ensures survivors of deceased service members receive their benefits, and provides the biggest raise our troops have seen in over a decade. My legislation helps streamline defense acquisition efforts, and I'm grateful it was included in this bipartisan and bicameral agreement." The fiscal year 2020 NDAA Conference Report authorizes $738 billion in defense funding and provides a 3.1% military pay-raise. Additionally, the legislation includes a three-year phased repeal of the "Widow's Tax." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-letter-to-fema-acting-administrator-gaynor | Rounds Letter to FEMA Acting Administrator Gaynor | 2019-12-11 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Help with a Federal Agency | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=21439B24-CED4-48C4-948C-89CEAD093013 | Thune: Defense Funding Should Not Be Delayed Any Longer | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch Thune's opening statement. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that would give our troops the funding they need to best defend our country. Although this legislation has been held up by Democrats for far too long, Thune is hopeful they will come to the table and pass this critical defense funding bill before the end of the year. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, I'm very pleased to hear that a deal has been reached to finally advance the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Every year, Congress takes up the National Defense Authorization Act to authorize funding for our military and our national defense. Like last year's NDAA, this year's bill focuses on rebuilding our military and ensuring we are prepared to meet 21st century threats. While many take it for granted that we have the strongest military in the world, in recent years our military advantage over near-peer adversaries has eroded. Budgetary impasses combined with increased operational demands left our military under-manned, under-equipped, and ill-prepared for the conflicts 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. That's not a good position to be in, and restoring our readiness has been and must continue to be our top priority. This year's National Defense Authorization Act continues our efforts to rebuild our military. It invests in the planes, combat vehicles, and ships of the future, including the Joint Strike Fighter and the future B-21 bomber, which will be based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in my home state of South Dakota. … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/constitutional-carry-states-rights-act-introduced-in-the-house | Constitutional Carry States’ Rights Act Introduced in the House | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement after companion legislation to his Constitutional Carry States’ Rights Act was introduced in the House of Representatives last week by Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.): “I thank Rep. Hern for introducing our Constitutional carry legislation in the House,” said Rounds. “Our bill, which I introduced in the Senate earlier this year, would close federal loopholes in the Gun-Free School Zones Act to make sure individuals who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights are treated the same way as those who possess concealed handguns with a permit. I look forward to working with Rep. Hern and our colleagues in Congress to advance our legislation that protects the Second Amendment rights of Americans.” Background: The Constitutional Carry States’ Rights Act that would close a loophole in the Gun-Free School Zones Act to give law-abiding citizens in states with Constitutional carry laws the same legal authority to possess a firearm as individuals in states that require a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Enacted in 1990, the Gun-Free School Zones Act makes it a federal crime to possess a firearm within 1000 feet of a school zone, with exceptions for law enforcement, school-sanctioned activities and individuals licensed by the state to possess a firearm, such as an individual with a concealed carry permit. Current federal law only makes exceptions if the individual is “licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located.” The state must also verify the individual is eligible prior to issuing a license. Because of this specific requirement of state licensure, lawful individuals in states with Constitutional carry laws are not included in the exemption because they are able to carry without a specific state permit. Further, the current exemption does not apply to out-of-state individuals lawfully carrying a concealed weapon because the exemption is limited to people licensed in the state where the school zone is located. This legislat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-colleagues-urge-congressional-leadership-to-fully-repeal-cadillac-tax | Rounds, Colleagues Urge Congressional Leadership to Fully Repeal “Cadillac Tax” | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Mike Kelly (R-Penn.) wrote to House and Senate leadership urging swift action of their legislation to repeal the “Cadillac Tax,” a tax on high premium employer-sponsored health insurance. Legislation repealing the tax passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly earlier this year. Identical legislation, introduced by Sens. Rounds and Heinrich (S. 684), has 63 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter, the Members wrote: “The status quo creates uncertainty as employers, and employee representatives negotiate benefits packages that extend well into 2022, when the tax is currently set to go into effect. A fourth delay is not a viable option. The ongoing uncertainty is already threatening the quality of employer sponsored health insurance. The time is now to act in the best interest of the American people and repeal the Cadillac Tax.” Last week, more than 1,000 employers and stakeholders sent a similar letter, underscoring the breadth of support for repeal. Full text of their letter: We write regarding the urgent need to fully repeal the 40 percent excise tax on higher premium employer-provided health plans, commonly referred to as the Cadillac Tax. Failure to act will result in higher-deductibles and loss of coverage for American workers and their families. Our legislation, the Middle-Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019, (S. 684/ H.R. 748) has 63 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate and passed the House with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 419 to 6 in July. The House vote, Senate support, and three implementation delays enacted by prior Congresses reflects an overwhelming consensus that the Cadillac Tax should be fully repealed. This punitive tax, if allowed to take effect, will raise health insurance costs for working Americans. The status quo creates uncertainty as employers and employee representatives negotiate benefits packages that extend we… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-cyber-consortia-provision-included-in-final-ndaa-package | Rounds Cyber Consortia Provision Included in Final NDAA Package | 2019-12-10 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Last night, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees released the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020. The final legislation includes a provision authored by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a university consortia to advise and assist DOD on cybersecurity. The provision will provide a single portal for DOD to access the expertise of universities designated as National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Centers of Academic Excellence, such as Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison. “Dakota State has been at the forefront of cyber-related research for years,” said Rounds. “The establishment of a university consortia to advise and assist the DOD on cybersecurity will further strengthen the bond between schools like DSU and the DOD. Additionally, it will help the DOD solve complex cybersecurity problems and develop cybersecurity training. It’s a win-win. I look forward to getting the NDAA across the finish line in the coming days.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=176F9BF0-7A9E-449E-A25D-B3FDDFE40E79 | Thune, Klobuchar Lead Colleagues in Urging FCC to Prioritize Rural Broadband | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), also a member of the Commerce Committee, today led 46 of their Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prioritize sustainable rural broadband networks as the FCC considers new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) proceeding. If our rural communities are to survive and flourish, our rural constituents need access to services that are on par with those in urban areas, the senators wrote. By contrast, it would be an inefficient use of resources to promote services that cannot keep pace with consumer demand and the evolution of broadband in urban areas. As the FCC moves forward to adopt new rules in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund proceeding, we urge you to promote the deployment of networks that will be sustainable even as new advancements are made and are capable of delivering the best level of broadband access for the available USF budget for many years to come. Joining Thune and Klobuchar in sending the letter were U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.V.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Martha McSally (Ariz.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Ka… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-increase-affordable-housing-for-volunteer-firefighters-and-first-responders | Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Increase Affordable Housing for Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders | 2019-12-09 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that would provide affordable housing opportunities for volunteer firefighters and first responders in order to help recruit and retain more volunteers, particularly in rural and under-served communities. The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act would expand eligibility for qualified volunteer first responders to participate in certain federal housing assistance programs and provide a greater incentive for more volunteers to stay and continue to serve their communities. “Expanding the eligibility for qualified volunteer emergency responders to participate in federal housing assistance programs has a number of benefits,” said Rounds. “It encourages volunteering, provides agencies with a recruitment and retention tool, makes it easier for volunteer responders to remain living in their communities, and is a great way to say ‘thank you’ for their service. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation to support our volunteer emergency responders.” According to the National Fire Protection Association’s 2017 U.S. Fire Department Profile, 65 percent of firefighters nationwide are volunteers, and fire departments rely on these volunteers to help respond to a wide array of local emergencies. Recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters is critical for thousands of communities, yet local volunteer fire departments, especially those serving small and rural communities, find it difficult to meet staffing needs and attract younger volunteers. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=CC6AE80E-2978-487F-A6F9-86C276672508 | South Dakota Leading the Way | 2019-12-06 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | I served four years as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over everything from planes, trains, and automobiles to the depths of the ocean and the heights of outer space. And no matter the subject, one of my favorite parts about serving in that role was giving South Dakota a seat at the table by elevating the issues that are important to the state and by providing South Dakotans with the opportunity and platform to share their expertise and experience on a wide range of issues. While I no longer serve as chairman of the full committee, I'm still a member, and I'm closing out my first year as chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet. It's been a fun and rewarding experience, particularly because I'm still able to give South Dakota a seat at the table. The subcommittee's membership mirrors the full committee's membership, so we have a variety of voices, experience, and priorities on which we can lean. I also love the subject matter. I'm able to continue working on several initiatives that began years ago, particularly my effort to ensure the United States wins the race to 5G mobile broadband technology. Winning the race to 5G isn't just about the jobs and opportunities it would create or the enhanced speed with which we'd be able to consume or share information. As important as those things are and they are very important this is also about better positioning the United States from a national security and economic security perspective. For these reasons, it's more imperative than ever that we beat our global competitors in this space, particularly China, which often plays by a different set of rules. I've been committed to doing everything I can to ensure the tools are available for the United States to be the first to carry this across the finish line, but we can't take our foot off the gas. Over the years, I've led full committee hearings on this topic. I've led subcommittee hearings on… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/a-better-way-to-determine-how-your-tax-dollars-are-spent- | A Better Way to Determine How Your Tax Dollars are Spent | 2019-12-06 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Again this month, Congress is operating under a Continuing Resolution, or CR, that expires just a few days before Christmas. The intent is to back Members of Congress and the White House into a corner, hoping they will be willing to accept a massive end-of-year spending package that they might otherwise oppose. This is not a new phenomenon – it’s been happening under our modern budget process since 1974. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept it. We must demand better when it comes to deciding how your tax dollars are spent. Here’s how our budget process is supposed to work: The regular budget process begins when the president submits his budget request to Congress, due in February, outlining his or her ideas for spending priorities for the following fiscal year that begins in October. Congress then crafts its own budget, a comprehensive road map to be used in the appropriations process between February and the October 1st deadline. The process then moves to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. These committees use the budget blueprint – which sets overall spending caps – to consider and pass 12 appropriations bills, which write the specific funding levels for individual programs within the federal government for defense spending and non-defense discretionary spending. I should make note that this only accounts for approximately 30 percent of what we spend today. Once the appropriations bills pass both houses of Congress, the differences between the bills are reconciled through a conference committee report. The conference committee report becomes the actual appropriations bill in each case. Once the conference committee reports pass the House and Senate, they then go to the president, and once he signs it the federal government is funded until the next budget cycle. This is all supposed to be done well before the September 30 deadline. But that’s not what really happens. In reality, Congress rarely passes a budget and the president’s budget is seen as little more than a messaging tool. Appropriat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:45:33Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8A92EF9A-9AAC-472F-A33D-6C9C5A626643 | Thune Reintroduces Bill to Eliminate Government Competition With Private Industry | 2019-12-05 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today reintroduced legislation that would require federal agencies to rely on the private sector when providing goods and services that are readily available. Thune's legislation, the Freedom from Government Competition Act (S. 2990), would ensure private enterprises that provide services that are replicated by the federal government have the ability to compete for the opportunity to deliver those federally provided services. Thune's legislation would make the federal government smaller and more efficient while providing the best value to the taxpayer. The bill has been likened to codifying a Yellow Pages test, meaning that if the federal government is doing something that can be found in the Yellow Pages, or now in a simple online search, the product or service should be subject to market competition. This bill is a commonsense approach in allowing small businesses to compete with the federal government if they can provide that same good or service, said Thune. These businesses can oftentimes provide services in a cheaper, more efficient manner. Fair competition will allow businesses to thrive and save taxpayers money. The Freedom from Government Competition Act does not mandate the privatization of any specific federal service and would protect those activities that are inherently governmental, such as certain national defense and homeland security functions, prosecutions, foreign policy, and activities to bind the United States to take or not to take some action by contract, policy, regulation, authorization, or order. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) is the sponsor of the companion bill, which was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E0EAD38F-BB63-4B27-A478-3119C72D9E9D | Thune Leads Hearing on MOBILE NOW, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken Testifies | 2019-12-05 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch Thune's opening statement. 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 Evolution of Next-Generation Technologies: Implementing MOBILE NOW. The hearing examined the implementation of several mandates required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. At the invitation of Thune, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken testified on MOBILE NOW's spectrum provisions and the streamlining of broadband infrastructure deployment on federal lands, among other things. Thune is the author of theMOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Thune's opening statement (as prepared for delivery): Good morning and welcome to today's hearing examining the implementation of the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act, also referred to as the MOBILE NOW Act. It is our job as policy makers, particularly those of us who serve on the Commerce Committee, to make sure that the United States is a leader in the deployment of next-generation technologies. To fulfill that obligation, we must ensure that the market has access to both licensed and unlicensed spectrum and that industry is not unnecessarily burdened when bringing this spectrum to market. That's where the MOBILE NOW Act plays a crucial role. MOBILE NOW reflected several years of hard work by many of the members who serve on this Committee. This important legislation made a down payment on both spectrum and infrastructure needs, positioning the United States to lead in the race to 5Ga race that has major implications for our national security and economy. It is also our job as policy makers to make sure that legislative efforts, like the MOBILE NOW Act, are implemented thoroughly. MOBILE NOW required identifying 255 megahertz for mobile and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F3BFED3B-8ECD-43C0-9145-EAD7E44EE13E | Thune Discusses His Bill to Give Consumers More Control Over Digital Content | 2019-12-05 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch the video. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today participated in a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, Examining Legislative Proposals to Protect Consumer Data Privacy. The hearing examined multiple legislative proposals and how they intend to provide consumers with more security, transparency, choice, and control over personal information, both online and offline. During the hearing, Thune discussed his Filter Bubble Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation that would increase internet platform transparency and provide consumers with greater control over digital content. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today's hearing as members of this Committee continue to work on crafting a national consumer data privacy bill. It is my hope that we can ultimately work together on a bipartisan basis to produce legislation that puts consumers' interests first while still allowing the private sector to innovate and grow the economy. All of us understandor at least shouldthat only a bipartisan proposal has a chance of clearing the Senate and becoming law. And, my view is that a bipartisan outcome must include strong consumer protections while also avoiding the regulatory patchwork that is beginning to emerge at the state level. I remain committed to working with the chairman and ranking member and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a consensus solution. Since we started privacy discussions last Congress, I've said that consumers are entitled to clear and concise explanations of how the services they use are collecting and using their data. One specific area where I believe consumers deserve more transparency and control is with respect to how internet platforms use artificial intelligence and opaque algorithms to make inferences from the reams of data collected about all of us that too often results in users being caught in a so-called f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=46312DCE-30CC-44BD-9601-062D2891F27C | Thune, Markey Statement on House Passage of the TRACED Act | 2019-12-04 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, and Ed Markey (D- Mass.), author of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, today released the following statements after the House of Representatives passed an amended version of their Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence(TRACED) Act (S. 151), legislation to combat the illegal robocall epidemic. Their bill, which will need to be reconsidered in the Senate, passed in May 2019 with near unanimous support. In today's political climate, it's hard to find an issue on which almost everyone can agree, but we found one with the TRACED Act, said Thune. With House passage of our bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect consumers from pesky and sometimes financially harmful robocalls, we are one step closer to getting this legislation to the president's desk. I'm hopeful and confident that we will be able to bring this legislation to the Senate floor in the very near future. I applaud House of Representatives passage of the TRACED Act, my legislation with Senator Thune that cracks down on the deluge of robocalls that drown our phones every day, said Markey. There are no red robocalls or blue robocalls, only despised robocalls. I thank Senator Thune for his partnership on this important consumer protection bill. I expect quick passage of the legislation in the Senate so that Americans can finally get the relief they deserve from these harassing and fraudulent calls. Last month, House and Senate negotiators, including Thune, Markey, and U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.), Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), and Bob Latta (R-Ohio), announced an agreement on bipartisan, bicameral legislation to combat illegal robocalls. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D9D83124-9653-40CD-8659-50C0D4A453D6 | Thune Previews Tomorrows MOBILE NOW Hearing on Senate Floor | 2019-12-04 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the image above to watch Thune's speech. 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 Evolution of Next-Generation Technologies: Implementing MOBILE NOW, tomorrow, December 5, 2019, at10:00 a.m. EST. The hearing, which will be livestreamed here, will examine the implementation of several mandates required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. Witnesses, including Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, will discuss MOBILE NOW's spectrum provisions and the streamlining of broadband infrastructure deployment on federal lands, among other things. Thune is the author of theMOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Earlier today, Thune previewed the hearing on the Senate floor. Excerpt from Thune's speech below: And tomorrow, in my role as chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, I'll be chairing a hearing looking at the progress that has been made in implementing the MOBILE NOW Act. We have a great slate of witnesses testifying, including Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, who has driven the implementation of advanced mobile broadband technology in Sioux Falls. The MOBILE NOW Act has helped us make progress toward the deployment of 5G, particularly in identifying licensed spectrum that can be used to support 5G deployment in more rural areas. Hearing Details: Thursday, December 5, 2019 10:00a.m. EST 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-supports-usda-efforts-encourage-employment | Johnson Supports USDA Efforts To Encourage Employment | 2019-12-04 | 2019 | 2019-12 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a rule impacting able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) benefits. This rule significantly reduces waivers, requiring ABAWDs to enroll in a training program, pursue higher education, or seek employment in order to remain eligible for SNAP benefits. U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations, issued the following statement applauding USDA's announcement: We all know education and work provide dignity and economic opportunity, said Johnson. The stats are clear. Nearly 75 percent of able-bodied SNAP recipients don't work. The unemployment rate is at an all-time low. Simply put, people who can work, should work. I applaud the administration for crafting a rule that supports adults as they transition towards and into employment. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=DCA749B8-B59F-4744-863A-18DF6D4DD438 | Shop Small in South Dakota | 2019-11-27 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | While I'm sure most people know about the Black Friday shopping event that follows Thanksgiving each year, a relatively new shopping holiday, of sorts, popped up in the last decade that is celebrated annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday was created almost ten years ago to encourage people to shop small and check out their local brick and mortar stores that dot Main Streets across America. In South Dakota, with 99 percent of businesses classified as small businesses, this event is particularly special. There are over 86,000 small businesses in the state that employ over 210,500 employees, collectively. So, when you support small businesses and the hardworking people who make them possible, you also help support the economy of South Dakota. I recognize what these stores, shops, and restaurants mean to our communities.Aside from the economic impact they have on our state, they also help give South Dakota its charm. Almost every city in our state has a Main Street that is home to a number of unique stores, from restaurants to retail. A local downtown coffee shop can serve as a great spot for friends to gather. The town bookstore can be the spot for all generations to share stories and book recommendations. And these are just a few examples. Small businesses are not just Main Street shops, retail stores, and restaurants. Small businesses are also the construction companies that keep our state's communities growing by maintaining our local roads and infrastructure. They're the local dentist, optometrist, and doctor's offices that ensure our small towns have the services they need. They're the local insurance companies and law offices and many other businesses, too numerous to name. Small businesses are what make communities in our state great. Almost two years ago, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, historic tax reform that has helped small businesses expand their operations, increase wages, add new employee benefits, and hire more workers. In addition, the reduction of unne… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=728024F8-0709-4759-8C8F-B5923F984399 | Thune to Hold Hearing on 5G Next Week, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken to Testify | 2019-11-26 | 2019 | 2019-11 | 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 Evolution of Next-Generation Technologies: Implementing MOBILE NOW, at10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, December 5, 2019. The hearing will examine the implementation of several mandates required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. Witnesses, including Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, will discuss MOBILE NOW's spectrum provisions and the streamlining of broadband infrastructure on federal lands, among other things. Thune is the author of theMOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Witnesses: The Honorable Paul TenHaken, mayor, City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Mr. Jonathan Adelstein, president & CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Association Mr. Scott Bergmann, senior vice president of regulatory affairs, CTIAThe Wireless Association Ms. Mary Brown, senior director of technology and spectrum policy, Cisco Ms. Sarah Morris, director, Open Technology Institute, New America *Witness list subject to change Hearing Details: Thursday, December 5, 2019 10:00a.m. EST 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://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/upholding-the-renewable-fuel-standard | Upholding the Renewable Fuel Standard | 2019-11-26 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | While working as governor and now as your United States Senator, I’ve fought for South Dakota’s corn and corn ethanol producers to make certain they’re getting a fair deal under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). For over a decade, the RFS has provided the statutory certainty necessary for the corn industry to grow and prosper in the United States. As a result, corn ethanol has become a vital component of our nation’s fuel supply. Many consumers now seek out ethanol blends when they’re at the gas station due to their lower price tag and high octane rating. Just this year, the EPA announced that E-15—a type of fuel that is made up of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline—can now be sold year-round. This has helped South Dakota corn farmers and ethanol producers. The RFS is a program that was created by Congress in 2005. The goal of the RFS is to increase our use of renewable fuels and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. The RFS is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so it’s the job of the EPA to make sure that 15 billion gallons of ethanol are blended into our nation’s fuel supply annually. The number of gallons required to be blended is based on targets called Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). However, the RFS has been undermined in recent years due to the EPA issuing a high number of exemptions to small refineries which claim that complying with the RVOs would cause them significant economic hardship. In issuing so many exemptions, the demand for corn and corn ethanol has been reduced, thus impacting farmers’ revenue for the year. I have shared my concerns about small refinery exemptions with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on a number of occasions. Midwest farmers are facing low commodity prices, trade instability and extreme weather—they don’t need further headaches from the federal government. During multiple meetings at the White House with President Trump this month, I’ve reiterated the importance of making sure the EPA revises its practices to guarantee that any small … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/extra-gratitude-at-our-thanksgiving-table-this-year | Extra Gratitude at our Thanksgiving Table This Year | 2019-11-22 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Jean and I wish a very happy Thanksgiving to all South Dakotans. This season provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the blessings we’ve received this year. Like every year, I continue to be thankful for the love and support of my family, as well as the opportunity South Dakotans have given me to represent you in the United States Senate. It’s an honor that I will never take for granted. And of course, none of us would be able to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday if not for the service and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform of the United States of America. We are grateful to every one of them, as well as their families who may not get to spend this holiday season with them. As many of you know, this year has been challenging for our family. Jean was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year after a lump was discovered on her hip, near her sciatic nerve. She has been receiving treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., since this summer. Watching my wife of 41 years fight this horrible disease has been hard, but Jean is tough. She’s fought this disease with the utmost strength and courage. We are grateful for her strong support system across the state, so even when I’m working in Washington, I know she is always surrounded by our kids and grandkids, our extended family and our friends. Words cannot express our gratitude to everyone who has prayed for her recovery. Your prayers have given us strength and hope. During a recent Mayo Clinic visit, I told some of her doctors about how many folks from across the state and even from around the country have reached out to us to say they’re praying for Jean. One of the doctors turned to me and said “We’re just the tools, there is someone else in charge.” So, to everyone who has included Jean and our family in your prayers these past several months, thank you. Your prayers are working. After her most recent visit, where she underwent surgery to remove the remainder of the tumor, her doctors told us they are optimistic about her recovery. She will soon be… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=0A53BF16-4333-40C8-8F0B-CF6C566021D3 | Tis the Season to Be Thankful | 2019-11-21 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | (audio/video available here) Like every Thanksgiving, I'll be home in South Dakota, celebrating with my family: my wife, my daughters, my sons-in-law, and my four soon to be five! grandchildren. I'll be taking on my traditional job of carving the turkey and helping with the dishes afterward. I'm looking forward to a lot of good pie apple pie la mode, pumpkin (with a lot of whipped cream), and my favorite, anything in the cream pie family. I'm also looking forward to spending time outdoors. My daughters and I traditionally go on a trail run on Thanksgiving morning it's a good way to work up an appetite for all that pie and we all enjoy throwing around a football before or after the meal. South Dakotans are pretty resilient when it comes to being out in the cold, and as long as we don't have tons of snow, we like to get outdoors on Thanksgiving. Like many South Dakotans, I also love to squeeze in a little pheasant hunting over Thanksgiving weekend whenever I can. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I love sitting down with my whole family and extended family and getting to spend time in the outdoors before winter really hits us. Our current celebration of Thanksgiving can be traced to Abraham Lincoln, who issued a proclamation in 1863 inviting a national celebration of Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November. In 1941, Congress codified the Thanksgiving holiday and permanently set the date as the fourth Thursday in November. I don't think it's too surprising that the celebration of Thanksgiving is a recurring part of our history. On Thanksgiving in my family, typically we go around the table and say what we're thankful for. And in this country, that's a pretty long list. The tremendous natural riches of this country, from great rivers to magnificent mountains to our wide-open access to the sea. The tremendous freedom we enjoy. In the twenty-first century, freedom of religion, of speech, of the press and other freedoms, like the freedom from unreasonable searches and seizur… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-votes-no-on-cr | Rounds Votes No on CR | 2019-11-21 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after voting “no” on the Continuing Resolution (CR), which funds government operations through December 20, 2019. “Even with an additional two months to work on appropriations bills, Congress has failed again to get its work done – or even show signs of progress. CRs are no way to run a country. They’re wasteful, ineffective, destabilize government programs and could end up hurting South Dakota families. And, they jeopardize our military readiness. Military leaders continue to warn that CRs have a detrimental impact on our ability to train, equip and maintain the force. This should concern us all. “If we’re ever going to stop this reckless practice of not getting our work done on time, we need to send a strong message that enough is enough. The American people expect us to get results, not continue to kick the can down the road.” Rounds previously voted no on a CR for Fiscal Year 2020 that ran through November 21, 2019. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9F1E69EE-A624-4C57-9823-FB7F1BA707AD | Thune: Senate Confirming Well-Qualified Judges at Record Pace | 2019-11-20 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Senate's latest action on judicial confirmations. With the confirmations of Justices Robert Luck and Barbara Lagoa, the Senate has now confirmed 48 appellate court judges during this administration more appellate court judges than had been confirmed at this point in any of the previous five presidential administrations. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, yesterday we confirmed Robert Luck, a Florida Supreme Court justice, to be a U.S. circuit judge for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. With Justice Luck's confirmation, the Senate has now confirmed 47 appellate court judges during this administration, and 163 Article III judges overall. That's more appellate court judges than had been confirmed at this point in any of the previous five presidential administrations. And it's a particularly outstanding number when you consider the fact that Democrats have made confirming these judges as difficult as they possibly can. From day one of this administration, Democrats were determined to obstruct anything this president did and his nominations in particular. Again and again and again, they've attempted to block nominees for no other reason than the fact that they were nominated by this president. Democrats have subjected roughly 75 percent of the administration's judicial nominees to the time-consuming cloture process. Compare that to the treatment of President Obama's nominees. At this point in President Obama's administration, roughly 3 percent of his judicial nominees had been subjected to cloture votes. Just 3 percent. And the difference in these numbers is not because this president has nominated scores of supposedly extreme nominees whom Democrats felt they couldn't support. In fact, Democrats have repeatedly turned around and voted for the very same judges they've obstructed. In one particularly egreg… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-create-monarch-and-pollinator-highways | Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Monarch and Pollinator Highways | 2019-11-20 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) to introduce new, bipartisan legislation to help states create pollinator-friendly habitats along roads and highways. This legislation would help address the steep decline of pollinator populations, which poses a serious threat to American farmers and the American food supply. “Bees play a vital role in making sure food gets on our table, acting as pollinators for approximately one-third of all agricultural products in the U.S.,” said Rounds. “Our legislation seeks to use innovation and targeted conservation practices to protect and improve bees’ natural habitat so they can continue to provide this essential service and make certain future generations of crops and plants are produced.” Specifically, the Monarch and Pollinator Highway (MPH) Act of 2019 would establish a federal grant program available to state departments of transportation and Indian tribes to carry out pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way. MPH Act grants could be used for: The planting and seeding of native, locally-appropriate grasses, wildflowers and milkweed; Mowing strategies that promote early successional vegetation and limit disturbance during periods of highest use by target pollinator species; Implementation of an integrated vegetation management approach to address weed and pest issues; Removing nonnative grasses from planting and seeding mixes except for use as nurse or cover crops; or Any other pollinator-friendly practices the Secretary of Transportation determines will be eligible. The bill also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to help states develop best practices around pollinator-friendly roads and highways. The bill would require DOT to develop and make available to state departments of transportation a prioritization ranking of pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way, and to provide technical assistance to st… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F9D4E182-068D-409B-B467-5AAB07AD06BB | Thune: Its Time to Get Our Military the Funding It Needs | 2019-11-19 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the defense appropriations bill, legislation that ensures our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to defend our country. The bill has been filibustered by Senate Democrats the last two times it was considered on the Senate floor. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, our most fundamental responsibility as members of Congress is to provide for our nation's defense. And a big part of that is ensuring that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to defend our country. That means, of course, that we have to ensure that our military receives adequate funding to meet today's priorities and prepare for the threats of the future. And it also means that we need to ensure that our military receives timely funding. Our military doesn't just need sufficient funding to cover defense priorities; it also needs to receive that money on time, on a predictable schedule. That means passing the defense appropriations bill before the end of each fiscal year, instead of forcing the military to rely on temporary funding measures that leave the military in doubt about funding levels and unable to start important new projects. Mr. President, right now, we're almost two full months into the 2020 fiscal year. We should have passed the defense appropriations bill by the end of September. But we didn't. Because unfortunately our Democrat colleagues were unable to resist the chance to pick yet another fight with the president. Mr. President, this wasn't supposed to happen. At the end of the summer, congressional leaders of both parties and the president reached an agreement on funding levels for 2020 and 2021. Leaders also agreed on a number of guidelines for appropriations bills, including a ban on poison pills intended to derail appropriations legislation. The idea behind this agreement was to pave … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-and-thune-join-colleagues-to-call-on-epa-to-provide-clarity-on-biogenic-carbon-emissions | Rounds and Thune Join Colleagues to Call on EPA to Provide Clarity on Biogenic Carbon Emissions | 2019-11-19 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON-- U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined a number of their colleagues to send a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler requesting clarity on the regulatory treatment of biogenic carbon emissions produced from feedstocks such as corn and soybeans. This clarity will remove an obstacle to investment in rural America. “Rural communities in our states see the economic and environmental potential that a growing U.S. bioeconomy offers,” wrote the senators. “EPA’s treatment of biogenic carbon emissions from agricultural processing facilities, however, is a significant barrier to that growth. We have concerns that regulatory uncertainty is stalling significant potential investment in rural America. That investment would create jobs and draw resources to create new low-carbon products and materials.” Multiple scientific studies have stated that the carbon dioxide absorbed during growth and photosynthesis by renewable agricultural feedstocks is more or less equal to the carbon dioxide released during the processing, fermentation, or combustion of those same feedstocks within a one-year cycle. In other words, biogenic carbon emissions from such facilities are not contributing to long-term increases in atmospheric greenhouse gasses. In addition to Rounds and Thune, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). Full text of the letter: November 18, 2019 The Honorable Andrew Wheeler Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20460 Dear Administrator Wheeler: We write to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide regulatory cla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-respect-act-passes-senate-with-unanimous-support | Rounds’ RESPECT Act Passes Senate With Unanimous Support | 2019-11-19 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement after legislation he introduced, the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act, passed the Senate unanimously: “My colleagues in the Senate took a great first step toward righting the wrongs that have been done to Native Americans throughout our history,” said Rounds. “Our RESPECT Act will repeal a number of immoral, racist federal laws related to the treatment of Native Americans. While these outdated laws may no longer be enforced, they still take an emotional toll on our Native American neighbors today. There is no reason for them to be part of our federal code, and once our bill is enacted, they no longer will be. I thank Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and James Lankford for joining me in introducing the RESPECT Act this Congress.” Rounds’ RESPECT Act first passed the Senate in 2017, but it was unable to pass the House due to time constraints on their legislative calendar. This year, Rounds was joined by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) to introduce the RESPECT Act in the Senate. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). The legislation now awaits action in the House before it can be signed into law by President Trump. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-funding-deadline-approaching-senators-rounds-king-lead-effort-to-support-seasonal-businesses | With Funding Deadline Approaching, Senators Rounds, King Lead Effort to Support Seasonal Businesses | 2019-11-19 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Angus King (I-Maine) led a bipartisan group of 30 colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging them to provide H-2B visa cap relief for seasonal employers in any funding agreement. In the letter, the senators stress that there are not enough U.S. workers qualified and available to meet the seasonal demand for employment – and that these seasonal positions support the jobs of thousands of American citizens. “The shortage of U.S. workers during the last several years has demonstrated that without needed guest workers, seasonal businesses are simply unable to meet their staffing needs. They have been forced to limit hours of operation, turn away customers, scale back service, and cancel capital equipment purchases,” wrote the senators. “In some cases, businesses were forced to lay off Americans whose jobs are supported by H-2B workers—or shut down their operations entirely. Seasonal businesses need meaningful and lasting cap relief so they can continue to contribute to the economy and create full-time, year-round work for Americans. According to the American Enterprise Institute, every H-2B worker is estimated to create and sustain 4.64 American jobs. “In a strong economy with record-low unemployment, the H-2B program’s congressionally mandated cap of 66,000 visas is inadequate to meet the labor needs of seasonal businesses. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) continues to report that the number of job openings actually exceeds the labor pool. Meaningful cap relief is needed to allow our seasonal businesses to supplement their workforce in the growing number of instances when Americans are not available to fill temporary positions.” In addition to Senators King and Rounds, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8EEAFACF-127D-4BAD-B07A-80AFF65F90BF | Wicker, Thune Introduce 5G Spectrum Act | 2019-11-18 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,and John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, introduced the 5G Spectrum Act. This legislation would ensure mid-band spectrum is quickly available in the market by requiring a transparent and competitive public auctioning process. The bill specifically would require that at least 50 percent of the value of auction revenues be reserved for the American people. After years of delay, this legislation would get crucial mid-band spectrum into the market to benefit the American people and secure our position as the leaders in the race to 5G, said Wicker. Senator Thune and I have been working together for over a year to come up with the best way to expand access to 5G, especially in rural areas, andsecure value for all Americans.I look forward tocontinuing to workwith him as we get this legislation over the finish line. This legislation, which is a win-win for taxpayers, would quickly free up much-needed spectrum the airwaves over which digital information flows and, as a result, put more money back in the U.S. Treasury, said Thune. I have long supported efforts to make additional mid-band spectrum available for commercial 5G use so we can lead the world in the 5G revolution. More spectrum means more opportunities for American entrepreneurs and consumers, especially those in rural America, to innovate and access better and more efficient information and technology. The 5G Spectrum Act would: Provide the coverage and capacity essential for deployment in America's rural communities. Require the FCC to conduct a public auction of C band spectrum. Require the auction to start no later than December 31, 2020. Require the FCC to make availableat least280 MHz of spectrum. Require the FCC to capture for the taxpayerat least50 percent of the fair market value of the spectrum. To read the full bill, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E64AD361-D4D7-45F6-85C5-09F1A52D844F | Delegation Applauds Administrations Decision to Grant Disaster Declaration For Southeast South Dakota Following September Flooding and Tornadoes | 2019-11-18 | 2019 | 2019-11 | 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 applauded the Trump administration for approving a major disaster declaration for several South Dakota counties, including Aurora, Brookings, Brule, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, and Yankton, and the Yankton Indian Reservation and Flandreau Santee Indian Reservation following severe flooding and tornadoes from September 9-26. On October 30, 2019, the delegation wrote to the president in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request. This is the fourth disaster declaration the president has approved for South Dakota this year alone. South Dakota has been hit with far more than its share of severe weather and flooding this year, said Thune. I'm glad the administration has been supportive of our state through these important disaster requests so communities across our state can quickly begin rebuilding and regain peace of mind. Mother nature has taken its toll on our state this year, said Rounds. Ithank President Trump for once again recognizing the need to provide disaster assistance to South Dakota communities impacted by recent storms. This will help communities and families across the state rebuild critical infrastructure, homes and businesses that were severely damaged. South Dakotans have been hit with tough weather over and over again, said Johnson. I appreciate Governor Noem and the administration's swift efforts to provide disaster relief to our communities hit the hardest. This disaster declaration will provide much needed relief ahead of the holidays. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-applauds-administration-s-decision-grant-disaster-declaration | Delegation Applauds Administrations Decision to Grant Disaster Declaration For Southeast South Dakota Following September Flooding and Tornadoes | 2019-11-18 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.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 applauded the Trump administration for approving a major disaster declaration for several South Dakota counties, including Aurora, Brookings, Brule, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, and Yankton, and the Yankton Indian Reservation and Flandreau Santee Indian Reservation following severe flooding and tornadoes from September 9-26. On October 30, 2019, the delegation wrote to the president in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request. This is the fourth disaster declaration the president has approved for South Dakota this year alone. South Dakota has been hit with far more than its share of severe weather and flooding this year, said Thune. I'm glad the administration has been supportive of our state through these important disaster requests so communities across our state can quickly begin rebuilding and regain peace of mind. Mother nature has taken its toll on our state this year, said Rounds. Ithank President Trump for once again recognizing the need to provide disaster assistance to South Dakota communities impacted by recent storms. This will help communities and families across the state rebuild critical infrastructure, homes and businesses that were severely damaged. South Dakotans have been hit with tough weather over and over again, said Johnson. I appreciate Governor Noem and the administration's swift efforts to provide disaster relief to our communities hit the hardest. This disaster declaration will provide much needed relief ahead of the holidays. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-murphy-and-roe-introduce-worker-s-choice-act | Johnson, Murphy, and Roe Introduce Workers Choice Act | 2019-11-18 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), and Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN) today introduced the Worker's Choice Act, which would amend the National Labor Relations Act to empower employees in a unionized workplace to independently negotiate their employment terms with their employer. In Right-to-Work states like South Dakota, North Carolina, and Tennessee, an employee who opts-out of union participation is still subject to the collectively bargained employment terms negotiated by the union. The National Labor Relations Act provides unions with exclusive bargaining power, but under the Worker's Choice Act, workers will not be forced to have unions represent their interests and dictate employment terms. The Worker's Choice Act is supported by Heritage Action, FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, Institute for the American Worker, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Center for Worker Freedom, Americans for Tax Reform, and Club for Growth. Employees deserve their own negotiating power, said Johnson. The Worker's Choice Act allows American workers in union shops to set their own terms with their boss, the employer. Ending exclusive representation would be a huge victory for workers' freedom. Jobs today are more unique, and many workers want more flexibility and opportunity than rigid union-negotiated contracts provide, said Murphy. Ending this relic of the past would free unions from having to represent non-dues paying members and it would free workers to choose their own method of negotiationsincluding one that does not force them into employment contracts that don't represent what they want and need. With the rapid growth of the U.S.economy, and more job openings than job seekers, workers are benefiting like never before,said Congressman Roe. I am proud to join my friend and colleague Congressman Dusty Johnson in supporting this commonsense piece of legislation to help empower workers to choose their workplace representation and to earn higher wages. Heritage Action: The Worker's … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delegation-applauds-administrations-decision-to-grant-disaster-declaration-for-southeast-south-dakota-following-september-flooding-and-tornadoes | Delegation Applauds Administration’s Decision to Grant Disaster Declaration For Southeast South Dakota Following September Flooding and Tornadoes | 2019-11-18 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today applauded the Trump administration for approving a major disaster declaration for several South Dakota counties, including Aurora, Brookings, Brule, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, and Yankton, and the Yankton Indian Reservation and Flandreau Santee Indian Reservation following severe flooding and tornadoes from September 9-26. On October 30, 2019, the delegation wrote to the president in support of Gov. Kristi Noem’s (R-S.D.) request. This is the fourth disaster declaration the president has approved for South Dakota this year alone. “Mother nature has taken its toll on our state this year,” said Rounds. “I thank President Trump for once again recognizing the need to provide disaster assistance to South Dakota communities impacted by recent storms. This will help communities and families across the state rebuild critical infrastructure, homes and businesses that were severely damaged.” “South Dakota has been hit with far more than its share of severe weather and flooding this year,” said Thune. “I’m glad the administration has been supportive of our state through these important disaster requests so communities across our state can quickly begin rebuilding and regain peace of mind.” “South Dakotans have been hit with tough weather over and over again,” said Johnson. “I appreciate Governor Noem and the administration’s swift efforts to provide disaster relief to our communities hit the hardest. This disaster declaration will provide much needed relief ahead of the holidays.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=EA96DFFF-D82D-45C3-9271-F3AD9E81C074 | The Work Goes On | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | When I served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, we had a four-year track record of bipartisanship and a reputation for getting things done. I'm proud of what we accomplished, including helping to lay the groundwork for the 5G mobile broadband revolution, enhancing Ellsworth Air Force Base's strategic value, combatting human trafficking, improving weather forecasting, and working toward ending those illegal and abusive robocalls we all hate receiving. While I now serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, I'm still the senior Republican member on the full committee, and I'm glad our members have not only maintained the panel's productive workload under the new chairman, but we have also continued to make progress on many of the issues we started working on years ago. For example, at our most recent committee markup, which is a formal committee process to consider legislation and presidential appointments, we sent more than two dozen bills and nominees to the Senate floor. Many of the bills we recently considered were bipartisan, and all of them were approved by voice vote, which means there was strong enough support for each of the measures to move without a single roll call vote something that only happens when there's little or no disagreement among senators. Three of the bills heading to the full Senate have my name attached to them, including my Learning Excellence and Good Examples from New Developers (LEGEND) Act, which I introduced in October with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). This legislation essentially recognizes that there are a lot of smart and talented people who work at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and we should make their innovative weather models available to other smart and talented people who don't work for the government so we can make NOAA's good ideas even better. Accurate weather forecasting is important for a lot of reasons, from safety to knowing wh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=15F07626-0CFC-419A-BE72-BEB5F10D26AB | Midwest Senators Renew RFS Recommendations to President Trump | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) today renewed their recommendations to President Trump with respect to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) supplemental rule. The letter, which enclosed their initial comments to EPA, urges the administration to take corrective action in its RFS rulemaking to uphold the agreement reached between President Trump and Midwest senators on September 12, 2019. This supplemental rulemaking is an opportunity to definitively restore integrity to the RFS, provide certainty for American agriculture, and further bolster our energy independence, the senators wrote.We are confident that reverting to the agreed upon framework to account for actual waived gallons will deliver on your agenda to support thousands of agriculture jobs throughout the Midwest and nation. Full text of the letter is below: Dear President Trump: We write to thank you for your continued commitment to America's farmers and resolve to see that integrity is restored to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).Your work to finalize the year-round sale of E15 was a milestone victory for American consumers and agriculture stakeholders alike.However, as you well know, this progress will be erased unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begins to account for small refinery waivers (SREs) when setting future blending obligations. The September 12, 2019, meeting you convened in the Oval Office resulted in a restorative framework for EPA to incorporate in a supplemental rule.Your meeting, which was attended by Vice President Pence, Director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow, and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler participating by phone, arrived at a multi-point roadmap for getting the RFS back on track.The reforms were built on a foundation of ensuring t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=181E4FC0-ABFE-46CB-ABDA-74A6D9A9C167 | Thune Recognizes Angels in Adoption Award Winners From Sioux Falls | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today acknowledged National Adoption Month and discussed the important role adoption plays in the United States. Thune also recognized the Mike and Kim Adams family, Sioux Falls residents whom he nominated earlier this year for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's Angels in Adoption Award. Thune met with the Adams family earlier today in Washington, D.C. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, November is National Adoption Month, and later this morning I'll be spending time with the family I nominated to receive an Angels in Adoption award this year. The Angels in Adoption Program is designed to bring recognition to individuals and organizations who are, in the words of the program, making extraordinary contributions to adoption, permanency, and child welfare. Angels in Adoption is a program of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and each year members of Congress are invited to nominate an individual or family to receive an Angels in Adoption award. I've been making these nominations for more than a decade now. And it has been a privilege and an inspiration to meet South Dakota families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need. This year, I nominated Mike and Kim Adams, fellow residents of Sioux Falls. Mike and Kim have a tremendous heart for children. They have five biological children, but as they learned more about the plight of children in poverty, they were drawn to adoption. God put the country of Ethiopia on their hearts in a particular way, and in 2008, they adopted a daughter from Ethiopia, Eva. Within a few years, they had adopted three more children Selena and Amanuel, from Ethiopia, and Shakira, from Uganda making them a family of 11. But the story doesn't end there. Seeing the poorest of the poor in Ethiopia deeply moved them, and in addition to adoption they sought ways to help commu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D21E5933-C79C-49EE-B5C2-D74DD3E3D841 | House & Senate Announce Agreement on Anti-Robocall Bill | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA), and Ranking Member Bob Latta (R-OH) announced that they have come to an agreement in principle on legislation, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, to combat the robocall epidemic: Today, we are proud to announce that we have come to an agreement in principle on legislation, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, to combat the robocall epidemic that we believe can be signed into law by the President, the six House and Senate leaders said. It's time to put Americans back in charge of their phones. Our agreement will require telephone carriers to verify calls and allow robocalls to be blocked in a consistent and transparent way, all at no extra charge to consumers. The agreement also gives the FCC and law enforcement the ability to quickly go after scammers. We look forward to finalizing the bill text in the coming days. In May, the Senate passed the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act by a vote of 97-1. In July, the House of Representatives passed the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act by a vote of 429-3. The bills will be merged and reconciled as part of the agreement in principle. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/midwest-senators-renew-rfs-recommendations-to-president-trump- | Midwest Senators Renew RFS Recommendations to President Trump | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) today renewed their recommendations to President Trump with respect to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) supplemental rule. The letter, which enclosed their initial comments to EPA, urges the administration to take corrective action in its RFS rulemaking to uphold the agreement reached between President Trump and Midwest senators on September 12, 2019. “This supplemental rulemaking is an opportunity to definitively restore integrity to the RFS, provide certainty for American agriculture and further bolster our energy independence,” the senators wrote. “We are confident that reverting to the agreed upon framework to account for actual waived gallons will deliver on your agenda to support thousands of agriculture jobs throughout the Midwest and nation.” Full text of the letter is below: Dear President Trump: We write to thank you for your continued commitment to America’s farmers and resolve to see that integrity is restored to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Your work to finalize the year-round sale of E15 was a milestone victory for American consumers and agriculture stakeholders alike. However, as you well know, this progress will be erased unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begins to account for small refinery waivers (SREs) when setting future blending obligations. The September 12, 2019, meeting you convened in the Oval Office resulted in a restorative framework for EPA to incorporate in a supplemental rule. Your meeting, which was attended by Vice President Pence, Director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow, and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler participating by phone, arrived at a multi-point roadmap for getting the RFS back on track. The reforms were built on a foundation of en… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/south-dakota-families-honored-during-national-adoption-month | South Dakota Families Honored During National Adoption Month | 2019-11-15 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | The month of November is recognized as National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness of children in need of a permanent, loving home. Opening one’s home to a child in need of a loving family and secure environment is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give. And as many adoptive families have told me, they too feel blessed to have their kids. The countless South Dakota families who have chosen adoption continue to be an inspiration to us all. Take the O’Connor family from Rapid City for example. Earlier this year, I nominated Sean and Caresa O’Connor for the Angels in Adoption award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. This award shines a light on loving families who have welcomed children in need of a permanent home. Sean and Caresa adopted two children, RJ and Winnie. They and their three other children, Libby, Maggie and Finn, have made a home for these two new members of the family. It was an honor to nominate the O’Connors for the Angels in Adoption award this year. If you’re a regular reader of our weekly columns, you may remember that we featured the O’Connor family in an August column after I nominated them for the award. Caresa and Sean first looked into adoption when their daughter Libby, who was then in high school, suggested to her mom that there was another child out there who was meant to be in their family. After contacting an adoption attorney, the O’Connors were notified three weeks later that they’d be able to adopt their daughter Winnie. A short time later, they decided to adopt RJ, so Winnie could have a sibling closer to her age. As Caresa told us at the time, God matches you with the child who is meant to join your family. The entire O’Connor family recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to be recognized for receiving the Angels in Adoption award. While I was with Jean during her most recent round of cancer treatment, staff met with the O’Connors in my Washington office to hear their story firsthand and celebrate their unwavering bond. They were also joine… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=55A86A4E-C659-46A4-9075-F07F33DF44D9 | Several Thune-Supported Bills Head to Full Senate | 2019-11-13 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded the committee's passage of the Learning Excellence and Good Examples from New Developers (LEGEND) Act, Harvesting American Cybersecurity Knowledge through Education (HACKED) Act, and the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act, all bills he's either sponsored orcosponsored. These bipartisan bills now head to the Senate floor for consideration. Today's executive session proves that my colleagues in the Senate can continue to get work done for the American people in a bipartisan manner, said Thune. My LEGEND Act will improve forecasting capabilities and will benefit farmers and producers, not only in my home state, but across the country, and the READI Act will make necessary improvements to the nation's emergency alert system. I'm thankful for Sen. Schatz's partnership on these important bills, both of which unanimously passed the committee today. I'd also like to thank both Sens. Wicker and Klobuchar for their help in strengthening the HACKED Act, legislation that would ensure we have the necessary cybersecurity workforce to combat any potential threats in today's internet and digital economy. Thune introduced the LEGEND Act last month with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). This legislation would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make certain operational models publicly available and utilize any innovations to improve the models that are developed as a result of public collaboration. The READI Act, which Thune cosponsored with Schatz last month, would ensure more people receive relevant emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios, explore new ways of alerting the public through online video and audio streaming services, track and study false alerts when they occur, and improve the way states plan for emergency alerts. Thune joined Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Jacky Rose… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3657962-9692-40EB-BCCB-5C17D35F8D4D | Thune: Americans Have Waited Long Enough for USMCA | 2019-11-13 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on House Democrats to bring up and pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It has been 13 months since the administration concluded USMCA negotiations, but instead of passing this legislation that would bring real relief to American workers, Democrats are prioritizing partisan politics. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, it's now been 13 months since the administration concluded negotiations on the United States-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. 13 months of uncertainty for U.S. farmers and ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses, digital firms, financial institutions, and many others. 13 months of wondering what the rules of the road on trade are going to look like going forward. Mr. President, we should have passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement months ago. Republicans in the Senate have been ready to take up this agreement for a long time. But trade agreements have to be considered by the House of Representatives first. And the House of Representatives is controlled by the Democrat Party, which is far more interested in partisan pursuits than in actually doing any meaningful legislating. While House Democrats are happy to consider far-left messaging bills that have no chance of going anywhere, they have no interest in working with Republicans to actually get something signed into law. Why? Democrats have convinced themselves that partisan posturing is more important than securing a bipartisan legislative victory, like a strong new trade deal that will benefit the American economy. And so they're currently opposing a trade agreement that would benefit millions of American workers. Mr. President, let's be very clear Democrats' decision to prioritize partisan politics is having real consequences for the American people. Right now, the members of our military are unable to fund n… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=0002AE13-E42B-4523-9F60-49FC67EE9903 | Bursting the Internet Filter Bubble | 2019-11-08 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Imagine walking into a local hardware store for its grand opening. As the door closes behind you, you look around and realize that almost all of the products in the store seem uncannily familiar. Those that aren't, they pique your interest. As the store manager greets you, it's as if he knew you were going shopping that day, and he directs you to the products and services you didn't know you needed or wanted. In fact, you were surprised to learn that he knew your dishwasher needed to be repaired, and you didn't even know it was broken. You come to find out that the store was designed for you the only customer and its entire inventory was assembled based on statistically driven predictions about the stores you've visited, the items you've purchased, the magazines you've subscribed to, and the conversations you've had with friends and family. But you didn't realize anyone was even paying attention. While the hardware store example seems relatively innocuous, the reality is that something like this is happening in the vast majority of Americans' online experiences, from simply trying to catch up on the news to socializing with friends. As technology has evolved and made life easier for the American people, so too have consumers' concerns over privacy and how their data is being collected, shared, and used by third parties. That's where my hardware store analogy might start to make a little more sense. As you use your smartphone, smart speaker, or computer to click, share, surf, download, purchase, post, or watch online, internet platforms are learning about you, and as they do, they use artificial intelligence to gorge on your data and create an engineered, just-for-you experience based on statistical predictions about what these platforms think you'll want to see or do next. When we're on our smartphone or on the internet, we're constantly being measured, receiving engineered feedback to keep us engaged on the platform. As internet platforms deliver this customized online experience, users can become ensnared… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=962BC0FA-BC9C-42D8-B7A1-E6F289221ED2 | Thune Statement on POW/MIA Flag Act Being Signed Into Law | 2019-11-08 | 2019 | 2019-11 | 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 National POW/MIA Flag Act was signed in law. Thune cosponsored this bipartisan legislation, which will require the POW/MIA Flag to be displayed whenever the American flag is displayed on prominent federal properties to honor the more than 82,000 Americans who are listed as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for from our nation's past wars and conflicts. Today and throughout the history of our country, our men and women in uniform have valiantly chosen to serve in defense of freedom and the security of the United States, said Thune. I'm glad this legislation is now law. Displaying a POW/MIA flag to honor those who have not returned home is the least we can do to recognize these heroes and the sacrifice of their families. The National POW/MIA Flag Act will ensure that the POW/MIA Flag is displayed whenever the U.S. flag is displayed, effectively ensuring that both flags are displayed concurrently and every day at federal locations already designated under existing law. Those locations include the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, the office of the Director of the Selective Service System, each major military installation (as designated by the Secretary of Defense), each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, and each United States Postal Service post office. Before the lawmakers' bill became law, the POW/MIA Flag was required to be displayed by the federal government on certain prominent federal properties only six days per year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. The legislation was sponsored by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). In addition to Thune, t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-jones-propose-wounded-warriors-fellowship-in-the-senate | Rounds, Jones Propose Wounded Warriors Fellowship in the Senate | 2019-11-08 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | PIERRE — U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) have introduced a resolution to establish a fellowship for wounded American veterans to hold two-year fellowships in the United States Senate. The program, called the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship, would offer each Senate office a fellowship, which would each last two years. The positions could be in a senator’s state or Washington, D.C., office. “America’s veterans have gained valuable insight and expertise throughout their service to our nation,” said Senator Rounds. “Our legislation would establish a program that can help veterans use those skills to help constituents and shape important policy that impacts the heroes who wear the uniform of the United States of America. It also creates future employment opportunities for veterans once their fellowship is over and makes sure that the perspectives and concerns of veterans are continually added to the Senate workforce. We have a number of veterans working in my Senate office, and I appreciate the unique perspective they bring to the job.” “We owe a great deal to the men and women who have courageously served our county,” said Senator Jones, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The McCain-Mansfield Fellowship program is just one of the ways we can continue to lift up our veterans and ensure they have access to the resources and support needed to be successful in their civilian lives.” Each year, nearly 200,000 service members transition from the military back to civilian life. This transition is widely recognized as a challenging and stressful process not only for the service members, but also for their families and, in some cases, caregivers. The McCain-Mansfield Fellowship would offer veterans with a service-connected disability the experience and exposure needed to broaden their career opportunities and contribute to a successful transition. There is already a Wounded Warriors Fellowship program in the House of Representatives, but the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship will be the first … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/supporting-veterans-every-day | Supporting Veterans Every Day | 2019-11-08 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | In South Dakota, we support our veterans every day of the year, not just on Veterans Day. Veterans actually make up 10 percent of our state’s population! Nearly all of us have a friend or family member who served, or you’re a veteran yourself. The men and women whose sacrifice and bravery allows us to live freely are among the best of the best. We owe it to them to make sure they receive the benefits they were promised when they signed up to serve. I have the privilege of serving on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where we work to make sure the federal government is living up to its promises to our veterans. The legislation we consider seeks to improve the lives of veterans in all stages of life, including the transition from military service to civilian life. We work to make sure that transition is as easy and seamless as possible. We’re also working to give them better access to their benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which too often means cutting through layers of bureaucracy and red-tape. If any veteran or beneficiary has trouble accessing benefits, our office can act as a liaison between the veteran and the VA. I encourage veterans and their families to contact any of my South Dakota offices if you need help. I have a number of veterans in both my Washington and South Dakota offices who help me with military and veterans issues we come across in the Senate. Phone numbers and addresses are listed on my website, www.rounds.senate.gov. This year, I’ve introduced a number of bills – all bipartisan – that will help veterans as they re-enter civilian life. For some, that may mean starting or finishing their education. For others, it may mean finding a job that fits with the skillsets they acquired during their service. I joined Sen. Jon Tester of Montana to introduce a bill that would cut down on delays for student veterans trying to access the extra funds they’ve earned through the VA Work-Study Allowance Program. I also introduced a bill that would change the Small Business Act to … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=11C5C7C3-59CF-4D13-99D4-F4AF5A0F3A90 | Thune, Rounds Join Corn-State Senators in Submitting Comments on EPAs Supplemental Rule on RFS Deal | 2019-11-07 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined a group of corn-state senators who submitted comments to the Federal Register regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) supplemental rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In individual letters to EPA Administrator Wheeler, the senators expressed concerns about the way the agency plans to calculate the reallocation of biofuel gallons lost due to exemptions for oil refineries. While I appreciate the administration's commitment to restore integrity to the RFS and provide that at least 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels are blended into the fuel supply, the proposed supplemental rule unfortunately lacks safeguards that will assure its intent, said Thune. As you know, resolution of this matter is of critical importance to agriculture stakeholders in South Dakota and across the country, and I urge EPA to reconsider the incorporation of language to make certain that all gallons waived by SREs will be accounted for in final RVOs. Read his letter here. We're grateful to President Trump for his commitment to assuring 15 billion gallons of ethanol is blended into our fuel supply annually, said Rounds. However, the EPA's proposed rule fails to honor the agreement which the president directed them to formalize. Taking steps to fully restore the integrity of the RFS will honor the agreement as Congress intended. Read his letter here. Just this week, the CEO of a major oil refinery bragged that small refinery exemptions were a real cash flow that [they] get every year,' said Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). This is at the expense of farmers and biofuel producers. The EPA's proposed rule fails to ensure that 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol are actually blended into our nation's fuel supply. In my letter, I called on Administrator Wheeler to fulfill the president's commitment and provide certainty for rural America. Read her letter here. As the number one produc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=59D3FC54-7098-4E93-A339-41557338DC28 | Thune: Funding Our Military Should Be Congresss First Priority | 2019-11-07 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on Democrats, who are blocking the ordinarily bipartisan defense funding bill, to abandon their partisan politics and fund our military. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, on Tuesday morning I visited with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. We talked about the military's needs and national security priorities. And we talked about the fact that more than a month into the new fiscal year, Congress still hasn't funded the military for fiscal year 2020. We shouldn't have needed to talk about that, Mr. President. We should have passed the defense appropriations bill for 2020 weeks ago. But Democrats won't let us. Last week, Democrats blocked consideration of the 2020 defense appropriations bill for the second time. And apparently they have every intention of continuing to block military funding. Mr. President, this is politics at its worst. And make no mistake, this is politics. A couple of months ago, Democrats and Republicans got together and agreed on defense and non-defense funding levels for 2020 and 2021. The idea was to pave the way for the passage of appropriations bills in a timely fashion. It seemed for a moment that despite Democrats' fixation on partisan politics and impeachment, we could actually go about the business of funding the government and the military in a somewhat bipartisan fashion. But apparently that was too much to ask of the Democratic Party. Senate Democrats are currently running from the agreement, attempting to derail the defense funding bill with poison pills that would prevent the bill from ever being enacted into law. Mr. President, funding our military should be the first priority of every member of Congress. The safety of our country depends on the strength of our military. If we don't get national security right, well, the rest is just conversation. And getting national securi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-during-meeting-at-white-house-today-president-trump-re-confirms-his-commitment-to-blending-15-billion-gallons-of-ethanol-annually | Rounds: During Meeting at White House Today, President Trump Re-Confirms his Commitment to Blending 15 Billion Gallons of Ethanol Annually | 2019-11-07 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined President Trump and a number of his Senate colleagues for lunch at the White House. During the meeting, President Trump re-confirmed his commitment to assuring 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol is blended into our nation’s fuel supply annually. Following a Sept. 12, 2019, meeting at the White House with Rounds and others, Trump requested that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revise its practice to guarantee that any small refinery exemptions (SRE) would not reduce the 15 billion gallon requirement for conventional ethanol. The agreement, as directed by President Trump, would require the EPA to, prospectively, account for SREs by utilizing a three-year rolling average of exemptions granted by the EPA. However, the EPA’s supplemental proposed rule does not achieve the 15 billion gallon requirement. Earlier today, Rounds sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler detailing his criticisms of the proposed supplemental rule and requesting the final rule be changed. During their meeting today, Rounds and Trump discussed the proposed rule’s shortcomings, leading the president to re-commit to working with the EPA to assure 15 billion gallons of ethanol is blended annually. “President Trump gets it – 15 billion gallons means 15 billion gallons,” said Rounds. “I’m grateful for his leadership and commitment to restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and look forward to the EPA’s revision of the proposed rule to make certain it allows for 15 billion gallons of ethanol blended into our fuel supply annually.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-makes-good-on-dakota-marker-game-wager_brings-sdsu-dairy-bar-ice-cream-to-washington-dc | Rounds Makes Good on ‘Dakota Marker’ Game Wager, Brings SDSU Dairy Bar Ice Cream to Washington, D.C. | 2019-11-07 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds made good on his friendly wager with North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on the October 26, 2019, ‘Dakota Marker’ football game between South Dakota State University (SDSU) and North Dakota State University (NDSU). The senators bet ice cream from their respective states, SDSU Dairy Bar ice cream and Cass Clay Creamery ice cream from North Dakota. SDSU lost to NDSU 16-23. Today, Rounds hosted an ice cream social for Senator Cramer and his staff. “The SDSU – NDSU rivalry is a time-honored tradition, and we always look forward to the Dakota Marker. This year, with the added excitement of having College Gameday in Brookings, Senator Cramer and I upped the ante with a friendly wager. While the game didn’t turn out like we hoped, we’re proud of the tough fight the Jacks put up, and we’re happy to showcase SDSU ice cream to our colleagues in Washington. The Dairy Bar has some of the best ice cream in the country – no doubt about it. “We’ll get you in the playoffs – go Jacks!” SDSU Dairy Bar flavors at the ice cream social today were: Cookies and Cream, Barry Berry, Butter Brickle, Hobo Crunch, Butter Pecan and Chocolate Pecan. In addition, Sen. Cramer brought in Cass Clay Creamery limited edition ice cream, Dynasty Delight. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-submits-letter-to-epa-on-rfs-supplemental-rule | Rounds Submits Letter to EPA on RFS Supplemental Rule | 2019-11-07 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | Help with a Federal Agency | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3D088147-0395-40DB-BE8C-AE09411C26F9 | Thune: America Can Lead the World in the 5G Revolution | 2019-11-06 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today discussed the effort to make 5G a reality in the United States. Last Friday, Thune was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to unveil the city's first 5G cells. Thune has been a leader in the race to make 5G a reality, authoring the MOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in 2018, and the bipartisan STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act,legislation he reintroduced in June. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, last Friday was an exciting day. I was home in Sioux Falls to mark a huge milestone for the city and for South Dakota the unveiling of Sioux Falls' first 5G small cells. By the end of this month, Sioux Falls will have a working, albeit limited, 5G network one of the first cities in the entire country to have one. Mr. President, most people take internet access for granted these days. We assume that anywhere we go, we'll be able to access our GPS, check Facebook, or send a text message. But the truth is that there are still areas of the United States where it can be difficult to get reliable internet access. Some of those areas are in South Dakota. That's why expanding access to broadband internet in rural communities has been a priority of mine since I came to the Senate. While it can be nice to turn off our phones and take a break, in this day and age Americans need reliable internet access. More and more of the business of daily life is being conducted over the internet, from scheduling appointments to figuring out the shortest way from point A to point B. The internet has also become an integral part of commerce. Small businesses and farms in areas without dependable internet access miss out on a lot of opportunities that most businesses take for granted. Both as chairman and as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I've had … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=87C20FC7-3F27-4FA2-A932-5DC2F1A733B5 | With Delegation Support, Brookings Receives Critical Infrastructure Grant | 2019-11-06 | 2019 | 2019-11 | 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 applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to award the City of Brookings $18.7 million in critical infrastructure funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Today's announcement follows requests from the delegation to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for the project's funding. With the help of the infrastructure funding awarded by DOT, the City of Brookings will be able to move forward with this important project, which will relieve congestion, improve safety, and spur economic growth, said Thune. I want to congratulate the Brookings community and its leaders for advocating for this funding, and I'd like to thank Secretary Chao for recognizing how important projects like these are to South Dakota communities. Thanks to Secretary Chao for her commitment to investing in infrastructure projects in South Dakota,said Rounds.This BUILD grant will help relieve congestion along an important intersection in the city of Brookings, allowing for easier traffic flow in the area. We're grateful for all state and local officials who workto make sure our roads and highways are maintained so we can get where we need to go safely and efficiently. Brookings and the surrounding communities have seen tremendous growth over the last several years, said Johnson. This BUILD Grant will allow Brookings to continue on a path of economic success and foster opportunity for the I-29 corridor. The City of Brookings plans to use the BUILD funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of Interstate 29 and 20th Street. This project would allow for an additional arterial road to provide proper traffic flow between the residential and commercial sectors of the city, taking pressure off of the 6th Street interchange, which has become increasingly congested. It will also provide more convenient access to I-29 for southern Brookings as the area continues to g… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-support-brookings-receives-critical-infrastructure-grant | With Delegation Support, Brookings Receives Critical Infrastructure Grant | 2019-11-06 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.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 applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to award the City of Brookings $18.7 million in critical infrastructure funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Today's announcement follows requests from the delegation to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for the project's funding. With the help of the infrastructure funding awarded by DOT, the City of Brookings will be able to move forward with this important project, which will relieve congestion, improve safety, and spur economic growth, said Thune. I want to congratulate the Brookings community and its leaders for advocating for this funding, and I'd like to thank Secretary Chao for recognizing how important projects like these are to South Dakota communities. Thanks to Secretary Chao for her commitment to investing in infrastructure projects in South Dakota,said Rounds.This BUILD grant will help relieve congestion along an important intersection in the city of Brookings, allowing for easier traffic flow in the area. We're grateful for all state and local officials who workto make sure our roads and highways are maintained so we can get where we need to go safely and efficiently. Brookings and the surrounding communities have seen tremendous growth over the last several years, said Johnson. This BUILD Grant will allow Brookings to continue on a path of economic success and foster opportunity for the I-29 corridor. The City of Brookings plans to use the BUILD funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of Interstate 29 and 20th Street. This project would allow for an additional arterial road to provide proper traffic flow between the residential and commercial sectors of the city, taking pressure off of the 6th Street interchange, which has become increasingly congested. It will also provide more convenient access to I-29 for southern Brookings as the area continues to grow. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-delegation-support-brookings-receives-critical-infrastructure-grant | With Delegation Support, Brookings Receives Critical Infrastructure Grant | 2019-11-06 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) decision to award the City of Brookings $18.7 million in critical infrastructure funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Today’s announcement follows requests from the delegation to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for the project’s funding. “Thanks to Secretary Chao for her commitment to investing in infrastructure projects in South Dakota,” said Rounds. “This BUILD grant will help relieve congestion along an important intersection in the city of Brookings, allowing for easier traffic flow in the area. We’re grateful for all state and local officials who work to make sure our roads and highways are maintained so we can get where we need to go safely and efficiently.” The City of Brookings plans to use the BUILD funding to construct an interchange at the intersection of Interstate 29 and 20th Street. This project would allow for an additional arterial road to provide proper traffic flow between the residential and commercial sectors of the city, taking pressure off of the 6th Street interchange, which has become increasingly congested. It will also provide more convenient access to I-29 for southern Brookings as the area continues to grow. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=34C74692-BB2A-4EBA-8D6F-27A2A53D41D3 | South Dakota Leading the Way on 5G | 2019-11-05 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Closing the digital divide in rural America has long been a priority for me, not only because it's urgently needed and long overdue, but because I've experienced the divide firsthand here in South Dakota. My guess is that you probably have, too. But for some of my Senate colleagues who represent more urban areas of the country, it's often hard for them to conceptualize the idea that there are still parts of America that lack basic connectivity. I don't just mean connecting your phone or computer to the internet, a hurdle in many areas of the country, including South Dakota, to be sure. I'm also talking about the pockets of dead zones that still exist, preventing people from even making a phone call. It's 2019, and people can communicate with one another as they fly above the Atlantic Ocean. If that can happen at 30,000 feet, the least we can expect is the ability to make a simple phone call here on the ground. While we all can likely agree that being in a dead zone might seem like a luxury where phone calls, social media, and emails can't distract us it's easy to see why the advantages of having access to mobile broadband and basic cell service far outweigh the disadvantages. For example, what if you get a flat tire late at night in the middle of a dark country road? Or worse, maybe you're involved in an accident and need medical attention. Having one bar of service or fewer just isn't going to cut it. So, if we looked at this issue purely from a safety perspective, it's enough of a reason alone to ensure that everyone who wants to be fully connected can achieve that goal and realize its full potential (and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it). The same general principle could be applied to business, education, agriculture, telehealth or other parts of our everyday lives. Folks are far more likely to succeed if they have access to mobile broadband technology and the opportunities it can create. And we all know those opportunities can mean the difference between success and failure, high yields and lo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F0D3EA8C-D573-4A7F-89BB-027ABE2781F2 | Thune: Bipartisan Filter Bubble Bill Would Give Consumers More Control Over What They View Online | 2019-11-05 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Clickhereto watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today discussed hisFilter Bubble Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced last week that would require large-scale internet platforms to provide greater transparency to users and give more control to consumers over what they choose to view on online platforms. Thune also discussed the urgent need for Democrats to stop blocking the defense appropriations bill, which funds the military and our men and women in uniform. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, the internet has brought Americans a host of benefits a wealth of information at our fingertips, unparalleled convenience, new opportunities for education and commerce, and innumerable new methods of communication. But I don't need to tell anyone that along with the countless benefits of the internet have come a number of concerns. One thing that's on the mind of many consumers is privacy. As the internet gradually permeates every area of our lives, internet companies become the repository for an ever-increasing amount of our personal data from what we ate for dinner last night to the temperature we like to keep our house. