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.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3FB17931-E9AB-424E-B3BD-B588C30CF4A9,Thune Statement on Biden Administration’s Over-Reaching WOTUS Rule,2022-12-30,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"“I strongly oppose this thinly veiled land grab, I urge the administration to abandon this retread of a misguided rule, and if it does not, I will push for the Senate to overturn this over-reaching regulation.” SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Like President Obama before him, President Biden is trying to greatly expand the reach of the federal government into the lives of farmers and ranchers,” said Thune. “Opening up nearly every body of water to federal jurisdiction would be a nightmare for property owners and producers in South Dakota and across the country. I strongly oppose this thinly veiled land grab, I urge the administration to abandon this retread of a misguided rule, and if it does not, I will push for the Senate to overturn this over-reaching regulation.” Background: In September 2022, Thune helped introduce the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency Act, comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform legislation that would codify sensible regulations like the Navigable Waters Protection Rule instead of the Biden administration’s over-reaching WOTUS proposal. In April 2022, Thune joined an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in the pending case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is directly related to how much authority the federal government has over states and private citizens to regulate “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). In February 2022, Thune led the entire Senate Republican Conference in urging the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to suspend the pending rulemaking to redefine the scope of waters protected under the CWA, specifically WOTUS, until the U.S. Supreme Court completes its consideration of Sackett v. EPA, as the case is expected to have major implications on CWA scope and enforcement. Oral arguments for the case were heard on October 3, and an opinion is not expected until 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-respect-act-signed-into-law,Rounds’ RESPECT Act Signed into Law,2022-12-27,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) bipartisan legislation to repeal discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans was signed into law by the president today. The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act will repeal 11 outdated federal laws, including laws that stripped Native American children from their families for the purpose of placing them in “Indian reform schools,” such as the now-infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Rounds first introduced the RESPECT Act in 2016, and has led this legislation in each Congress since. A full list of laws the RESPECT Act will repeal is available HERE. The RESPECT Act is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association (GPTCA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). “I have worked on this common sense, bipartisan legislation since coming to the United States Senate, so I am pleased that it has been signed into law,” said Rounds. “It’s long overdue to remove these immoral, discriminatory federal laws from our books. Throughout history, Native Americans have been subjected to unfair treatment from our federal government, including the forced removal of their children from their homes. Clearly, there is no place in our legal code for such measures, and it is appalling these laws are still in our federal code. While we cannot rewrite the past, we need to acknowledge it and continue to strive for a more perfect Union.” “First, I’d like to commend and thank Senator Rounds for his sincere intent in sponsoring this legislation,” said J. Garret Renville, Chairman-elect of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. “The RESPECT Act is a first step in an attempt to better consult and coordinate with Tribal Nations. Historically and symbolically; it is my hope, that it represents a path to improving the long standing inequities in the relationship and dealings between sovereign people, their nations and the United States Government.” “I want to thank Senator Rounds for spearheading this legislation,” said Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Councilman Christian Skunk. “The RESPECT Act will ensure going forward the relationship between tribes and the federal government is mended. We know it’s impossible to change the past, but we can choose how we proceed and the RESPECT Act is a step in the right direction.” ""The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) applauds the passage and signing into law of the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act,” said NCAI President Fawn Sharp. “While our history books often ignore the facts, it is no secret that for far too long the U.S. Congress has passed destructive and oppressive laws that by design diminished tribal sovereignty and our political standing of equity and parity with the federal government. This legislation is but one more step in a very long journey ahead toward achieving our vision for a real, just and meaningful government-to-government relationship between sovereign Tribal Nations and the United States."" “Senator Rounds’ efforts to repeal these old laws, such as the law still on the books regarding Indian boarding schools that caused tremendous harm to indigenous communities, is a great step towards reconciliation with tribal nations,” said Tamara St. John, archivist for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, who testified on behalf of this bill. “I’m excited to see the RESPECT Act signed into law causing the repeal of these eleven outdated and racist laws. Great work!” “The Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT) applauds the passage of the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act and thanks Senator Mike Rounds for his stalwart leadership of this bill,” said COLT Chairman Marvin Weatherwax (Blackfeet National Tribal Business Council). “The RESPECT Act modernizes federal law to remove inconsistent federal agency consultation policies with tribal nations and their citizens. This act is an important step to restore basic dignities of Native people and honoring the United States’ solemn Trust and Treaty obligations and government-to-government relationship with tribal nations.” Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) are cosponsors of this legislation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House on May 12, 2021, by Representatives Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.) and cosponsored by Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-applauds-tiktok-ban-government-devices,Johnson Applauds TikTok Ban on Government Devices,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the final passage of the No TikTok on Government Devices Actled byU.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). This bill bans the download and use of TikTok on federal government devices. In September, Johnson has introduced a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to block TikTok on federal government devices and on military bases and installations. Johnson’s Block the Tok Act would also prohibit China from accessing Americans’ user data from within China. “TikTok is one of China’s Trojan horses,” said Johnson. “This app poses a national security threat and has safety implications for everyday Americans. I’m encouraged to see progress at both the federal and state level to prohibit TikTok on government devices, but there is still work to be done. I’m going to continue the effort to prohibit China’s access to Americans’ user data in the new Congress.” 19 states have banned the use and download of TikTok on state government devices.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=C29ED2A9-8105-4CFB-87E1-054232A79931,Thune: Effective Use of Federal Broadband Funds Will Help Bridge the Digital Divide,2022-12-21,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed his nationwide broadband oversight effort that will hold agencies accountable and ensure that previously authorized broadband funding is being used in the most efficient way possible to protect taxpayer dollars. Thune noted that in the last two years, Congress has allocated nearly $80 billion in funding for broadband-related services, which is split among 133 programs at 15 different agencies. As part of Thune’s effort, he recently sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General Peggy Gustafson for her failure to fulfill congressionally mandated oversight of previously authorized broadband funding. Thune also sent a letter to a diverse group of stakeholders, including broadband associations, public interest groups, and free-market think tanks to seek their input on the current broadband regulatory structure. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, as a resident of a rural state, expanding rural broadband access has long been a priority of mine. “And I’m not the only one. “Over the years Congress has dedicated significant resources to closing the digital divide. “And that has been especially true over the past three years. “Congress has appropriated a lot of money for broadband lately. “A whopping $79 billion to be precise dedicated solely to broadband-related projects. “$79 billion, on top of the billions of dollars the Federal Communications Commission disburses annually under its Universal Service Fund. “That is an unprecedented amount of money. “In fact, with that much money we ought to be able to deliver gold- and diamond-laced broadband to every household in the United States. “But, Mr. President, appropriating money is not enough. “We could throw trillions of dollars at the rural broadband problem and still not close the digital divide. “Because all the money in the world is useless if it’s not being spent the right way. “As I said, we have enough money now that we ought to be deploying gold- and diamond-laced broadband across the country. “But I have serious questions about whether this money is actually going to meaningfully move us toward closing the digital divide. “The money that we currently have, as much as it is, is spread out over 15 separate agencies and 133 programs. “133 programs. “To say that that is not conducive to a coherent rural broadband strategy is an understatement. “Now, the lion’s share of the funding does go through one agency – the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA. “But it is an agency with a very poor record of efficiently disbursing broadband funding. “The last time Congress provided NTIA with a big infusion of broadband funding – a fraction of the funding it is now responsible for – the agency struggled with implementation and ended up overbuilding existing broadband networks, resulting in billions of taxpayer dollars being spent with little to show. “And I’ve seen very little to convince me that NTIA is likely to do much better this time around. “In July of last year, NTIA called for volunteers to help determine how to allocate $1.5 billion Congress had provided to NTIA to improve broadband access. “Volunteers. “And yet Congress has now put the agency in charge of distributing the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. “I am deeply concerned that without serious oversight, NTIA will make – and is already making – similar mistakes when managing its current broadband programs. “That is why earlier this month I began an oversight effort to review the numerous federal broadband programs. “Oversight of how federal broadband dollars are being spent is necessary to ensure that agencies aren’t misusing billions of taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, to make sure the funding is going to areas that are actually unserved. “I’ve already requested input from a diverse group of stakeholders to identify ways we can improve broadband programs – and broadband policy more generally – as we head into the 118th Congress. “And I’ve requested that federal agencies provide information on their efforts to improve broadband infrastructure siting, a key component of deploying broadband networks. “In the new year, I will work on compiling these responses and presenting stakeholder concerns to NTIA, the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Agriculture, and the Treasury Department. “And if changes need to be made to the programs Congress has established, I will do everything I can to hold Congress and federal agencies accountable for making those changes so that all of these programs work as effectively as possible and as Congress intended. “Mr. President, to expand rural broadband access and actually close the digital divide, it’s not enough to just appropriate money. “We also need to make sure that money is being spent in the right way. “And I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that the money that has been appropriated for rural broadband actually goes to expanding access to those who are currently unserved.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2EA7BE8D-32FA-4AAB-BBAF-B8EB26BC3382,Thune: South Dakotans Deserve Permanent Tax Relief,2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the upcoming five-year anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act being signed into law, which helped create an economic environment that encouraged growth and set the American people up for new opportunities, higher wages, and a more secure future. Thune noted that allowing key elements in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to expire would raise taxes in the midst of record-high inflation, and he encouraged his Democratic colleagues to work with Republicans to permanently extend various expiring provisions. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, I want to begin by congratulating the South Dakota State football team on an incredible win on Saturday in Brookings. “Thanks to their great performance in Saturday’s game – which included five scores in their first five possessions – the Jacks are headed to the FCS National Championship for the second time in three seasons. “Saturday’s win is the latest in a banner season for the Jacks, who have gone 13 and 1 and led the conference to become the number-one seed in the FCS tournament. “Of course, Saturday’s game would not have been possible without the men and women who worked to clear the roads around Brookings and the volunteers and staff who cleared the field and the seats after a major snowstorm last week. “I’m grateful for their hard work, which allowed thousands of Jacks fans like me to be there to cheer on our team. “And I’m looking forward to rooting for the Jacks next month when they take on North Dakota State in the championship in Frisco, Texas – where, hopefully, it will be a little warmer than nine degrees. “Mr. President, December 22 will mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. “It’s been five years since Republicans reformed the tax code to allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money. “Five years since we modernized the tax code to encourage businesses to invest in America and create good-paying jobs here. “And five years since our economy started to rebound after years of stagnant wages and slow growth. “Mr. President, Republicans know that government doesn’t create jobs and that Washington can’t legislate prosperity. “But government can certainly get in the way of prosperity. “And before tax reform, too often our tax code was getting in the way. “It was taking too much money from Americans’ paychecks. “It was making it difficult for businesses large and small to create jobs, increase wages, and grow. “And it contained perverse incentives for companies to park profits abroad and avoid manufacturing things here in the United States. “Republicans knew things needed to change. “And so we set to work to reform our tax code to put more money in American families’ pockets and help grow our economy. “We lowered tax rates across the board and simplified the tax code so that hardworking Americans would pay less in taxes – and spend less time filing them every April. “We lowered tax rates for owners of small and medium-sized businesses, farms, and ranches and made it easier for them to recover the cost of investing in their businesses – which in turn freed up cash for them to invest in their operations and their workers. “We lowered our nation’s sky-high corporate tax rate, which prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was the highest corporate tax rate in the developed world, to make American businesses more competitive in the global economy and empower them to invest in wages and benefits for their workers. “And we modernized our international tax system so that American businesses would no longer be operating at a disadvantage next to their foreign counterparts. “And, Mr. President, it worked. “In the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, wages and incomes for American workers grew. “Unemployment fell to a fifty-year low. “The poverty rate fell to the lowest level ever recorded. “African Americans and Hispanic Americans saw record-low rates of poverty and unemployment. “The income gap narrowed. “Business investment increased. “Companies created new jobs. “They invested in their employees. “And they opened new opportunities for American workers by moving production and capital into the United States. “Tax reform also spelled an end to the wave of companies moving their headquarters out of the United States. “Prior to tax reform, there was a growing trend of corporate inversions – tax-speak for companies picking up and moving their legal headquarters offshore – due to our dysfunctional tax code. “Since tax reform, there hasn’t been a single U.S. corporate inversion – which means more jobs and opportunities for workers here at home. “And, Mr. President, contrary to claims that tax reform mostly benefited the wealthy, it was actually lower- and middle-income Americans who saw the greatest benefits. “In fact, the top 1 percent of taxpayers are paying a greater share of taxes today than they were before tax reform. “And I haven’t even mentioned the fact that tax reform has helped result in record-high revenues for the federal government. “Mr. President, unfortunately, we were not able to make all of the tax reform in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, and some provisions have already begun to expire. “One important pro-growth provision on its way to phase-out is bonus depreciation. “Manufacturers, farmers and ranchers, and several other industries have relied on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s bonus depreciation provision, which allows them to immediately deduct the full cost of investment in short-term assets, such as machinery and equipment. “But bonus depreciation will soon begin to phase down, making new investment in productive equipment a more expensive proposition for businesses of all sizes. “Extending the bonus depreciation provision – or better yet, making it permanent – would not only provide certainty to American businesses, it would create tens of thousands of new jobs, increase wages, and grow our economy by making it easier for businesses to invest and expand. “And it would have even more of an impact in today’s high-inflation environment, where investment dollars are going a lot less far than they used to. “In addition, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this year businesses lost the ability to fully expense research and development costs in the year they incur them. “Full R&D expensing is beneficial to many businesses, but it’s especially important for manufacturers and for high-tech industries, where cutting-edge research and development is critical for innovation and continued leadership in these fields. “And for the sake of American workers and American industry, we should restore full R&D expensing. “Mr. President, at the end of 2025, many of the lower tax rates for working families and small businesses will expire. “Middle-income families – who received a tax cut the year following tax reform – will see a tax hike in 2026 if middle-income tax cuts are not extended or made permanent. “Also at the end of 2025 the increased death tax exemption level is set to expire, leaving more family farms and small businesses subject to this punitive tax. “I’ve seen the consequences of the death tax when a family has to sell their farm, ranch, or small business because they don’t have enough cash to pay this massive tax on their loved one’s life’s work. “And I hope that we will not only extend the increased death tax exemption level but will permanently eliminate this unfair tax. “Mr. President, tax reform worked. “It worked for American families. “It worked for farmers and ranchers. “And it worked for American businesses. “Allowing key elements of tax reform to expire would reduce opportunity and raise taxes for hardworking Americans at a time when their pocketbooks are already strained thanks to the historic inflation crisis Democrats helped create. “And I hope that my colleagues across the aisle will recognize this and work with Republicans to permanently extend the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – and continue efforts to make the tax code simpler, fairer, and more competitive. “The president likes to talk about giving families ‘a little breathing room.’ “Well, there’s no better way to give families breathing room than by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money. “And I hope the president will take an honest look at the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and come out in support of making these pro-growth policies permanent. “I am disappointed that my Democrat colleagues recently chose to forgo the chance to extend full R&D expensing and 100 percent bonus depreciation in the year-end funding bill. “Extending these should be a no-brainer – and Democrats should not be holding these essential business credits hostage to a partisan agenda. “Mr. President, tax reform helped create an economic environment that encouraged growth and set the American people up for new opportunities, higher wages, and a more secure future. “It’s time to build on these successes and extend the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for the long term.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8089F697-12CB-42D5-8F59-96834023F2F1,"Thune: NDAA is Crucial for Ellsworth Air Force Base, B-21 Bomber Mission",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke about the importance of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for supporting the men and women at Ellsworth Air Force Base and the future B-21 bomber mission. Thune also recognized the recent mobilization of the 109th Support Group of the South Dakota National Guard and thanked the guardsmen and their families for their service and sacrifice. Thune’s remarks below: “The 109th Support Group of the South Dakota National Guard just mobilized a few days ago to head to Iraq and Kuwait as part of the counter-ISIS mission. And unfortunately, we weren't able to have the activation deployment ceremony because the weather wouldn't permit it in South Dakota this last weekend, but we just want to wish the members of the South Dakota National Guard in this unit the very best and thank them for their service and their sacrifice and for that of their families. “And also, to just say, I've always said that if you don't get national security right, the rest is conversation, which is why it was so important for us to get the National Defense Authorization bill across the finish line last week. There are so many provisions in there that are impactful when you live in a dangerous world. And if anything, the events of the last year have taught us we live in a very dangerous world. “The B-21 bomber was just unveiled. That is a new bomber, a sixth-generation bomber, that puts us, as a country, in the lead when it comes to long-range strike capability. There are only three countries in the world who have strategic bombers, and those are China, Russia, and the United States. “Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota is going to be the first home to the B-21 bomber. We're obviously very excited about that for the members, the airmen out there, for the community, for the base. No one could be more deserving of this very important mission. “And of course, the defense authorization bill provided a lot of the funding, not only for the continued development and buildout of that aircraft, but also for all the infrastructure associated with it when it comes to Ellsworth Air Force Base. And so again, the defense authorization bill is so critically important to making sure that American men and women in uniform who are tasked with defending, protecting, ensuring the safety and security of people here in the United States and helping defend America's interests both here at home and around the world are funded. And the defense authorization will make sure that they have everything they need to do that job.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-secures-victories-for-south-dakota-in-annual-defense-bill,Rounds Secures Victories for South Dakota in Annual Defense Bill,2022-12-16,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023: “This year’s NDAA secures major wins for South Dakota. It authorizes construction funding for Ellsworth Air Force Base and supports economic and research opportunities for multiple organizations across South Dakota. “Our members on the Armed Services committee have worked hard all year to craft this piece of legislation. This crucial bill is a prime example of Congress putting politics aside to provide for our strategic national security interests and to achieve results for our service members and their families. I am pleased this bipartisan legislation is heading to the president’s desk to be signed into law.” Rounds authored 47 unique pieces of legislation that were included in the NDAA. As the ranking member of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, Rounds championed many provisions to enhance our offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. Additionally, Rounds supported an authorization for over $335 million in military construction funding for projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Supporting Quotes: “Senator Rounds understands the importance of being proactive in regard to cybersecurity,” said José-Marie Griffiths, President of Dakota State University. “Because of Senator Rounds’ ardent support of our programs, students, and forward-thinking endeavors, our distinctive graduates are poised to help protect the nation through a strong cyber presence. I commend and thank Senator Rounds for his ongoing commitment to getting priorities in the NDAA that will benefit DSU, South Dakota, and our country for years to come.” “Just as when he was Governor and he led the efforts to create the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority, Senator Rounds continues to support Ellsworth Air Force Base with his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee,” said Scott Landguth, Executive Director of the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. “Senator Rounds’ continued support of the B-21 expansion at Ellsworth Air Force Base is a crucial piece to the success of the B-21 arriving in South Dakota. The Senator’s role on the Armed Service Committee is extremely valuable to these efforts. The South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority looks forward to continue to partner and work with the Senator to guarantee that the B-21 program and bed down at Ellsworth remains on schedule.” “Senator Rounds’ support of NDAA, which includes monies for DOD impact aid, is critical for the Douglas School District,” said Kevin Case, Superintendent of the Douglas School District. “DOD Impact Aid is the only federal education funding that comes with no strings attached and can be used for a wide array of educational needs. This is a win for our students. We are fortunate to have the backing of Senator Rounds on this issue, and we are thankful for his support for the future education of our children.” Major South Dakota Victories Supported by Rounds in NDAA: Authorizes $335.9 million in funding for military construction projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including a Low-Observable Restoration Hangar, Radio Frequency Hangar and Weapons Generation Facility to prepare for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. Extends $12 million in funds for the Aircraft Maintenance Shops project at Joe Foss Field for the South Dakota Air National Guard. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide details about how it will identify the school to serve as the University Cybersecurity Consortium Support Center, potentially benefiting Dakota State University. Authorizes $15 million to assist school systems that are projected to have a substantial increase in students because of DOD basing decisions, which will benefit Ellsworth Air Force Base and school systems in the Black Hills. Extends prohibition on reducing B-1 maintenance personnel or further reduction in aircraft unless replaced with B-21s. Authorizes $23 million for B-1 bomber squadrons, including $10 million for hypersonic integration validation testing. Includes a multi-year procurement authority for Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles used by the B-1. Authorizes $3.14 billion for B-21 bomber development and $1.78 billion for low-rate initial production of the aircraft. Rounds-Supported National Security Wins: Increases authorized defense funding by $45 billion above President Biden’s inadequate budget request. Rescinds DOD’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate amid the massive recruiting crisis. Authorizes funding to support a 4.6 percent pay raise for both military service members and the DOD civilian workforce. Requires a public version of the National Defense Strategy after the Biden administration failed to release one. Excludes a provision that would have forced America’s daughters and granddaughters to register for the Selective Service. Increases maximum special and incentive payments and bonuses by 30 percent. Authorizes a Survivor Benefit Plan open season for the first time since 2005. Makes certain improvements relating to behavioral health care in the military health system. Rounds’ Cybersecurity Wins in NDAA: Establishment of the DOD Cyber and Digital Service Academy scholarship-for-service program. Requires efforts to align the DOD’s international cybersecurity enterprise with the National Defense Strategy, the DOD Cyber Strategy and the DOD International Cyberspace Security Cooperation Guidance. Requires the DOD to engage Jordan’s Ministry of Defense for the purpose of expanded military cybersecurity cooperation. Authorizes sharing of cyber tools with allies and partners. Establishment of the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cybersecurity who will advise the Secretary of Defense on all cybersecurity matters. Creates the new position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3DA9B776-5981-4389-80AC-2E6EC30EBE46,Thune Honors Retiring Senators Shelby and Toomey,2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored retiring U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) on the Senate floor. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, yesterday afternoon Richard Shelby delivered his farewell here in the United States Senate. “If it is difficult to think of the Senate without some of our retiring members, it’s nearly impossible to think of it without Richard Shelby. “Like Jim Inhofe, he’s a Senate institution. “He’s proudly served the state of Alabama for six terms in the Senate. “That’s 36 years of tireless work to make life better for the people of Alabama and for the American people as a whole. “He is currently the longest-serving senator in Alabama’s history, as well as the longest-serving member in history of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. “Mr. President, throughout his Senate career, Richard has always kept his eye on getting things done for the people of Alabama, whether that’s supporting Alabama military installations or the work NASA does in his state. “He’s a longtime NASA advocate, and, as chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Defense at the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has worked to ensure robust funding for our national security priorities. “He’s also been a champion of funding to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom. “And he’s been a supporter of scientific research at various government agencies, as well as in partnership with research universities. “Mr. President, Richard is also notable for being one of the tallest U.S. senators. “That’s significant to me because as a tall guy myself, I don’t often run into people I can look up to. “But I look up to Richard. “Literally – and figuratively. “Richard’s record of service and his dedication to the people of his state are an inspiration to me and to many others as we carry out our work in the Senate. “And I will miss his presence and his example – as well as his sense of humor, which has lightened the mood on many challenging days. “But if anyone has earned his retirement, it is Richard Shelby. “And I wish him and Annette – his wife of 62 years – some very well-deserved relaxation and the very best of everything in the years ahead. “Mr. President, later today Senator Pat Toomey – my longtime colleague on the Senate Finance Committee – will deliver his farewell remarks. “Pat is known for, among other things, his steadfast commitment to pro-market policies – fiscal responsibility, pro-growth tax policy, free trade, limited but efficient regulation – and above all for his command of these issues. “He has a tremendous grasp of finance, banking, and the economy, and an equally tremendous understanding of what the ins and outs of the tax code mean for business, saving and investment, and entrepreneurship. “And he’s able to break down these oftentimes byzantine subjects and explain them in plain language. “These attributes made Pat the indispensable man during tax reform five years ago. “His expertise and commitment were key to passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – the wide-ranging reform of our tax code that put more money in American families’ pockets and made American businesses more competitive. “Beyond tax policy, Pat has consistently fought protectionism in its many forms. “He has pushed back on financial market regulations that restrict fair competition. “And he has fiercely advocated for market-opening initiatives that benefit Pennsylvania families, workers, and businesses. “He is going to be missed in the Senate – and on the Senate Finance Committee in particular – for his knowledge and his experience, and for his practical approach to getting things done for the American people. “Mr. President, I admire Pat for his economic expertise. “But I especially admire him for his thoughtfulness, his decency, and the fact that he is very principled. “He has stayed committed to the causes he believes in, from improving economic opportunity for American families, to reducing government waste, to protecting taxpayer dollars. “And while I don’t know what he will do next, I am confident that whatever he does will continue his commitment to building an economy that works for the American people. “Mr. President, I want to wish Pat and his wife Kris the very best on his retirement. “I hope they are able to enjoy some well-deserved rest in the coming months. “And I look forward to seeing all that Pat will do in the future.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5CDDBABA-7EFE-4502-8203-A107701960D1,Thune Secures Key South Dakota Priorities in Water Resources Bill,2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, which included key Thune-led provisions that will bolster South Dakota’s water rights and combat invasive species. “This legislation provides greater certainty to South Dakota and its neighboring states when it comes to water rights, and it also provides additional resources for mitigation of invasive species like zebra mussels,” said Thune. “This is an important bill for the Great Plains, and I’m glad I could play a part in advocating for South Dakota’s interests.” Key provisions included: Improves State Oversight with Respect to Water Rights: The bill establishes a new Western Water Cooperative Committee with two slots for South Dakota membership, which will advise the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Congress on policies to maintain the primacy of state water rights. Extends the Prohibition on Surplus Water Fees: This bill permanently extends the prohibition, which means the Corps will be prohibited from charging fees indefinitely. Extends Invasive Species Management Pilot Program Authority: WRDA 2020 included a pilot program to assist states in the Upper Missouri River Basin with the development and implementation of plans to mitigate aquatic invasive species, namely zebra mussels. The bill extends the pilot program authority through 2028 to provide states more time to utilize funding. Background on efforts to protect state water rights: Since 2010, the Corps has restricted access to the Missouri River reservoirs and has proposed charging an unprecedented fee for so-called “surplus water” taken from major reservoirs in the upper basin. When the Corps built the dams along the river after Congress passed the 1944 Flood Control Act, prime state and tribal lands were flooded. As part of the agreement, state residents were guaranteed access to water from the Missouri River for various purposes. Although some of those intended purposes, such as irrigation, never fully materialized, the states never ceded the right to use Missouri River water for municipal and industrial water supplies.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9D6CE2D8-C74B-4F3B-BE8D-D218C13EE2A6,"Thune Supports Annual Defense Bill, Ellsworth Air Force Base Priorities",2022-12-15,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023. The bill contains numerous priorities that benefit South Dakota and the future B-21 bomber mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including nearly $336 million for new facility construction and the revival of a program to help school districts accommodate significant increases in students as a result of additional military families moving to the area to prepare for mission growth. “Providing for our nation’s defense is one of the most serious and consequential responsibilities for members of Congress,” said Thune. “I am committed to ensuring that Ellsworth Air Force Base and its surrounding communities have everything they need for the B-21 bomber mission so Ellsworth can continue to serve as one of our nation’s essential military assets for decades to come.” The NDAA includes a modified version of Thune’s Dynamic Airspace Pilot Program Act of 2022, legislation that requires the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a pilot program to support the development of “dynamic airspace” to improve how airspace boundaries are managed to accommodate modern military training requirements like longer engagement distances. NDAA priorities for South Dakota include:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-ohalleran-rounds-respect-heads-presidents-desk,"Johnson, O’Halleran, Rounds RESPECT Heads to President’s Desk",2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act passed the U.S. House by 349-80. This bill repeals discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans and was led by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), and Tom Cole (R-OK) in the U.S. House and sponsored by Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in the U.S. Senate. “Repealing these laws is a step in the right direction to right the wrongs against Native Americans,” said Johnson. “There is no reason these archaic and discriminatory laws remain on the books. Senator Rounds’ leadership on this bill was key to getting it passed in the Senate, and I am proud to help usher the RESPECT Act across the finish line in the House.” Background: The RESPECT Act repeals eleven federal laws, found here, that discriminate against Native Americans. One of which is the “Indian Reform Schools” that forcibly removed Native American children from their family and placed them in boarding schools. The RESPECT Act is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association (GPTCA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/respect-act-passes-house-heading-to-presidents-desk-,Rounds’ RESPECT Act Passes House; Heading to President’s Desk,2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) legislation to repeal discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans passed the House of Representatives today. It now heads to the president’s desk for signature. The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act would repeal 11 outdated federal laws, including laws that stripped Native American children from their families for the purpose of placing them in “Indian reform schools,” such as the now-infamous Carlisle Indian Industrial School. A full list of laws the RESPECT Act will repeal is available HERE. “While we cannot rewrite the past, we need to acknowledge it and continue to strive for a more perfect Union,” said Rounds. “It’s long overdue to remove these immoral, discriminatory federal laws from our books. Throughout history, Native Americans have been subjected to unfair treatment from our federal government, including the forced removal of their children from their homes. Clearly, there is no place in our legal code for such measures, and it is appalling these laws are still in our federal code. I am pleased this bipartisan, commonsense legislation is heading to the president’s desk to be signed into law.” Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) are cosponsors of this legislation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House on May 12, 2021, by Representatives Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.). The RESPECT Act is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association (GPTCA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=562DB4EA-93CC-4A00-9335-26937443F649,Thune Letter Fights to Protect Independent Contractors,2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) recently led his colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) urging it to rescind its proposed rule that would change the criteria used to determine whether an individual is classified as an employee or an independent contractor. The proposed rule’s new criteria would create uncertainty for employers and workers and reduce circumstances where an individual could be classified as an independent contractor, which would pose serious consequences for the economy and America’s workforce. “The independent contractor proposed rule would have immediate and long-term disruptive effects on millions of workers and thousands of businesses at a time when the economy is facing high inflation rates,” the senators wrote. “A study by Upwork estimates that 59 million Americans performed freelance work in 2021 and contributed $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy. Small and large businesses in hospitality, healthcare, education, agriculture, transportation, construction, finance, law, housing, entertainment, and more utilize independent contractors to meet their needs. This allows businesses to have a dynamic workforce while giving workers the autonomy and flexibility they prefer. It is clear the proposed rule’s attempt to restrict this flexibility for businesses and workers will be disruptive. “We urge DOL not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to this negative impact on workers and businesses, the test’s lack of clarity, and the devastating consequences for the U.S. economy,” the senators continued. “The proposed rule will jeopardize millions of individuals’ independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Instead, DOL should maintain the 2021 rule, which was designed for the modern economy and brought clarity to workers and businesses.” Last year, Thune led a similar letter to DOL Secretary Martin Walsh urging him to protect individuals’ ability to work as independent contractors in the gig economy. In addition to Thune, the bicameral letter was also led by U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.). Full letter below: The Honorable Martin J. Walsh Secretary Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 Dear Secretary Walsh: On October 13, 2022, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled “Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act” (“proposed rule”), which would rescind and replace the independent contractor rule adopted in 2021 by the Trump Administration. In its place, DOL proposes a six-factor economic reality test to determine whether a worker is “economically dependent” on a company under a totality of the circumstances. We oppose this proposed rule as it is unclear, overly restrictive, and unsuitable for workers who are seeking flexibility as they pursue opportunities as independent contractors. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping standards for covered employers and employees. A worker who performs services for an entity as an independent contractor is not an employee and therefore is not covered by the FLSA. However, the FLSA does not define “independent contractor.” For more than 80 years, businesses and workers relied on decisions by the courts and opinion letters from DOL for guidance on the definition of independent contractor. For example, under the Obama Administration, DOL released an Administrator’s Interpretation providing guidance regarding the application of the economic realities factors to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. This guidance outlined six economic reality factors, all of which must be considered to determine whether the worker is economically dependent on the business; no one factor is considered determinative. DOL inappropriately used the guidance to broadly-and incorrectly-assert “most workers are employees under FLSA’s broad definitions.” The AI letter was later withdrawn by Secretary Acosta for failing to provide even the most basic procedural due process for stakeholders in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. In 2021, the Trump Administration made history by adopting a rule that clarified and simplified independent contractor classification under the FLSA. Rulemaking, as opposed to opinion letters, allowed the public to comment on the proposed rule. The 2021 rule highlighted how the “economic realities test and its component factors have not always been sufficiently explained or consistently articulated by courts or the Department, resulting in uncertainty among the regulated community.” Instead, the rule emphasizes two “core factors”: a worker’s control over his or her work and his or her opportunity for profit or loss. If these factors are not clear, the rule includes three “guidepost” factors. By adopting a clearer and more transparent test, the rule encouraged innovation and flexibility in the economy. This rule brought welcome clarity to businesses and workers, but the Biden Administration almost immediately delayed its effective date and later withdrew it until a court ruled in March 2022 that DOL violated the Administrative Procedure Act which finally allowed the rule to go into effect. Now DOL is proposing to rescind and replace the 2021 rule without demonstrating good reasons for abandoning this clear test and before application of it in any court decisions. In fact, DOL’s new proposal is far less clear than the 2021 rule and is largely a return to the Obama-era multifactor test that was restrictive, overly complex, and inconsistently applied. The six economic factors the proposed rule delineates as determining the employment status of an individual are: (1) Opportunity for profit or loss depending on managerial skill; (2) Investments by the worker and the company; (3) Degree of permanence of the work relationship; (4) Nature and degree of control; (5) Extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the company’s business; and (6) Skill and initiative. The proposed rule explains that no one factor is “dispositive, and the weight to give each factor may depend on the facts and circumstances of the particular case.” Finally, additional unnamed factors may be considered, yet the proposed rule fails to afford stakeholders clarity as to what those factors may be. The proposed rule’s economic reality test would result in uncertainty among workers and businesses and would greatly reduce the circumstances under which a worker will be classified as an independent contractor. While DOL laments that it cannot adopt an “ABC” test due to legal constraints, the proposed rule goes nearly as far with restrictive definitions and examples. The rule argues that theoretical control is enough to give DOL the ability to make employment determinations. According to the Institute for the American Worker, “such a broad interpretation would have a chilling effect on self-employment, putting conceivably all independent contracting work in jeopardy.” The proposed rule also states that an individual using his or her own car and having the ability to work for multiple entities are not indicative of his or her status as an independent contractor. Additionally, according to the rule, a company’s ability to set prices for goods or services provided by the worker can be indicative of employee status. These provisions clearly target on-demand companies and workers who have thrived in the twenty-first century “gig economy.” The independent contractor proposed rule would have immediate and long-term disruptive effects on millions of workers and thousands of businesses at a time when the economy is facing high inflation rates. A study by Upwork estimates that 59 million Americans performed freelance work in 2021 and contributed $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy. Small and large businesses in hospitality, healthcare, education, agriculture, transportation, construction, finance, law, housing, entertainment, and more utilize independent contractors to meet their needs. This allows businesses to have a dynamic workforce while giving workers the autonomy and flexibility they prefer. It is clear the proposed rule’s attempt to restrict this flexibility for businesses and workers will be disruptive. The proposed rule is also overwhelmingly unpopular. Our offices have heard from various individuals and groups worried that this proposed rule will destroy the flexibility and entrepreneurial opportunity that comes with being an independent contractor. Studies and surveys show that independent contractors prefer to remain independent by huge margins. The 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics Contingent Worker Survey found that less than one out of every 10 independent contractors would prefer traditional employment status. A Morning Consult poll found that 77 percent of app-based workers prefer to remain independent contractors and that 80 percent work using app-based platforms for 20 or less hours per week. An MBO Partners survey found a vast majority of independent workers say they are happier and healthier as independent contractors. One study found that 68 percent of new freelancers say that “Career Ownership” is a top draw, and 78 percent cited “schedule flexibility” as a key reason for freelancing. In fact, independent contracting work is so attractive that fifty-six percent of non-freelancers say they are likely to freelance in the future. Individuals such as ride-share and delivery drivers, financial advisors, direct sellers, truckers, and franchisees view their independent contractor status as enabling the pursuit of the American Dream. Innovations and on-demand companies have opened doors for these individuals to make their own hours and pursue other economic opportunities. The proposed rule would damage this model and hurt their livelihood. We urge DOL not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to this negative impact on workers and businesses, the test’s lack of clarity, and the devastating consequences for the U.S. economy. The proposed rule will jeopardize millions of individuals’ independent contractor status under the FLSA. Instead, DOL should maintain the 2021 rule, which was designed for the modern economy and brought clarity to workers and businesses. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8E01FC1B-AE4F-4163-B660-8B9AE7EF509F,Thune Honors Retiring Senator Richard Burr,2022-12-14,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) on the Senate floor. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, it’s hard to believe that my friend Richard Burr is leaving Congress. “He’s someone I’ve known since my days in the House of Representatives, and we’ve been friends from the beginning. “And it’s difficult to imagine serving in the Senate here without him. “Our wives are very close friends as well, and we’ve had many wonderful times with the Burrs. “I’ve enjoyed hosting Richard in South Dakota on a number of occasions. “Richard is an outdoors guy like I am, and he fits right in in South Dakota – well, except for the fact that he’s the only guy not wearing socks. “One of our favorite pastimes in South Dakota is pheasant hunting, and I’ve had Richard out to South Dakota during pheasant season on more than one occasion. “He’s a great shot. “And – as I discovered when Kimberley and I visited Richard and Brooke in North Carolina – he’s also a great handyman. “Apparently he thinks his guests should be as well, since he put me right to work on a new door he was installing. “But I was well-paid for my trouble with the meal Richard cooked for us. “One of the privileges of visiting Richard is getting to enjoy his cooking. “He is an outstanding cook – he can really make anything. “I’m not saying he should open a restaurant in his retirement, but if he did, I would certainly be the first in line at the opening. “Richard has certainly left his mark on Washington. “His car – a 1974 Volkswagen ‘Thing,’ often parked outside the Russell building with the top down, no matter the season, and adorned with his colleagues’ campaign stickers – was a fixture of Capitol Hill. “And Richard – who as well as being a handyman is a capable mechanic – could often be found working under the Thing’s hood to keep it running. “A true labor of love. “But, Mr. President, in this chamber, of course, what Richard is really known for is being an outstanding legislator. “He’s always been someone who knows how to get things done, how to build a coalition and get legislation across the finish line. “And that’s evident in his record of accomplishment here in the Senate. “Promoting medical research and innovation. “Supporting veterans. “Changing the way student loan interest rates are set to save families money. “Working to ensure that child-care settings are safe and high-quality. “Establishing ABLE accounts for individuals with disabilities to help better their lives. “And the list goes on. “Long before COVID, Richard was working to prepare our nation to respond to the threat of a disaster or a pandemic, and since COVID, he has worked to ensure that our nation’s future pandemic response reflects the lessons we have learned. “Richard has been a strong advocate for his state, in particular for North Carolina veterans. “He’s worked to bring new VA facilities to North Carolina and to ensure that veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune receive VA medical care. “I think all of us get into this life in the hope that we can one day leave Congress knowing that we have done something to make life better for our fellow Americans. “Richard can leave Congress with that assurance. “Mr. President, I will miss Richard. “It’s a privilege and a blessing when you are able to serve with a friend for so long. “And I will miss our daily interactions. “But I know that in Congress or not, our friendship will endure. “I look forward to seeing all that Richard will do in his next chapter, and to many more happy hours spent with the Burrs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=37082283-23A9-4BE1-A401-36ED97AE5CAD,"Thune Discusses His Broadband Oversight Effort, Presses Agencies to Cut Bureaucratic Red Tape for Broadband Infrastructure",2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, today helped lead a subcommittee hearing entitled, “Ensuring Solutions to Meet America’s Broadband Needs.” During the hearing, Thune discussed his nationwide broadband oversight effort that will hold agencies accountable and ensure that previously authorized broadband funding is being used in the most efficient way possible to protect taxpayer dollars. Thune also highlighted his bipartisan Rural Internet Improvement Act, legislation that would streamline and bolster U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development broadband programs and ensure that their funding is being targeted to rural areas that need it the most. As part of Thune’s broadband oversight effort, today he sent letters to the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Transportation (DOT), and USDA regarding each of the agencies’ implementation of Thune’s MOBILE NOW Act that was signed into law in 2018, which, among other things, helped cut through the bureaucratic red tape associated with building broadband networks. Full letter to DOD here. Full letter to DOI here. Full letter to DOT here. Full letter to USDA here. Thune recently sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General Peggy Gustafson for her failure to fulfill congressionally mandated oversight of previously authorized broadband funding. Thune also sent a letter to a diverse group of stakeholders, including broadband associations, public interest groups, and free-market think tanks to seek their input on the current broadband regulatory structure. Thune’s opening remarks (as prepared for delivery): “Thank you, Chairman Lujan for holding today’s hearing. “I’d like to begin by saying it’s a been a pleasure to lead this subcommittee with you these past couple of years, and I look forward to continue working with you on a number of important issues before this subcommittee next Congress. “One of those issues is ensuring Americans have access to reliable broadband services. “The expansion of these services to more rural areas has long been a priority of mine here in the Senate. “And since March of 2020, Congress has allocated billions of dollars for broadband-related services through COVID-19 pandemic relief packages, and most recently through passage of the infrastructure bill which provided broadband funding at a price tag of over $64 billion. “The nearly $80 billion for broadband specific projects, on top of the billions of dollars the FCC disburses annually under its Universal Service Fund, is an unprecedented amount of money. “The good news is that for those areas where certain connectivity challenges remain unresolved, this funding, in addition to the sustained investments made by telecommunications providers across the country, should help close the digital divide. “The bad news is that this funding is spread out over 15 separate agencies and 133 programs with the lion’s share of the funding going through NTIA. “This is deeply concerning. “As I argued when Congress was debating the infrastructure bill, NTIA has previously fumbled attempts to bring broadband access to more communities. “Back in 2009, the stimulus bill allocated $4.7 billion to NTIA to expand broadband access in rural and unserved areas. “It didn’t go very well. “The agency struggled with implementation and there were serious issues with a number of the projects the agency approved. “Other projects resulted in a significant amount of overbuilding – meaning that they resulted in the construction of additional broadband infrastructure in areas that already had access to reliable broadband at the taxpayer’s expense. “More recently, last year NTIA called for volunteers to help determine how to allocate the $1.5 billion Congress provided NTIA for certain broadband programs. “That is unacceptable. “And I’m afraid without stringent oversight, NTIA will make, and has already made, the same mistakes when managing the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment program and Tribal Broadband Connectivity program. “That is why last week, I began an oversight effort to review the numerous federal broadband programs. “Oversight of how these dollars are being spent is necessary to avoid agencies misusing billions of taxpayer dollars and more importantly, to ensure the funding is actually going to areas that are truly unserved. “If there are changes that need to be made to the various programs Congress has established, we need to get to work to make sure they are as effective as possible and work as Congress intended. “One such program we’ve begun work to make necessary improvements to is USDA’s ReConnect Program. “I was pleased to partner with Chair Lujan and Senators Klobuchar and Fischer in introducing the Rural Internet Improvement Act—legislation that will streamline USDA’s broadband authorities and target funding to areas most in need. “We must also recognize the federal government will not solve the digital divide on its own. “It’s important we maintain a regulatory framework that promotes investment and allows telecommunications companies to make the kind of choices that have resulted in strong networks. “Unlike other countries, broadband providers in the United States were able to keep Americans connected when demands for fixed and mobile networks soared during the pandemic. “This is largely because of the United States’ light-tough regulatory approach to broadband policy, which has incentivized the private sector to make network reliability, affordability, and resiliency a priority. “Finally, we must tackle permitting hurdles that delay the buildout of broadband infrastructure. “My MOBILE NOW Act, which was signed into law in 2018, has been an effective tool in moving the federal government in the right direction, but I continue to hear concerns about unnecessary delays and costs associated with broadband permitting. “The agencies processing permitting requests need to be held accountable if they are not meeting deadlines. “Which is why today I’m sending requests to several federal agencies on the steps they have taken to implement MOBILE NOW’s broadband siting mandates. “For too long we’ve talked about bridging the digital divide. “It’s time to actually do it. “And the only way that happens is if this Committee actually utilizes its important oversight responsibilities to ensure the agencies under its jurisdiction make smart, targeted investments that use taxpayer dollars responsibly. “Anything short of that will result in government waste leaving Americans still unconnected. “I want to thank each of the witnesses for being here today, and I look forward to the discussion. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9861D29B-0C37-4C70-AC53-289995D5EC49,Thune: Ending the Security and Humanitarian Crisis at the Southern Border Must Be a Bipartisan Priority,2022-12-13,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. Thune noted that the Biden administration has escalated this crisis by failing to implement meaningful policies to deter illegal immigration. Thune also discussed November’s Consumer Price Index report, which shows inflation has increased 13.8 percent since President Biden took office. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, last Tuesday President Biden was asked why he wasn’t taking the opportunity to visit the border while traveling to Arizona. “His reply? “‘Because there’s a more important thing going on.’ “‘… a more important thing going on.’ “Mr. President, no offense to new investment, but if President Biden thinks that visiting a plant to celebrate new investment is MORE important than the security and humanitarian crisis raging on our southern border, then his priorities are seriously out of order. “But, of course, we already knew that. “This is hardly the first time the president has made it clear that he thinks of the crisis at our southern border as just an annoying distraction from what he’d rather be doing as president. “In fact, he’s shown a remarkable ability throughout his presidency to ignore or minimize crises that he isn’t interested in dealing with. “‘… there’s a more important thing going on.’ “Mr. President, I venture to suggest that for overwhelmed border communities struggling with an apparently never-ending influx of illegal immigration, there isn’t anything more important going on. “And the president’s trivializing of our border crisis is a serious betrayal of the responsibility he owes to these Americans – and to all Americans. “The situation at our southern border is out of control – and has been that way for most of the president’s administration. “Over this past weekend alone, Customs and Border Protection encountered more than 16,000 individuals attempting to cross our southern border illegally. “That’s an average of 8,000 per day – higher than the daily average in May, which posted the highest number of attempted illegal crossings ever recorded. “October saw a staggering 230,678 attempted illegal crossings along our southern border. “All told, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered nearly 2.4 million individuals attempting to cross our southern border illegally during fiscal year 2022. “That is the highest number ever recorded, exceeding the previous record set the year before by roughly 640,000. “And of course these numbers just refer to individuals the Border Patrol actually apprehended. “There have been almost 1 million known “gotaways” over the past two fiscal years. “And an untold number of unknown gotaways. “Mr. President, President Biden’s comment doesn’t just trivialize the scope of this crisis; it also trivializes the human misery that has resulted. “At least 853 migrants died crossing the southern border in fiscal year 2022, the highest number ever recorded. “It’s hard to imagine that that number wouldn’t have been smaller if President Biden had gotten serious about addressing this border crisis instead of inviting illegal immigration with his lax border policies. “I mentioned overwhelmed border communities. “I should also mention the incredible strain the past two years have placed on the Border Patrol, which has been forced to divert agents from border enforcement to the overwhelmed humanitarian mission. “And then of course there’s the very real danger represented by unchecked illegal immigration, including the risk of dangerous individuals entering our country undetected and the potential for increased drug trafficking. “Illegal drugs are flowing across our southern border – and contributing to violent crime not just in border communities but in communities around the nation. “And that’s not to even mention our nation’s fentanyl crisis, which is being fed by drugs trafficked across – where else? – our southern border. “And our current border crisis is an open invitation to increased illegal drug activity. “But the president has more important places to be than the southern border. “Even though, I should point out, he’s never actually visited the southern border. “Not once. “The closest he got was literally driving by the border on the way to a campaign rally in 2008. “Mr. President, for border communities and strained Border Patrol agents, I venture to say that there is nothing more important than getting our nation’s border crisis under control. “But I guess they’ll just have to keep waiting. “After all, the president has more important things to do. “Mr. President, in other tone-deaf comments from the Biden administration last week, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said, and I quote, ‘Fiscal responsibility is very important to us in the Biden administration. We’re very well aware that we have to stay within our means economically. I think … you see that in everything we’ve tried to do these past two years.’ “Mr. President, when I read that I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry – or just be angry on behalf of the millions of Americans who are currently suffering as a result of Democrats’ lack of fiscal responsibility over the past two years. “Mr. President, we are currently in the midst of the worst inflation crisis in 40 years. “My daughters, who are married with their own children now, weren’t even alive the last time inflation was this bad. “November inflation numbers came out this morning, and they just confirmed what we already know – that we are still very much in the midst of this crisis. “Currently, inflation is up 13.8 percent since January 2021, when President Biden took office. “Even if our inflation crisis ended tomorrow, the inflation we’ve already experienced will cost the average household more than $9,000 over the next 12 months. “$9,000. “For a lot of families, that’s the difference between prosperity and just getting by. “For many others, it’s the difference between just getting by and not being able to get by at all. “And how did we get here, Mr. President? “Well, in substantial part thanks to the president’s and Democrats’ fiscal irresponsibility. “When Democrats took office in January 2021, Congress had just passed a fifth bipartisan COVID bill that met essentially all current pressing COVID needs. “But Democrats just wanted to keep spending. “And so despite being warned that the size of the package they were contemplating risked overheating our economy, under the guise of COVID relief Democrats passed a massive, partisan, $1.9 trillion spending bill filled with unnecessary spending and payoffs to Democrat interest groups. “And the economy overheated as a result. “Inflation began climbing. And climbing. And climbing again. “But what’s almost worse, Mr. President – and what makes the White House’s claim that they care about fiscal responsibility so incredibly ludicrous – is what Democrats and the president did next. “Even as it became clear that their massive spending spree had helped set off a serious inflation problem, Democrats and the president kept pushing for more spending. “In fact, their goal – which they were fortunately prevented from achieving – was passing another massive spending spree in the neighborhood of $5 trillion. “And even after that plan was foiled, Democrats and the president kept right on pursuing more fiscally irresponsible legislation. “In August Democrats passed legislation – their so-called Inflation Reduction Act – filled with hundreds of billions of dollars in Green New Deal spending partially financed by tax hikes that will raise energy prices and slow job creation. “Democrats tried to clothe the bill in an aura of fiscal responsibility by claiming – dubiously, I might add – that it would reduce the deficit by $300 billion. “Do you want to know how long that purported deficit reduction lasted once the bill was signed? “Eight days. “Eight days. “That’s how long it took for President Biden to completely wipe out any deficit reduction in the bill by implementing his massive student loan giveaway. “A giveaway that not only wipes out any possible deficit reduction but will also, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, ‘meaningfully boost inflation.’ “And yet we’re supposed to believe that the Biden administration values fiscal responsibility. “Mr. President, when it comes to fiscal responsibility, the Biden administration has demonstrated that it could not care less. “The Biden administration is interested in implementing the big-government priorities of the far left – no matter how much they cost. “And unfortunately, the American people are paying the price.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D1D03FDA-7AC9-4DB9-AE3E-4F77C3057D85,"Thune, Klobuchar, Hoeven, Baldwin Urge Federal Maritime Commission to Carefully Implement Key Ocean Shipping Reform Act Rule",2022-12-09,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) today urged Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel Maffei to provide additional clarity on the definition of “unreasonable” as it relates to refusal by ocean carriers to provide vessel space accommodations. “In order to ensure the law is faithfully implemented in a manner consistent with congressional intent, the definition of ‘unreasonable’ must adequately take into account both transportation and commercial-related factors when evaluating the behavior of an ocean carrier,” the senators wrote. “We agree with the Commission’s view that ‘commercial convenience alone is not a reasonable basis’ for refusal by an ocean carrier to deal or negotiate. However, we have questions about the breadth of the ‘transportation factors’ under the proposed rule. In particular, an ocean carrier might point to the ‘existence’ of ‘scheduling considerations’ as a basis for refusing to negotiate with a would-be exporter. We urge you to consider whether additional clarifying language about the magnitude of the ‘transportation factors’ might provide useful guidance to industry and align with the goal of promoting an efficient, competitive, accessible, and affordable global shipping market, consistent with congressional intent.” In June, Thune’s Ocean Shipping Reform Act was signed into law. The bill strengthens the authority of the FMC by providing it with new tools to help level the playing field for American exporters and counteract anticompetitive behavior. The bill would also help FMC more efficiently resolve disputes between ocean carriers and shippers, while also taking actions at the U.S. Department of Transportation to alleviate strain across the supply chain. Full letter below: The Honorable Daniel B. Maffei Chairman Federal Maritime Commission 800 North Capitol Street, NW Washington, DC 20573 Dear Chairman Maffei: We write regarding the Federal Maritime Commission’s recent notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) establishing a definition of unreasonable refusal by an ocean common carrier to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space accommodations, consistent with the requirement established in section 7 of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. The Commission’s implementation of this requirement is crucial to ensuring American exporters and importers alike have fair and competitive access to the global shipping market. Congress passed this landmark legislation, signed into law in June, to make it easier for American farmers and manufacturers to ship ready-to-export goods left waiting at our ports and to limit foreign ocean carriers’ ability to impose added fees on container handling. Section 7 of the Act sought to clarify that an “unreasonable” refusal by an ocean carrier to provide vessel space accommodations should constitute a prohibited practice under the Shipping Act of 1984. The need to require such a clarification arose specifically from reports of ocean carriers refusing certain export cargo – particularly agricultural cargo – even when vessel space was readily available, often opting to carry empty containers instead. In order to ensure the law is faithfully implemented in a manner consistent with congressional intent, the definition of “unreasonable” must adequately take into account both transportation and commercial-related factors when evaluating the behavior of an ocean carrier. We agree with the Commission’s view that “commercial convenience alone is not a reasonable basis” for refusal by an ocean carrier to deal or negotiate. However, we have questions about the breadth of the “transportation factors” under the proposed rule. In particular, an ocean carrier might point to the “existence” of “scheduling considerations” as a basis for refusing to negotiate with a would-be exporter. We urge you to consider whether additional clarifying language about the magnitude of the “transportation factors” might provide useful guidance to industry and align with the goal of promoting an efficient, competitive, accessible, and affordable global shipping market, consistent with congressional intent. Thoroughly defining what constitutes the ‘unreasonable’ refusal to deal with or negotiate as it relates to vessel space accommodations is a crucial component of our landmark shipping reform law. We greatly appreciate your attention to this issue and applaud your continued work to speedily implement the provisions of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our staff. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/south-dakota-prioritized-annual-defense-bill,South Dakota Prioritized in Annual Defense Bill,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which bolsters B-21 priorities and repeals the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military servicemembers. “Republicans fought for our nation’s military, and ultimately, we secured the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and a pay increase for servicemembers,”said Johnson. “The annual defense bill also includes oversight of funding to combat Russia’s attack on Ukraine and funding for the B-21. For sixty-two years, Congress has passed the annual defense bill, this year will be no different.” In July, Johnson urged U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Austin to reconsider the Department’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and issue uniform guidance that considers natural immunity. Johnson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3860, which prohibits forced COVID-19 vaccination or adverse action for refusal for members of the Armed Forces. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 7776):",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2E401B1B-7E87-4A3F-A95A-0A8B91DDA7CB,"Thune, Wicker Call Out U.S. Commerce Department IG for Neglecting Mandated Broadband Oversight Duties",2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today sent a letter calling out U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General (IG) Peggy Gustafson for failing to fulfill mandated congressional oversight of previously authorized broadband funding. As a result of IG Gustafson’s dereliction of duty, taxpayer dollars intended for broadband services are subject to waste, fraud, and abuse. “Contrary to the requirements of the law, you have failed to fulfill your duties required by Congress,” the senators wrote. “This is deeply concerning for two reasons: [First,] [the National Telecommunications and Information Administration] has a long and well-documented history of misusing federal dollars when attempting to expand broadband access; and [second] your office has had a significant and ongoing problematic history. Further, Congress has recently heard testimony of funds being used to overbuild existing broadband networks which makes it even more alarming your office would disregard its oversight responsibilities.” Earlier this week, Thune launched a nationwide broadband oversight effort that will review numerous broadband programs spanning several federal agencies. The primary goal of Thune’s effort is to hold these agencies accountable and ensure that previously authorized broadband funding is being used in the most efficient way possible to protect taxpayer dollars. Thune recently sent a letter to a diverse group of stakeholders, including broadband associations, public interest groups, and free market think tanks to seek their input on the current broadband regulatory structure. Full letter below: The Honorable Peggy E. Gustafson Inspector General U.S. Department of Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20230 Dear Inspector General Gustafson: As you know, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), housed under the Department of Commerce, is a major driver in fulfilling the Department’s mission to provide reliable broadband services to all Americans. One of the numerous programs aimed at closing the digital divide is NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). Established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260), the TBCP has received nearly $3 billion in funding to support broadband deployment, telehealth, distance learning, broadband affordability, and digital inclusion in Tribal areas. NTIA awarded its first grant under the program on November 16, 2021, and to date, the agency has provided roughly $1.5 billion to over 100 projects. To ensure taxpayer dollars are used in the most efficient manner possible, Congress required the Commerce Department's Inspector General (IG) to review TBCP grants awarded by NTIA and make recommendations to address any waste, fraud or abuse with respect to these grants. Specifically, the IG is required to provide its recommendations and report no later than six months after the first TBCP grant was awarded and every six months thereafter. Thus, based on the timing of TBCP grants awarded by NTIA, the first IG report was due on May 16, 2022, and a second report was due on November 16, 2022. Contrary to the requirements of the law, you have failed to fulfill your duties required by Congress. This is deeply concerning for two reasons: 1) NTIA has a long and well-documented history of misusing federal dollars when attempting to expand broadband access; and 2) your office has had a significant and ongoing problematic history. Further, Congress has recently heard testimony of funds being used to overbuild existing broadband networks which makes it even more alarming your office would disregard its oversight responsibilities. Please provide a specific timeline by Friday, December 16, 2022, as to when Congress will receive your recommendations as mandated by Congress. We urge you to carry out the duties Congress has entrusted to your office. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4825FDA0-5E26-4D3E-BBA3-40A5673E8F23,Thune Honors Retiring Senator Rob Portman,2022-12-08,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored retiring U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on the Senate floor. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, in just a few weeks my friend Rob Portman will be leaving the Senate. “Rob is someone I’ve gotten to break bread with a lot of times during our years together in the Senate, and we have become really good friends. “And I will miss having him here. “Rob has spent a lot of years in public service. “Twelve years in the House of Representatives. “U.S. trade representative. “Director of the Office of Management and Budget. “And, finally, twelve years in the Senate. “I’ve served with him on the Senate Finance Committee for nearly 10 years, and his going is a huge loss. “He played an indispensable role in the historic tax reform legislation we passed in 2017, particularly with the transition to a modernized international tax system. “Our outdated international tax rules had left America’s global businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy. “And one of our priorities when it came time to pass tax reform was ensuring that American businesses could compete on a level playing field with their foreign counterparts. “Between his time in Congress and as director of OMB and U.S. trade representative, Rob has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to American economic competitiveness and the international tax system. “And he quickly became the lead on that aspect of tax reform. “Our final legislation brought the U.S. international tax system into the 21st century by replacing our outdated “worldwide” system with a modernized territorial tax system, so that American businesses are not operating at a disadvantage next to their foreign competitors. “And we saw an almost immediate positive effect for American businesses – which, of course, means that we saw positive results for American workers. “And that is really in large part thanks to Rob. “It’s an important legacy – and it joins Rob’s long list of achievements in public service, from restraining unfunded mandates on states, to securing resources for addiction prevention and treatment, to advancing a pro-growth trade agenda good for American workers and businesses alike. “He’s also been a strong voice for American leadership and values on the global stage, especially as a co-founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. “Mr. President, it is sad to see Rob leaving the Senate. “But he’s spent a lifetime helping to build up our country, and I know his contributions won’t end here. “I’m also happy that he will have more time to spend with his family and with his wife Jane. “Jane is terrific – like me, Rob married up – and I know Rob is looking forward to having more time to relax together. “I also know Rob is planning to get more involved in the family business – the Golden Lamb inn and restaurant in Lebanon, Ohio, which has played host to at least a dozen U.S. presidents over the years. “And, as I said, while Rob’s time in the Senate may be coming to a close, I know that he fully intends to continue doing what he’s been doing throughout his career – working to make our country a better, more prosperous place. “Rob, congratulations on your years in the Senate. “I hope you get some well-deserved rest in the coming months. “And I look forward to seeing your next chapter.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D99F4F91-82A5-42EE-8FD4-852158E5CDBF,Thune: Biden Administration’s Radical ESG Policies Have Real-World Impacts,2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his concerns regarding President Biden’s far-reaching environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda. Thune noted that the administration has failed to examine the impact ESG policies will have on the price of food and energy, and he warns that these overreaching regulations could result in serious consequences for essential industries within our economy. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, when it comes to the actions of a party or a presidential administration, legislation sometimes grabs the lion’s share of the attention. “But it’s equally important to pay attention to what a presidential administration does with its regulatory power. “And the Biden administration has been characterized by a lot of deeply troubling regulations. “The so-called Inflation Reduction Act may be Democrats’ most prominent Green New Deal effort, but the Biden administration’s radical environmental agenda doesn’t stop there. “The president has also been using regulations to push through Democrats’ Green New Deal fantasies. “And these ill-considered, overreaching regulations could have very serious consequences. “Later today, I will send a letter to the president about his attempts to use financial and securities regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve to push through environmental, social, and governance – or ESG – regulations that seek to choke off investment to essential industries like oil and natural gas and American farms and ranches. “Notable among these is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed climate-disclosure rule, which would require publicly traded companies to disclose information not only about their own greenhouse gas emissions but also about those of their suppliers and even their customers. “It would also require companies to determine the effects of climate-related risks on each line item of their consolidated financial statements. “To start with, this rule is obviously unworkable. “Companies have zero control over the emissions of their suppliers and customers, and little to no ability to accurately gauge those emissions. “But the most serious aspect of this proposed rule is the fact that it represents a clear effort to coerce companies to sever ties with certain industries – notably, of course, the conventional energy industry, but also with other industries like agriculture. “And it’s hardly the only regulatory action of its kind proposed by the Biden administration. “The Department of Labor just finalized a rule that would, in practice, require pension fiduciaries to consider climate change and ESG factors when making investment decisions, irrespective of their pecuniary relevance. “The Federal Reserve – which I believe has zero business inserting itself into debates over climate policy – recently established a pilot program to analyze climate-related financial risks for the nation’s largest banks – something that clearly exceeds the Fed’s statutory authority. “Similarly, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Fed have issued draft principles for large banks on ‘climate-related financial risk management.’ “And the list goes on. “Mr. President, private companies, of course, have the right to consider whatever factors they want when determining what companies they will do business with and what they will invest in. “But the federal government should not be making those decisions for them. “The president and his cronies in the far-left environmental movement may like the idea of choking off investment to the fossil fuel industry and other industries to hasten the arrival of their fantasy Green New Deal future. “But reducing or eliminating investment in conventional energy and other essential industries is likely to create a nightmare for American families and American businesses. “I am – and have long been – a strong supporter of alternative energy. “But the fact of the matter is, we are still a long way away from being able to rely exclusively on alternative energy. “The technology that would enable us to rely solely on green energy simply doesn’t exist yet. “And pretending that we can rely exclusively on alternative energy isn’t going to change the reality, which is that we still need oil and natural gas – and will continue to need them for the foreseeable future. “Choking off investment to the conventional energy industry isn’t going to magically bring about the Green New Deal future. “But it is going to reduce essential energy supplies. “And that in turn is going to increase energy prices. “It’s going to increase energy prices for American families. “And it’s going to increase energy prices for American businesses. “If Democrats succeed in reducing investment in oil and natural gas, we could be looking at a very serious reduction in our supply of conventional energy – and correspondingly serious price hikes. “And there’s reason to be concerned that Democrats aren’t just interested in choking off investment in oil and natural gas, but in agriculture as well because of natural livestock emissions and farming inputs like fertilizer. “The National Credit Union Administration published a since-rescinded strategic plan that seemed to recommend that credit unions reduce their membership and loan offerings in farming communities. “And South Dakota banks and credit unions have repeatedly expressed their concerns to my office that the president’s far-reaching ESG agenda could ultimately damage their ability to extend capital to their farm and ranch clients. “Should investment in agriculture also drop off, we could be looking not only at higher energy prices but at higher food prices as well – and, possibly, actual food supply issues. “And between higher energy prices and higher food prices, the kind of financial hardship Americans have been experiencing during our current inflation crisis could become a fixture for the long term. “Mr. President, Democrats still like to think of themselves as the party of the little guy. “But the truth is, they’ve become the party of extreme special interests. “And the little guy often ends up getting sacrificed as a result. “Since President Biden and Democrats took office two years ago, ordinary Americans have faced almost nonstop financial challenges thanks to the inflation crisis Democrats helped create with their massive American Rescue Plan spending bill. “And if the president’s ESG agenda continues unchecked, that diminished prosperity could last indefinitely. “In the letter I will send to the president later today, I urge his administration to consider the real-world effects of rules and regulations on ordinary families and American businesses – and to refrain from regulatory actions that would drive up prices even further. “I hope the president will listen. “But if past is prologue, then I am worried that we are looking at two more years of extreme Democrat policies – and two more years of economic suffering for the American people.