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, I spend a lot of time focused on data privacy issues. This past June, I convened a hearing entitled Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms, where we heard from a variety of experts about the ways companies use consumers' personal data to determine what individuals see online. As I said at the time, one reason I decided to hold the hearing was to inform legislation I was developing that would require internet platforms to give consumers the option to engage without having the experience shaped by algorithms driven by user-specific… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F286E1D1-2DB7-4373-AB9E-CCBF876A7831 | Thune Joins Colleagues in Introducing the HACKED Act | 2019-11-05 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Harvesting American Cybersecurity Knowledge through Education (HACKED) Act. This legislation would build on the important work being done by South Dakota universities to strengthen America's cybersecurity workforce by bolstering existing science education and cybersecurity programs within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Transportation. In a world dominated by the internet and digital technology, a robust network of cybersecurity professionals is critical to America's national security and economic prosperity,said Thune.The HACKED Act would bolster partnerships between local employers and universities on cybersecurity education and workforce needs and require greater coordination between federal agencies on cybersecurity training and workforce development.This legislation would build upon the important work being done by universities across the nation including in South Dakota to prepare and sustain a strong, talented, and much-needed national cybersecurity workforce. Cybersecurity risks are constant in the growing digital world. It is critical that the United States stay ahead of malicious cyber activity with a workforce that can safeguard our innovation, research, and work environments,said Wicker, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the bill's lead sponsor.This legislation is an important first step to expand the cybersecurity workforce and provide tools to support necessary education and training. In addition to Thune and Wicker, the bill is also cosponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) The HACKED Act would: Incentivize recruitment of cybersecurity educators. Align education and training with the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-supports-real-meat-bill-fight-imitation-meat-labeling | Johnson Supports Real MEAT Bill to Fight Imitation Meat Labeling | 2019-11-05 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored the Real Marketing Edible Artificial Truthfully (MEAT) Act of 2019, to address imitation meat and to establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels. A plant-based creation isn't the same as South Dakota beef, said Rep. Johnson. It's to the benefit of consumers and producers alike when folks have a better understanding of where their food comes fromthe Real MEAT Act would provide the transparency Americans deserve. The Real MEAT Act would bolster misbranding provisions to prevent consumer confusion and provide tools to better enforce the law. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Marshall (R-KS) and Rep. Brindisi (D-NY). ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-receives-us-chamber-of-commerce-spirit-of-enterprise-award | Rounds Receives U.S. Chamber of Commerce ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award | 2019-11-04 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award for his support of pro-growth economic policies during the second session of the 115th Congress. Rounds was one of only 16 members of Congress who received a 100 percent score. “I’m honored to receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Chamber of Commerce,” said Rounds. “South Dakota is a great place to start and grow a business. With low taxes and limited red tape, our state provides a friendly environment for entrepreneurs. I’ll keep working to bring that same South Dakota common sense to Washington.” The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award is given annually to members of Congress based on their votes on critical legislation that invites business growth and opportunity. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E1595915-69A3-456B-8CBA-0237F28AB4A3 | Thune, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Internet Platform Transparency and Provide Consumers With Greater Control Over Digital Content | 2019-11-01 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the internet and consumer protection, and Mark Warner (D-Va.) today introduced the Filter Bubble Transparency Act. The bill would require large-scale internet platforms that collect data from more than 1 million users and gross more than $50 million per year to provide greater transparency to consumers and allow users to view content that has not been curated as a result of a secret algorithm. The Filter Bubble Transparency Act would make it easier for internet platform users to understand the potential manipulation that exists with secret algorithms and require large-scale platforms to allow those users to consume information outside of that potential manipulation zone or filter bubble. This legislation is about transparency and consumer control, said Thune, chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet.For free markets to work as effectively and as efficiently as possible, consumers need as much information as possible, including a better understanding of how internet platforms use artificial intelligence and opaque algorithms to make inferences from the reams of personal data at their fingertips that can be used to affect behavior and influence outcomes.That's why I believe consumers should have the option to either view a platform's opaque algorithm-generated content or its filter bubble-free content, and, at the very least, they deserve to know how large-scale internet platforms are delivering information to their users. Consumers deserve to control their own online experiences instead of being manipulated by Big Tech's algorithms and analytics, said Blumenthal. So much of what we do online is increasingly being shaped without our knowledge or consent by the companies that own those platforms, which use our personal data to ch… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/weekly-column/only-us-beef-should-be-labeled-as-a-product-of-the-usa- | Only U.S. Beef Should be Labeled as a “Product of the U.S.A.” | 2019-11-01 | 2019 | 2019-11 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | South Dakota and American cattle producers raise the best beef in the world. Many families specifically seek out these high-quality products when choosing what beef to purchase at the grocery store. However, some families may not realize that not all meat labeled “Product of the U.S.A.” is actually beef from cattle raised within the United States. Current federal regulations include a loophole that allows beef from livestock born, raised and slaughtered in foreign countries to be labeled “Product of the U.S.A.” as long as the beef undergoes additional processing at a plant in the U.S. This is wrong. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and I recently introduced legislation to address this issue. The U.S. Beef Integrity Act would make certain that the “Product of the U.S.A.” label only goes on beef and beef products exclusively derived from one or more animals born, raised and slaughtered here in the United States. We also wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue in support of administrative changes that would prevent beef from cattle born, raised and slaughtered in foreign countries from being labeled as a “Product of the U.S.A.” This change would be a win for both consumers and our hardworking cattle ranchers here in the U.S. Consumers deserve transparency when they’re purchasing beef. When South Dakota families purchase beef labeled “Product of the U.S.A.,” they should know with certainty that it is coming from one of our top-quality producers. This does not mean we should close the door to other options as well – far from it. I’m glad we have a vast array of choices when we do our grocery shopping. Our bill simply closes the misleading labeling loophole so you’ll never be unsure where your beef came from when you’re at the grocery store meat counter. When consumers have greater choice, it results in more innovation in the market and fairer prices. Earlier this year, I introduced legislation that would open up new markets for South Dakota producers. Our bill would allow meat and … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:43:09Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A8411465-FEBF-49F7-AEEE-3AD664156C03 | Thune Statement on Democrats Blocking Military Funding | 2019-10-31 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate Democrats blocked passage of a bill that would provide essential funding for our troops. As members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to keep our nation safe. By blocking this year's defense appropriations bill, Democrats are failing to fulfill that fundamental responsibility. The stakes are too high when it comes to our national defense. Not only are Democrats putting politics before the safety of our nation, but they are also blocking funding for a well-deserved pay raise for our troops. If Democrats are actually serious about legislating, then they need to put aside the political games and work with Republicans to get our military funded. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D9E1371C-7D94-4D9B-BB5B-39533C541E5D | Thune: Senate Democrats Are Jeopardizing Military Funding | 2019-10-31 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Clickhereto watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the importance of ensuring that U.S. troops have the funding they need to do their jobs and come home safely. Thune also urged Senate Democrats to abandon their partisan games by moving forward with the defense appropriations bill to give our military the resources it needs. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, last weekend I had the privilege of attending the welcome-home ceremony for 112 members of the South Dakota National Guard. These men and women, who serve in the 147th Forward Support Company or in Bravo Battery of the 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion, were deployed to Europe as part of Atlantic Resolve a partnership with our allies in Eastern and Central Europe developed in response to Russia's invasion of the Crimea in 2014. Atlantic Resolve allows U.S. and allied forces to build strong working relationships and hone their ability to conduct joint operations. Members of Bravo Battery and the 147th Forward Support Company spent most of the year in Europe working with partner forces. They participated in two multinational exercises and brought artillery to Germany and Hungary. These soldiers finally got home last weekend, but they didn't leave Atlantic Resolve without South Dakota support. Other members of the 147th Forward Support Company and Alpha Battery of the 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion headed for Europe in September. Other South Dakota-based military members airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base also deployed abroad recently. Four B-1 bombers from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons at Ellsworth made a flying trip to Saudi Arabia late this month to support the U.S. military presence there. The bombers flew directly from South Dakota to Saudi Arabia, refueling six times in mid-air, once again demonstrating the incredible capability of this aircraft and of our Ellsworth airmen. Mr. President, Atlantic Resolve, the B-1 mission, the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-votes-against-impeachment-inquiry | Johnson Votes Against Impeachment Inquiry | 2019-10-31 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives formal vote on the impeachment inquiry: I voted against the impeachment resolution, said Johnson. The process it establishes doesn't provide the transparency and fairness we need. It concentrates power in the hands of Adam Schiff, who is given a veto over Republican efforts to call witnesses and subpoena records. A tainted impeachment process does not better us as a nation. This formal impeachment vote comes thirty-seven days after the Speaker of the House launched impeachment proceedings. There have been seventy-two hours of testimony the majority of Congress and the American people has been denied access to. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-joins-colleagues-to-introduce-down-syndrome-discrimination-by-abortion-prohibition-act | Rounds Joins Colleagues to Introduce Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act | 2019-10-31 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined a number of his colleagues in introducing the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, which would prohibit abortion based on an unborn child having Down syndrome. “Life is a precious gift from God that should be treated with respect and dignity, from the very beginning to the very end,” said Rounds. “Unborn children have a right to life, regardless of a Down Syndrome diagnosis, which is why I’m pleased to join Sen. Inhofe to introduce this legislation.” As prenatal screenings increase in availability and accessibility, more and more people learn whether or not their baby has Down syndrome prior to the baby’s birth. Sadly, many of these lives are aborted following a diagnosis—over two-thirds of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted in the U.S., and Iceland has virtually eradicated Down syndrome altogether. The Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act would enact a federal ban on the performance of an abortion with the knowledge that a pregnant woman is seeking an abortion, in whole or in part, on the basis of a belief that her unborn child has Down syndrome. This legislation would not penalize the expectant mother in any way. Eight states (Indiana, Ohio, North Dakota, Louisiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Utah) have enacted legislation to prohibit abortion on the basis of Down syndrome. Courts have enjoined the law in several of the states. Several additional states have introduced similar legislation. While the Supreme Court recently declined to take up Indiana’s Down syndrome abortion ban, Justice Thomas made it clear that the Supreme Court has not “decide[d] whether the Constitution requires States to allow eugenic abortions.” The bill, led by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), is sponsored by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Risch (R-I.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John H… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:39:44Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0C410F79-F1E5-451D-BAA4-CAA41AF73491 | Thune: Democrats Should Support our Military and Vote for Defense Funding | 2019-10-30 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Clickhereto watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the responsibility of Congress to provide adequate funding to our troops, helping to ensure that our men and women in uniform are prepared to meet any threat. Thune urged Democrats to put aside partisan politics and work with Republicans to pass the defense appropriations bill. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, ISIS took a big hit over the weekend when U.S. forces raided ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's compound in Syria. Al-Baghdadi died in the raid after he detonated a suicide vest in a final act of cowardice, killing three children with him. His second in command was confirmed killed in a second military strike hours later, leaving the organization temporarily leaderless. Mr. President, over the past few years, ISIS has spilled a river of blood across the Middle East. Its brutality has set it apart even among other terrorist organizations. Torture, rape, enslavement, crucifixions, beheadings, the deliberate targeting of whole populations based on their religious beliefs the list of crimes is long and often nearly unspeakable. The world is a safer place today because of al-Baghdadi's death. But this impact will only be temporary unless we dedicate ourselves to ensuring that ISIS is permanently defeated. Mr. President,the successful raid on al-Baghdadi's compound is a reminder of the fact that our military may be called on at a moment's notice to head halfway around the world to fight evil. The men and women of the United States military stand on guard 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to put themselves between us and danger. This past weekend I had the honor of helping to welcome home 112 South Dakota Army National Guard soldiers of the 147th Forward Support Company and Bravo Battery of the 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion. These citizen soldiers were in Europe for nearly a year, working with our NATO allies and increasing unit readiness. A… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3CF1B686-DB68-41FE-BE75-AABA0BEE9D15 | Delegation Urges Administration to Quickly Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration | 2019-10-30 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. JohnThune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) todaysent a letter to President Trump in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019.The delegation has strongly supported South Dakota's previousdisaster requests, including those from late-winter storms that caused significant damage to infrastructure, livestock, homes, and bridges throughout the state. South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic,wrote Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the local communities and the state of South Dakota as we continue to rebuild areas affected by these major weather events. Full text of theletteris below: The Honorable Donald Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: We write in full support of Governor Kristi Noem's request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. As Governor Noem's disaster declaration request indicates, the severe weather last month caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, agriculture, and public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways, railroads, parks, and electrical systems across southeastern South Dakota.Many residents had to be evacuated from flood waters or buildings that had been damaged from tornadoes.Thousands of acres of farmland cannot be planted due to severe flooding, which will have a financial impact on individual farming operations and the rural communities in which farmers live. South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic. We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supportin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/delegation-urges-administration-quickly-approve-south-dakota-disaster | Delegation Urges Administration to Quickly Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration | 2019-10-30 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.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 sent a letter to President Trump in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019.The delegation has strongly supported South Dakota's previous disaster requests, including those from late-winter storms that caused significant damage to infrastructure, livestock, homes, and bridges throughout the state. South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic, wrote Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the local communities and the state of South Dakota as we continue to rebuild areas affected by these major weather events. Full text of the letter is below: The Honorable Donald Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: We write in full support of Governor Kristi Noem's request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. As Governor Noem's disaster declaration request indicates, the severe weather last month caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, agriculture, and public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways, railroads, parks, and electrical systems across southeastern South Dakota.Many residents had to be evacuated from flood waters or buildings that had been damaged from tornadoes.Thousands of acres of farmland cannot be planted due to severe flooding, which will have a financial impact on individual farming operations and the rural communities in which farmers live. South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic. We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the lo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delegation-urges-administration-to-quickly-approve-south-dakota-disaster-declaration- | Delegation Urges Administration to Quickly Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration | 2019-10-30 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/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 sent a letter to President Trump in support of Gov. Kristi Noem’s (R-S.D.) request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. The delegation has strongly supported South Dakota’s previous disaster requests, including those from late-winter storms that caused significant damage to infrastructure, livestock, homes, and bridges throughout the state. “South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic,” wrote Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. “We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the local communities and the state of South Dakota as we continue to rebuild areas affected by these major weather events.” Full text of the letter is below: The Honorable Donald Trump President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: We write in full support of Governor Kristi Noem’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. As Governor Noem’s disaster declaration request indicates, the severe weather last month caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, agriculture, and public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways, railroads, parks, and electrical systems across southeastern South Dakota. Many residents had to be evacuated from flood waters or buildings that had been damaged from tornadoes. Thousands of acres of farmland cannot be planted due to severe flooding, which will have a financial impact on individual farming operations and the rural communities in which farmers live. South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic. We are determined to help South Dakota recover b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:39:44Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-thune-push-to-keep-foreign-beef-from-receiving-product-of-the-usa-label | Rounds, Thune Push to Keep Foreign Beef from Receiving “Product of the U.S.A.” Label | 2019-10-30 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today took steps to keep beef born, raised and slaughtered in foreign countries from receiving a “Product of the U.S.A.” label. The U.S. Beef Integrity Act would make certain that the “Product of the U.S.A.” label only goes to beef and beef products exclusively derived from one or more animals born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. Currently, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) does not require that beef be born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S. in order to carry a “Product of the U.S.A.” label. This loophole allows beef from livestock born and raised in foreign countries to be labeled “Product of the U.S.A.” as long as the beef undergoes additional processing at a processing plant in the U.S. Additionally, Thune and Rounds wrote to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to offer support for administrative changes to the FSIS beef labeling requirements. “Our cattle producers offer some of the highest-quality beef in the world,” said Rounds. “Consumers deserve to know where their food is coming from. When South Dakota families purchase beef labeled ‘Product of the U.S.A.,’ they should know with certainty that it is coming from one of our top-quality producers. Today’s beef labeling rules are misleading and allow beef and beef products from cattle born, raised and slaughtered outside of the U.S. to be labeled as U.S. beef. This must be fixed for both consumers and our hardworking producers.” “For South Dakota ranchers, ‘Product of the U.S.A’ is far more than a label. It’s a sense of pride, and it represents a way of life,” said Thune. “This legislation is straightforward and common sense, two qualities that are often lacking in Washington and are made up for by South Dakotans and their hardworking spirit. It’s with our ranchers and agriculture community in mind that I’m proud to support this bill to give consumers more accurate information about what’s on the grocery store shelf and help showcase America’s beef produ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:39:44Z |
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DB2B9B7C-79C5-47B3-9F39-5B2EFC3F38C0 | Thune: Democrats Want to Maximize Washington Control of Americans Health Care | 2019-10-29 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | Clickhereor on the picture above to watch Thune's speech. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Democrats' latest political messaging bill, which would repeal guidance that the administration issued to give states more flexibility to design health insurance plans that meet the needs of their residents. Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery): Mr. President, before I begin, I want to say that I was saddened to hear of the death of former Senator Kay Hagan yesterday. She was a dedicated public servant. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Mr. President, later this week we will vote on a Democrat resolution to repeal guidance the president issued to give states more flexibility to design insurance plans that meet the needs of their residents. Democrats have tried to portray this resolution as a move to protect people with preexisting conditions. That is just a smokescreen. Democrats know very well that Republicans are committed to protecting those with preexisting conditions. In reality this is just another political messaging bill. It's also another attempt by Democrats to maximize Washington control of Americans' health care. In keeping with their push toward socialism, Democrats want to make very sure that states don't have the chance to escape from any of Obamacare's bureaucracy. But let me back up for a minute and talk about the waivers and the guidance from the president that Democrats are attacking. Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act the law that Democrats enacted on a completely partisan basis allows states to apply for waivers from certain Obamacare requirements. The requirements that can and cannot be waived are the same today as they were the day Obamacare passed. Let me repeat that. The Obamacare requirements that can or cannot be waived are the same today as they were the day Obamacare passed. The 2018 guidance from the White House did not changeanythingabout what requirements can and can… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-smith-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-improve-native-american-lending-services-at-hud-help-more-native-families-become-homeowners | Rounds, Smith Lead Bipartisan Effort to Improve Native American Lending Services at HUD, Help More Native Families Become Homeowners | 2019-10-29 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today introduced the Native American Housing Affordability Act of 2019. The bipartisan legislation reforms the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program, which provides mortgage loans to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, by speeding up the loan processing time. Additional original cosponsors include U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Tester (D-Mont.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.). “Established in 1992, HUD’s Loan Guarantee Program has helped countless Native Americans in South Dakota and across the country realize their dreams of homeownership,” said Rounds. “Our legislation will help even more Native American families become homeowners by removing regulatory hurdles that too often delay loan processing. I thank my colleagues for joining me in this effort and look forward to working together to advance this legislation in the Senate.” “When you don’t have a home, it’s nearly impossible for other parts of your life to work. But right now, Native Americans who want to be homeowners too often face unnecessary regulatory obstacles,” said Sen. Smith, a member of both the Senate Indian Affairs and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committees. “Our bipartisan bill to remove red tape that slows down the loan processing time is one step we can take to promote homeownership and create opportunity for Native communities.” “Access to affordable housing is important to families and communities across the nation,” said Thune. “In an effort to facilitate additional affordable homeownership opportunities for Native American families, this legislation would improve the Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program by streamlining the loan guarantee process to encourage more lenders to participate in the program and provide additional mortgage financing opportunities to individuals and families on tribal trust land.” "Nat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-27T23:39:44Z |
| https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bill-require-analysis-added-cftc-regulations | Johnson Introduces Bill to Require Analysis of Added CFTC Regulations | 2019-10-28 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | Dusty Johnson | J000301 | dustyjohnson.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Today U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Cost Benefit Improvement Act to formalize the office of the Chief Economist at the CFTC and require the Commission to assess the cost and benefits of any Commission actions or added regulations. The House Agriculture Committee will consider this legislation on Wednesday during the markup of the CFTC reauthorization. A proper cost-benefit analysis will foster a more informed dialogue between regulators at the CFTC and market participants, said Rep. Johnson. Formalizing the office of the Chief Economist will ensure the best economic analysis is taken into account with every decision the Commission makes. In 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order No. 13563, which required non-independent executive branch agencies to conduct cost-benefit analyses to ensure that the benefits of any rulemaking outweigh the costs. The proposed legislation seeks to apply those same standards to the Commission. The CFTC Cost Benefit Improvement Act would raise the legal standard for cost-benefit analysis the Commission is required to perform by requiring the Commission to assess the costs and benefits, both qualitative and quantitative of Commission actions. Furthermore, the legislation would also formalize the Office of the Chief Economist in statute, in a manner consistent with the CFTC's General Counsel's office, to ensure there is a Chief Economist to task with producing the required analysis. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.thune.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=B35DEDAE-751D-4C39-A42B-D55B7C4C1356 | Theres No Place Id Rather Be | 2019-10-25 | 2019 | 2019-10 | Republican | House | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | legacy | There's nothing better than autumn in South Dakota. I always enjoy traveling around the state in the fall. So far this October, I've gotten to visit with South Dakota students, present a Purple Heart medal to a Vietnam vet, talk to the new commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base, attend the groundbreaking for Dakota Wesleyan University's new School of Business Innovation and Leadership, greet a returning Honor Flight, visit some outstanding South Dakota businesses, chat with Sioux Falls' mayor, and a whole lot more. And of course, I got to participate in Hobo Day South Dakota State University's (SDSU's) annual homecoming. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big sports guy in particular a South Dakota sports guy so I keenly enjoy every visit to the home of the Jacks. And even as a graduate of the University of South Dakota, Hobo Day is a fall highlight. There's a parade, a lot of good food, and a lot of excited sports fans. What's not to love? The best Hobo Days, of course, are when the Jacks win their game, and that's exactly what they did this year, handily defeating Southern Illinois. And speaking of Jacks football, I know there was a lot of excitement on SDSU's campus and throughout the Brookings community when ESPN's College GameDay announced it would cover the annual Dakota Marker matchup, the show's first-ever visit to South Dakota a big deal for any college town! In addition to Hobo Day and Jacks football, one of the things I look forward to the most each fall in South Dakota is the start of pheasant hunting season. I went out with several friends this year, and we had a great day. The weather was gorgeous that blue, blue South Dakota sky and the fall colors were finally showing themselves after a late start to the season. Pheasant hunting's economic importance to South Dakota is one of the many reasons I've worked to support and expand the Conservation Reserve Program. Taking underperforming land out of production is not only good for the environment and for farmers, it's also key to maintaining wildl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
Advanced export
JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object
CREATE TABLE [releases] (
[url] TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
[title] TEXT,
[date] TEXT,
[year] TEXT,
[month] TEXT,
[party] TEXT,
[chamber] TEXT,
[state] TEXT,
[member_name] TEXT,
[bioguide_id] TEXT,
[domain] TEXT,
[scraper] TEXT,
[source] TEXT,
[date_source] TEXT,
[text] TEXT,
[has_text] INTEGER,
[collected_at] TEXT,
[updated_at] TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_date]
ON [releases] ([date]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_year]
ON [releases] ([year]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_party]
ON [releases] ([party]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
ON [releases] ([has_text]);