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F051DE95-12EC-4E43-A7B5-EDB44E6D7720,Thune Urges President Biden to Be Honest About Real-World Costs of Climate Agenda,2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today led his colleagues in calling out President Biden and his administration for forcing their radical environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies onto the American economy in pursuit of their unrealistic environmental agenda. The letter highlights various actions by financial regulators that threaten to choke off certain industries’ access to capital, which could increase the price of food and energy for businesses and families in the midst of record-high inflation. “All of these actions have real-world impacts that your administration would be well served to evaluate,” the senators wrote. “For instance, establishing rules, strategic plans, and principles to coerce financial institutions and other firms to limit their lending and exposure to certain businesses drives up prices on consumers. Choking off access to capital for companies in the energy sector in an attempt to decimate the fossil fuels industry drives up the cost of fuel and electricity at a time of record costs, further stoking inflation. Discouraging lending to farming and ranching communities in an attempt to reduce natural livestock emissions strains supply chains and increases the cost of food. Therefore, it would be prudent for your administration to actually take the time to evaluate the costs its actions are directly and indirectly imposing on American businesses and families, as well as conduct the necessary analysis as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act. As our nation continues to grapple with record-high inflation, administrative actions that increase prices should be the last thing on your agenda.” The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). In July, Thune led his colleagues in introducing the Food and Energy Security Act, legislation that would prohibit the Biden administration from forcing its ESG agenda onto the American economy. It would also require federal financial regulators to analyze the impact of their rules on businesses that are involved in the agriculture or energy supply chains and how those rules could affect food and energy prices for consumers. Thune recently called on the White House to examine the impact that its radical ESG policies will have on the price of food and energy before imposing these new rules and costs on American families. Fox News recently highlighted Thune’s effort to hold the Biden administration accountable for pursing ESG policies. Full letter below: The Honorable Joseph Biden President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington, D.C. 20502 Dear President Biden: As we turn to a new Congress in a few weeks, we write to draw your attention to our ongoing concerns with your administration’s unrealistic environmental agenda and focus on government-imposed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. While businesses may elect to pursue their own ESG agendas as part of a free-market society, the heavy-handed imposition from the federal government will have (and in some cases, already has had) negative real-world impacts on our economy and American families, especially by deepening the ongoing energy and inflation crises. In the nearly two years since you were sworn into office, your administration has made countless efforts to push through its sweeping environmental agenda through the financial regulators. These efforts, though sold by administration officials as steps necessary to mitigate climate risks, are solely an attempt to strong-arm financial institutions and other firms into choking off capital to industries that are foundational to our nation’s economy, yet are continually villainized by the far left. One example of your administration’s overreach is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) proposed climate-disclosure rule that would not only require registrants to disclose information about their greenhouse gas emissions, but, in many cases, indirect emissions from upstream and downstream activities (i.e., their suppliers and customers) in their value chain – known as scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are not produced or even controlled by the regulated organization, making this rule entirely unworkable for any public company to comply with. The rule would also require registrants to comply with new financial impact metric disclosure requirements and determine the effects of certain climate-related events on each line item of their consolidated financial statements. The rule would almost certainly reduce or potentially even eliminate businesses’ access to the resources they need to operate, as it would discourage firms from investing in or extending capital to them. The SEC rule would be destructive for businesses in the energy and agriculture sectors, but to businesses, in particular small businesses, across all sectors of our economy as well. Equally alarming is the recently proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule that would similarly require certain federal contractors to publicly disclose not only their greenhouse gas emissions, but scope 3 emissions, compounding the burden imposed by the SEC. Ultimately, private companies would be disincentivized to apply for these federal contracts altogether, which would increase project costs for the federal government and harm taxpayers. Unfortunately, your administration’s efforts to use financial regulators to force through an unrealistic environmental agenda do not end there. After joining the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System, an organization with the stated agenda of “mobilizing mainstream finance to support the transition toward a sustainable economy,” the Federal Reserve announced a pilot program to analyze the climate-related financial risks for the nation’s largest banks. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and, most recently, the Federal Reserve have all published draft principles for climate-related financial risk management for large banks. The Department of Labor just finalized a rule that would, in practice, require pension fiduciaries to consider climate change and ESG factors in making investment decisions, irrespective of their pecuniary relevance. And last, but certainly not least, the National Credit Union Administration published a since-rescinded strategic plan that seemed to recommend credit unions need to alter their field of membership and loan offerings in farming communities. All of these actions have real-world impacts that your administration would be well served to evaluate. For instance, establishing rules, strategic plans, and principles to coerce financial institutions and other firms to limit their lending and exposure to certain businesses drives up prices on consumers. Choking off access to capital for companies in the energy sector in an attempt to decimate the fossil fuels industry drives up the cost of fuel and electricity at a time of record costs, further stoking inflation. Discouraging lending to farming and ranching communities in an attempt to reduce natural livestock emissions strains supply chains and increases the cost of food. Therefore, it would be prudent for your administration to actually take the time to evaluate the costs its actions are directly and indirectly imposing on American businesses and families, as well as conduct the necessary analysis as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act. As our nation continues to grapple with record-high inflation, administrative actions that increase prices should be the last thing on your agenda. Of course, financial institutions and other firms need to be mindful of their exposure to and concentration in certain industries to ensure safety and soundness. However, your administration must recognize that, though these ESG-type regulatory actions are generally targeted at the nation’s largest financial institutions and Wall Street firms, they have a trickledown effect on our nation’s community banks and credit unions that are feeling the pressure from Washington. These entities, which are essential for economic opportunity and stability across the country, are concerned about how your administration’s myopic environmental agenda could impede their ability to lend to their clients and foster the growth necessary to steer our economy away from a recession. And in rural communities, community banks and credit unions are acutely wary of how your administration’s overreach could harm their ability to lend to their agriculture clients. As you head into the second half of your current term, it is vitally important that your administration, prior to taking action and pumping out rules, actually look beyond the beltway and take into account the real-world impacts that financial regulators’ environmental actions have on businesses, families, and community banks and credit unions across the nation. This common sense is long overdue. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-mayorkas-end-devastating-drug-trafficking,Johnson to Mayorkas: End Devastating Drug Trafficking,2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged President Biden and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas to take all necessary actions to secure the southern border following a traffic stop on the Lake Traverse Reservation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 12.4 pounds of fentanyl pills and 3.6 pounds of fentanyl powder, enough to kill every South Dakotan four times. “While fentanyl busts of this magnitude sadly may be more common in some urban areas, this is rare for a South Dakota community – this is likely the largest drug bust in South Dakota’s history,” said Johnson. “I ask your administration to immediately take all legal and necessary actions at your disposal to secure the southern border, rectify the dangerous policies this administration has put in motion over the past year, and put an end to this devastating drug trafficking that is wreaking havoc on American families.” In October, Johnson met with Pennington County Sheriff-elect Brian Mueller to discuss crime in the area. Mueller relayed that the influx of drugs in the county are primarily coming from sources south of the United States and have caused an increase in violent crime. According to Mueller, the number one thing Congress can do to combat crime is secure the southern border. Click here to read the full letter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-fischer-and-colleagues-introduce-bill-giving-tribal-colleges-and-universities-a-stronger-voice-in-education-funding,"Rounds, Fischer and Colleagues Introduce Bill Giving Tribal Colleges and Universities a Stronger Voice in Education Funding",2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act. This legislation would give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them. “Leaders of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) know the needs of their organizations, faculty and students better than anyone else,” said Rounds. “This commonsense bill will enable TCUs to have a voice for how to meet those needs, and it will improve the effectiveness of federal resources. The inclusion of TCU partners will help support the work of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this bipartisan legislation, which will have a positive impact on the growth of TCUs for years to come.” “Tribal Colleges and Universities deserve a seat at the table,” said Fischer. “This legislation will ensure the Depts. of Education and Interior hear directly from TCU leaders about their specific needs and how federal resources can address them. I appreciate the strong, bipartisan support our bill has already received, and I’ll continue to work with my Senate colleagues to get this done.” Under the Department of Education, the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) advises the Secretaries of Education and Interior on programs serving tribes and their members. NACIE releases an annual report; however, the Department of Education does not have a process for considering NACIE’s report when developing its budget request. Furthermore, Department of Education tribal consultation sessions often do not allow the opportunity for TCU leaders to provide direct input. The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act would address these challenges by requiring at least one of NACIE’s members to be the president of a TCU. Additionally, it would require the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider NACIE’s annual report when preparing their budgets each year. Rounds and Fischer were joined by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CA3397AE-E1B2-42EB-9999-DAB0D463BDE3,"Thune: ESG Policies are Contributing to Higher Food, Energy Prices",2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on the White House to examine the impact that its radical ESG policies will have on the price of food and energy before imposing these new rules and costs on American families. Thune’s remarks below: “In South Dakota, the Public Utilities Commission is basically telling people that ‘expect heating costs to go up this year.’ And nationally, the National Energy Information Administration is saying that heating your home this year is going to increase 28 percent, and that's on top of double-digit increases last year. “And I think you can attribute all of this to the lack of a coherent energy policy by the Biden administration. And so the question is, what can we do to bring energy costs down? “And I think one is adopt an all-of-the-above energy strategy, that is American energy independence. When I say all the above, I'm talking about oil, and gas, and biofuels, and nuclear, and wind, and solar, and all of the above. Unleash American energy production in this country, and quit turning outside the United States for our energy needs. “Secondly, is to end the hostility that this administration has toward oil and gas production in this country. They have adopted this agenda called the ESG agenda, environmental, social and governance agenda, which is designed to limit or prevent production or investment in production in certain areas of our economy. Namely, oil and gas, and we would also argue in farm country, agriculture, farms, and ranches. “And what I'm going to do later this week is I'm going to be asking the administration, before they implement any of these policies, to look at the impact that these ESG policies are going to have on the cost of food and energy in this country. I think the American people deserve to know how much these policies coming out of this administration are impacting the cost of everything that they buy on a daily basis.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D7B4C37C-5084-4E00-B430-7CE7533056D1,Thune Launches Nationwide Broadband Oversight Effort,2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, today announced that he will be launching a nationwide oversight effort that will review numerous broadband programs spanning several federal agencies. The primary goal of Thune’s effort is to hold these agencies accountable and ensure that previously authorized broadband funding is being used in the most efficient way possible to protect taxpayer dollars. In a letter sent today, Thune seeks input on the current broadband regulatory structure from a diverse group of stakeholders, including broadband associations, public interest groups, and free market think tanks. “I’m committed to expanding access to broadband services and strengthening connectivity in rural areas in South Dakota and around the nation,” said Thune. “In order to ensure rural communities have access to these services, it is critical for federal agencies to efficiently spend funds on the areas that need it the most. Every federal dollar that has been spent should go toward the stated purpose of expanding connectivity to truly unserved areas. Congressional oversight has been noticeably absent in these areas, and there is serious concern that the federal government would repeat previous mistakes where agencies’ gross mismanagement of broadband funds fell on the backs of taxpayers across the country. It is time for Congress to exercise its oversight responsibilities and hold the government accountable to hardworking taxpayers.” Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has allocated nearly $80 billion in federal broadband investments. Additionally, the so-called American Rescue Plan allocated $350 billion for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments that can be used for broadband infrastructure. Due to this unprecedented amount of funding for broadband-related services, Thune believes stringent oversight of how these dollars are being spent is necessary to avoid agencies misusing billions of taxpayer dollars. Full letter below: Dear stakeholder: Fixed and mobile broadband services are vital to America’s communities. The expansion of these services has played a critical role in ushering advancements in health care, education, economic development, and much more. As you know, Congress has allocated billions of dollars with the intent to expand these services to unserved areas. More than a year has passed since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law. As part of the IIJA, Congress provided a $65 billion investment in broadband services, the majority of it going to the Broadband, Equity, Affordability, and Deployment (BEAD) program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In addition to NTIA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury), play a role in advancing broadband services across the United States. Additionally, multiple other agencies and states have adopted programs to help support the expansion of broadband services. In fact, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently found that broadband funding is spread out over 15 separate agencies and more than 130 separate programs. The fragmented approach the federal government has taken to address the digital divide raises a number of concerns. As GAO noted, “U.S. broadband efforts are not guided by a national strategy with clear roles, goals, objectives, and performance measures.” This creates a serious risk of misallocating the broadband funding Congress has appropriated which may result in billions of taxpayer dollars being spent with little to show. As a longtime member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications services, I believe it is imperative Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities and seeks feedback on how to best expand broadband services in the most effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner so that we can close the digital divide once and for all. Absent such oversight, there is a significant risk the federal government will repeat the mistakes of the past where agencies misused billions of dollars and overbuilt networks. In light of the importance of ensuring federal dollars for broadband services are implemented properly and broadband deployment more generally, I ask you to provide your organization’s comments on the current broadband regulatory structure and your organization’s priorities, as well as provide responses to the following specific questions no later than Friday, January 6, 2023: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-specific Issues: As part of the IIJA, Congress established a technology-neutral approach for the BEAD program. Do you believe NTIA followed Congress’ intent in establishing a technology-neutral approach? If not, should Congress consider amending the IIJA statute to make it more explicit that all technologies are allowed to participate? If so, how? In the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), there are detailed reporting requirements on subgrantees who do not use a unionized workforce or a project labor agreement. As a practical matter, do you think this favors certain providers over others? Does Congress or NTIA need to take further action to remove this requirement? The BEAD NOFO promotes government-owned networks. Do you believe government-owned networks are an effective entity to deploy broadband networks? If yes, please explain. One of the provisions of the IIJA requires products and materials used for broadband projects to be produced in the United States. Given the current supply chain issues, should Congress consider modifying this obligation or otherwise clarify this provision? The Broadband Buildout Accountability Act, S. 3671, would remove the Freedom of Information Act exemption in the BEAD program. Should Congress enact this legislative proposal? If not, why? Are there other technical issues in the BEAD program that Congress should address before NTIA announces funding allocations by June 30, 2023? General Broadband Issues: As noted above, there are over 130 programs supporting broadband access across 15 agencies. a. To date, which of these programs do you believe has had the most success in delivering broadband services to truly unserved areas? b. Should Congress consider eliminating any of these programs? If so, which ones? c. Should Congress merge and combine any of these programs? If so, which programs would be best suited to be merged? What specific reforms and constraints should Congress consider to ensure federal funds are not being awarded where providers are receiving other federal or state broadband funding support? Should Congress take additional action in response to concerns that broadband funding may be used to overbuild existing service? If so, what reforms and constraints should be implemented? Should Congress take additional action in response to concerns that broadband funding may be conditioned upon recipients imposing some form of rate regulation of broadband services, whether or not such requirements are explicitly denominated ""rate regulation?” If so, what reforms and constraints should be implemented? Should Congress take additional action in response to concerns that broadband funding may be conditioned upon recipients imposing some form of ""net neutrality"" mandates upon broadband services, whether or not such mandates are explicitly denominated ""net neutrality?” If so, what reforms and constraints should be implemented? How effective have the Memoranda of Understanding between the (1) the FCC, USDA, and NTIA, and (2) the FCC, USDA, NTIA, and Treasury been with respect to broadband coordination efforts? Are there additional reforms federal agencies should implement to better coordinate on broadband deployment efforts? Should Congress take steps to increase the transparency of agencies when allocating and disbursing broadband funds? If so, what steps should Congress take? What, if any, permitting regulations at the federal level are impeding broadband deployment? Does the FCC presently possess sufficient authority to preempt state and local requirements that may unreasonably impede the deployment of broadband networks? If not, what steps should Congress consider to address the unreasonable impediments? What specific steps can Congress take to reduce costs to broadband providers when deploying new networks? Would updating pole attachment regulations spur more rural broadband deployment? If so, what actions should be taken? How are federal broadband programs addressing cybersecurity challenges? Should Congress consider reforms to improve cybersecurity?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E92CA048-8D1B-49B5-AC0F-E347ED5E264B,Thune Honors Retiring Senators Blunt and Inhofe,2022-12-06,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today honored retiring U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) on the Senate floor. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, we’ll be losing several members to retirement at the end of this year, including my friend Roy Blunt. “Roy and I have served together for the majority of my time in the Senate. “And I also served with him for several years in the House of Representatives. “We started in the House at the same time, and we became friends right away. “Our wives have become friends as well, and it has been a joy over the years to host Roy and Abby in South Dakota, along with their son Charlie, and to visit them in Missouri. “On a personal level, I’m going to miss Roy a lot. “And the Senate as an institution is going to miss Roy as well. “Roy is someone who aspires to be involved in doing the hard things, and throughout his congressional career, he’s put himself forward for positions where he can make a difference. “He became chief deputy whip just two years after becoming a member of the House, and he was elected majority whip just four years later – winning the position earlier in his career than any member of Congress in eight decades. “It’s been a similar story in the Senate, where Roy was elected vice chairman of the Republican Conference in his first year. “In 2019, he became chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, which plays an important role in providing members and staff with the resources they need on the issues. “And he’s done that while also serving as the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee. “Mr. President, Roy has always been committed to doing the big things. “But he’s also very solutions-oriented, and very clear-eyed and practical about what’s achievable in a place where it’s hard to get things done. “He has a saying – “Never announce publicly what you won’t vote for.” “And what he means by that is that you shouldn’t back yourself into a position where you can’t support a good compromise – that while it’s not always possible to get everything you want, you shouldn’t let that stop you from doing as much good as you can. “Mr. President, Roy has done a lot of good work during his time in Congress. “And one of his lasting legacies will be his bipartisan achievements in the health care space, including his efforts to help create and expand the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics program to improve access to mental health care and championing medical research. “The facility housing the NIH’s Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias is actually named after Roy in honor of his longtime work to support dementia research. “And of course no mention of Roy’s legacy would be complete without mentioning his stalwart advocacy for the people of Missouri. “Mr. President, I will miss Roy. “And the Senate will miss Roy. “But I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve together, and I am happy that he will have more time to spend with Abby and with his children and grandchildren. “Roy has made a lasting impact here in Washington. “And I look forward to seeing his next chapter. “Mr. President, shortly before Thanksgiving, one of the great icons of the Senate, Senator Jim Inhofe, gave his farewell speech. “And I wanted to take the time today to honor his service. “As I said, Jim is one of the icons of the Senate, and it is difficult to imagine things here without him. “Over his 28-year career, he has built an incredible legacy, particularly when it comes to building up our military and developing our relationships in Africa. “One of the first trips I took when I got to the Senate was a trip with Jim to Iraq and Germany to meet with some of our troops and talk to military leadership. “I like to think I’m a pretty energetic guy, but I was left in awe by Jim Inhofe. “He was like the Energizer bunny. “He left people half his age in the dust. “I don’t know anybody who works harder than Jim. “He leads by example. “And his legislative achievements are a tribute to his tireless service. “Mr. President, everyone knows that Jim Inhofe is an accomplished legislator. “But not everyone knows that Jim is also an accomplished pilot. “He has over 11,000 flight hours – I mentioned he’s like the Energizer bunny – and he has flown an airplane around the world. “I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to be his passenger once as we flew around Oklahoma, and it remains one of the best flights I have ever taken. “Mr. President, while I deeply admire Jim’s work ethic and his legislative achievements – and his piloting prowess – the thing I appreciate the most about Jim is that he is a man of deep and profound faith. “I’ve been blessed to gather with him and other senators for Bible study for a number of years now, and I don’t think he’s ever missed a session. “When I think about Jim, I think about the verse in 1 Peter that says, “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” “Jim Inhofe is always ready to give that defense. “Jim isn’t a man who pays lip service to his faith. “He models it and lives it. “In word and deed, he is a great ambassador for his Savior. “And I will miss his presence and his witness. “Mr. President, while I will miss Jim being in the Senate, I am glad that he and his beloved wife Kay will now have more time to spend together and with their children and grandchildren. “And I wish him the very best of retirements. “He has more than earned some time off. “Mr. President, I yield the floor.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-attends-b-21-raider-unveiling-ceremony,Johnson Attends B-21 Raider Unveiling Ceremony,2022-12-05,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) attended the B-21 Raider Unveiling ceremony in Palmdale, California. The ceremony was hosted by the United States Air Force and Northrup Grumman and revealed the next generation of stealth bomber technology. “The unveiling of the B-21 was a proud moment for our country, our defense community, and South Dakota,” said Johnson. “It won’t be long until Ellsworth Air Force Base is the ‘Home of the Raider’ – it took a lot of hard work from the delegation to get to this point, and I’m confident it will be an asset to the West River community and our military. I’m grateful I got to witness this moment.” Image",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-announces-nominations-to-us-service-academies-for-2023-2024-school-year,Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies for 2023-2024 School Year,2022-12-05,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated students for appointments to the nation’s service academies. Rounds nominated Kasey Broers of Pierre as his top nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. “It’s an honor to nominate our nation’s future military leaders to U.S. service academies,” said Rounds. “The U.S. service academies are among the most elite educational institutions in the world. After receiving a top-notch education, these South Dakotans will courageously serve our country as active-duty military members. We’re proud of Kasey, Ethan and Dustin for their desire to answer the call of duty to serve our nation.” ""I am extremely fortunate and thankful to be selected for Senator Rounds’ USNA principal nomination,” said Kasey Broers. “It is an honor and a dream come true. I would like to thank Senator Rounds and his committee for my selection as well as my family and friends for their continual support. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve my country as an officer in our great military."" “I have always wanted to devote myself to self improvement,” said Ethan Fergel. “West Point will help me to foster that within me to reach new heights as a leader while serving my country in the Army. I am elated to have the opportunity to serve the United States at West Point.” “I am beyond thankful to receive a principal nomination from Senator Rounds to the United States Air Force Academy,” said Dustin Hermansen. “This is a great honor for not only me and my family, but also the entire Aberdeen community. Ever since I served as a Senate Page in Washington D.C. this past summer, attending a service academy has been my primary goal. I am thankful for the teachers and coaches of the Aberdeen Public School District who have helped me get to this stage in my life, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.” Kasey Broers of Pierre – Principal Nominee, U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis) Kasey Broers is the son of John and Michelle Broers of Pierre, South Dakota. A senior at T.F. Riggs High School, Kasey is a member of the varsity soccer team and the Post 8 American Legion baseball team. He is involved in Gov 2 Gov, where he mentors underclassmen, and volunteers at Feeding South Dakota. Kasey also serves as treasurer of the National Honor Society and holds a 4.0 GPA. Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen – Principal Nominee, U.S. Military Academy (West Point) Ethan Fergel is the son of Brenda Steiger of Aberdeen, South Dakota. A senior at Aberdeen Central High School, Ethan participates in track, hockey and golf. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. Additionally, Ethan is a volunteer math tutor and Eagle Scout who holds a 3.98 GPA. Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen – Principal Nominee, U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs) Dustin Hermansen is the son of Charles and Jill Hermansen of Aberdeen, South Dakota. A senior at Aberdeen Central High School, Dustin is captain of the varsity football team and president of the National Honor Society. He is involved in Boys Nation, Speech and Debate, Future Business Leaders of America and Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout Award in 2020. Dustin is also a Sunday school teacher and holds a 3.99 GPA. In addition to the top candidate, Rounds may send up to nine competitive candidates per academy for consideration by that academy. Rounds has selected the students listed below to receive a competitive nomination. Each service academy admission board gives full and fair consideration to these nominees and will determine final appointments. U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis) Kasey Broers of Pierre, SD – Principal Wilson Miller of Rapid City, SD – Competitive Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive Keegan Thomas of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive Daniel Laufman of Mitchell, SD – Competitive Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive U.S. Military Academy (West Point) Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen, SD – Principal Levi Scepaniak of Aberdeen, SD – Competitive Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive Kasey Broers of Pierre, SD – Competitive w/LOA Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs) Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen, SD – Principal Anders Enga of Mitchell, SD – Competitive Maya Lee of Dell Rapids, SD – Competitive Jayda McNabb of Rapid City, SD – Competitive Trason Oehme of Brandon, SD – Competitive Lake Kistner of North Sioux City, SD – Competitive Daniel Laufman of Mitchell, SD – Competitive Gage Klatt of Sioux Falls, SD – Competitive Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen, SD – Competitive Jason Lenning of Harrisburg, SD – Competitive Students interested in attending a service academy go through a rigorous application process. Because the academies are highly competitive, students must meet eligibility requirements in leadership, physical fitness, character and scholarship. The young people joining the military directly from the academies are among the highest caliber our country has to offer, which is a result of the challenging training and education they received at U.S. service academies. Students applying for service academies are required to receive a Congressional nomination as part of the application process. Those appointed receive a scholarship and military appointment and are required to serve in the military for at least five years upon graduation. Individuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination for academic year 2024-2025 (Class of 2028) should apply by October 1, 2023. Questions about the academy nomination application process can be directed to Rounds’ Sioux Falls office by calling (605) 336-0486 or by emailing Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov. An informational packet and the application packet can be found on Senator Rounds’ website at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-issues-statement-on-former-presidents-call-to-terminate-the-united-states-constitution-,Rounds Issues Statement on Former President’s Call to Terminate the United States Constitution,2022-12-05,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the former president called for the termination of the United States Constitution: “Americans have a deep appreciation for the Constitution and our Founding Fathers who risked their lives to establish it. “As elected officials, we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. We should never dishonor that oath. No one is above the Constitution. “As I’ve said before, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would alter the results of the 2020 election. “Anyone who desires to lead our country must commit to protecting the Constitution. They should not threaten to terminate it. “In South Dakota, Mount Rushmore serves as an enduring reminder of that commitment and the stability our Constitution has provided for over 200 years. “Despite their imperfections, our Founding Fathers crafted a Constitution that has stood the test of time and sets America apart from the rest of the world. We continue to strive for a more perfect union. “I believe Americans want leaders, like those on Mount Rushmore, who will defend the Constitution and unite us in our belief that America is truly a shining city upon a hill.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F62010AC-E3AF-4457-8F34-0A9BA12935BE,Thune Statement on Proposed RFS Blending Targets,2022-12-02,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed “set” rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The “set” rule establishes future-year blending requirements for low-carbon biofuels, with EPA proposing modest growth over the next three years. “The EPA dropped the ball on its opportunity to set the RFS on a new trajectory that would leverage American biofuels amid record-high energy costs,” said Thune. “The limited increases in proposed volumes inadequately respond to the fact that the biofuels industry is poised to add significant production capacity and new fuel technology in the coming years. The administration had clear justification to set robust blending volumes to ensure this growth is truly additive to the RFS. I am concerned that the proposed volumes may either scare off new investment or displace conventional biofuels that have helped reduce prices and emissions in our fuel supply while also providing a key market for farmers. I look forward to a robust discussion about this proposal to ensure that the final volumes correspond with the ongoing growth in the biofuels sector. It’s also long past time for the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling to accurately reflect the environmental contributions of biofuels, which EPA should include in its final rule.” On December 1, 2022, the EPA released a proposed rule to establish required blending volumes for 2023, 2024, and 2025 under the RFS. The RFS provided statutory blending requirements through 2022, making this the first time EPA had the authority to set future volume targets. In its proposed rule, EPA acknowledged that it is overdue to update its modeling to determine the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels. In October, Thune led his colleagues in pressing the EPA to establish robust renewable volumes and provide regulatory certainty in the “set” rule for the RFS. An ardent supporter of higher ethanol blends like E15 fuel, Thune led the successful effort to restore summertime E15 sales for 2022 after repeatedly calling on the president to take action. Earlier this Congress, Thune introduced the Adopt Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation Act, bipartisan legislation that would fully recognize the greenhouse gas reductions achieved by modern biofuels. Thune also introduced a separate bill to approve advanced renewable fuel technologies and lower biofuel emissions, policies he has also urged President Biden to adopt.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bill-protect-tribal-members-second-amendment-rights,Johnson Introduces Bill to Protect Tribal Members Second Amendment Rights,2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Tribal Firearm Access Actto clarify that tribal governments are eligible entities to issue identification documents for the purposes of obtaining a firearm. “Under current law, foreign passports are acceptable identification documents for individuals to purchase firearms, but tribal IDs are not, Congress should right this wrong.” said Johnson. “A tribal ID is just as valid as a driver’s license – tribal members deserve equal access to their Second Amendment rights – the Tribal Firearm Access Act ensures that.” “The fundamental right to keep and bear arms is dependent on the ability to lawfully acquire firearms. The Tribal Firearms Access Act would ensure Native Americans can use identification issued by federally recognized tribal governments to transfer a firearm under federal law. On behalf of our millions of members and supporters across the country, we thank Rep. Dusty Johnson for defending the rights of law-abiding Native American gun owners and offering this important legislation,” said Jason Ouimet, Executive Director of NRA-ILA. “The NAIV, Inc. supports what Rep. Johnson’s bill would do and that is to put Indian tribal governments on an equal footing with other governments when it comes to issuing identification papers for purposes of firearms transactions,” said Don Loudner, enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, Inc. “NSSF supports this no-nonsense measure that will ensure fair and accurate background checks for the purchase of a firearm at the point-of-sale,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, National Shooting Sports Foundation. “The Firearm Industry Trade Association consistently advocates for improvements to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to confirm that only those who can be trusted to possess a firearm are able to purchase one from a firearm retailer. Our members rely on that system to be accurate and providing a means for tribal members to use their tribal identification cards will safeguard their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights while ensuring firearms remain out of the hands of those that cannot be trusted to possess them.” “The National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA) supports the commonsense approach to allow Photo Tribal Identification/Membership Cards to be utilized to purchase firearms. Many of Indian Country Tribal Members lack easy access to other forms of government approved identification. NNALEA realizes the importance of properly identifying purchasers of firearms. NNALEA believes the government approved Photo Tribal Identification/Membership Cards of Federally Recognized Tribes would be an important tool to achieve the lawful purchase of firearms. On behalf of our membership, we would like to thank you for your commitment to Indian Country issues,” said Gary L. Edwards, CEO, NNALEA. U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Don Bacon (R-NE), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) are original cosponsors of the legislation. Background: The Tribal Firearms Access Act would declare that identification documents issued by tribal governments are generally accorded the same treatment under federal criminal law as identification documents issued by the Federal Government or by a state or local government. This bill amends Section 1028(d) of Title 18 to include tribal governments as eligible entities to issue an identification document, highlighted below: (3) the term “identification document” means a document made or issued by or under the authority of the United States Government, a State, political subdivision of a State, a tribal government, a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance, a foreign government, political subdivision of a foreign government, an international governmental or an international quasi-governmental organization which, when completed with information concerning a particular individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identification of individuals;”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7A36D265-7FF0-42B9-87F0-3F9DD0D9FC4A,Thune: The Future is Bright for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the B-21 Bomber,2022-12-01,2022,2022-12,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke about the importance of Ellsworth Air Force Base, its airmen, and the surrounding community ahead of the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman’s unveiling of the new B-21 bomber, a sixth-generation aircraft that will revolutionize the Air Force’s long-range strike capabilities. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, tomorrow Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force will unveil the new B-21 bomber – a sixth-generation aircraft that will revolutionize the Air Force’s long-range strike capabilities. “I’ve had the special opportunity to see the first tails under development at Palmdale, and I am excited that this incredible feat of U.S. engineering will finally be unveiled to the American public – and to our adversaries. “It’s an exciting day for the Air Force. “And it’s an especially exciting day for Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, which was chosen to be the first home – Main Operating Base 1 – of the B-21 Raider. “Mr. President, we’ve come a long way at Ellsworth since I first came to the Senate. “Shortly after I took office, Ellsworth was recommended for closure by the Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission. “And so one of my first priorities as a U.S. senator became getting Ellsworth taken off the closure list. “Statistically speaking, our odds of pulling through were not high. “But thanks to an all-hands effort by the congressional delegation and state and community leaders, we won the day. “We were removed from the BRAC list that August. “And then we got right to work on building up the base so that we would never again find ourselves in the same position. “In 2007 the Air Force Financial Services Center opened at Ellsworth. “2011 saw the arrival of the 89th Attack Squadron, and its command and control stations for MQ-9 Reapers. “And in 2015 a nearly decade-long effort paid off with the quadrupling of the training air space for the base. “The Powder River Training Complex is now the largest training air space in the continental United States and can be used for large-force exercises that draw combat aircraft from across the country. “And it’s well-suited for B-21 training. “This is just one of the efforts we undertook to put Ellsworth in the best possible position to secure the B-21 mission. “And I am proud that it paid off with last June’s announcement that Ellsworth would become the “Home of the Raider.” “Mr. President, the B-21 represents a significant step forward in our long-range strike capabilities. “And it will come not a moment too soon. “Between chronic underfunding and a high operational tempo during the war on terror, our military preparedness became seriously strained. “A 2018 National Defense Strategy Commission report warned that our nation’s readiness had eroded to the point where we might struggle to win a war against a major power like Russia or China. “This was not just because of the wear and tear on our own forces, but also because of the significant investments being made by China and Russia in their militaries with the intent of neutralizing our military strengths. “We’ve made progress since then, but there is still a lot of work to be done. “And the importance of continued investment in our nation’s military and our technological edge cannot be overstated. “The events of the past year should remind us that there will always be bad actors who represent a threat to peace and freedom. “And being prepared to meet those threats is the best way of preserving peace and keeping our nation secure. “It’s disappointing that the National Defense Authorization Act – yearly legislation to authorize funding for our military and our national defense – has been so low on Democrats’ priority list this year. “We’re two months into fiscal year 2023, and yet the Senate still hasn’t taken up the 2023 bill. “Democrats were more focused on spending hundreds of billions on their Green New Deal priorities than they were on passing essential legislation for our nation’s defense. “As efforts continue to negotiate a way to bring the NDAA to the floor, I hope we are able to pass a comprehensive bill that rejects the president’s inadequate funding request and addresses all of our key defense requirements. “As always, one of my top priorities is ensuring that each year’s NDAA addresses the needs of our airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base. “Right now, I am working to ensure the base continues to receive full funding for the many equipment and support facilities that will be needed for the B-21 Raider mission. “In late October I had the opportunity of reviewing the progress at Ellsworth firsthand with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, and suffice it to say things are going to be very busy over the coming years. “The B-21 training and operational missions will require significant investments in new infrastructure, including a low-observable coating restoration facility and a radio frequency facility to support the Raider’s stealth properties, as well as a weapons generation facility to support its nuclear capability. “This NDAA will continue this essential military construction and ensure it remains on pace in preparation for the arrival of the B-21. “We also need to ensure Ellsworth remains a premier training space for our bombers, which is why I am pursuing a provision to require the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a pilot program to support the development of “dynamic airspace.” “Dynamic airspace, sometimes called adaptive airspace, refers to efficiently scheduling and managing airspace and adjusting airspace boundaries as military exercises or other flights proceed through them. “This concept will better enable the Pentagon to meet training requirements for aircraft like the B-21, which need larger volumes of training airspace to accommodate longer engagement distances. “And as always, while we prepare for the B-21 mission, I continue to work to ensure that our B-1s at Ellsworth receive all the resources they need to remain a responsive and lethal component of Global Strike Command, as they demonstrated in the just-completed Bomber Task Force deployment to Guam. “Mr. President, while updated planes and equipment are essential, as always our greatest resource is the men and women who wear the uniform. “And I will continue to work to improve quality of life for our Ellsworth airmen and their families. “More military families will be moving into the communities surrounding Ellsworth with the arrival of the B-21 mission, and another one of my priorities is making sure that the infrastructure is in place to provide ample support for these new families. “I worked to include a provision in this year’s NDAA that would allow the secretary of defense to continue to adjust basic allowance for housing rates if an installation is experiencing a sudden increase in the number of service members assigned there. “This will help ensure that families at Ellsworth and elsewhere will have the resources they need to secure appropriate accommodations. “I’m also working to ensure that the Douglas School District is able to integrate and support Air Force members’ children and provide sufficient classroom space. “And I’m grateful to the other members of South Dakota’s congressional delegation for working with me to ensure that this year’s NDAA will authorize up to $15 million in Impact Aid funding for schools experiencing force structure changes like the anticipated growth at Ellsworth. “Mr. President, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s unveiling of the B-21 Raider – and to that day in the near future when the first Raider lands at Ellsworth. “It’s an honor to be part of building up the base and to represent the men and women of Ellsworth in the United States Senate. “And I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our Ellsworth airmen – and all our men and women in uniform, in every branch of the military – have everything they need to carry out their missions.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:41:06Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2A109D53-8399-4068-B64B-7CEA26E4E69C,Thune Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Allow Year-Round E15 Sales,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in introducing the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022. The legislation would allow for the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10 percent, like E15. “The year-round sale of E15 is a common-sense way to leverage American agriculture and provide drivers with a clean and affordable fuel option,” said Thune. “I have long supported measures like this one that would give fuel retailers the certainty they need to offer E15 without seasonal interruption, which also benefits the biofuel industry – an essential market for South Dakota farmers.” The bill was led by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and was also co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=AFA2CFC5-C73A-4DE4-89C8-C350FCC54EBF,Thune: We Must Hold the IRS Accountable and Protect Taxpayer Dollars,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, today discussed how the Democrats’ attempt to supersize the IRS without holding the agency accountable to American taxpayers is dangerous and irresponsible. Thune also spoke about a series of bills he has introduced that would protect taxpayers and improve the IRS through increased transparency, oversight, and accountability. Thune previously introduced a bill that would protect taxpayers who are earning less than $400,000 from increased audits, as well as a separate bill, the Increase Reliable Services Now Act, that would prevent the IRS from hiring new enforcement employees until customer service has reached a more acceptable standard. Most recently, Thune introduced the IRS Funding Accountability Act, legislation that would give Congress a direct say in how the unprecedented $80 billion in new funding for the IRS could be spent. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, ask any group of Americans how they feel about the IRS, and you’re unlikely to come up with a lot of positive reviews. “And with good reason. “Repeated mishandling of taxpayer data – not to mention almost nonexistent customer service – is unlikely to gain any agency many fans. “And at this point, the IRS has a disturbing record of mishandling taxpayer information. “In the past two years alone, the IRS has inadvertently posted confidential information from 120,000 taxpayers on its website, destroyed 30 million unprocessed tax documents, and had troves of private taxpayer information end up in the hands of the left-leaning news site ProPublica. “And the agency’s customer service record might be even worse. “During fiscal year 2021, the agency answered just 11 percent of the 282 million calls it received. “11 percent. “That means that 250 million taxpayer calls went unanswered. “250 million. “And 2022 was no better. “During the 2022 filing season, 90 percent of taxpayers’ calls – 90 percent – went unanswered. “Any business with a customer service record like that would soon be out of business. “Mr. President, given the agency’s record, I think most Americans would say that the IRS is ripe for reform. “Democrats, however, apparently thought the IRS was ripe for more funding. “A lot more funding. “In August Democrats passed their so-called Inflation Reduction Act. “This legislation takes no meaningful steps to reduce inflation, but it does flood the IRS with a staggering $80 billion over the next 10 years, a sum equal to six times the agency’s 2022 budget. “That’s enough money to double the size of the IRS. “The bill provides for the hiring of as many as 87,000 new IRS employees – an estimate that came from President Biden’s Treasury Department. “That would make the IRS larger than Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard combined. “Mr. President, suddenly and dramatically increasing the size of any government agency is cause for concern. “Are there plans in place to make sure the money is used efficiently? “Can the agency in question handle such a swift expansion – and the increased responsibility that comes with it? “These are serious questions no matter what agency we’re talking about. “But these questions are particularly relevant when the agency in question is already doing a poor job of handling its basic responsibilities. “And yet despite the IRS’ record – despite the repeated breaches of taxpayer confidentiality and the nearly nonexistent customer service – Democrats passed legislation to double the size of the agency without including any meaningful accountability measures to ensure that the new funding is used responsibly. “I guess it’s not terribly surprising given that Democrats made it clear that their main interest in supersizing the IRS was increasing government revenue. “But it is deeply troubling. “We should not be doubling the size of an agency that is already notable for its failure to adequately carry out its mission. “But since Democrats are flooding the IRS with a lot of additional money, Americans deserve to know that that money is being spent wisely and efficiently – and that it isn’t going to make taxpayers’ experiences with the IRS even worse. “That’s why I – and my fellow Republicans – have been focused on doing everything we can to provide rigorous oversight and accountability for this new money. “And I’ve introduced multiple bills to help protect taxpayers. “My Increase Reliable Services Now Act, which I introduced with Senator Collins, would prevent the IRS from hiring new enforcement agents until customer service at the IRS has reached a more acceptable standard. “I also worked with Senator Mike Crapo on a bill to protect taxpayers earning less than $400,000 per year from increased audits. “Democrats’ main reason for boosting IRS funding was to increase tax collection measures, including audits, to squeeze out revenue for their Green New Deal agenda. “And there is substantial reason to be concerned that despite Democrats’ protests to the contrary, some of that audit funding will be used to increase audits of middle-income taxpayers. “It’s hard to explain why else every Democrat opposed an amendment to prevent the IRS from using its new funding to increase audits of these Americans. “The bill I introduced with Senator Crapo and my Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee would protect middle-income Americans from seeing increased audits as a result of this new money. “Most recently – just a few days before Thanksgiving – Senator Chuck Grassley and I led our fellow Finance Committee Republicans in introducing the IRS Funding Accountability Act. “Our legislation would require the IRS to provide Congress with an annual plan for how the agency intends to use its new funding – a plan that could be rejected by Congress with a joint resolution of disapproval. “And the IRS would be required to provide Congress with quarterly updates on implementation of its spending plans. “This would enable consistent and transparent oversight, provide accountability for any misuse of funds, and guard against violations of taxpayer rights. “And there would be real consequences for failing to submit plans or reports on time – including the rescission of funds until the IRS complies with reporting requirements. “Mr. President, the mission statement of the IRS is to ‘provide America’s taxpayers top-quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all.’ “Unfortunately, in recent years the IRS has fallen far short of this standard. “And flooding the agency with $80 billion over and above its current budget – the majority of it for increased enforcement, with no accountability or oversight measures – is unlikely to do much to ensure taxpayers receive ‘top-quality service.’ “I hope at least some of my Democrat colleagues will decide to join Republicans to enact measures that will provide real accountability at the IRS, which is needed now more than ever.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6BF51757-8FC2-4345-8C9F-7051904538F4,"Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Rural Broadband",2022-11-29,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), ranking member and chairman, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), all members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today introduced the Rural Internet Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation would streamline and bolster U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development broadband programs and ensure that their funding is being targeted to rural areas that need it the most. “Expanding access to broadband services and connectivity in rural areas across South Dakota has long been a priority for me,” said Thune. “Access to these broadband services is typically determined by where you live, which often leaves rural communities in the dust. Our bipartisan legislation would help bridge the digital divide by improving USDA’s ReConnect Program to ensure its funding goes to truly unserved areas.” “High-speed, reliable broadband is critical for New Mexico families and businesses, but the digital divide leaves far too many rural and Tribal communities behind. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to make USDA programs more efficient and ensure that unserved communities receive the investments they need,” said Luján. “I will continue working to improve broadband access for all New Mexicans – especially in rural and Tribal communities.” “The ReConnect program is critical for rural communities across the country, helping families connect to critical opportunities online while enabling farms and businesses to access new technologies,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will make key improvements to this popular program, allowing for a more convenient application process and more efficient deployment. As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’ll keep fighting to ensure all Americans can access the high-speed internet they need.” “I’ve long supported efforts to expand broadband access to unserved communities,” said Fischer. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bill to help USDA’s ReConnect program properly prioritize the connectivity needs of rural America.” “We applaud the work of Senators John Thune, Ben Ray Luján, Amy Klobuchar, and Deb Fischer to introduce legislation focused on helping broadband reach more Americans,” said NCTA – The Internet and Television Association. “The Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2022 would replace existing programs with a revised ReConnect program that would enhance participation and results so more communities can be connected to broadband even faster. Most significantly, this bill would direct funding for network expansion to areas where at least 90 percent of households lack access to broadband, and it would encourage reliance on applicants with demonstrated experience constructing and operating broadband networks in order to promote network construction that is on budget and on time. These are solid improvements to the current program that should be adopted as part of next year’s farm bill. Deploying robust, affordable high-speed broadband to all Americans is a key priority for cable providers, so we look forward to working with members on passage of this legislation.” “Senator Thune has long been a leader in promoting and sustaining better access to broadband in rural areas, and NTCA appreciates his continued interest and leadership in examining ways to improve the workings of USDA’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA – the Rural Broadband Association. “We look forward to conversations with Senator Thune and his colleagues in Congress about how best to build upon the early successes of this program and how best to coordinate this program with other essential broadband-related initiatives and private sector efforts.” “Broadband is no longer a luxury: it is a necessity,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “The American Farm Bureau has long prioritized expanding broadband access in rural America, and we applaud Senators Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, and Fischer for working to streamline current broadband programming to ensure investments go to those areas that still are not served. Ensuring limited resources are targeted to those most in need will help all rural Americans access the services and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s economy.” “The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) applauds Senators Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, and Fischer for their leadership in addressing the critical issue of rural broadband access in America,” said Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. “The Rural Internet Improvement Act would take necessary steps to address the digital divide in rural communities. Seed companies and their customers rely on connectivity, and ASTA appreciates the Senators’ efforts in establishing accountability for existing programs and innovative ways to streamline processes to support rural America. We appreciate Congress’ commitment to this critical issue, and we look forward to working together as they consider this key legislation.” “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is grateful to Senators Thune, Luján, Klobuchar, and Fischer for prioritizing agriculture innovation and progress through the Rural Internet Improvement Act,” said Ethan L. Lane, vice president of government affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “In rural America, internet access opens doors to increased efficiency, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. On-farm efficiency increases when producers are able to communicate from remote areas of their operation, compete in a fast-paced, competitive global marketplace, and use precision agriculture technologies that facilitate improvement of the land and natural resources. This legislation will ensure rural connectivity is afforded to a greater number of producers whose businesses simply cannot maintain viability for the future without it.” The Rural Internet Improvement Act would: Streamline USDA’s broadband authorities by merging and codifying the popular Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect) with USDA’s traditional broadband loan and grant program; Ensure ReConnect funding is going to areas most in need of reliable broadband service by limiting funding to areas where at least 90 percent of households lack access to broadband service; Enhance the participation of all types of broadband providers in the ReConnect Program by removing unnecessary barriers; Increase transparency by improving the challenge process in the ReConnect Program; Improve the coordination between USDA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on broadband programs; and Require USDA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the FCC and National Telecommunications and Information Administration to facilitate outreach to rural residents and businesses of available federal programs that promote broadband access, broadband affordability, and broadband inclusion. Thune recently participated in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s first 2023 farm bill hearing, which focused on rural development and energy programs that are administered by USDA. Thune welcomed South Dakotan Denny Law, CEO of Golden West Telecommunications in Wall, South Dakota, to talk about the importance of targeting federal broadband funds to rural areas that are in need of reliable broadband services. Earlier this year, Thune introduced the Connect Unserved Americans Act, bipartisan legislation that would ensure broadband funding goes to unserved areas, including rural communities in South Dakota. The bill would also increase coordination between federal agencies that are disbursing broadband funding to prevent the overbuilding of existing broadband networks at the taxpayer’s expense. Thune, who has helped write four farm bills throughout his time in Congress, will continue introducing farm bill proposals ahead of the current bill’s expiration, which is set for September 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-national-american-indian-veterans-charter-bill-unanimously-passes-out-of-senate,Rounds’ National American Indian Veterans Charter Bill Unanimously Passes Out of Senate,2022-11-21,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) legislation to create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV) unanimously passed the Senate. Rounds took to the Senate floor to force this action. Rounds was joined by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) in introducing this bipartisan legislation. Headquartered in South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Reservation, the NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for tribal veterans. Originally started in 2004, today the NAIV serves the needs of Native American veterans in all 50 states. The NAIV formed as a result of a request by former Senators Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) during a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing in 2004. “We are one step closer to giving our Native American veterans the recognition they truly deserve and have earned,” said Rounds. “There are many congressionally chartered veterans service organizations, but none that solely represent the interests and needs of Native American veterans. Our bill would change that by recognizing the mission and authority of the NAIV with a congressional charter. NAIV works closely with Tribal Veterans Services Officers to make certain Native American veterans receive proper benefits and resources. Congress regularly looks to NAIV for input when addressing issues facing Native American veterans. This charter will help give NAIV a larger platform to continue advocating for and serving the more than 140,000 Native American veterans living in the United States.” “In New Mexico and across the country, Native Americans have made a profound impact on our country by proudly serving in our Armed Forces,” said Luján. “That’s why I’m proud the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation that will create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans organization. This organization is an important resource that supports Native veterans and ensures they have access to the benefits that they have earned. This approval by the Senate reaffirms our nation’s commitment to Native veterans, who have proudly served throughout America's history to present day.” ""As an American Indian, Korean War Veteran, and former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, as well as member of the Veteran's Affairs Committee, I am very grateful to my friend and fellow Native Veteran, Don Loudner for his dogged determination to see that the National American Indian Veterans organization received its Charter,” said Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former U.S. Senator, enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and Korean War veteran. “Special thanks to Senator Mike Rounds for his hard work to garner passage of this bill in the Senate. I encourage my friends in the House of Representatives to follow Senator Rounds and his colleagues lead and pass this legislation on behalf of this wonderful organization and the good work they do for American Indian Vets."" “I am very thankful to Senator Rounds for never giving up on this bill,” said Don Loudner, a combat veteran of the Korean War, enrolled member of the Hunkpati Sioux Tribe (Crow Creek Sioux Tribe) and National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, Inc. “Thanks to his efforts, and those of the bipartisan team he assembled, we are closer than at any time, in the last 20 years, to having Congress recognize the sacrifices of generations of American Indians who have answered the nation’s call and fought in every war since the American Revolution.” “This charter is long overdue,” said Robert Dunsmore, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Veterans Service Officer. “We as American Indian veterans want to thank the U.S. Senate for moving this forward. We as veterans have been asking for this charter since 2004. We as American Indian veterans hopefully will have voice on matters that pertain to American Indian veterans. As a tribal veteran service officer, I fully endorse this bill. “This a giant step for our Native Brothers and Sisters who are Veterans and fought beside us,” said Ken Teunissen, Purple Heart recipient and Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter No. 5355. “We need to give them the respect that is afforded to all Veterans. Hopefully now they will have a voice of their own.” Congressional charters are granted by Congress to recognize patriotic and national organizations that operate solely for charitable, literary, educational, scientific or civil improvement purposes. The NAIV serves the needs and interests of Native American veterans in collaboration with its national leadership and 14 regional offices. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are more than 140,000 Native American veterans in the United States. While congressional charters have been granted to Italian-American, Polish-American and Catholic-American veterans groups, as of today, no Native American veterans’ organization has received a congressional charter. Joining Rounds and Luján in cosponsoring this legislation are Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Click HERE for full bill text. A full transcript of Rounds’ floor speech can be found below. +++ As prepared for delivery: Mr. President, I rise to discuss bipartisan legislation that I introduced with Senator Luján which would grant a federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans Incorporated, known as NAIV. The NAIV was chartered in 2004, with its headquarters located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Reservation in South Dakota. The NAIV was originally established as a result of a request by former Senators Akaka, Inouye and Nighthorse Campbell during a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing in 2004. At that time, no Native American veterans organization had ever received a congressional charter. Sadly, that remains the case today, nearly 20 years later, but that omission would be fixed by this legislation. The NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates solely for charitable, literary, educational, scientific, patriotic and civil improvement purposes. It provides a voice to Native American veterans whose unique needs are not always represented adequately by other organizations. Mr. President, Native Americans are the highest serving race per capita in the U.S. Armed Forces, often serving at a rate FIVE times over the national average and have served with distinction in every U.S. conflict over the last 200 years. They also have some of the highest concentration of women service members. According to 2020 VA statistics, there are over 140,000 Native American veterans across the nation. Discussions with tribal leaders indicate that this number is most likely an undercount – and the true number likely approaches 200,000. The NAIV serves the interests and needs of Native veterans in all 50 states. It conducts activities in collaboration with its national leadership and its 14 regional offices. Tribes rotate to host regional and state NAIV meetings. This is all done in a decentralized manner, respecting the independence and sovereignty of all tribal nations. NAIV often has been the only national Native American veterans organization invited to testify before Congress on issues facing Native veterans nationwide. NAIV works to make sure that our Native American veterans receive the benefits, compensation and resources that they have earned. Among its activities, NAIV provided critical support for construction of an American Indian Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery in California. In addition, COVID-19 had a significant impact on tribal reservations, and the NAIV secured over 5 million masks, thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment to respond to the pandemic. It distributed these critical resources to over 375 tribes in 30 states at no cost to our veterans or their tribes. NAIV also serves on the Disaster Response and Recovery Working Group of the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee and has been a tireless advocate of providing broadband access to tribal communities throughout the nation. Mr. President, last week we celebrated Veterans Day, an opportunity to honor our veterans for their service. Also last week, we finally saw the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial on the National Mall here in DC. While the Native American Veterans Memorial actually opened in 2020, due to COVID the dedication did not occur until this year. I believe we have the opportunity today to address another overdue recognition of our Native American veterans, by finally approving the federal charter for the National American Indian Veterans Incorporated, to recognize all the work the organization does on behalf of our Native American veterans. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-lummis-stanton-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-highway-permitting,"Johnson, Lummis, Stanton Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Highway Permitting Reform Legislation",2022-11-18,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ), along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Interactive Federal Review Act. The legislation would direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to select a minimum of ten federal highway projects to demonstrate the use of interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms in carrying out the environmental analysis and community engagement processes required in FHWA projects. “Environmental reviews are stuck in the 90s and continue to delay critical infrastructure projects for years at a time,” said Johnson. “The Interactive Federal Review Act brings NEPA reviews into the 21st century by prioritizing updated technologies and processes between agencies. This commonsense legislation ensures infrastructure projects stay on-time and on-task while also protecting the environment.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A3CF32F3-51E4-4BB0-9150-7CD00D29114D,Thune: A Debt We Can Never Fully Repay,2022-11-17,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the tremendous sacrifices that veterans and military families make, and he noted that our country owes them, and the generations that came before them, its eternal gratitude. Thune also expressed his profound gratitude to the citizen-soldiers of the South Dakota National Guard, the airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and South Dakota veterans. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, on Sunday I had the privilege of attending a welcome home ceremony for the 235th Military Police Company of the South Dakota National Guard after their 10-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay. “It was a fitting activity for Veterans Day weekend. “These ceremonies are always joyful occasions, Mr. President. “Seeing couples and families reunited and celebrating together after a long absence. “Welcoming soldiers back to the familiarity of home. “But in the midst of the joy and celebration, these ceremonies are also a powerful reminder of all that our service members and their families give up to serve our country. “The joy of reunification points to the months of loneliness in which spouses and loved ones have had to live without their husband or wife, mom or dad, son or daughter. “It highlights the long months in which moms and dads have had to shoulder all the burdens of child-rearing alone. “The soccer games and football games, the doctor visits, the emergency car repair, the visit from the plumber – all the daily challenges and responsibilities that couples usually share fall solely on the shoulders of the spouse holding down the fort at home. “And on top of the responsibility is the anxiety – the constant worry about the loved one halfway around the world, and maybe in danger. “These moments of joyful reunion also point to all that our military men and women sacrifice while stationed far from their families and loved ones. “The months of separation from spouses and children, with Zooms, phone calls, and emails a poor substitute for bedtime stories read together on the couch and holding hands on an after-dinner walk. “The loneliness, the worry about a pregnant wife or an ailing parent or a child having a tough year in school – all while far from the comforts of home that the rest of us take for granted. “And of course while reunions are joyful, the challenges don’t end after deployment. “It takes time for the stress of a tough posting to dissipate. “For soldiers to get re-acclimated to the civilian world or to their stateside base. “For families to readjust to living together and not apart – only to have to do it all over again when the next deployment comes around. “Some service members bear the invisible wounds of war for the long term. “Not to mention those who are wounded in combat, sometimes requiring loved ones to become caretakers. “And yet despite all the hardships and the challenges, men and women still rise up and answer the call. “Service members and their families spend years and decades serving our country. “They willingly shoulder the burdens and challenges of this life. “Animated by love of country and of their fellow man, they choose a life that asks them to forget their own needs and focus only on what they can do for others. “That asks them to forgo comfort for sacrifice – up to and including the sacrifice of their own lives. “Their sacrifice, their willingness to serve, is what enables us to go about our lives in peace and freedom. “We owe our men and women in uniform – and the families who support them – a debt we can never repay. “But we can at the very least remember. “As we go about our daily business, as we travel to our jobs in security and come home again at night the same way, we can remember that we live in peace and safety because of the sacrifice of the men and women of the United States military who stand on watch for us. “I am profoundly grateful for the honor of representing some of the men and women of the United States military here in the Senate as well as our many South Dakota veterans. “And I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that our military and our veterans have the resources they need and the resources they are owed. “I have successfully fought for over a decade to prevent closures or service reductions at VA facilities in South Dakota to ensure veterans can continue receiving the health care they need close to home. “And I will continue to work to make sure our state’s VA facilities remain open and available to our veterans, and that community care is equally accessible, if they so choose. “I will also continue to work to ensure that our military members have everything they need to deter threats and protect America. “And, as always, Ellsworth Air Force Base is at the top of my priority list. “I am currently working to ensure that we continue to make the needed investments in the facilities and other infrastructure that Ellsworth will need to host the future B-21 mission, as well as to ensure the influx of military families that will move to the area have adequate school capacity and housing access. “Mr. President, as we celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month, I want to express my gratitude to the citizen-soldiers of the South Dakota National Guard, the airmen at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and our South Dakota veterans – and to their families. “May God bless you all, and all of your brothers and sisters in arms. “And may God continue to bless America.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=16BEA4B0-AC0E-4C9F-B144-3B321C2E3A85,"Thune, Grassley Lead Republican Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Hold the IRS More Accountable",2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a current member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, today led their Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee in introducing the IRS Funding Accountability Act. The legislation responds to the Democrats’ use of the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” (IRA) that will infuse the IRS with $80 billion of new funding without any oversight measures to prevent waste, protect taxpayer rights, or measure improvements of service. The IRS Funding Accountability Act would give Congress a direct say in how this new funding could be spent, hold the IRS more accountable, and provide more transparency for the American people. “The Democrats’ attempt to supersize the IRS without holding the agency accountable to Congress and American taxpayers is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Thune. “This legislation would provide much-needed oversight of the unprecedented $80 billion in new funding to the agency, more than half of which Democrats have directed toward enforcement-related measures, including audits. If our bill becomes law, the Biden administration’s IRS would have to answer to the American people, not Washington bureaucrats.” “Government, especially when it comes to the treatment of taxpayers, needs to be accountable and transparent to the American people,” said Grassley. “When Democrats’ partisan spending bill gave the IRS an extra 80 billion dollars, their legislation included no oversight mechanisms whatsoever. Our bill will ensure that the IRS is answerable to the American people in how it uses this money, and will force it to forfeit funds every day it’s not in compliance.” “The $80 billion in IRS funding included in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act came with almost no guardrails for an agency that has fallen chronically short on core elements of their mission in recent years,” said Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union. “National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is proud to support the IRS Funding Accountability Act, which would require the IRS to provide Congress with a genuine and realistic plan for spending the most significant influx of funds the agency has ever received. The bill would also require the IRS to regularly update Congress on their spending, ensuring ongoing accountability of the agency over the next 10 years. On behalf of the nation’s taxpayers, NTU gratefully applauds Senators Thune and Grassley for their leadership on IRS oversight.” ""Joe Biden promised taxpayers that no one earning less than $400,000 would see a penny more in taxes. Biden lied his way into office,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Democrats raised taxes on American families and unleashed 87,000 new IRS agents to shakedown small business owners and ramp up audits on taxpayers. Congressional oversight of Biden's IRS is essential. This legislation will help rein in Biden's IRS and address the agency's broken culture of unaccountability."" “The Inflation Reduction Act directed 80 billion taxpayer dollars to the IRS, with the majority earmarked to increase the agency’s enforcement activities,” said Brent Gardner, chief government affairs officer for Americans For Prosperity. “With little to no information about how the agency plans to use those taxpayer dollars or hold itself accountable, the IRS Funding Accountability Act would implement commonsense measures to increase oversight and transparency on behalf of the American taxpayer. Americans for Prosperity thanks Senators Thune and Grassley for introducing this legislation.” The senators’ legislation would, among other things, require the IRS to provide Congress with an annual plan for how the agency intends to use the new IRA funds, which would be subject to a new joint resolution of disapproval. The bill would also require quarterly updates from the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury to enable consistent and transparent evaluation of the plans, provide accountability for any misuse of funds, and guard against violations of taxpayer rights. Failure to submit timely and thorough plans or reports would result in financial penalties, including IRA funds being rescinded on a daily basis until the IRS complies with the reporting requirements. The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=18D645CB-C76A-4A3B-A733-DA6785C92A8A,Thune Statement on Reelection as Republican Whip,2022-11-16,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement after he was unanimously reelected by the Senate Republican Conference to serve a third term as whip for the 118th Congress: “I am humbled and honored that my colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference have once again elected me to serve as whip,” said Thune. “I congratulate the newest members of our leadership team, Senators Capito and Daines, and I look forward to working with our entire conference as we unite in our fight to advance Republican principles and deliver commonsense solutions for families, farmers, and businesses across the country, especially those throughout South Dakota. Let’s get to work.” In addition to serving as the Republican whip, a position he’s held since 2019, Thune has previously served as chairman of the Senate Republican Conference (SRC), SRC vice chairman, and chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee. Thune currently serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Committee on Finance; and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3268BB2B-F406-40C5-974F-A479B8BA4751,Thune: Let’s Get to Work,2022-11-15,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today expressed his profound gratitude to the people of South Dakota for once again trusting him to represent them in Washington. Thune discussed how growing up in rural South Dakota helped shape his political philosophy, work ethic, and values. His top priority remains doing everything he can to help better the lives of families across the state and country. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, I want to begin my remarks today by expressing my profound gratitude to the people of South Dakota for once again trusting me to serve as their senator. “I am deeply grateful to live in South Dakota and to represent the Mount Rushmore State. “There are a lot of things that make our state special, like its incredible natural beauty, a legacy of military service, or the fact that our state is a great place to raise a family. “But what really makes our state tick, what really makes it special, is our people. “And it is the honor of my life to represent South Dakotans in the U.S. Senate. “Growing up in Murdo, South Dakota – population: 456 – I learned the character of South Dakotans. “The work ethic. “The love of country and commitment to freedom – coupled with a belief in personal responsibility. “And the sense of responsibility to the broader community. “Life in rural South Dakota can be tough, but growing up we knew that we were not on our own. “In Murdo, we knew that if a roof collapsed under the weight of snow, or a windstorm came through and wiped out a barn, or we lost a friend or family member, the whole community would rally around to help. “The values I learned growing up in South Dakota helped shape my political philosophy and are values I strive to reflect every day here in the Senate. “And as I continue my work here in Washington, my top priority will always be doing everything I can to make life better for South Dakota families. “Mr. President, our country is facing some big challenges. “A security crisis at our southern border. “A growing energy problem. “A serious crime problem. “And the worst inflation crisis in decades. “I talked to a lot of South Dakotans as I traveled around the state this fall, and over and over I heard about the toll inflation is taking on family budgets – and on the livelihood of farmers and ranchers in our state. “Since President Biden took office, the price of groceries has increased 18 percent. “Electricity bills have increased by 22 percent. “Utility gas bills have increased by 46 percent. “Rent prices are up. “Car prices are up. “The price of car maintenance is up. “Farmers and ranchers are facing higher feed costs. “Higher fertilizer costs. “Higher fuel costs. “Gas prices have increased by $1.37 per gallon since President Biden took office. “And the price increase for diesel – which powers so much farm and ranch equipment– has been even worse. “All told, inflation is currently costing the average household a staggering $753 a month. “$753. “Each month. “Americans can’t afford that. “It’s no wonder that inflation topped the list of issues Americans were concerned about when they went to the polls. “Or that 76 percent of voters rated the economy negatively. “Regardless of who’s in charge over the next two years, Congress needs to spend its time focused on real solutions to our inflation crisis and the other challenges facing our country. “I want to congratulate our new Republican senators. “And I look forward to the ideas they will bring to the table and working with them to implement solutions to make life better for American workers and American families. “Mr. President, it’s been a challenging few years for the American people. “And there are some very serious issues facing our nation. “But I have faith in the future. “Every Congress represents a new start, a chance to chart a fresh vision for our country. “And I believe that with the right policies, we can get America thriving again. “I’m ready to get to work.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-garamendi-fmc-get-osra-right-or-risk-further-abuse-foreign-flagged,Johnson & Garamendi to FMC: Get OSRA Right or Risk Further Abuse by Foreign-Flagged Ocean Carriers,2022-11-04,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. House leaders of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-14), Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA-03), urged the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to uphold congressional intent as implementation of the law continues. The Congressmen’s bipartisan letter was cosigned by Representatives David G. Valado (R-CA-21), Jim Costa (D-CA-16), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Mike Thompson (D-CA-05), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), cosponsors of the 2022 law. Johnson and Garamendi oppose the FMC’s recent broad definition of “unreasonable” applied to vessel space accommodation, nor do they believe it will protect American shippers and exporters from unfair business practices of foreign ocean carriers. In January 2021, three in four containers offloaded at American ports returned to Asia empty, causing record losses for American exporters and manufacturers. “The FMC’s currently definition of “unreasonable” refusal is so feckless it has us wondering: What was the point of passing OSRA in the first place? We all witnessed the havoc foreign-flagged ocean carriers wreaked on our ports in 2021, price gouging shippers and leaving American exporters high and dry. If this definition stands, they could easily do it again,” said Johnson and Garamendi. “This proposed definition is not in line with congressional intent – it needs to be remedied for the sake of our farmers, exporters, and manufacturers who already faced extreme losses at the hands of foreign carriers.” “The ten largest ocean carriers and three global alliances reportedly control more than 80 percent of the global market,” wrote the Members of Congress. “As American exporters and other businesses navigate this anticompetitive marketplace, they must have an ally in our nation’s only ocean carrier regulator: the Federal Maritime Commission.” The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was signed into law on June 16, 2022, and prohibits ocean carriers from discriminating against American exporters and unreasonably refusing cargo space accommodations. The bill provides authority to the FMC to investigate ocean carriers’ business practices and apply enforcement measures as appropriate following the unreasonable refusal of American exports throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=559E668F-7FC0-43A9-B28B-75643EB82EC4,"Thune, Grassley Will Introduce Legislation to Hold the IRS More Accountable",2022-11-01,2022,2022-11,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a current member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, today announced that they intend to introduce legislation that responds to the Democrats’ use of the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” (IRA) to infuse $80 billion of new funding into the IRS’s budget. The legislation, which is still being finalized, will be introduced when the Senate returns to session later this month. It would give Congress a direct say in how this new funding could be spent, hold the IRS more accountable, and provide more transparency for the American people. “The Democrats’ attempt to supersize the IRS without holding the agency accountable to Congress and American taxpayers is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Thune. “This legislation would provide much-needed oversight of the unprecedented $80 billion in new funding to the agency, more than half of which Democrats have directed toward enforcement-related measures, including audits. If our bill becomes law, the Biden administration’s IRS would have to answer to the American people, not Washington bureaucrats.” “Government, especially when it comes to the treatment of taxpayers, needs to accountable and transparent to the American people,” said Grassley. “When Democrats’ partisan spending bill gave the IRS an extra 80 billion dollars, their legislation included no oversight mechanisms whatsoever. Our bill will ensure that the IRS is answerable to the American people in how it uses this money, and will force it to forfeit funds every day it’s not in compliance.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:38:01Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-seeking-spring-2023-internship-applications,Rounds Seeking Spring 2023 Internship Applications,2022-10-28,2022,2022-10,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from college students to serve as interns during the spring 2023 semester. Positions are available in his Washington, D.C. office and his state offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, Pierre and Sioux Falls. Spring internships typically run from January to May, but dates can be tailored to specific schedules. Interns will receive a stipend, and the office works closely with all the universities to meet the criteria necessary for interns to receive college credit. “Our internship program is an incredible opportunity for students to experience a deeper understanding of the political process,” said Rounds. “Interns are crucial to our office operations both in South Dakota and in D.C. The program is open to students from all areas of discipline, not just political science. I encourage interested college students to apply for the upcoming spring internship.” Intern duties include researching bills, tracking legislation, attending committee hearings and briefings, handling constituent phone calls and other correspondence and providing support in all areas of the office to Senator Rounds and his staff. Internships can also be tailored to an intern’s specific interest areas when possible. Interested students can apply at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/internships. For more information, please call Rebecca Herman at (605) 336-0486.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=842208BD-D5E6-4E66-A9CF-38F4A53F831D,"Thune, Durbin Lead Bipartisan Request for Historic RFS “Set” Rulemaking",2022-10-19,2022,2022-10,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish renewable volume obligations that are additive for all fuel types in the upcoming “set” rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The senators also highlighted additional actions EPA should take in order to maximize the use and benefit of biofuels, including updating lifecycle analysis for biofuel emissions and approving additional fuel registrations and pathways under the RFS. “Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America’s diverse energy demands while further decarbonizing numerous sectors of our economy,” the senators wrote. “In order to guard against sidelining decades of investment and the diverse workforce that supports biofuels, we request that EPA set the conventional target above 15 billion gallons, set advanced biofuel volumes that account for increased production capacity of fuels like sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, and ensure that renewable identification numbers (RINs) for emerging technologies and e-RINs are additive to existing volumes.” “With the forthcoming ‘set’ rule, EPA has a golden opportunity to stimulate further growth in low-carbon fuel use and build on the successes of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “We appreciate the efforts of Senator Thune, Senator Durbin, and other stalwart renewable fuel supporters to ensure EPA issues a ‘set’ rule that furthers the environmental and economic objectives of the original RFS program.” “A stronger RFS means more savings at the pump for working families, lower carbon emissions, and greater U.S. energy security,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “We’re grateful to Senators Durbin, Thune, and other clean energy champions working to deliver the regulatory certainty we need to fast-track growth in the U.S. bioeconomy and shield motorists from volatile global oil prices. This is a vital opportunity to drive transformative progress in low-carbon transportation, and we look forward to working with EPA Administrator Regan, the White House, and leaders on Capitol Hill to tap the full potential of the RFS as a climate and energy solution.” “As we near EPA’s announcement on the proposed Set rule, ACE applauds Senators Thune and Durbin for their leadership on a timely, bipartisan letter urging the Agency to utilize this historic opportunity to increase biofuel blending targets and take other important steps to leverage the role low carbon biofuels can and should play to address our nation’s energy demands and meet the Administration’s decarbonization goals,” said Brian Jennings, CEO of American Coalition for Ethanol. “New incentives enacted by Congress will boost investments in clean fuel technologies that support action by EPA to expand the use of clean fuels like ethanol through future RFS targets.” “We thank Senators Thune, Durbin, and others for highlighting the bipartisan support for continued growth in the Renewable Fuel Standard volumes,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “We appreciate the Senators’ request that EPA build on the foundation of advanced biofuels and provide additional space for emerging volumes of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and other potential new biomass-based fuels.” “We applaud Senator Thune and Senator Durbin for leading a bipartisan coalition working to maximize the clean energy benefits of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council (ABBC). “We keep hearing about the importance of strong policy to ensure that new technologies are developed, clean energy targets are hit, and U.S. global competitiveness is enhanced as we seek to reduce emissions and grow the economy. There is no better example than the RFS. We appreciate the recognition that an ambitious, multiyear RFS rule could be a game-changer for advanced biofuels, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), climate smart feedstock production, and transportation sector decarbonization.” “Corn growers appreciate the Senators’ leadership and advocacy for renewable fuels with EPA,” said Tom Hagg, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “We also urge EPA to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of the RFS in the pending rulemaking, building on the success of biofuels to do more to cut emissions and lower fuel prices.” This letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). Full letter below: The Honorable Michael S. Regan Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Dear Administrator Regan: We write to request that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establish robust and expanded renewable volume obligations (RVOs) in its forthcoming “Set” rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Through this rulemaking, EPA will determine blending volumes according to a set of environmental and economic factors in the statute. Strong RVOs will be bolstered by numerous incentives and investments that are poised to increase biofuel blending and further reduce the carbon intensity of these fuels. Additionally, we request that EPA take supportive actions to provide regulatory certainty and afford new opportunities for these homegrown fuels to deepen their contribution to America’s evolving energy landscape. Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America’s diverse energy demands while further decarbonizing numerous sectors of our economy. Previous RVOs, backed by statutory volumes, established blending requirements for biofuels and sent an important signal to all levels of the renewable fuel value chain. Unfortunately, many of these RVOs were undercut by small refinery exemptions (SREs), and we appreciate EPA affirming the Tenth Circuit’s decision and finding that RFS compliance does not cause disproportionate economic hardship and that the RFS has a negligible influence on fuel prices. With this matter settled, we hope we can look to the impending Set rule with confidence that future-year RVOs will not be eroded by SREs, but left to stand and maximize EPA’s ability to drive higher utilization of these cleaner fuels. In setting RVOs for 2023 and beyond, EPA can justify ambitious blending targets by leveraging recently extended and expanded incentive structures, including the second generation biofuel and biodiesel tax credits. As you know, these credits will parallel a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credit before they merge into an emissions-based clean fuel credit. Fuel credits will be complemented by expanded credits to capture and sequester carbon dioxide, including from biofuel production facilities, and additional support for ongoing agriculture production practice improvements, driving more value toward America’s biofuel and farm economies. Together, these credits will incentivize continued low-carbon renewable fuel blending, providing significant value to consumers while maintaining a critical market for our farmers and generating a key source of high-quality animal feed and other value-added co-products. However, it bears clarifying that new fuels like SAF, as well as other new pathways for RFS compliance, such as electricity generated from biogas that may be proposed for so-called electric renewable identification numbers (e-RINs), must be accommodated in a fashion that is additive to existing fuel technologies and previous blending targets. They must also be subject to the same rigorous transparency, integrity, and lifecycle analysis standards as other renewable transportation fuels. Failure to do so will displace biofuels that have been foundational to decarbonizing the transportation sector, leave additional environmental gains on the table, and hinder industry growth. In order to guard against sidelining decades of investment and the diverse workforce that supports biofuels, we request that EPA set the conventional target above 15 billion gallons, set advanced biofuel volumes that account for increased production capacity of fuels like SAF and renewable diesel, and ensure that RINs for emerging technologies and e-RINs are additive to existing volumes. EPA can also justify ascending RVOs by recognizing the technological advances made by the biofuels sector and approving long-pending RFS fuel registration applications and pathway petitions. By rendering timely decisions for prospective advanced fuels, including those derived from corn kernel fiber that have already proven their efficacy and safety in states like California, EPA would add value to the bottom line of many biofuel operations and enable them to generate more fuel per bushel of feedstock while further reducing the carbon intensity of each gallon. Similarly, EPA can help scale-up SAF production by addressing in the Set regulatory barriers that deny certain biointermediates entry to SAF. Such actions would permit these biofuel producers to use at scale the investments they have made, access low-carbon markets, and pave the way for the next generation of renewable fuel innovation. When setting forward-year RVOs, EPA must also consider how record investments in biofuel blending infrastructure will facilitate meeting progressively higher blending targets by making higher blends more readily accessible to consumers. As you know, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in August $100 million in cost-sharing grants for blending infrastructure such as fuel pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks for blends above E10 and B5 through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). This round of funding follows $5.6 million in funding in April 2022 for blending infrastructure in California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and South Dakota, which EPA projected would “increase the availability of biofuels by 59.5 million gallons per year” across recipient states, as well as over $60 million delivered through other HBIIP awards made since 2020. Increased consumer access to higher blends will also be supported by $500 million for biofuel infrastructure and agriculture product market expansion. Of course, the most efficient way to promote higher blends is to provide the marketplace the certainty that fuels like E15 may be sold year-round, removing the costly deterrent of fuel switching. The president was correct to ensure uninterrupted sales of E15 during 2022 to provide consumers driving approximately 96 percent of light-duty vehicles a lower-cost fuel option while displacing Russian oil. Even during this time of sustained energy challenges, E15 was sold for as much a 96 cents cheaper per gallon than E10 under the emergency waiver. We encourage EPA to utilize any authority at its disposal to extend year-round E15 into the future. When paired with $2.8 billion in recently announced USDA funding, it would help ensure biofuels are able to maximally contribute to America’s energy and climate needs from field to tailpipe. In addition to setting robust blending targets, we request that EPA use the Set rulemaking as a timely opportunity to insert greater certainty and efficiency in the regulatory landscape of the RFS. As previously addressed, accurate and standardized lifecycle emissions modeling will not only assign appropriate tax credit values and motivate continued decarbonization of biofuels, but updated lifecycle emissions values also justify growth in RFS volumes to accelerate transportation decarbonization. Contemporary carbon intensity scoring will help settle recurring questions regarding the net environmental benefit of biofuels, permitting stakeholders to readily compare the carbon footprint of biofuels against other technologies. Finally securing reliable, EPA-endorsed lifecycle analysis will encourage increased use of biofuels in domestic low-carbon fuel markets and expand export opportunities to the growing number of countries turning to biofuels to meet their energy needs and climate action goals, such as Canada, India, and Japan. Accordingly, we urge you to culminate the stakeholder engagement conducted via EPA’s public workshop on biofuel greenhouse gas emissions by formally adopting the Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model for lifecycle analysis in the Set rule. We agree with you that biofuels are ready to meet the moment and serve as a key element of American energy security, economic opportunity, and climate response. We greatly appreciate the actions and commitments the president provided last spring, which provided an emergency waiver for the sale of higher ethanol blends like E15. Steps like these not only allow for more homegrown ethanol to be sold across the United States in order to increase fuel supply, but they also provide consumers options for more affordable gasoline options at the pump. As such, we urge you to build upon these prior commitments and use the historic opportunity of the Set rule to establish robust forward-year RVOs and take the necessary accompanying regulatory steps to further realize the environmental and economic benefits of our biofuels sector. We look forward to working with you. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=051AB0D2-F078-4BD0-80F8-205A7A776278,Thune’s Office Accepting Spring Internship Applications,2022-10-07,2022,2022-10,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is currently seeking college students to serve as spring interns in his office in Washington, D.C., as well as in his offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. Interns in Thune’s state offices will participate in constituent service and state outreach activities, while interns in the Washington, D.C., office will have the opportunity to witness the legislative process and attend Senate votes and hearings. Both in-state and Washington, D.C., internships will allow students to work closely with constituents, hone their research and writing skills, and learn a multitude of valuable office skills. “Interns who are selected will receive a firsthand look at the legislative process and the day-to-day life in a congressional office,” said Thune. “In Washington, interns will have the opportunity to attend Senate votes and hearings and participate in other activities that are unique to Capitol Hill. Students who are interested in interning in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, or Rapid City will find an equally rewarding experience with assisting staff on important constituent service requests and state outreach activities, which are critical to my work for the people of South Dakota. I encourage all college students who are interested in these opportunities to apply today.” Thune serves as the Senate Republican Whip, the number two position in Senate leadership, and is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and a member of the Senate Committee on Finance. College students who are interested in interning in Thune’s Washington, D.C., Aberdeen, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls offices should fill out an online application with their resume and cover letter by November 4, 2022, at https://sen.gov/43JL or they can locate the application at www.thune.senate.gov under the services tab. For more information, please call 202-224-2321.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=FE286C45-2D76-433C-A735-9F65C0B6CEF4,Thune on Fox and Friends: Biden Administration’s Lack of Coherent Energy Strategy Jeopardizes our Energy Security and National Security,2022-10-06,2022,2022-10,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the interview. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Fox and Friends to discuss the Biden administration’s lack of a coherent energy strategy and how the president has been willing to sacrifice our national security, economic security, and energy security for political gain. On the Biden administration’s hostility to American-made energy: “We were at a point where we were literally energy independent; we were actually exporting energy. We’ve now, again, become dependent upon OPEC and other countries because of this administration’s resistance and outright assault on American energy production. “This is the price that America pays when we aren’t willing to make the investment and have policies that support the encouragement of American energy production.” On our country’s national security being weakened by a lack of a coherent energy strategy: “I think [Democrats], Brian, they will sacrifice our economic security, our energy security, our national security to get a political win in November. I think they’re that desperate, and that’s what I think you’re seeing in full display right now. “In fact, pulling down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the lowest point since 1984, a reserve that’s there for emergencies, and using it for a political purpose is outrageous.” … “By not having an energy policy, not committing to an all-the-above American energy plan, we have now a dependence upon foreign sources, including dictators like Venezuela and in places in the Middle East. “This is insanity, and I hope the American people rise up and say enough, already. Because [Democrats are] putting not only our energy security at risk, [but] our national security at risk.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0A65FBF2-1CE5-489F-B3B5-01283320E0C8,"Thune, Luján Introduce Bill to Improve Livestock Disaster Assistance",2022-10-05,2022,2022-10,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, recently introduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that assist farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of adverse weather events. The legislation would also provide USDA with direction to help improve the accuracy of the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), which triggers certain disaster programs. “South Dakota farmers and ranchers are all too familiar with working through extreme weather conditions, especially drought,” said Thune. “These common-sense updates to disaster programs would help provide greater and expedited assistance to farmers and ranchers when they need it the most. Our proposal would also make the Drought Monitor a more effective tool and help ensure USDA programs are using accurate and consistent data in administering programs that are designed to help the agriculture community.” “Drought, wildfires, and extreme weather in New Mexico have impacted farmers and ranchers for generations – hurting their ability to raise livestock, grow crops, and make ends meet. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to better meet the needs of our farmers and ranchers who power our communities,” said Luján. “This legislation will make USDA programs more responsive for New Mexico producers in need of disaster relief.” Thune plans to continue introducing agriculture-related proposals like this one in advance of the current farm bill’s expiration in September 2023. Thune, who has helped write four farm bills during his time in Congress, believes these common-sense changes would greatly improve the effectiveness of the farm bill safety net for livestock producers. The legislation would make the following reforms:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:28Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-urges-biden-prioritize-military-readiness-over-social-activism,Johnson Urges Biden to Prioritize Military Readiness Over Social Activism,2022-10-04,2022,2022-10,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) sent a letter urging President Biden to prioritize true military readiness following reports of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s (USAFA) inclusive language training, instructing cadets to refer to “Mom and Dad” as “Parents/Caregivers/Guardians” and “Boyfriend/Girlfriend” as “Partner.” Following this instruction, a member of Johnson’s Service Academy Nomination board and a USAFA alumnus resigned from the board because of the politically charged programming. “Of course, we need to treat all people with respect, but your implementation of a politicized gender inclusivity agenda is moving our military in the wrong direction,” said Johnson. “The United States has the finest military men and women in the world – their education and training should not be focused on social activism. I encourage you as Commander in Chief to rectify this issue and revoke this line of teaching at our military institutions.” As a Member of Congress, Johnson is responsible for nominating applicants to four of the five U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Read the full letter here or below: October 4, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr. President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: I write to express my concern with recent reports that cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) have been instructed that diversity and inclusion training is an aspect of their military readiness. Teaching cadets that vernacular like “mom,” “dad,” “boyfriend,” and “girlfriend” are offensive is a tremendous distraction from the true goal of our service academies: develop skilled and dedicated warfighters to protect America and American values from our enemies. Not surprisingly, in recent days I’ve heard concerns from academy graduates, family members, and prospective cadets about these policies. Regrettably, I have had at least one member of my Service Academy Nomination board, who was a USAFA alumnus and retired officer, resign because of USAFA’s politically charged programming. Of course, we need to treat all people with respect, but your implementation of a politicized gender inclusivity agenda is moving our military in the wrong direction. The United States has the finest military men and women in the world – their education and training should not be focused on social activism. I encourage you as Commander in Chief to rectify this issue and revoke this line of teaching at our military institutions. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-questions-gao-foreign-investment-us-farmland,Johnson Questions GAO on Foreign Investment in U.S. Farmland,2022-10-03,2022,2022-10,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and 129 colleagues questioned Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on foreign investment in U.S. farmland and its impact on national security, trade, and food security. “Seeing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land increase over the past decade is concerning, especially ownership by our adversaries like China,” said Johnson. “Allowing increased ownership could pose a threat to our food security and national security. Congress is sounding the alarm, and it’s time we understand how to best protect America’s food and national security.” Since 2010, foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land has nearly doubled. In the wake of rising input costs for farmers, supply chain delays, geopolitical pressure, and high food prices, it is critical to understand the impact foreign ownership and investment can have on food security, national security, and the economy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-bill-to-protect-businesses-from-sec-overreach,Rounds Introduces Bill to Protect Businesses from SEC Overreach,2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to safeguard public companies from bureaucratic overreach. The Mandatory Materiality Requirement Act would only allow the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose future disclosure requirements if the information is important for investors making decisions. “American businesses should not be used as a gateway to advance climate change policy,” said Rounds. “The heavy-hand of government is hampering the growth of our businesses and economy. This legislation would seek to prevent the SEC from requiring reporting of unnecessary information and instead focus on protecting investors, maintaining fair and efficient markets and facilitating capital formation.” In March of 2022, the SEC issued a rule that would require any public company to disclose both its direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, including reporting by downstream suppliers like farmers and ranchers, even if that information isn’t relevant to investors. This rule would potentially limit access to capital, discourage new companies from going public and result in onerous reporting requirements that will be borne by farmers and small businesses. The Mandatory Materiality Requirement Act would amend both the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by inserting statutory language directly into both acts to require the SEC to determine that “there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor of the issuer would consider the information…to be important with respect to an investment decision regarding the issuer,” when imposing a new disclosure obligation. Rounds was joined in introducing this legislation by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-ohalleran-introduce-tribal-policing-bill,"Johnson, O’Halleran Introduce Tribal Policing Bill",2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01) introduced the Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Actto improve tribal law enforcement agencies and operations through additional training, compensation, and equipment procurement. “Indian Country does not have the resources needed to combat crime – currently, there is one officer to every 1,333 persons on the Pine Ridge Reservation,” said Johnson. “Our tribal communities struggle with slow emergency response times – as long as thirty minutes – as well as officer retainment. The Tribal COPS Act will provide these law enforcement agencies with resources to improve the safety and security of their communities.” “For too long, tribal police departments across Indian Country have dealt with staffing shortages and a lack of appropriate resources to address public safety concerns,” said Representative Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01). “In Arizona’s First District, the Navajo Nation alone is larger than the state of West Virginia and has only a few hundred officers. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Tribal COPS Act with Representative Johnson, my colleague across the aisle, to increase funding for tribal police departments to recruit, hire, and train skilled officers.” The Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Act would: Establish a grant program to increase capabilities of tribal law enforcement agencies The grant formula will take the following into account: Size of tribal lands Population of tribal lands Average response time of the law enforcement agency to an emergency call Grants may be used to: Compensate officers, including retention bonuses Provide training Provide housing stipends to officers principally residing within tribal lands Procure equipment Procure, operate, maintain facilities for use by officers",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-gilt-edge-mine-conveyance-act-passes-house,Johnson’s Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act Passes the House,2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson’s (R-S.D.) legislation to transfer to the State of South Dakota a portion of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The bill passed the House 296-127. “For years this site has been owned and managed by a patchwork quilt of state and federal governments. My bill will make it easier for the State and EPA to remediate the site by getting the Forest Service out of the middle,” said Johnson. “This land is no longer a forest or natural habitat, nor can it be used for recreation. Allowing South Dakota to purchase and own this land is an important step in finishing the cleanup.” You can watch Johnson’s floor remarks here. The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act authorizes the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County. The land transfer authorized by this legislation allows the state to conduct a clean-up effort within the boundary of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its clean-up actions. The abandoned gold mine contaminates water with heavy metals and acidity, and the clean-up efforts thus far have treated the contaminated water, covering the area with plastic to prevent water from leaching into the area, and recovering it with grass. To move forward, the state must first have primary authority to continue the clean-up. Currently, the federal government owns the land, and states cannot manage or control federal property. The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act is supported by Lawrence County, Governor Noem, City of Lead, and City of Deadwood.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-tester-introduce-bill-to-reduce-unnecessary-regulatory-costs-for-nonbank-financial-institutions-,"Rounds, Tester Introduce Bill to Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Costs for Nonbank Financial Institutions",2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced legislation to lower costs for investors. The Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act would eliminate ineffective costs for nonbank financial institutions that have not been designated as systemically important by removing Dodd Frank's bank-centric, mandatory stress test requirement. ""Asset managers have a completely different business model than a traditional bank,” said Rounds. “Therefore, applying bank-centric stress tests is misguided, and the high compliance costs that accompany them will ultimately be borne by investors. I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation to reduce unnecessary regulatory costs in our capital markets.” Specifically, this legislation amends the stress test requirements under section 165(i) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203) to provide relief for nonbanks from bank-centric stress tests. To the extent stress tests may be useful in certain contexts, this legislation allows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, their primary regulators, to conduct periodic stress tests for nonbank financial companies. Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=93CB647E-33B9-44C1-847C-A89D93558B4B,Thune: Democrats’ Far-Left Fantasies are the Wrong Prescription for America’s Economic Pain,2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ devotion to their big-government, big-spending agenda has harmed America’s economic security, energy security, and national security. Thune noted that over the past two years, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have prioritized far-left fantasies instead of addressing the economic reality that is crippling families and businesses across the country. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, yesterday I came down to the floor to talk about where we are after nearly two years of Democrat control of Congress and the White House. “We are, as I noted, in the midst of an inflation crisis with no end in sight. “Our economy is weakening. “Our energy security has diminished. “Violent crime has increased. “And we’re dealing with record waves of illegal immigration and a serious security situation at our southern border. “That’s where we are, Mr. President. “But how did we end up here? “The answer lies with Democrats’ priorities. “Mr. President, the Democrat Party has moved sharply leftwards over the past few years. “Democrats, of course, have always been on the left side of the political spectrum. “But over the past few years, what was once far-left ideology has become the Democrat mainstream. “And Democrats swept into office determined to enact a far-left, big-government agenda. “It didn’t matter to them that their majorities in the House and Senate were extremely narrow – or that President Biden had been elected largely because he was considered to be a moderate. “Democrats had a grip on power, however tenuous, and they were determined to use it to enact their most cherished far-left fantasies. “They started off with their $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, filled with unnecessary spending and payoffs to Democrat interest groups. “They were warned that their legislation ran the risk of overheating the economy and setting off inflation. “But they ignored the warnings and dumped a lot of unnecessary government money into the economy. “And the economy overheated as a result. “Inflation quickly began climbing. And then climbing some more. “Now, at this point, it might have seemed prudent to pull back on the spending plans. “After all, if one massive spending bill had kicked off inflation, how much worse would another, even-more-massive spending bill make the situation? “But Democrats were just getting started. “The ink was barely dry on the so-called American Rescue Plan Act before Democrats were outlining plans for a new spending spree – one that would dwarf their initial spending spree and install some of Democrats’ most-cherished big-government priorities. “And even as inflation climbed and climbed again, Democrats kept pushing ahead. “Even as Democrat economists warned that the American Rescue Plan had kickstarted inflation, Democrats kept pushing forward with plans for a $5 trillion spending spree – their so-called Build Back Better plan. “$5 trillion. “To put that number in perspective, the entire federal budget in 2019 was $4.4 trillion. ‘The ENTIRE federal budget. “And yet Democrats were pushing forward with a $5 trillion spending plan ON TOP OF a $1.9 trillion spending bill earlier in the year. “Fortunately for the American people, Democrats’ $5 trillion spending plan was foiled last December. “But that didn’t stop them for long. “Even as inflation reached 40-year highs, Democrats kept pushing for more spending. “And they managed to jam through another partisan tax-and-spending spree in August. “Mr. President, we have now spent six straight months – six straight months – with inflation above 8 percent. “The last time inflation was this bad I wasn’t even married yet. “Now I have grandchildren. “But Democrats just don’t seem to care. “They are committed to their tax-and-spending agenda, regardless of the consequences for the American economy. “Their August tax-and-spending spree will hurt both wages and economic growth – at a time when economic growth is weakening and Americans are experiencing a de facto pay cut thanks to inflation. “And just days after signing this tax-and-spending legislation into law, President Biden announced a massive student loan giveaway, which could cost more than $1 trillion and will, to quote the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, ‘meaningfully boost inflation.’ “Yet again, Democrats’ big-government, big-spending agenda trumps the economic reality facing the American people. “No matter how bad the economy gets, Democrats are determined to enact their big-government vision. “And I suspect the reason that Democrats and the president have spent nearly two years ignoring the raging crisis at our southern border is similar. “After all, if Democrats and the president acknowledge there’s a crisis, people might think that they should actually start solving the crisis. “They might, in fact, think that a raging security crisis deserves to be a priority – more of a priority than, say, Democrats’ plans for electric postal vehicles or monitoring gaps in tree canopy coverage. “In addition, of course, acknowledging that there’s a border crisis might offend some Democrat interest groups – and that might imperil Democrats’ fierce determination to stay in power and enact their big-government agenda. “Mr. President, I mention Democrats’ fierce determination to stay in power – and it is fierce. “So fierce that Democrats manufactured a voting crisis – and almost succeeded in gutting the Senate’s rules – in an attempt to force through federal legislation that would give their party an advantage in future elections. “And it clearly doesn’t matter to them that their claims of voter suppression were pretty clearly refuted by excellent election turnout mere months later. “Democrats are still talking about forcing through a federal takeover of elections to address a nonexistent crisis – and give their party a leg-up in future elections. “Mr. President, I guess it’s not necessarily surprising that Democrats’ growing commitment to the biggest kind of big government has been matched by a growing determination to secure their party’s grip on power – with government action if necessary. “As government power grows, I suppose the governing party starts to think its power should grow with it. “It would explain Democrats’ commitment to abolishing protections for the rights of the minority party in the Senate – and the Americans it represents. “And the commitment expressed by a number of Democrats to packing the Supreme Court – expanding it with Democrat justices until Democrats can be sure they will get the outcomes they want. “Leading Democrats have been openly crowing about their plans to abolish the filibuster if they manage to gain a sufficient majority in the Senate – and then force through a variety of far-left, big-government legislation, from a government takeover of child care, to that voting bill they think will give them a leg-up in elections, to some of the most extreme abortion legislation in the world. “Clearly a raging border crisis, an inflation crisis, a weakening economy, and growing energy insecurity mean little to Democrats. “Their focus if they keep their majority is not on solving these very real problems facing Americans – it’s on growing government and implementing their far-left, big-government, big-spending visions. “Mr. President, Democrats’ big-government vision is clearly not a vision I share. “And despite Democrats’ clear belief that their narrow majorities gave them a mandate for a far-left remake of our government, I suspect the American people are not looking for that. “Democrats may think months and months and months of high inflation are a small price to pay for implementing their big-government visions. “I suspect the American people disagree. “I also think the American people would like to see the party in power focused on solving problems like violent crime and the crisis at our southern border – not spending their time considering how to consolidate their hold on power or force through extreme and partisan policies. “And despite Democrats’ clear belief that Washington should be making decisions about most aspects of Americans’ lives, I suspect that most Americans are not interested in having Washington dictate their choices – whether that’s the choices they make about their child care or about their children’s education. “Democrats’ devotion to their big-government, big-spending agenda has left the American people worse off economically and left our country in a more dangerous position, from violent crime in our communities to the security crisis at our southern border. “I think the American people know with painful certainty that we can’t afford another two years like the last two. “And for the sake of our country, I hope we won’t have to see what two more years of Democrat power would bring.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9C736066-9FB3-44D5-B74F-53D730CF917D,"Thune, Johnson Call on Biden to Rescind Unworkable Government Mandate That Would Harm South Dakota Businesses",2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today led their colleagues in demanding that the Biden administration rescind a proposed rule that would mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects of $35 million or greater. The rule would not only harm local businesses and ultimately undermine taxpayer investment in public work projects, but it would also be unworkable due to the limited number of union-connected workers. “The stated goal of [the executive order] is to 'promote economy and efficiency in federal procurement, but it would undoubtedly have the opposite effect,” the members wrote. “A recent Associated General Contractors survey found 73 percent of federal contractors would not bid on a federal construction contract that includes a government-mandated PLA. Eighty-eight percent of respondents stated E.O. 14063 would raise costs, while 0 percent of respondents stated it would lower costs. The proposed rule would make it more difficult to find the local workers and local businesses needed to keep projects on schedule, especially during this historic shortage of skilled construction workers.” The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), and Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-Iowa). In March, Thune joined his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden opposing the executive order. Full letter below: The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr. President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: We write to express our concern with the recent proposed rule entitled “Federal Acquisition Regulation: Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects.” On February 4, 2022, you published E.O. 14063 on Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, which mandates project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction contracts of $35 million or greater. Since that announcement we have expressed strong opposition to this effort, which would undermine taxpayer investment in public works projects. The stated goal of E.O. 14063 is to ""promote economy and efficiency"" in federal procurement, but it would undoubtedly have the opposite effect. A recent Associated General Contractors survey found 73 percent of federal contractors would not bid on a federal construction contract that includes a government-mandated PLA. Eighty-eight percent of respondents stated E.O. 14063 would raise costs, while 0 percent of respondents stated it would lower costs. In response to E.O. 14063, a Federal Acquisition Regulation Council proposed rule (FAR Case 2022-003) was published on August 19, 2022. While the proposed rule would have negative impacts nationwide, it would cause significant delays in the Midwest. There are simply not enough union-connected workers in our states to support the current robust demand for federal contractors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4 percent of employees in South Dakota were members of a union in 2021 while 6.5 percent were members in Iowa, 6.8 percent in Nebraska, and 5.4 percent in North Dakota. The proposed rule would make it more difficult to find the local workers and local businesses needed to keep projects on schedule, especially during this historic shortage of skilled construction workers. Additionally, while the construction industry faces significant supply chain disruptions and unprecedented increases of input costs, which are up more than 40 percent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this proposed rule would only exacerbate ongoing inflation and costs for taxpayers. Many of our states have independently passed laws to prohibit government-mandated PLAs on state and state-assisted taxpayer-funded construction projects for this very reason. Federal agencies themselves recognize that mandatory PLAs are unworkable. As you know, in the second month of the Obama administration, President Obama issued E.O. 13502 that allowed, and continues to allow, federal agencies to require PLAs for projects of $25 million or greater on a case-by-case basis. But since then, in validation that PLA mandates are inefficient and, in most every instance, not plausible, federal agencies have only required PLAs on 12 out of approximately 2,000 eligible, large-scale construction projects from the issuance of this executive order in February 2009 through 2021. While the administration uses this to justify its new rule, it shows how truly impractical this requirement would be for federal agencies to implement. We oppose any efforts to continue with a final rulemaking process and request the proposed rule be rescinded. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of our request to protect our economy and workforce and business owners throughout our states. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-bill-to-reform-nrcs-and-protect-property-owners-from-government-overreach,Rounds Introduces Bill to Reform NRCS and Protect Property Owners from Government Overreach,2022-09-28,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation that would reform the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act would safeguard farmers, ranchers and landowners from bureaucratic overreach by the NRCS and empower them to continue to protect their land as they see fit. “South Dakota’s farmers, ranchers and landowners know their land better than anyone else,” said Rounds. “They are conservationists by nature and want their land to be productive for future generations. They don’t need the heavy-hand of government interfering with their ability to manage the land they live and work on. “For years, we have worked with South Dakotans who are facing arbitrary, punitive penalties by the NRCS. In South Dakota, we know that the NRCS has made unfounded wetland determinations and levied large and unfair monetary fines where the landowner has little or no recourse. The reforms I have introduced modify some of the NRCS’ compliance rules in a manner that works for landowners, gives farmers and ranchers more control over their land and removes unnecessary, often unfair, barriers and penalties. “The NRCS was created to work with farmers and ranchers to help them improve, protect and conserve their land and natural resources. Over time, it has veered far from that core mission, morphing into an overreaching, overbearing agency that makes heavy-handed decisions about South Dakota producers’ land using questionable methods and rationale. Landowners in South Dakota, and across the country, increasingly battle the NRCS on wetland determinations. Farmers and ranchers already have to battle the wind, rain, snow and sun; they shouldn’t have to battle their government, too.” Once considered wasteland, wetlands were often drained so farmers could plant crops. Growing concern over the loss and appreciation of the value of wetlands in the ecological system led Congress to take action to protect wetlands in the 1985 Farm Bill. However, today, because penalties from violating NRCS compliance rules can lead to the loss of USDA services and assistance for farmers, it is vitally important that the NRCS compliance rules are fair, reasonable and within congressional intent. The NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act has been endorsed by the South Dakota Farm Bureau, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the South Dakota Farmers Union. “I thank Senator Rounds for introducing NRCS compliance reform legislation, which will ensure farmers and landowners have a fair and equitable process when it comes to making wetland determinations,” said South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal. “An overhaul of the NRCS appeals and determination process is long overdue and our farmers have been requesting attention to these concerns for years."" “Farmers and ranchers are committed to caring for the land they’ve been entrusted with,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “We understand the importance of following environmental rules, but those rules should be enforced fairly. AFBF has been outspoken in calling for changes to conservation compliance programs, and the NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act is a step in the right direction. We applaud Sen. Rounds for his continued efforts to pass this legislation.” “Permanent easement agreements mean decisions made by previous generations could impact future generations,” said South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke. “Each generation needs to be able to make decisions that make sense for their farm or ranch. I don’t expect my sons to manage the land exactly how I did or the same way my dad or grandpa did. This Act supports landowners’ rights.” Specifically, Rounds’ legislation would: • Prohibit NRCS from entering into permanent easement agreements, only allowing termed easements. • Make certain compliance penalties for newly determined wetlands can only be prospective. • Place the burden of proof on NRCS to prove a violation (i.e. not on the farmer/landowner to prove innocence). • Prohibit NRCS from changing rationales for wetland determinations. • Require NRCS to go through notice and comment rulemaking for conservation compliance, essentially banning the use of interim rulemaking. • Update NRCS’ appeals process: o Retrain National Appeals Division (NAD) judges and agency directors in how to provide a fair and balanced hearing; o Require USDA to provide the entire record and/or decisional documentation to the farmer/landowner at the time of alleged compliance violation; o Allow the farmer/landowner (and their counsel) to call NRCS technical staff as witnesses in the appeal; o Accept evidence provided by the farmer/landowner as true absent substantial evidence to the contrary; o Compensate the farmer/landowner for legal fees if they are successful in the appeal. • Require USDA to establish State Oversight Committees (for each state) that will oversee the appeals of wetland determinations within their state. • Require USDA to develop an appeal process for redetermination requests NOT accepted by state NRCS offices. • Prevent NRCS from using one-time observations to satisfy the hydraulic criteria for determinations. • Remove all references to “woody vegetation” from 7 CFR 12.2 and 12.32. • Create a Customer Satisfaction Survey carried out by an independent survey provider. This legislation has been cosponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). “North Dakota farmers and ranchers take care of their land better than anyone else,” said Hoeven. “This legislation is about ensuring USDA NRCS policies are farmer-friendly and respect property rights. As we get to work on the next farm bill, we will continue to prioritize efforts to reduce bureaucratic overreach and red tape for landowners.” “In North and South Dakota, we are all too familiar with the punitive enforcement of conservation compliance and farmers and private property rights rarely come out on top,” said Cramer. “Our bill provides much-needed reforms for the Natural Resources Conservation Service wetland determinations. It creates a more thorough appeals process, prohibits bureaucrats from being retroactively punitive, and rightly places the burden of proof on the government as opposed to the landowner. I thank Senator Rounds for his leadership and look forward to working with him on these reforms.” Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-tester-lead-bipartisan-push-to-protect-and-expand-national-and-tribal-veterans-cemeteries,"Rounds, Tester Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect and Expand National and Tribal Veterans’ Cemeteries",2022-09-28,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced bipartisan legislation to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) in honoring veterans nationwide. “It is crucial our veterans are honored with a dignified resting place,” said Rounds. “This legislation would provide the tools necessary to operate and maintain national and tribal veterans’ cemeteries. It is a small way for us to show gratitude to our veterans and their families, and it will make certain that generations to come will have a peaceful place to visit their loved ones.” “Ensuring all veterans have a final resting place that honors their service and sacrifice is an important part of preserving their legacy,” said Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill that will deliver national and tribal cemeteries the tools they need, for years to come.” Among its many provisions, the National Cemeteries Preservation and Protection Act of 2022 would: Require VA to pay plot allowances for Native American veterans buried at tribal veterans’ cemeteries prior to March 15, 2022; Allow the VA Secretary to designate sections of the national veterans’ cemeteries as green burial sections; Allow the Department of the Interior to transfer land to VA to expand or establish new national veterans’ cemeteries; and Ban the burial of additional criminals in national veterans’ cemeteries. Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0CD7AA85-5966-4A81-BD00-485BFD2546FD,Thune: Democrat Policies Make Our Country Less Secure,2022-09-28,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ government-knows-best, out-of-touch policies have helped create 40-year high inflation and numerous other crises that are hurting the American people. Thune noted that our country’s national security, economic security, and energy security have significantly declined under Democrat governance. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, we’re coming up on two years of Democrat governance here in Washington – two years in which Democrats have controlled Congress and the White House. “And the result of their two years in power is not encouraging. “Economic insecurity is rampant. “Our energy security situation has worsened. “And on the national security front, we’re facing a raging crisis at our southern border – plus a disturbing increase in violent crime around the country. “Mr. President, if there has been one defining feature of Democrat governance over the past 20 months, it’s inflation. “When President Biden took office, inflation was at 1.4 percent – well within the target inflation rate of 2 percent. “But then Democrats decided to pass a massive, $1.9 trillion spending spree – the so-called American Rescue Plan Act. “The legislation flooded the economy with unnecessary government money. “And the economy overheated as a result. “Inflation quickly began climbing. “And then climbing some more. “And then some more after that. “We’ve now spent six straight months with inflation above 8 percent. “Six straight months. “The last time inflation was this bad, E.T. was about to hit theaters, and we still had more than a year to wait for Return of the Jedi. “(For those that weren’t around then, that was 40 years ago, in 1982.) “Mr. President, inflation, of course, has meant tremendous economic pain for the American people. “Huge grocery store bills. “Big utility bills. “High prices at the pump. “Americans are dipping into their savings to make ends meet. “They’re cutting back on essentials, or putting basic living expenses on their credit cards. “In the month of August alone, inflation cost the average American household a staggering $715. “$715. “Even if prices stopped increasing tomorrow, the inflation that we’ve already experienced will cost the average American household more than $8,500 over the next year. “$8,500. “Mr. President, that is a lot of money. “A lot. “That’s a kid’s braces. “Essential car repairs. “Essential home repairs. “It’s the difference between putting something away for the kids’ college, or leaving the education savings account empty. “It’s the difference between putting money away for retirement or spending every penny on necessities. “And for too many families, that’s the difference between breaking even, or finding themselves in debt or worse. “Americans’ economic security has taken a serious hit under Democrat control in Washington. “And there’s little evidence to suggest that things are going to get better any time soon. “Our economy is weakening. “We’ve posted negative economic growth for each of the past two quarters, and estimates for third-quarter growth are not promising. “Major companies have announced job cuts. “And the nonpartisan Conference Board is projecting a recession in the coming months. “And unfortunately the bad news is not confined to inflation or slowdowns in economic growth – neither of which, I should note, will be helped by Democrats’ misleadingly named Inflation Reduction Act, or by President Biden’s massive student loan giveaway, which the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget notes will, quote, ‘meaningfully boost inflation.’ “One major driver of inflation is high energy prices, and we’re facing a concerning situation on the energy front. “As every American who has paid an electricity bill or filled up his or her car is well aware, energy has gotten much more expensive in Joe Biden’s America. “Gas prices are up 57 percent since President Biden took office. “And after a temporary decline, they’re on the rise again. “Electricity prices were up 15.8 percent in August – the biggest year-over-year increase since August of 1981. “Utility gas service is up 33 percent. “And Americans are facing high prices to heat their homes this winter. “And while there are multiple reasons for high oil and gas prices, Democrats’ hostility to conventional energy production is contributing to this energy price crisis. “I’m a big supporter of alternative energy, and have been working for years here in Congress to advance renewable energy technology. “But the fact of the matter is, we are still a long way from being able to rely exclusively on alternative energy technologies. “But that isn’t something Democrats seem able to accept. “They want their Green New Deal future, and they want it now. “And so despite our continued need for oil and gas resources, President Biden has adopted an energy agenda that is hostile to conventional energy production: “Canceling the Keystone XL pipeline – an environmentally responsible pipeline project that would have reinforced our energy infrastructure. “Discouraging investment in conventional energy. “Limiting oil and gas leasing. “The list goes on. “And I haven’t even mentioned Democrats’ latest measure – a round of tax hikes on oil and gas companies that will drive up Americans’ energy bills and continue to discourage conventional energy production here at home. “The result of all this, Mr. President – the result of Democrats’ attempt to force an alternative energy future before that future is fully ready – will be reducing our energy security and prolonging the high energy prices hitting families and businesses. “Mr. President, our nation’s energy security has declined under the Biden administration. “So has our national security. “I came to the floor last week to talk yet again about the raging crisis at our southern border – a crisis the president and Democrats are apparently content to continue to ignore. “The flow of illegal immigration across our southern border has reached record levels, the Border Patrol and border facilities are overwhelmed, and border communities are struggling – and the president and Democrats could not care less. “Mr. President, border security is an essential part of national security. “It’s not just individuals hoping for a better life who are attempting to make their way illegally across our southern border. “All sorts of dangerous individuals are attempting to make their way across, from gang members to human smugglers to possible terrorists. “So far this fiscal year, the Border Patrol has encountered 78 individuals on the terror watch list attempting to cross our southern border illegally. “78. “And that’s the number of individuals the Border Patrol has managed to apprehend. “Given the incredible strain Customs and Border Protection is under, it’s entirely possible that other individuals on the watch list have entered the country without our knowledge. “One thing we do know is that illegal drugs are flowing across our southern border – and contributing to violent crime. “My state is almost as far from the southern border as it is possible to get, but the flow of illegal drugs across the southern border has a direct impact on crime in our communities. “The sheriff of my home county in South Dakota recently stated that there is a, quote, ‘direct connection between a high percentage of our violent crimes [in Minnehaha County] to the use and distribution of illegal drugs, in particular the drugs that are poisoning our community.’ “A substantial part of those drugs, he noted, are coming from Mexican cartels across the southern border. “Mr. President, there’s a lot more to say about the way our nation’s security has declined over the past two years. “There’s the increase in violent crime – an increase undoubtedly driven in part by “woke” Democrat prosecutors’ lax attitude toward serious crime and Democrats’ willingness to accommodate the defund the police movement. “There’s our botched withdrawal from Afghanistan – a national security debacle that weakened our standing internationally and emboldened terrorists and the Taliban. “And there are the president’s ill-conceived plans for a nuclear deal with Iran. “But I’ll stop here. “Suffice it to say that it’s been a rough couple of years under Democrat governance – on both the economic and security fronts. “And if Democrats get a chance to continue with their policies, I expect the situation will continue to get worse.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=19BFBFFD-D2EA-4B44-8337-244D02605345,"Thune, Cardin Introduce Bill to Prohibit Name, Image, and Likeness Tax Write-Offs for College Sports",2022-09-28,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, today introduced the Athlete Opportunity and Taxpayer Integrity Act. This bipartisan legislation would prohibit individuals and organizations from using the charitable tax deduction for specific contributions that compensate college or incoming college athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). “College athletes have the ability to benefit from opportunities related to their own name, image, and likeness, but outside organizations and collectives should not be able to write contributions off their taxes that are used to compensate athletes,” said Thune. “This common-sense legislation would prohibit these entities from inappropriately using NIL agreements to reduce their own tax obligations. These basic taxpayer guardrails would protect athletes, strengthen NIL, and uphold the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.” “In this new NIL era, we want to ensure that the opportunities available for student athletes to benefit from their own name, image and likeness are protected,” said Cardin. “We also have an obligation to protect taxpayer funds, which means that charitable deductions should be reserved for charitable activities. Purposefully blurring the line between private expenses and charitable contributions dilutes both these efforts.” Since the recent adoption of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s NIL rules, certain organizations have established models that facilitate payment to current and incoming college athletes while claiming 501(c)(3) charitable status, which make those specific contributions tax deductible. Such activity is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the charitable tax deduction, and it forces taxpayers to subsidize the potential recruitment of – or payment to – college athletes based on their NIL status. The Athlete Opportunity and Taxpayer Integrity Act would apply to individuals, organizations, and “collectives” (organizations that pool financial resources and direct funds to athletes to profit from their NIL). Educational institutions would be exempt from the legislation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E013D04E-CB11-4D29-9651-DA1DC2CA78B1,Thune Introduces Bill to Stop Automakers From Double-Dipping in Electric Vehicle Subsidies,2022-09-23,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) recently introduced the Ending Duplicative Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act, legislation that would prohibit the automobile industry from double-dipping on federal subsidies, specifically electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, grants, and loans for EV manufacturing. The bill would require stakeholders to choose between receiving manufacturing loans or grants to lower the cost of EV production or having the vehicles they manufacture remain eligible for the new EV credits under the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” (IRA). “American automakers have been on the receiving end of historic amounts of taxpayer money, yet we see them raising vehicle prices right when they’re preparing to receive even more government support,” said Thune. “My common-sense bill would make automakers choose between grants and loans that subsidize their manufacturing operations or having the vehicles they make remain eligible for the expanded electric vehicle tax credit. Automakers shouldn’t be able to double-dip at taxpayers’ expense.” “It’s proven that government subsidies drive up inflation and do more harm than good to the industries they are supposed to benefit,” said Brent Gardner, chief government affairs officer at Americans for Prosperity. “The 'Inflation Reduction Act' doubles down on the subsidy boondoggle that has been plaguing Congress for years with handouts to EV companies at the expense of American taxpayers. There’s no reason someone making $50,000 a year should be subsidizing their neighbor’s $50,000 car. At the very least Congress should correct this absurd double-dipping provision, but an even better idea would be to end these subsidies altogether and quit playing favorites for political gain."" The bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). The IRA extends the consumer tax credit of up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles, and it also provides $40 billion in loan authority for the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, which can make loan guarantees for the manufacture of fuel-efficient vehicles or parts of those vehicles, including EVs and advanced diesel vehicles. The IRA also directly subsidizes auto manufacturing through grants and loans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-secures-fairness-tribal-law-enforcement,Johnson Secures Fairness for Tribal Law Enforcement,2022-09-22,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, legislation co-led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), to bolster funding for tribal and rural law enforcement, passed out of the U.S. House 360-64. The Invest to Protect Act (H.R. 6448) provides grants to small, rural, and tribal departments to improve the recruitment and retention of local law enforcement and provides mental health training to officers. Johnson was instrumental in ensuring tribal law enforcements were eligible in the bill. “Tribal communities will be safer because of the Invest to Protect Act,”said Representative and former SheriffJohn Rutherford (R-FL-04). “Thank you to Congressman Johnson for his leadership ensuring that small tribal law enforcement agencies have equal access to this critically important funding.” “For years, the far-left has called to defund the police – today the House sent a clear message: that’s not happening,” said Johnson. “Our nation has chronically underinvested in mental health resources, and our cities, and specifically our tribal reservations, have seen a dramatic increase in violent crime. The Invest to Protect Act provides critical resources for training focused on de-escalation, substance abuse, and mental health care, targeting smaller departments that need support the most. Our bill also provides resources to increase recruitment to ensure local and tribal communities police departments are appropriately staffed.” The Invest to Protect Act: Creates a grant program at the Department of Justice focused on improving the recruitment and retention of local law enforcement and providing training and access to mental health resources. Grants may be used to fund “eligible activities” including de-escalation training, law enforcement officer signing and retention bonuses, training for handling situations involving domestic violence and responding to calls for service involving persons with substance use disorders, and improved access to mental health care services for law enforcement officers. To be eligible, law enforcement agencies must employ fewer than 125 officers, a threshold which will cover more than 95 percent of police departments in the country.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-thune-rounds-introduce-bill-reform-indian-health-service-increase,"Johnson, Thune, Rounds Introduce Bill to Reform Indian Health Service, Increase Accountability and Transparency",2022-09-22,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2022. A lack of oversight, financial integrity, unmet staffing needs, and employee accountability at the Indian Health Service (IHS) has led to the delivery of substandard health care for patients, families, and communities. This bicameral legislation would increase transparency and accountability at the IHS to ensure Native Americans have access to reliable, quality health care. “Our tribal communities deserve access to efficient, safe, and high-quality care through the IHS,” said Johnson. “The Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act modernizes the IHS credentialing system and allows IHS to more quickly remove employees who have a history of misconduct. I am proud to advocate and support South Dakota’s tribes along with my Senate colleagues to ensure that shortcomings of the IHS are addressed and remedied.” “Our bill would make several critical improvements to the delivery of care at IHS facilities in South Dakota and around the country, and it would hold IHS accountable to Congress and, more importantly, the tribal members they serve,” said Thune. “I look forward to continuing to work with members of the South Dakota tribes and my colleagues in Congress to do everything we can to fix the severely broken IHS system once and for all.” “For far too long, the Indian Health Service has failed to provide adequate and reliable health care to tribal members,” said Rounds. “This legislation would work to reform IHS to increase accountability and transparency at the agency. Real change needs to happen so IHS can deliver the care the federal government has a trust and treaty obligation to provide to tribal members.” The bill was led by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.). A section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=58C4C5B7-3282-495B-97CE-1038692BDAF4,Thune: Democrats’ Hostility to All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy Fuels High Prices,2022-09-22,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” will further erode America’s energy security and do nothing to help alleviate the economic pain from which many Americans are already suffering as a result of high energy prices. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, high energy prices – like high grocery prices – have become a distinguishing feature of the Biden economy. “Electricity prices increased 15.8 percent in August – the largest year-over-year increase since 1981. “1981. “I wasn’t even married the last time we saw an electricity increase like this. “Now I have grandchildren. “Utility gas service was up 33 percent from a year ago in August. “33 percent. “And the price of home heating oil – which many households in places like New Hampshire rely on to keep their homes warm in the winter – has soared. “All told, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association estimates that home heating costs for the winter heating season will average $1,202 – a 17.2 percent increase from last season. “And I haven’t even mentioned gas prices. “Gas prices may have decreased from their $5.00 high this summer – partly as a result of President Biden’s problematic decision to draw down our nation’s emergency petroleum reserves to their lowest point since 1985 with no plan to refill them – but customers are still paying $1.30 more per gallon than they were when President Biden took office. “And the average price for a gallon of gas has increased this week, ending a streak of diminishing – although still high – gas prices. “Mr. President, if there’s one thing we should be doing about high energy prices, it’s increasing our domestic energy supply – including our supply of conventional energy, namely oil and natural gas. “I’m a longtime supporter of alternative energy, and I come from a state that derives a substantial portion of its electricity generation from wind. “In fact, in 2021, over 50 percent of our state’s power generation came from wind, and 30 percent came from hydroelectric on the Missouri River. “But if it weren’t for traditional fossil fuels backing up that generation, especially on days when the wind is still, we’d be left in the dark. “The fact of the matter is, no matter how much Democrats might wish it were otherwise, alternative energy technology has simply not advanced to the point where our country can rely exclusively on alternative energy. “And attempting to pretend we’ve advanced further than we have, or have solved all the requisite supply chain hurdles, will lead to nothing but economic pain for American families. “Just look at California, whose overreliance on alternative energy technology has resulted in an electricity grid that cannot sustain the demands being placed on it. “Californians were recently asked to ration their energy usage and refrain from charging electric cars during certain hours to reduce strain on the grid. “And yet the state has issued a final regulation that will require all new cars sold in the state to be electric or otherwise zero-emission by 2035. “I don’t see this ending well for Californians. “And this is the kind of unrealistic thinking that has permeated pretty much the entire Democrat Party. “I am all for advancing clean energy technologies. “I’ve done a lot of work here in Congress to advance clean energy, from renewable fuels to wind energy. “But until clean energy technology has advanced to the point where it can truly, reliably, and affordably supply Americans’ energy needs, we need to continue to invest in responsible conventional energy production as part of the all-of-the-above energy strategy we need. “Otherwise the high energy prices Americans are struggling with right now could get even worse … and persist long into the future. “President Biden, of course, has been discouraging conventional energy production since day one – which is one reason why high energy prices have become a defining feature of the Biden administration. “From canceling the Keystone XL pipeline to discouraging investment in conventional energy with a targeted ESG agenda to making it more difficult for oil and gas companies to develop leases, President Biden has shown a distinct hostility to conventional energy. “Last month, the president signed into law the so-called Inflation Reduction Act – the partisan tax-and-spending spree Democrats jammed through Congress in August. “I’ve mentioned the high energy prices Americans have been experiencing. “Well, apparently Democrats think that the best solution to that is to pass a bunch of new fees and tax hikes … that will drive up energy prices. “Their so-called Inflation Reduction Act includes a slate of taxes on conventional energy production at the worst possible time. “The methane fee in their bill alone has the potential to drive up Americans’ natural gas bills by 17 percent. “17 percent. “Just what Americans need while they’re paying 15.8 percent more for electricity and 33 percent more for utility gas service and $1.30 more for every gallon of gas … “But at least Americans can feel good about the fact that their tax dollars will be going to fund Democrats’ Green New Deal fantasies – like tax credits for wealthy Americans to purchase electric vehicles. “That’s right. “The so-called Inflation Reduction Act – which, by the way, even the Democrat chairman of the Senate Budget Committee admits will do nothing to fix inflation – pours hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars into Green New Deal priorities. “In addition to tax credits for wealthy Americans, the Inflation Reduction Act also includes funding for things like expensive electric vehicles for the U.S. Postal Service, mitigating urban heat island hot spots and monitoring gaps in tree canopy coverage, and climate-related political activity. “Yes. “Climate-related political activity. “Mr. President, Democrats succeeded in pushing through the Inflation Reduction Act – and its tax hikes on conventional energy – by promising one of their members a vote on permitting reform legislation. “Now, real permitting reform is something I heartily endorse. “Too many energy permits spend years mired in bureaucracy, leading to completely needless delays in energy development. “Cleaning up the permitting process would help advance both conventional and renewable energy production. “Unfortunately, it’s not clear that the permitting reform deal that was released last night will do anything to meaningfully address permitting delays—and in some cases, could make things worse. “For one, it would expand FERC’s authority to override state jurisdiction for projects the president designates as ‘national interest facilities,’ which is why the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is opposed to it. “And it would give states wide latitude to kill the very infrastructure projects the bill purports to expedite by expanding state Clean Water Act jurisdiction. “In other sections where this proposal seeks to shorten deadlines for various stages of permitting, which is a goal I support, the consequences for not meeting a deadline are merely notifying the Office of Management and Budget and the lead department secretary. “It’s hard to see this actually moving the chains, Mr. President. “And on top of that, it’s starting to seem extremely doubtful that Democrats actually have the votes in their conference to pass permitting reform legislation. “Republicans, thanks to the efforts of Senator Capito, have a meaningful, substantive permitting reform bill ready to go. “It’s supported by every member of our conference. “And it would need the support of just 10 Democrat senators to pass. “It would be nice to think that there are 10 moderate Democrat senators – if the words Democrat and moderate can still go together in this time of the Democrat Party’s rapid rush to the extreme left – who would be willing to join Republicans to pass our legislation and finally take a real step to ease the burden of high energy prices on American families. “But given the president’s – and the Democrat Party’s – hostility to any measure that would genuinely start addressing high energy prices, I’m not holding my breath. “Mr. President, high prices – for energy and just about everything else – have become the distinguishing feature of the Biden economy. “And if Democrats continue to take steps to discourage conventional energy production, high energy prices will be a Democrat legacy that lasts long into the future.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A0ABC484-5C44-44E5-AB3D-CBEAD2468909,"Thune, Rounds, Johnson Introduce Bill to Reform Indian Health Service, Increase Accountability and Transparency",2022-09-22,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/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.) introduced the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2022. A lack of oversight, financial integrity, unmet staffing needs, and employee accountability at the Indian Health Service (IHS) has led to the delivery of substandard health care for patients, families, and communities. This bicameral legislation would increase transparency and accountability at the IHS to ensure Native Americans have access to reliable, quality health care. “Our bill would make several critical improvements to the delivery of care at IHS facilities in South Dakota and around the country, and it would hold IHS accountable to Congress and, more importantly, the tribal members they serve,” said Thune. “I look forward to continuing to work with members of the South Dakota tribes and my colleagues in Congress to do everything we can to fix the severely broken IHS system once and for all.” “For far too long, the Indian Health Service has failed to provide adequate and reliable health care to tribal members,” said Rounds. “This legislation would work to reform IHS to increase accountability and transparency at the agency. Real change needs to happen so IHS can deliver the care the federal government has a trust and treaty obligation to provide to tribal members.” “Our tribal communities deserve access to efficient, safe, and high-quality care through the IHS,” said Johnson. “The Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act modernizes the IHS credentialing system and allows IHS to more quickly remove employees who have a history of misconduct. I am proud to advocate and support South Dakota’s tribes along with my Senate colleagues to ensure that shortcomings of the IHS are addressed and remedied.” The bill was led by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-b-21-raider-bomber-to-be-publicly-unveiled-in-december,Rounds: B-21 Raider Bomber to be Publicly Unveiled in December,2022-09-21,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Published: 09.21.2022 Rounds: B-21 Raider Bomber to be Publicly Unveiled in December WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued a statement on the timeline of the B-21 Raider bomber. “The B-21 Raider bomber will play a crucial role in the defense of our nation and have a major impact on the Rapid City area for the next 50 years,” said Rounds. “I was pleased to see the progress on the B-21 when I visited the production facility in July. Soon the public will see this stealth bomber. I am looking forward to the public unveiling during the first week of December in Palmdale, California.” Background: As governor, Rounds successfully advocated for the removal of Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) from the Department of Defense’s proposed closure list during a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round in 2005. Following that effort, he led a legislative effort to establish the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority (SDEDA). Now a permanent fixture, the SDEDA’s mission is to protect, strengthen and promote the base. In March 2019, the Air Force announced Ellsworth AFB was the preferred location for the first home of the B-21 Raider bomber. In December 2019, Rounds, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, secured full funding for the B-21 bomber program with the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. In January 2021, Rounds’ provision to address the Air Force’s bomber shortfall, which directly supports B-21 bomber program and Ellsworth AFB, became law as part of the NDAA for FY 2021. In June 2021, Rounds announced that Ellsworth AFB would officially be the Air Force’s first base to receive the new B-21. In December 2021, Rounds secured key B-21 funding in the NDAA for FY 2022. In anticipation of the B-21 arrival, funding included construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB) and continued B-21 development. In July 2022, Rounds visited the B-21 production facility in Palmdale, California and reported the project was on time and on budget. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-nominates-the-hughes-family-of-sioux-falls-for-angels-in-adoption-award-,Rounds Nominates the Hughes Family of Sioux Falls for Angels in Adoption Award,2022-09-21,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced that he has nominated John and Beth Hughes for the 2022 Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI). John and Beth Hughes have a passion for helping women who choose adoption. Their adoption practice, Heart2Heart Adoptions, which is a part of Hughes Law Office in Sioux Falls, began more than thirty years ago when John was asked by friends to help with the interstate adoption of twin girls. John said that he had never done an adoption before and was promptly told, “Well, then you better learn.” While John provides the legal expertise and counsel, Beth has a remarkable ability to ask the tough questions of expectant mothers and hopeful adopting parents in the most loving of ways. Their greatest reward is having a birth mother they helped in the past come back and tell them that adoption was one of the hardest, but best, decisions in her life. They cherish watching the children grow through the years and love receiving Christmas photos and graduation announcements. In their 31 years of adoption practice, they have assisted with over 500 adoptions in 45 states. John has been admitted to practice in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Court for more than 20 years, and he has had successful adoption experiences with all nine Sioux tribes. John and Beth are blessed with highly-skilled and caring staff who support their adoption work at every step: Jeryl, Mary, Angi and Mel. John and Beth have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. “I am honored to nominate John and Beth for this year’s Angels in Adoption Award,” said Rounds. “John and Beth have brought numerous families together and have touched the lives of so many. Over 500 adoptions in 45 states is a remarkable accomplishment, and their dedication continues to have a positive impact on our state.” Rounds is a member of the CCAI. Each year, members of Congress are invited to nominate an outstanding family or organization from their state to receive an Angels in Adoption award. CCAI is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe and loving homes through adoption. For more information, visit CCAI’s website. Rounds is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Angels in Adoption Award. For more information, please visit rounds.senate.gov/adoption. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4150AEA2-6656-46CC-95B2-318F80BB6BAC,Thune: South Dakotans Shouldn’t Foot the Bill for Democrats’ Radical Agenda,2022-09-21,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” imposes new taxes on businesses in order to pay for Democrats’ radical climate agenda. Thune noted that this new tax burden will largely fall on workers and consumers in the form of fewer jobs and opportunities, lower wages, and higher prices. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, on Sunday the president appeared on ‘60 Minutes,’ where he was asked what he was going to do to help alleviate inflation in light of August’s continued grim inflation news and the resulting stock market nosedive. “The president’s response? “‘Well, first of all, let’s put this in perspective. Inflation rate month to month was just – just an inch, hardly at all.’ “‘Let’s put this in perspective.’ “Mr. President, that might be something to say if the inflation rate had ticked up from, say, 2 percent – the target inflation rate – to 2.1 percent. “But I’m pretty sure that’s not the appropriate thing to say when you’re talking about the sixth straight month of inflation above 8 percent. “And the ninth straight month of inflation at or above 7 percent. “And the 11th straight month of inflation above 6 percent. “And even more concerning than August’s consumer price index rising 8.3 percent from the same month a year ago was the increase in core inflation – a measure of inflation minus the volatile categories of food and energy. “This measure increased to 6.3 percent in August, up from 5.9 percent in both June and July, suggesting that inflation is sinking its roots even deeper into various sectors of our economy. “Or in the words of a CNBC headline from last week, ‘Inflation isn’t just about fuel costs anymore, as price increases broaden across the economy.’ “But of course you don’t have to take my word for it about the mess we’re in. “Here’s what one of President Obama’s top economic advisers had to say last week after August’s inflation numbers came out: “‘Today’s CPI report confirms that the US has a serious inflation problem. Core inflation is higher this month than for the quarter, higher this quarter than last quarter, higher this half of the year than the previous one, and higher last year than the previous one.’ “‘Let’s put this in perspective.’ “Mr. President, here is the American people’s perspective: “Fifty-seven percent of Americans disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the economy. “And 37 percent of voters say that President Biden’s policies have hurt them personally, versus just 15 percent of voters who say his policies have helped them. “These numbers are no surprise, Mr. President. “The president may somehow still believe that he’s creating an economy that will “work for working families,” but the reality is that in the Biden economy working Americans are suffering. “Americans’ utility bills are soaring. “Their grocery bills have ballooned. “And they’re paying $1.30 more per gallon every time they fill up their car than they were when President Biden was elected. “Real wages have dropped every single month since Democrats passed their $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan spending spree – the bill that helped plunge our economy into our current inflation crisis. “And 40 percent of Americans report having difficulty paying for their normal household expenses. “Americans are dipping into their savings or working side jobs to make ends meet. “They’re charging more day-to-day expenses on their credit cards. “And in too many cases they’re having to visit food banks, which are seeing huge lines again thanks to continued high inflation. “And what are Democrats and the president doing about this? “Nothing. “Of course, last month Democrats did pass a bill called the Inflation Reduction Act. “The problem? “The bill will do nothing to reduce inflation. “Nothing. “And again, you don’t have to take my word for it. “The nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model said this about the bill’s impact on inflation: ‘The impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “‘Statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “Or you could take the word of the Democrat chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who admitted right here on the Senate floor that the so-called Inflation Reduction Act would not reduce inflation. “But it’s not just that Democrats have done nothing to help solve our inflation crisis. “They’re also on track to make Americans’ economic situation significantly worse. “In August, President Biden announced a massive student loan giveaway that could cost anywhere from an estimated $500 billion to more than $1 trillion, and that the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget notes would, quote, ‘meaningfully boost inflation.’ “‘Meaningfully boost inflation.’ “Or as the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget recently put it: “‘Amid 40-year-high inflation and despite the administration constantly touting its ‘fiscal responsibility,’ these changes will recklessly add to the debt and make the Federal Reserve’s job in fighting inflation even harder, which will amplify our risk of entering a recession.’ “Inflation has spent eight straight months at 40-year highs, and the president has decided that now is a good time to implement a policy that will, quote, “meaningfully boost inflation.” “Mr. President, the economy continues to show signs of weakening, driven in large part by the inflation crisis Democrats helped create. “Major companies have recently announced job cuts. “Sixty-three percent of small businesses are putting a hold on hiring, and 10 percent of those are cutting jobs. “And we’ve had negative economic growth for the past two quarters. “And so naturally Democrats decided this was a good time to raise taxes on businesses. “Yes. “Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act imposes new taxes on businesses to help pay for Democrats’ Green New Deal spending. “I say taxes on businesses. “But of course, taxes on businesses largely fall on workers and consumers in the form of fewer jobs and opportunities, lower wages, and higher prices. “In other words, pretty much the exact opposite of what we need right now, with prices soaring and wages failing to keep pace with inflation. “The Inflation Reduction Act also imposes new taxes on energy that will drive up energy prices for both American families and American businesses – imposing further pain on family budgets and likely prolonging our inflation crisis even further. “Mr. President, the president may have wanted to build an economy “from the bottom up and the middle out.” “Instead, he and his fellow Democrats have helped create an economy in which working families are struggling to make it from one paycheck to the next. “And thanks to the additional tax-and-spending policies Democrats have recently implemented, working families are likely to be struggling for some time to come.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-spanberger-introduce-bipartisan-bill-requiring-members-congress,"Johnson, Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan Bill Requiring Members of Congress to Electronically File Public Financial Disclosures",2022-09-20,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would require Members of Congress to file their public financial disclosures electronically. Currently, U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators have the option of completing their public financial disclosures—including annual required reporting and periodic transaction reports— either by hand or electronically. However, recent reporting has shed light on how the current disclosure system leads to nearly or completely illegible paperwork filing of Members of Congress’s financial disclosures. The Spanberger-Johnson legislation—the Easy to Read Electronic and Accessible Disclosures (READ) Act—would modernize this system, increase transparency, and allow the American people to more easily hold their elected officials accountable. Specifically, this legislation would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require the electronic filing of all public financial disclosure forms. “This bill is commonsense,” said Johnson. “Requiring these disclosures to be made electronically will not only modernize Congress but increase transparency and accountability of Members to the American people. Congress has a public trust problem, and we should do all we can to ensure our constituents have faith in their elected officials. I am glad to work with Congresswoman Spanberger on yet another effort to ensure Members are held to the highest ethical standard during their time in office.” “Poor penmanship shouldn’t be the enemy of transparency. As discussions about potential conflicts of interest in the halls of Congress continue, we need to take commonsense steps to make it easier for the general public to sort through the disclosures of their Representatives and Senators,” said Spanberger. “Our Easy to READ Act does just that: itwould allow the American people to search, sort, and download data for every Member of Congress—not just those who chose to use a computer to submit these documents. By making this change, we can increase transparency, and help rebuild a degree of trust in our democracy. I want to thank my friend and colleague Congressman Johnson for his partnership on this important legislation.” The Easy to READ Act would also require that the interface for this new system be fully compliant with the Rehabilitation Act and the most recent Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, so that disclosures are accessible for Americans with disabilities. “Government is only as effective as it is open and accessible,” said Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Government Affairs Manager, Project On Government Oversight (POGO). “This means that government records, including financial disclosures filed by elected officials, must be easy to find and easy to understand. This is why Rep. Spanberger and Rep. Johnson should be applauded for introducing a bill that would require congressional financial disclosures to be filed in accordance with basic 21st Century digital and technological standards. These requirements will help bring critical transparency to the financial situation of members of Congress and more opportunity to spot potential conflicts of interest.” “Positions of public power and public service require a degree of transparency from the people elected to hold those positions, and when the law demands transparency it should be an easily accessible and readable format for all taxpayers. NTU applauds Congresswoman Spanberger and Congressman Johnson for their new legislation, the Easy to READ Act, which would require Members of Congress to electronically file financial disclosures and would make those disclosures searchable and downloadable. This is a common-sense transparency measure,” said Andrew Lautz, Director of Federal Policy, National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Click here to read the full bill text.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=AF529859-1F98-40D6-84FA-546C4C37431F,Thune: Biden’s Open-Border Policies Fuel Record-Breaking Surge of Illegal Crossings,2022-09-20,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Biden administration’s disastrous open-border policies have enabled out-of-control illegal immigration and created an unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. Thune noted that there were more than 2 million individuals apprehended attempting to illegally cross the southern border in the last fiscal year alone, the highest number ever recorded. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, last Friday, President Biden said the following during a speech: ‘And we have a process in place to manage migrants at the border. We’re working to make sure it’s safe and orderly and humane.’ “‘Safe and orderly and humane.’ “I have to ask, has the president visited the border lately? “Oh, that’s right, he hasn’t. “In fact, other than a drive-by of the border when he was a candidate for vice-president – and by drive-by, I mean his motorcade literally drove by – the president has never visited the border. “Never. “Although I have to say, even reading the news should be enough to make it clear to the president that the situation at the border is neither safe, nor orderly, nor humane. “Mr. President, in case the president isn’t clear about what’s happening at the border, let me just read from one news story from last week – this one from NBC News. “‘A new surge of migrants … is overwhelming the Border Patrol and shelters in El Paso, Texas, where nearly 1,000 have been released near bus stations over the past week in hope that they will find their own way to their next destinations in the U.S.’ “Here’s the title of another, grim news article from last week: ‘Texas border town requests refrigerators to store migrant bodies after drownings overwhelm mortuaries.’ “‘Texas border town requests refrigerators to store migrant bodies after drownings overwhelm mortuaries.’ “And yet another news outlet reported: ‘El Paso County Sheriff sounds alarm over Border Patrol overwhelmed due to migrants.’ “That article goes on to say, and I quote: ‘Sheriff Richard Wiles stated Thursday, ‘This incident raises a law enforcement concern because Border Patrol is so overwhelmed, undocumented immigrants may be released into communities with minimal or no screening.’’ “Mr. President, does any of this make the situation at the border sound safe, or orderly, or humane? “I don’t think so. “Mr. President, the Biden administration has been characterized by record-breaking waves of illegal immigration across our southern border. “And I mean ‘record-breaking’ quite literally. “In fiscal year 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehended more than 1.7 million individuals attempting to cross our southern border illegally – the highest number of apprehensions ever recorded. “And as for fiscal year 2022 – well, we exceeded last year’s record-breaking number of apprehensions in June. “The final count of apprehensions for fiscal year 2022 will be well over 2 million. “And, Mr. President, those numbers only count migrants who were actually apprehended. “CBS News reports that there were, quote, ‘an estimated 660,000 successful unlawful border entries that did not end in an arrest in fiscal year 2021, according to unpublished DHS figures.’ “660,000. “Mr. President, I don’t have to tell anyone – except maybe congressional Democrats and the White House – that these kinds of numbers have resulted in scenes of near chaos at the southern border. “Shelters have been overwhelmed, border facilities have been overwhelmed, the Border Patrol has been overwhelmed … “Who can forget the scene of 10,000 migrants camped under a bridge in Del Rio, Texas, last September? “And just in case anyone is thinking things at the border have substantially calmed down, here’s yet another headline from this month, this one from the Dallas Morning News, and I quote: “‘Overcrowded processing center has Border Patrol releasing more migrants on El Paso streets: Migrants are being released from a facility filled at 3 times its capacity.’ “Three times its capacity. “Mr. President, over the past few months, the governors of Texas and Arizona have been sending some illegal migrants to places like New York City and Washington, D.C. “There has been a predictable outcry. “But what is so striking about this situation is how upset these places seem to have become when dealing with just a tiny fraction of the situation that border communities and border states have to deal with on a daily basis. “Washington, D.C., declared a state of emergency. “The New York City mayor was outraged. “Mr. President, while I’m in no way dismissing the challenges of dealing with thousands of illegal immigrants, let me just put this situation in perspective for a minute. “Washington, D.C., a city of around 700,000, has received somewhere around 9,400 migrants over a span of five months. “New York City – a city of around 8.4 million – hasn’t even received as many as D.C. “Compare that with the situation in Eagle Pass, Texas – a town with a population of just 29,000 – which sees 10,000 migrants a week. “A week. “Mr. President, for a party that likes to pride itself on compassion, the lack of compassion Democrats and the White House display on this issue is really astounding. “Even after catching a tiny glimpse of what it’s like to deal with an influx of illegal immigration, Democrats have apparently zero compassion for the border communities and states that have to somehow manage the arrival of thousands of illegal immigrants on a daily basis – along with all the logistical and security challenges that involves. “And there are real security challenges. “Certainly many of the migrants crossing our southern border illegally are simply looking for a better life – even if they’re trying to circumvent legal pathways to enter – but there are also a lot of potentially dangerous individuals coming across our border and passing through border communities. “Gang members. Drug traffickers. Human smugglers. And other criminals. “In one recent week, Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector along the southern border arrested 21 gang members, two sex offenders, and three migrants with prior convictions for various crimes. “And the White House and Democrats don’t just display a lack of compassion for border communities. “They also display a real lack of compassion for the individuals attempting to enter our country illegally. “There is nothing compassionate about an immigration policy that encourages individuals to come here illegally – with all the risks that entails. “Mr. President, earlier I mentioned a border town that was seeking increased morgue facilities because it was dealing with the bodies of so many individuals who had drowned while attempting to enter this country. “Deaths at the southern border have surged under the Biden administration – undoubtedly because the administration’s lax immigration policies and obvious lack of concern about securing the border have encouraged individuals to attempt to come here illegally. “According to Department of Homeland Security numbers that have been reported, 748 migrants have died at our southern border so far this fiscal year. “That is a lot of lives lost, Mr. President. “A lot of lives. “Mr. President, one illegal immigrant speaking to a news outlet this month said of the border, and I quote, ‘It’s open, not closed. The border is open. … Everybody believes that the border is open. It’s open because we enter, we come in, free. No problem.’ “That is the message that President Biden’s immigration policies have conveyed. “And the longer he continues with his de facto open-border policies, the more individuals are going to be encouraged to attempt the dangerous journey across our southern border. “Mr. President, the massive spending package – the so-called Inflation Reduction Act – that Democrats shoved through the Senate last month contained hundreds of billions for Democrats’ Green New Deal priorities – like tax credits for wealthy Americans to buy electric cars and more than $60 billion for “environmental justice priorities.” “There was also, of course, an $80 billion funding infusion for the IRS – a majority of it allocated for more IRS audits and increased enforcement, including the hiring of additional IRS agents. “Nowhere were there any resources for addressing the crisis that has been raging for more than a year now at our southern border. “During debate on the bill, Republicans gave Democrats five opportunities to vote for amendments aimed at providing resources to secure the border. “Democrats rejected all of them. “Apparently Democrats are willing to spend a lot of time and effort – and government money – on their Green New Deal and finding new ways to collect taxpayer dollars to help fund their big-government spending plans. “But when it comes to protecting Americans and ensuring a humane situation at our southern border, Democrats just can’t be bothered. “Mr. President, the situation at our southern border is appalling. “And if the president really had any interest in making the process at the border “safe, orderly, and humane,” he’d be making securing our southern border a priority. “Unfortunately, given his record so far, I think it’s more likely that we’ll see the scenes of chaos – and human suffering – continue.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-south-dakotas-angels-adoption-honorees,Johnson Announces South Dakota’s “Angels in Adoption” Honorees,2022-09-19,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) congratulated John and Sarah Enos of Deadwood for being named the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s South Dakota 2022 Angels in Adoption honorees. “Congratulations to the Enos family for being named Angels in Adoption,” said Johnson. “The Enos family is a perfect example of how fostering and adopting is a blessing to both children and families.” In 2020, then a family of three, the Enos family fostered and quickly adopted three young children in 2020. Soon after beginning the adoption process, the Enos family had two more children—quickly growing into a family of eight. Each year, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) selects individuals, families or organizations across the nation who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving homes. Each family’s tireless dedication to child welfare stands out in their community but has earns them recognition as an extraordinary family deserving of this award.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-encourages-high-school-seniors-to-submit-applications-for-nomination-to-us-service-academies-,Rounds Encourages High School Seniors to Submit Applications for Nomination to U.S. Service Academies,2022-09-16,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from high school seniors who are looking to attend a U.S. service academy after graduation. “Each year, I am honored to nominate our nation’s future military leaders to U.S. service academies,” said Rounds. “By attending an academy, not only will students have the opportunity to serve our nation and help lead the best military in the world, but they will receive an excellent education at a top-notch institution. I encourage young South Dakotans looking to answer the call of duty to consider applying to one of our service academies.” Applications for the 2023-2024 freshman class (Class of 2027) are due by October 1, 2022. Nominations are available for the following institutions: the United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and United States Merchant Marine Academy. Those interested in learning about the academy application process can reach out to Senator Rounds’ Sioux Falls office at (605) 336-0486 or Academy_Nominations@rounds.senate.gov. An informational packet and the application packet can be found on Senator Rounds’ website at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/constituents/academy-nominations. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-teens-act-increase-youth-workforce-participation,Johnson Introduces TEENS Act to Increase Youth Workforce Participation,2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills (TEENS) Act, which loosens federal work hour limitations on 14- and 15-year-olds. Currently, teenagers are not permitted to work past 7p.m. during months when school is in session and are limited to 18 hours of work per week. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 60% of American teens had summer jobs in the 1980s and 90s. In recent years, that number is closer to 30%. “If a high school student can play in a football game until 9p.m., or play video games late into the evening, they should also be allowed to hold a job if they wish to,” said Johnson. “The TEENS Act provides a reasonable accommodation for hardworking young Americans. As our nation faces an unprecedented labor shortage, flexibility is needed more than ever.” Currently, 14- and 15-year-olds are limited to working 18 hours per week – less than two and a half traditional 8-hour shifts – and may not work past 7p.m. during the school year. The TEENS Act would permit 14- and 15-year-olds to work between the hours of 7a.m. and 9p.m. year-round and increases the number of workable hours during a school week to 24. “As the father of a teenager, I’ve seen firsthand how work experiences build confidence, develop new skills, instill responsibility, and create a sense of pride in a job well done,” said Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. “Many mom-and-pop entrepreneurs across South Dakota started their own businesses because of jobs they held as teenagers, and we appreciate Rep. Johnson’s efforts to create even more great opportunities for young people.” “The National Fireworks Association, an organization comprised of over 1000 members, believes that hard work, and the results from it, are what Americans believe in and what makes this country great,” said the Board of theNational Fireworks Association.“Congressman Johnson’s TEENS Act is something that is grounded in the values we believe in.” The TEENS Act is endorsed by the South Dakota Retailers Association, the National Restaurant Association, and the National Fireworks Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-opposes-president-bidens-abortion-executive-order,Johnson Opposes President Biden’s Abortion Executive Order,2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) to prevent funding for President Biden’s Executive Order 14076 entitled “Protecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services.” “President Biden’s Executive Order to identify ways to expand access to abortion is an inappropriate use of his authority,” said Johnson. “Expanding access to abortion fails to recognize the valuable life in the womb. Life begins at conception, and even the tiniest of humans deserve the right to life guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-bill-to-remove-burdensome-regulations-on-american-trucking-industry-,Rounds Introduces Bill to Remove Burdensome Regulations on American Trucking Industry,2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that would remove burdensome government regulations, which are impacting the agricultural industry, school districts and trucking companies in South Dakota. In 2012, then-President Obama signed into law legislation that set in motion a new rule that created a requirement for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). The final rulemaking went into effect earlier this year. All new drivers who wish to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) must now complete ELDT, adding a burdensome requirement at a time when the American Trucking Association estimates a nationwide trucker shortage of 80,000 drivers. Additionally, this requirement is costly and time consuming. ELDT training classes range from $450 to $8,500, depending on the trainer, and can take anywhere from three days to 20 days to complete. Rounds’ legislation, the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers (TRUCKS) Act, would allow states to issue a new “Small Business Restricted CDL” so ELDT requirements would not affect small businesses with nine CDLs or less. This would make certain any driver obtaining a CDL without completing the ELDT process could not switch to a larger company and bring a “Small Business Restricted CDL” with them. Further, it would protect small businesses from these constricting regulations so they can fill their positions in a timely manner and remain competitive in the industry. Additionally, the TRUCKS Act would allow states to exempt employees of agriculture-related industries, school districts and local units of governments (including county, municipal and tribal), from ELDT requirements to obtain their CDL. “At a time when our nation is in a recession and faced with worker shortages and supply chain issues, American businesses should not have to battle the heavy hand of government,” said Rounds. “We should be working on policies to help our producers and consumers, not hurt them. This legislation eases the burden on small trucking companies, agricultural producers, school districts and local units of government. It also gives power back to the states so they can decide their own rules of the road.” This legislation is supported by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota and has been endorsed by the U.S. Custom Harvesters. “While we understand the need for CDL standards, the new rules have a significant effect on local school districts trying to hire bus drivers,” said Wade Pogany, Executive Director of Associated School Boards of South Dakota. “In rural areas school bus drivers are hard to find. We are grateful to Senator Rounds who understands the needs of rural states. The exemptions he has proposed will be beneficial for schools.” “We’re appreciative of Senator Rounds for recognizing the burden of duplicative regulation on our industry,” said JC Schemper, USCHI board president and co-owner of Schemper Harvesting, a multi-generation family owned and operated custom harvesting business. “The additional time and financial investment required by ELDT creates obstacles for harvesters to meet the demand of farmers. We support safety measures, however, when each state has existing strict safety measures and regulations in place that our members comply with, ELDT is unnecessary bureaucratic red tape.” This bill has been cosponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). “At a time when we already have a shortage of drivers and continued supply chain constraints, the FMCSA’s new training requirements impose higher costs and discourage new drivers from entering the workforce,” said Hoeven. “Our legislation provides important regulatory relief and flexibility by allowing exemptions for agriculture, small businesses and state and local governments. This will help ensure farmers, ranchers and other small businesses, as well as school districts and other government entities have access to the reliable and affordable transportation services they need while ensuring safety on our roads.” “Custom harvesters across Kansas are overregulated by federal rulemakers who have never worked on a harvest crew,” said Marshall. “The ELDT requirements for new drivers are burdensome to small trucking companies, and this legislation is a common sense reform to eliminate barriers for small businesses, farmers, and custom harvesters crews who are already hard pressed to find an adequate amount of drivers.” “With the current supply chain issues and shortage of truck drivers nationwide at a time of tremendous demand, the last thing the transportation industry needs is more overbearing, bureaucratic red tape placed on them by the Biden Administration,” said Cramer. “The TRUCKS Act allows states to exempt certain drivers from new ELDT requirements and provide regulatory relief to small trucking businesses ensuring we have drivers on the road to keep interstate commerce moving.” Click HERE for full bill text. BACKGROUND: In 2012, then-President Obama signed into law the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act. The law includes a provision, which added an additional section to the federal law dealing with CDLs. The provision directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations establishing minimum entry-level driver training (ELDT) requirements for an individual operating a commercial motor vehicle. A 2020 interim final rule was finalized in June 2021 with a compliance deadline of February 7, 2022. The regulation (ELDT) applies to individuals seeking to obtain a Class A or B CDL for the first time, a Passenger (P), HAZMAT (H), or School Bus (S) endorsement for the first time or if trying to upgrade from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL or a Class C CDL to a Class B CDL. The Class A CDL allows truckers to drive vehicles that are heavier than what is allowed with only a Class B CDL. ELDT does not apply to those obtaining a Class C CDL. Prior to the implementation of ELDT, in order to get a CDL, applicants had to do the following: Obtain a medical certificate (if required for your operation there are some exemptions) Complete the CDL application and pay state fee Provide proof of identity Pass knowledge test Use a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) in a commercial vehicle with another CDL holder for a certain amount of time as determined by the state (minimum waiting time varies by state) Return to State Licensing Bureau for road test – pass the road test Under this new rule, CDL applicants have to complete the following additional ELDT requirements: Drivers will be required to attend theory and behind-the wheel classes PRIOR to taking the CDL knowledge test for a CLP Training must be provided by an entity or individual listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry (trainers self-certify) The State Driver Licensing Agency will be required to verify training has been completed before allowing the driver to go to the DMV to get a CDL (this is done via electronic records uploaded by the trainer) ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-tuberville-and-colleagues-call-on-leader-schumer-to-safeguard-national-security-by-voting-on-ndaa,"Rounds, Tuberville and Colleagues Call on Leader Schumer to Safeguard National Security by Voting on NDAA",2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and 22 of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanding the Senate vote on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the end of September. The U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the legislation in July with broad bipartisan support. The letter calls on Leader Schumer to schedule a vote on the NDAA in time for an open Senate amendment process to take place. Among other priorities, the legislation funds military technology, strengthens capabilities and delivers a 4.6 percent pay raise to America’s service members. “At the founding of our nation, then-General George Washington penned, “When the civil and military powers cooperate, and afford mutual aid to each other there can be little doubt of things going well. Two centuries later, that still rings true. Yet should this body fail in its top Constitutional responsibility of providing for a common defense, our armed services will be left directionless, lack stable funding, and be devoid of civilian Congressional oversight,” the senators wrote. “Members of the House passed their NDAA on July 14th, by a vote of 329 – 101,” the senators continued. “For the bill to go to conference and make it to President Biden’s desk, our colleagues must have the opportunity to debate the Senate version with an open amendment process. As such, we the undersigned respectfully request that you call the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Senate floor before the conclusion of the September work period.” The letter was signed by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.). Read the full text of the letter HERE or below. +++ September 13, 2022 Leader Schumer, At the founding of our nation, then-General George Washington penned, “When the civil and military powers cooperate, and afford mutual aid to each other there can be little doubt of things going well.” Two centuries later, that still rings true. Yet should this body fail in its top Constitutional responsibility of providing for a common defense, our armed services will be left directionless, lack stable funding, and be devoid of civilian Congressional oversight. Chairman Reed and Ranking Member Inhofe saw to it that the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act remained bipartisan and the result safeguards the United States. Additionally, the bill invests in technology advancements and procurement through a $45 billion budget topline increase, provides service members with a 4.6 percent pay raise, and strengthens our forces in cybersecurity, space, the Indo-Pacific, personnel management, and many other areas. Members of the House passed their NDAA on July 14th, by a vote of 329 – 101. For the bill to go to conference and make it to President Biden’s desk, our colleagues must have the opportunity to debate the Senate version with an open amendment process. As such, we the undersigned respectfully request that you call the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Senate floor before the conclusion of the September work period. Respectfully, ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=32B46162-114F-4635-9535-EF73B864A095,Thune: The Last Thing Hardworking Families Want is the IRS Knocking on Their Door,2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how Democrats intend to pay for their so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” by increasing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits and placing new burdens on taxpayers. Thune noted that the Democrats’ bill would provide for the hiring of as many as 87,000 new IRS employees, which would more than double the current size of the agency and make it larger than the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard combined. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, August inflation numbers came out this week, and they weren’t good. “Inflation was even higher than expected. “And it was very clear that soaring prices are likely to continue for quite a while. “But as usual, that doesn’t seem to concern Democrats one bit. “The president was asked Tuesday if he was concerned about August’s even-worse-than-expected inflation report. “His answer? “‘No, I’m not.’ “It was just one more tone-deaf moment for the president and Democrats. “On Tuesday the president and Democrats gathered at the White House to congratulate themselves for having passed their so-called Inflation Reduction Act – a bill that will do nothing to reduce inflation. “That’s not just my opinion, Mr. President. “That was the conclusion of the nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model. “And of the Democrat chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who referred to the bill as the “so-called Inflation Reduction Act” on the Senate floor while admitting it would do nothing to solve our inflation crisis. “But that didn’t stop Democrats from celebrating yesterday. “For most of us, of course, it’s difficult to understand what there was to celebrate. “Leaving aside the issue of 40-year high inflation, we already know that the bill will also fall short in another respect – on deficit reduction. “Democrats’ claims that the bill would provide meaningful deficit reduction were always somewhat dubious, but even granting Democrats’ rosiest assumptions, President Biden wiped out any deficit reduction when he announced his massive student loan giveaway eight days after the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law. “So no inflation reduction, no deficit reduction … oh, and the Inflation Reduction Act will drive up energy bills for Americans. “So what was there to celebrate? “Well, for Democrats, the Inflation Reduction Act marked a chance to finally push through some of their far-left, Green New Deal fantasies. “Things like electric vehicle tax credits to help wealthy Americans buy electric cars. “More than $60 billion for “environmental justice priorities” – including $1.9 billion for things like identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage. “And the list goes on. “So I think Democrats are pretty satisfied with themselves over finally jamming through elements of their Green New Deal agenda. “Then of course they succeeded in extending increased Obamacare subsidies that will push Americans off of private health care plans and into government-run care. “And then there are the tax hikes. “Mr. President, the current Democrat leader once said, ‘You don’t want to take money out of the economy when the economy is shrinking’ – like it has the previous two quarters. “But those days are long gone. “For Democrats, raising taxes has become an article of faith. “And it goes far beyond raising money to help pay for their big-government spending. “Democrats believe raising taxes on corporations and well-off Americans is a good in and of itself – even if those tax hikes have a negative effect on less well-off Americans, and the economy. “And the tax hikes Democrats have included in their so-called Inflation Reduction Act will indeed have a negative effect on our economy and on the hardworking Americans who help support it. “Democrats’ tax hikes on businesses will result in slower growth, lower wages, and thousands fewer jobs. “And Democrats’ tax hikes on conventional energy will result in higher energy bills for working families. “Mr. President, in addition to raising taxes, the other main way the Inflation Reduction Act raises revenue is by increasing IRS audits and placing new burdens on taxpayers. “Democrats’ bill contains a whopping $80 billion for the IRS. “More than half of those funds, or $46 billion, are earmarked for increased IRS enforcement. “Just 4 percent is for improving customer service – which should tell you all you need to know about where Democrats’ real priorities lie. “The bill would provide for the hiring of as many as 87,000 new IRS employees – which would more than double the current size of the agency and make the IRS larger than Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard put together. “Mr. President, in the lead-up to passage of Democrats’ bill, the Biden administration put out a statement declaring that the money for IRS enforcement would not go to increased audits of households making less than $400,000. “Because we had reason to doubt that would be the case, Republicans put forward an amendment to the bill to prevent the IRS from using its new money to audit those Americans. “Every Democrat – every Democrat – voted against the amendment. “I guess Democrats are happy to oppose more IRS audits of middle-class Americans in theory, but they don’t want to cut off the possibility of those audits in practice if they end up needing them to help fund their Green New Deal spending. “Mr. President, I don’t need to tell anyone that the IRS is notorious for mishandling sensitive taxpayer data. “As recently as this month, we learned that the IRS had inadvertently posted confidential taxpayer data for around 120,000 individuals on its website – private taxpayer information that was available to the general public. “Then of course there was last year’s leak or hack of confidential taxpayer information that was shared with the left-leaning ProPublica and used to advance a partisan agenda – for which, I might add, neither the IRS nor the Biden administration has provided any accountability. “Then there was the infamous targeting of conservative groups for extra scrutiny under the Obama IRS. “And the list goes on. “And I haven’t even discussed the IRS’ record of grossly underperforming – some would say nonexistent – customer service. “During the 2022 tax season, just 10 percent of taxpayer calls – 10 percent – were answered by an IRS employee. “What we need to be doing is holding the IRS accountable, not setting tens of thousands of new IRS agents loose on taxpayer accounts. “Earlier this week I joined my Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to introduce legislation to prevent the IRS from using its new funding to audit American workers or small business owners earning less than $400,000 per year. “I also introduced a bill this week – along with Senator Collins – to improve taxpayer service at the IRS. “Our legislation – the Increase Reliable Services Now Act – would prevent the IRS from hiring new employees for enforcement until customer service at the IRS has reached a more acceptable level. “It is unacceptable that taxpayers have a 1 in 10 chance of receiving assistance when calling the IRS. “And the agency should not be allowed to increase enforcement hires until it has achieved a basic level of customer service. “I will continue to work to increase IRS accountability and prevent hardworking Americans from being squeezed to fund Democrats’ Green New Deal spending. “Mr. President, like the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan spending spree before it – which helped plunge our country into our current inflation crisis – the Inflation Reduction Act is a bad deal for the American people. “And all the self-congratulatory White House parties in the world won’t change that fact. “Americans are experiencing serious economic hardship … and Democrats are doing nothing to help.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-ossoff-introduce-bill-to-reform-veteran-records-backlog,"Rounds, Ossoff Introduce Bill to Reform Veteran Records Backlog",2022-09-14,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) introduced the Access for Veterans to Records Act. This legislation would work to eliminate the backlog of veteran records requests at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). “Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom,” said Rounds. “The current backlog is unacceptable and impedes veterans’ ability to access the services they have earned. This bill would work to reform the National Personnel Records Center so our veterans can acquire their records in a timely manner. I am pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are coming together to introduce this commonsense legislation.” “Too many Georgia veterans are having to wait too long to access their service records. It can impact their access to health care and veterans’ benefits,” said Ossoff. “That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan bill to address the backlog.” As of July 2022, NPRC still had a backlog of 499,000 records requests from veterans. The Access for Veterans to Records Act would direct NARA to submit a plan to Congress for eliminating the current backlog. Within the plan, NARA would be required to include timeframes for reducing the backlog, as well as steps to improve customer service and upgrade technology infrastructure to prevent future backlogs. Rounds and Ossoff were joined by Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, which passed in July by a vote of 406-21. Click HERE for full bill text. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=95680F58-A4E3-4212-903D-A92553AC08FA,"Thune, Ernst Introduce Bill to Prohibit Government Monitoring of Livestock Emissions, Block Radical Climate Policies",2022-09-14,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today introduced a bill that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from monitoring methane emissions from livestock. Specifically, this legislation would prohibit the EPA from using any of the new methane monitoring funding provided in the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree to surveil livestock methane emissions in South Dakota, Iowa, or anywhere else in the country. “Farmers and ranchers – the people who work tirelessly to help feed America and the world – should not be subject to government surveillance as part of a broader effort to implement radical climate policies that would threaten their ability to operate,” said Thune. “This common-sense legislation would protect South Dakota livestock producers and their operations from government snooping.” “Democrats are seeking to weaponize the EPA against our farmers by spying on their operations. I’m not going to let that happen on my watch!” said Ernst. “With this effort, I’m fighting to protect Iowa’s livestock producers from the Left’s radical climate agenda and costly government overreach that will only fuel higher food costs and more reckless spending in Washington.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CC4645BC-8DDE-41E9-B0A6-9C6720123817,"Thune: Soaring Inflation, Record-High Costs Hurting South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers",2022-09-14,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the ongoing inflation crisis that the American people continue to face and noted the tone-deaf messaging coming from the White House and congressional Democrats. Thune also highlighted the toll inflation is taking on the agriculture industry in South Dakota, and he noted that under the Biden administration, farm production expenses are projected to reach record highs. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, yesterday afternoon, Democrats and the president gathered at the White House to celebrate their so-called Inflation Reduction Act … a bill that will do exactly nothing to reduce inflation. “And you don’t have to take my word for that. “The nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model said this about the bill’s impact on inflation: ‘The impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “‘Statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “Or you could take the word of the Democrat chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, who admitted on the Senate floor that the so-called Inflation Reduction Act would not reduce inflation. “That’s right. “Mr. President, to describe yesterday’s celebration at the White House as tone-deaf is putting it mildly. “Democrats had a big party to celebrate a bill that may fulfill some of their big-government fantasies but will do nothing to fix the inflation crisis facing our country. “Meanwhile, Americans were dealing with the release of August’s inflation numbers – which were even higher than expected and made it very clear that soaring prices will continue for the foreseeable future. “One of President Obama’s top economic advisers noted yesterday, and I quote, ‘Today’s CPI report confirms that the US has a serious inflation problem. Core inflation is higher this month than for the quarter, higher this quarter than last quarter, higher this half of the year than the previous one, and higher last year than the previous one.’ “Yet Democrats and the president thought yesterday was a good day to celebrate fulfilling some of their big-government fantasies. “I guess Americans struggling to afford their soaring grocery bills can be comforted by the fact that thanks to Democrats’ legislation, their tax dollars will now be going to fund electric vehicle tax credits for wealthy Americans – not to mention road equity and identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage. “Mr. President, the pain of inflation is permeating every aspect of our economy. “During the month of August, I spent a lot of time traveling around South Dakota, and, naturally, I spent a lot of time talking to farmers and ranchers. “And one thing I heard over and over is the toll inflation is taking on agriculture. “In addition to the normal challenges every American is facing from inflation – like high utility bills and high grocery prices – farmers and ranchers are facing massive increases in the price of essential inputs like fertilizer and fuel. “Under the Biden administration, farm production expenses will reach a record high this year. “Fertilizer prices are on track to increase by 84 percent. “84 percent. “That is a staggering increase. “Fuel prices are on track to increase 65 percent. “And there’s no end in sight. “And farmers are facing a huge increase in interest costs thanks to a combination of higher interest rates and record-high farm debt. “Gross farm income is actually supposed to reach a record level this year, but those gains are expected to be entirely wiped out by inflation – and then some. “Thanks to inflation, net farm income is expected to decrease. “Meanwhile, Democrats were at the White House celebrating a bill that will not only do nothing to address our inflation crisis but will drive up energy bills for American farmers and American families. “Mr. President, agriculture is the lifeblood of my state of South Dakota. “And addressing the needs of farmers and ranchers is always one of my top priorities here in the Senate. “And while it’s unfortunately going to be difficult to stop Democrats from prolonging our inflation crisis as long as they’re in charge in Washington, in the meantime I am doing everything I can to make life easier for farmers and ranchers. “One of my top priorities right now is preparing for the 2023 farm bill, to make it as effective as possible in addressing the challenges facing farmers and ranchers. “I’ve been holding roundtables in South Dakota to hear directly from producers about their priorities for the farm bill. “So far, I’ve held roundtables covering row crops, conservation, and livestock. “I also participated in a farm bill panel at Dakotafest and an Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce farm bill discussion at the Brown County Fair. “And I look forward to continuing to receive input from producers as the time to draft the farm bill approaches. “I’ve also begun introducing legislation – based on my conversations with farmers and ranchers – that I will work to get included in the farm bill. “In March I introduced the Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act, which would make CRP grazing a more attractive option for farmers and ranchers by providing cost-share payments for all CRP practices for the establishment of grazing infrastructure, including fencing and water distribution. “It would also increase the annual payment limit for CRP, which has not changed since 1985, to help account for inflation and the increase in land value. “In May I joined Senator Klobuchar to introduce the Agriculture Innovation Act. “Currently the U.S. Department of Agriculture collects reams of data on conservation practices. “The problem is that a lot of this data is often not analyzed and presented in a way that would be useful for farmers and ranchers. “The legislation Senator Klobuchar and I introduced would provide for better processing and development of the data USDA collects, so that farmers and ranchers can evaluate the impact of conservation and other production practices on things like soil health, crop yields, and profitability. “Our bill would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to decide what conservation practices to adopt by, among other things, helping producers identify the ways adopting conservation practices can improve their bottom line. “In the next couple of weeks I will be introducing another piece of legislation for the 2023 farm bill to improve the effectiveness of livestock disaster assistance for producers. “Too often, producers find that accessing disaster relief programs at the Department of Agriculture is an arduous and lengthy process. “I’m working on legislation that would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to access the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Emergency Conservation Program so that producers can receive timely assistance in the wake of natural disasters like drought and flooding. “The U.S. Drought Monitor plays a critical role in triggering USDA disaster assistance, and I’m working to build on my previous efforts to improve weather monitoring and the accuracy of the Drought Monitor. “Mr. President, this isn’t a farm bill issue per se, but I’m also introducing legislation today to prevent Democrats from using funding in the recently passed – and misnamed – Inflation Reduction Act to monitor livestock methane emissions. “It’s very clear that elements of the radical environmental left would like to see U.S. livestock producers out of business entirely. “My legislation is designed to forestall future attempts to curtail beef production by preventing the Biden Environmental Protection Agency from using funds in Democrats’ bill to monitor livestock emissions. “Mr. President, agriculture is a challenging way of life. “In addition to backbreaking work in all weathers, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have to contend with the uncontrollable whims of the weather, which can wipe out a herd or a crop in a day. “And as if the usual challenges of the job weren’t enough, over the course of the Biden administration our nation’s farmers and ranchers have had to deal with soaring inflation. “I am incredibly grateful for all the South Dakota farmers and ranchers – and all of our nation’s farmers and ranchers – who continue to persevere during these difficult circumstances. “And I will continue to do everything I can in Washington to make your jobs easier and support you as you do the essential work of feeding our nation – and the world.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-receives-rating-national-shooting-sports-foundation,Johnson Receives A+ Rating from National Shooting Sports Foundation,2022-09-13,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) received an A+ rating by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) for his work in Congress supporting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. “I am honored to receive an A+ rating by the NSSF,” said Johnson. “I am and will remain a strong proponent of the Second Amendment in Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=04EEF343-3843-4829-B490-266D3AA0EF7F,"Thune Introduces Bill to Protect Middle-Income Taxpayers, Small Businesses from Supersized IRS",2022-09-13,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, this week joined all of his Senate Finance Committee Republican colleagues in introducing a bill led by Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) that would prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using any of the $80 billion of new funding to the agency for audits on American workers or small business owners who earn less than $400,000 per year. “While the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree gave the IRS an unprecedented amount of taxpayer dollars to increase audits on working Americans, it did nothing to assure middle-income workers and small business owners that the agency won’t be targeting them,” said Thune. “If Democrats are serious about protecting middle-income Americans from a supersized IRS, then it’s time to pass this critical legislation that would provide real protections to those workers who support the backbone of our economy.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=09363B21-962B-4CED-9FC1-6CB8BA4F99CA,"Thune, Collins Introduce Bill to Hold the IRS Accountable, Protect Taxpayers",2022-09-13,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today introduced the Increase Reliable Services Now Act, legislation that would prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from hiring new enforcement employees until basic taxpayer service targets – including improved phone services and more efficient tax return processing – are reached. The bill would also prohibit the IRS from using enforcement appropriations in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to audit taxpayers with annual incomes of less than $400,000 at a greater rate than at the date of the IRA’s enactment. “The IRS continually fails to deliver basic customer service to taxpayers. Rather than improving those services, Democrats have prioritized doubling the size of the agency in order to raise revenue to help pay for their reckless and partisan tax-and-spending spree,” said Thune. “More tax collectors will not bring relief to Americans who are waiting on their tax refunds, nor will it help them more easily get ahold of an IRS representative. Our bill proposes actionable steps to prioritize and improve basic customer service at the IRS, from which all taxpayers can immediately benefit.” “Americans deserve a government that is responsive, yet the IRS has consistently failed to provide taxpayers with the service they should expect. Incredibly, four out of five phone calls from taxpayers seeking assistance go unanswered, and tax refunds have been unacceptably delayed,” said Collins. “Our legislation would fix the IRS’ misplaced priorities by requiring the agency to focus on improving customer service and reducing backlogs.” This week, Thune also introduced a bill that would prevent the IRS from using any of the $80 billion of new funding to the agency for audits on American workers and small business owners who earn less than $400,000 per year. The Increase Reliable Services Now Act would prohibit the IRS from hiring new “examinations and collections” (enforcement) employees until basic taxpayer service targets are reached. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the hiring of new IRS enforcement employees until the agency maintains adequate taxpayer phone service (at least 70 percent of phone calls being answered for six consecutive months and an average speed of answering phone calls in five minutes or less). It would also require at least 90 percent of IRS employees to work in person at their job sites. In addition, the bill would prohibit any hiring, other than return processing and call center personnel, until the backlog of processing taxpayer correspondence, tax forms, and payments is not in excess of 1 million cases and eligible tax return refunds are issued by the IRS within six weeks or less, on average, of receipt. The Increase Reliable Services Now Act is supported by the National Taxpayers Union and Americans for Tax Reform.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7F7E4EE4-3740-4B78-B241-10CB5D4FA35E,Thune: Biden Economy Does Not Work for Working Families,2022-09-13,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree has created an economy that is making life harder for working families. Thune noted that our country continues to be in a period of historically high inflation – largely because of Democrats’ big-government, big-spending agenda – in which families are continuing to struggle with high grocery bills, high energy bills, and high rent prices. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, this morning the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the August inflation numbers. “And as every American who has been to a grocery store lately knows, August was yet another month of high inflation. “Consumer prices rose 8.3 percent last month from a year earlier, holding near a four-decade high. “And Americans are feeling the strain. “Mr. President, even one unexpectedly expensive month can be challenging for many families. “But at least it’s usually possible to recover from a single tough month. “How are American families going to recover from the months upon months upon months of high inflation that have marked the Biden economy? “Mr. President, as I said, American families are suffering. “Grocery bills are out of control. “Between August 2021 and August 2022, grocery bills rose at their highest rate since 1979. “1979. “Even back-to-school supplies like pencils and glue are more expensive. “The National Retail Federation reported in July that households were on track to spend an average of $864 on back-to-school shopping – a 24 percent increase from 2019. “Utility bills have soared. “Things have gotten so bad that approximately one out of every six households – one out of every six households – is behind on its utility bills. “Unfortunately, considering the increases in the price of natural gas and electricity since President Biden took office, it’s not surprising. “Forty percent of households – 40 percent – report having difficulty paying for their normal household expenses. “And Gallup reports that 56 percent of Americans – well over half of the U.S. population – are experiencing financial hardship as a result of inflation. “The personal savings rate has plunged to its lowest level since 2009, and many Americans are dipping into their savings to make ends meet. “Others have taken up a side job, or are pulling out the credit card. “Still others have been forced to rely on food banks. “Mr. President, as recently as Friday, President Biden was touting his work to, quote, ‘finally deliver an economy that works for working families.’ “I have to say, I don’t know what ivory tower the president is living in, but the Biden economy is the very opposite of an economy that works for working families. “Working families in the Biden economy are struggling. “They’re wondering how they can make ends meet. “They’re cutting back on groceries like meat or milk. “They’re cutting back on family trips or putting off making necessary home repairs. “They are, as I said, dipping into their savings, or charging necessities on their credit cards, or visiting food banks. “A recent CBS News article discussing a new Gallup poll noted, and I quote, ‘The findings indicate that the hottest inflation in 40 years is eating into the bedrock of the American economy — the middle-class — and even eroding the financial stability of more well-heeled households.’ “‘The findings indicate that the hottest inflation in 40 years is eating into the bedrock of the American economy — the middle-class …’ “This is not an economy that’s, to paraphrase the president, being built from the bottom up and the middle out. “This is not an economy that ‘works for working families.’ “This is an economy where living standards for working families are declining. “Mr. President, the president has actually had the audacity to repeatedly bring up the lines of cars waiting at food banks that occurred during the height of the COVID pandemic – with the implication that things are different now in the Biden economy. “Perhaps no one in the White House has read the news recently. “Here’s a sampling of headlines from the past few weeks: “‘Las Vegas food banks experiencing heightened demand amid inflation spikes’ “‘Food banks feeling pinch of high inflation as centers juggle increased demand for help’ “‘New Hampshire food pantries struggle with rising costs, growing demand: Organizations say more people than ever need help’ “‘St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix sees record number of families in need amid inflation’ “‘Mountain West food banks are strained by high customer demand and low supply’ “And unfortunately I could go on. “Mr. President, at this point, everyone knows how we got here. “Democrats took office and decided to pass a massive, $1.9 trillion spending bill, the so-called American Rescue Plan Act, that flooded the economy with unnecessary government money. “And the economy overheated as a result. “Democrats were warned – including by at least one noted economist from their own party – that their legislation ran the risk of overheating the economy. “But they were committed to taking advantage of their new majority to push through their big-government, big-spending vision. “And so they ignored the warnings. “And their bill helped trigger the worst inflation crisis in 40 years. “But perhaps the worst part is that even after Democrats saw the damage that resulted from their American Rescue Plan spending spree, they continued to try to double down on the spending strategy that helped get us into this mess in the first place. “Democrats spent half of last year attempting to force through another partisan spending spree originally planned to cost up to $5 trillion. “Fortunately for Americans, those particular far-left fantasies were foiled. “But that hasn’t stopped Democrats from continuing to accumulate wasteful government spending. “In August Democrats forced through a partisan tax-and-spending bill that will raise Americans’ energy bills, reduce jobs and opportunities for American workers, and waste taxpayer dollars on a host of Green New Deal priorities like electric vehicle tax credits for wealthy Americans and road equity and identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage. “They’ve called this tax-and-spending spree the Inflation Reduction Act – even though, as even the DEMOCRAT chairman of the Senate Budget Committee admitted, the bill will not reduce inflation. “Apparently the title’s only function is to make the bill sound more acceptable to Americans who are sick and tired of dealing with soaring prices and economic pain. “Then a mere eight days after signing the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, the president once again added to Democrats’ record of economic malfeasance with a massive student loan giveaway that could cost more than $1 trillion – and that the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget notes will, quote, “meaningfully boost inflation.” “‘… meaningfully boost inflation.’ “Mr. President, I’m not sure whether Democrats are incapable of learning their lesson, or whether they consider soaring prices to be a trivial issue next to implementing their Green New Deal agenda, or whether they think inflation is an acceptable price to pay for big government. “But whatever it is, Democrats are apparently going to continue to ignore the economic pain Americans are experiencing in favor of implementing their far-left, big-government, big-spending agenda. “And it appears that the American people are going to have to continue to suffer as a result.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E5B52B03-C315-4EC4-A7E7-7808506992A7,"Thune, Burr: Biden Administration’s Overreaching Child Mask Mandate Must End",2022-09-13,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra requesting that the department rescind its one-size-fits-all federal mask mandate on Head Start programs. Children six months to five years of age are currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but a HHS interim final rule (IFR) still requires all staff and volunteers in Head Start educational facilities to be vaccinated and requires all staff, volunteers, and children two years of age and older to wear masks – even when they are outside on the playground. “This IFR continues to be an overly rigid, inflexible rule that complicates individual Head Start programs’ ability to operate and attract staff and volunteers – though there is a preliminary injunction against the IFR in multiple states – and we request that you immediately rescind it,” the senators wrote. “The nation must continue to transition toward treating COVID-19 as an endemic condition and return to a sense of normalcy, and it is past time for Washington bureaucrats to allow Head Start programs to do the same.” In May, the Senate passed Thune’s bipartisan resolution to repeal the Biden administration’s mask mandate for toddlers in the Head Start program. In February, Thune introduced a resolution to nullify HHS’s IFR, and in December 2021, he introduced separate legislation to do the same. In January, he led his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary Becerra requesting that the administration rescind the IFR. The Head Start program is a federal program that provides qualifying, low-income children with early education services. Program facilities are located throughout the nation and, up until the issuance of this IFR, individual locations had been able to set and enforce their own COVID-19 protocols. Although this rule has been halted by federal courts in several states, including South Dakota, the only way to ensure it never sees the light of day is to permanently rescind it nationwide. The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho). Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Thom Tillis (N.C.). Full letter below: The Honorable Xavier Becerra Secretary U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, Southwest Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Secretary Becerra: Since November 2021, vaccine and mask mandates on Head Start and Early Head Start programs have been in effect as a result of a U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) interim final rule (IFR). We write to highlight how unnecessary these mandates continue to be and request that this IFR be rescinded immediately. As you know, as of January 31, 2022, this IFR requires Head Start staff and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It also requires Head Start staff and volunteers to wear masks. But beyond these mandates, the IFR also requires students two years of age and older to wear masks despite the World Health Organization advising against mask mandates for children five years of age and younger. Up until the publication of this IFR in late 2021 – more than 18 months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – individual Head Start programs across the nation had the flexibility to implement their own precautions that effectively protected staff, volunteers, and students in these facilities. This flexibility afforded each individual program the opportunity to establish health and safety protocols and other mitigation strategies that were consistent with state and local laws and recommendations that worked best for their staff, volunteers, and students. In fact, according to a December 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this flexibility was effective, as the CDC found that individual programs successfully implemented recommendations that limited the transmission of COVID-19 in their facilities. The application of inflexible federal rules on individual Head Start programs through this IFR and the forcing of toddlers enrolled in these programs to wear masks even caught the attention of Congress. On May 3, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of this IFR by a bipartisan vote of 55 to 41, with seven Democrats supporting the resolution and opposing the IFR. Prior to Senate consideration of the resolution, President Biden unfortunately committed to vetoing it. A primary reason for his opposition was because, at the time of Senate consideration, the CDC had not yet approved children five years of age and younger to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, on June 18, 2022, the CDC approved certain COVID-19 vaccines for children six months through five years of age. Head Start-aged children are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if their families so choose. This IFR continues to be an overly rigid, inflexible rule that complicates individual Head Start programs’ ability to operate and attract staff and volunteers – though there is a preliminary injunction against the IFR in multiple states – and we request that you immediately rescind it. The nation must continue to transition toward treating COVID-19 as an endemic condition and return to a sense of normalcy, and it is past time for Washington bureaucrats to allow Head Start programs to do the same. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-office-now-accepting-spring-2023-internship-applications,Johnson’s Office Now Accepting Spring 2023 Internship Applications,2022-09-12,2022,2022-09,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.) is seeking internship applicants for Spring 2023 in his Washington, D.C., Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls offices. The spring program will run from January through May. Duties include researching legislation, writing memos, attending briefings and community meetings, assisting the communications team, answering constituent phone calls, sorting mail, and providing support to the staff and the Member of Congress. Interns are given the opportunity to develop their research, writing, and communications skills while working closely alongside staff. They also gain an in-depth understanding of how the legislative branch of government operates while helping to serve South Dakota constituents. “Our congressional office only has sixteen full-time staff to serve the entire state,” said Johnson. “Interns are an integral part of our team’s success. As a part of the team, congressional interns will gain firsthand experience of the legislative process and innerworkings of Congress.” Interested applicants should complete the online internship application and submit a resume online no later than November 1, 2022. More information about the internship program, along with the application, can be found online at dustyjohnson.house.gov/services/internships.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F221554F-C249-4770-AF0E-788F3EF63CFC,Thune Supports Comprehensive Permitting Reform Legislation,2022-09-12,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined 34 of his colleagues in introducing the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency Act, comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform legislation. “Meaningful and enduring permitting reforms that cut bureaucratic and legal delays would help America restore our energy and economic security,” said Thune. “Codifying sensible regulations like the Navigable Waters Protection Rule instead of the Biden administration’s over-reaching WOTUS proposal, while eliminating regulatory hurdles and limiting opportunities for frivolous lawsuits, would get government out of the way. It would also ensure that we can meet our energy needs and grow our economy while preserving our environment for future generations. A serious attempt at permitting reform should meet this standard.” The bill was led by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7614F239-7BBC-441C-8316-D7CEDBFDC393,Thune Statement on the 21st Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks,2022-09-09,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement ahead of the 21st anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: “That bright September morning 21 years ago will be forever seared into our national memory,” said Thune. “The terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 tried to destroy our American way of life, but their cowardly actions were met by the patriotism, courage, and resolve of the American people. The United States will never forget the nearly 3,000 men and women who were tragically killed and the heroic first responders and service members who stepped up in service to our country. We mourn their loss, pray for their families, and remain grateful for the men and women who continue to stand watch against such evil.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9614C1A0-E2E3-42A6-B6A9-71C70DC9B1BC,"Thune: Democrats’ Big-Government, Big-Spending Agenda Does Nothing to Ease Economic Pain",2022-09-08,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” will do nothing to reduce inflation and how it will instead double down on wasteful government spending and increase the tax burden on American businesses and middle-income families. Thune noted that Democrats should start focusing on pro-growth economic policies that would actually help working families who have experienced a de facto pay cut due to record-high inflation and President Biden’s failed policies. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, a month ago yesterday, Senate Democrats shoved another partisan spending bill through the Senate – this one the inaccurately named Inflation Reduction Act. “I say inaccurately named because the so-called Inflation Reduction Act … will do nothing to reduce inflation. “That’s right. “The so-called Inflation Reduction Act … will not actually reduce inflation. “And you don’t have to take my word for it. “The nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model said this about the bill’s impact on inflation: ‘The impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “‘Statistically indistinguishable from zero.’ “Democrats also claim that the bill will lead to deficit reduction. “But that’s not really true either. “In the first place, Democrats arrive at their deficit reduction assumptions using some extremely fuzzy math. “A substantial part of their deficit reduction claims depends on not extending a program that they’ve already called for extending … and on supposedly eliminating a rule that at this point was never going to be implemented anyway. “But even using their rosiest assumptions, the deficit reduction they would have achieved with the Inflation Reduction Act was wiped out completely eight days after the bill was signed by the president’s costly, reckless student loan giveaway. “Mr. President, Democrats have clearly been seeing the polling on Americans’ opinion of the economy – and their lack of faith in President Biden and Democrats to deal with the economic challenges we’re facing. “That’s unquestionably why Democrats named their bill the Inflation Reduction Act and touted their commitment to deficit reduction in an attempt to suggest fiscal responsibility. “The problem, of course, is that their commitment to deficit reduction, inflation reduction, and fiscal responsibility was, and continues to be, nothing more than window dressing. “At its core, the Inflation Reduction Act, like the so-called American Rescue Plan before it, is just another big-government, big-spending piece of legislation. “It will do nothing to address the real economic challenges facing our nation. “Instead, it will waste taxpayer dollars on Democrats’ big-government fantasies. “It will drive up energy costs in the service of Democrats’ Green New Deal agenda. “It will push people off private insurance and into government-run care – driving up the cost to taxpayers. “The legislation imposes socialist-style price controls that will discourage medical innovation and reduce the number of new treatments and cures. “It imposes new taxes on businesses that will slow economic growth and result in lower wages and fewer jobs. “And the list goes on. “And, Mr. President, in case there was any doubt about their intentions with this bill, Democrats made their priorities very, very clear when the Senate considered amendments. “Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act hikes taxes on domestic oil and gas production, something that will unquestionably result in higher energy prices for American families – who are already facing high energy bills in the Biden economy. “And during the amendment vote-a-rama on this legislation, Democrats made it very clear that they are indeed just fine with restricting American energy production and seeing Americans’ energy bills soar. “Democrats rejected attempts to ease their tax hikes on domestic oil and gas. “They rejected amendments to make it easier for companies to develop American oil and natural gas. “They also rejected a comprehensive amendment to reform the burdensome permitting process, which is one of the biggest obstacles to new energy investment. “They even rejected an amendment to prevent Democrats’ new electric vehicle tax credit from going to wealthy Americans. “Apparently it’s just fine to support measures that would drive up Americans’ energy bills, but electric vehicle tax breaks for wealthy Americans have to be preserved. “Not to mention the irony of U.S. automakers recently hiking prices on certain electric vehicles by $6,500 to $8,000, which roughly matches the $7,500 tax credit in the Democrats’ ‘inflation reduction’ bill. “Mr. President, I have long been a supporter of clean energy. “But the fact of the matter is, clean energy technology has not advanced to the point where we can solely rely on alternative energy. “We need oil and natural gas, and we will continue to need them for a while yet. “And efforts to discourage domestic production of conventional energy will simply drive up energy costs for hardworking Americans and force our country to rely on unstable foreign sources of oil and gas. “That may very well be Democrats’ plan, in hopes of hastening the arrival of their Green New Deal future. “Mr. President, Democrats like to bill themselves as the party of the little guy. “But their track record gives the lie to that. “Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support measures to lower Americans’ energy bills by increasing domestic oil and gas production because it conflicts with their Green New Deal ideology. “But they did all unite to protect a tax deduction that mainly goes to wealthy Americans in high-tax states. “And to make sure, as I mentioned, that wealthy Americans are able to access tax credits for electric vehicles. “And of course they opposed a measure to prevent more audits of Americans making less than $400,000 a year. “Yes. “Democrats’ legislation includes tens of billions of dollars for new IRS agents and increased audits. “Democrats’ hope is that more audits of Americans will help pay for some of their spending measures, like increased government health care subsidies and their Green New Deal priorities. “The Biden administration put out a statement claiming that this wouldn’t mean increased audits of Americans making less than $400,000. “But when Democrats had the opportunity to confirm that by supporting an amendment that would have prevented the new enforcement funds from being used to audit Americans making less than $400,000, they unanimously voted against it. “Mr. President, I could go on. “I haven’t even talked about the border security amendments Democrats opposed. “Republicans thought that perhaps, while Democrats were throwing money at “environmental justice” and climate slush funds and identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage, perhaps they could spare some money for the crisis at our southern border – a crisis that Democrats have largely chosen to pretend doesn’t exist. “But Democrats quashed any attempt to divert money to address the border crisis. “Apparently identifying gaps in tree canopy coverage is more important than securing our southern border. “Democrats went so far as to oppose – oppose – an amendment that would have prohibited hiring additional IRS agents until additional Customs and Border Protection agents are hired to help secure the border. “Yes, you heard that right. “Mr. President, I’m pretty sure Americans are more worried about our border crisis than what Democrats apparently think is an IRS enforcement crisis. “But clearly Democrats don’t want to let border security get in the way of funding for their Green New Deal priorities or supersizing the IRS. “Mr. President, it may have an appealing name, but as the substance of the bill demonstrates, the so-called Inflation Reduction Act is nothing more than the latest installment of Democrats’ big-government, big-spending agenda. “It will do nothing to address the real economic challenges facing Americans. “And it will do nothing to address Americans’ priorities. “What it will do is spend hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars on Democrats’ socialist, big-government fantasies – and raise taxes to help pay for it. “Meanwhile, our inflation crisis – and our border crisis, and rising crime – will continue.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=807AD73F-EF97-4E0C-B693-7D607436A5EA,"Thune, South Dakota Farm Bureau President Testify in Favor of Thune-Led Livestock Regulatory Protection Act",2022-09-07,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today spoke at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works’ hearing on his Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, which the committee is considering. Thune also welcomed Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation and vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, who testified about the importance of Thune’s bill. In April 2021, Thune introduced the bipartisan Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing permits related to livestock emissions. Specifically, the bill would amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the EPA from issuing permits for any carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock production. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Thank you Chairman Carper and Ranking Member Capito for holding today’s legislative hearing to consider the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act. “I also want to thank South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation President and American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Scott VanderWal for being here and for his testimony on this important legislation. “I have long been concerned with efforts to impose onerous regulations and costly permit fees on animal emissions and the negative effect this would have on U.S. agricultural producers’ ability to continue providing a safe and abundant food supply for our nation and the world. “Regulating animal emissions could ultimately lead to higher food costs for consumers who are already facing increased food prices. “Contrary to the story being pushed by opponents of the beef industry, beef production is directly responsible for only a tiny fraction of U.S. emissions. “Cattle actually play an important role in managing pasturelands that sequester vast amounts of carbon. “And on top of that, it’s become clear that with certain feed additives, as well as then capturing and utilizing the energy potential of their waste using biodigesters, it’s possible to significantly reduce cattle emissions – making the demonization of beef even more wrongheaded. “This issue isn’t limited to cattle production. “Regulating animal emissions would negatively affect the entire livestock sector, including poultry producers in Delaware and dairy producers in West Virginia. “To address this, I introduced the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act with Senator Sinema. “The Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, which is also cosponsored by Senators Boozman and Kelly, would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing emissions regulations relating to the biological processes of livestock. “I actually introduced this bill years ago with the Democrat leader. “This legislation was included in annual funding bills on a bipartisan basis for a number of years after the Democrat leader and I first introduced it. “Unfortunately, Democrats have omitted this important protection in their recent spending proposals, and it has had to be secured in final spending bills. “Passing this legislation would provide livestock producers long-term certainty that their livelihoods will not be compromised by regulatory overreach. “Thanks again for holding today’s hearing, and I urge this committee to swiftly advance this important legislation.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=FB954D30-7A6F-4FAE-898E-6B7AEDCA1824,Thune: South Dakota Taxpayers are Footing the Bill for Biden’s Unprecedented Student Loan Bailout,2022-09-07,2022,2022-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Click here or on the picture above to watch the video. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed President Biden’s unprecedented decision to transfer the cost of student loan debt from those who chose to incur the debt to those taxpayers who didn’t. He noted that it’s inherently unfair, encourages students to take on even more debt, and does nothing to address the skyrocketing cost of college education. Thune also noted that instead of focusing on policies that would help lower inflation for American families, Democrats instead chose to pursue their reckless tax-and-spending spree in order to appease their far-left base. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, eight days. “Eight days. “That’s how long it took President Biden to completely erase any of the supposed deficit reduction included in Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act. “On August 24, eight days after signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law, President Biden announced that with a stroke of his pen, he would be forgiving $10,000 in student loan debt ($20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) and taking other costly measures on student loans. “The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget – where Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen served before joining the Biden administration – estimates that, altogether, the president’s student loan changes will cost anywhere from $440 billion to $600 billion over the next decade. “The Penn Wharton Budget Model suggests that it could be even worse than that, with the total cost over 10 years exceeding $1 trillion. “Mr. President, even using the most optimistic assumptions, the Inflation Reduction Act would only ever have reduced the deficit by around $300 billion. “President Biden’s student loan plan will wipe out every dime of that reduction, and then add hundreds of billions to the debt on top of that. “So much for Democrats’ commitment to reducing the deficit. “Mr. President, I’ve already noted that the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the president’s student loan measures will cost a staggering half a trillion dollars over the next decade. “Here’s what else the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget had to say: “‘The student debt cancellation and relief measures announced … by the Biden Administration … would meaningfully boost inflation.’ “‘Would meaningfully boost inflation.’ “Yes. “Americans have spent the majority of the Biden administration struggling with huge increases in the price of everything from gas to groceries, and the president just imposed a new policy that is likely to, quote, ‘meaningfully boost inflation.’ “I guess it isn’t surprising, Mr. President. “After all, it’s thanks in large part to Democrats and the president that we ended up in this inflation crisis in the first place. “Their reckless American Rescue Plan spending spree flooded the economy with unnecessary government money, and the economy overheated as a result. “But the president’s latest reckless action underscores just how committed Democrats are to their big-spending, big-government agenda. “Mr. President, Democrats tried to suggest that they’d gotten serious about the economy with their so-called Inflation Reduction Act – even though the bill was only serious about spending taxpayer dollars on ill-considered priorities like their Green New Deal agenda. “But the fact that it took the president exactly eight days to wipe out any deficit reduction from Democrats’ bill tells you all you need to know about exactly how serious Democrats are about handling taxpayer dollars responsibly. “Mr. President, I’ve talked for a while here about why the president’s student loan plans are such bad economic policy. “But you don’t have to take my word for it. “Here’s what former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman had to say about President Biden’s student loan plans: “Pouring roughly half [a] trillion dollars of gasoline on the inflationary fire that is already burning is reckless. Doing it while going well beyond one campaign promise ($10K of student loan relief) and breaking another (all proposals paid for) is even worse.” “Another former Obama economic adviser noted, and I quote, ‘Student loan debt relief is spending that raises demand and increases inflation. … It will also tend to be inflationary by raising tuitions.’ “Even some current Democrat members of Congress have expressed their concerns about the president’s reckless student loan decision. “And the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget – where President Biden’s own treasury secretary once served on the board – issued a scathing statement in which she said, and I quote: “‘This announcement is gallingly reckless – with the national debt approaching record levels and inflation surging, it will make both worse. … It would do nothing to actually make education more affordable, and if anything, this policy will drive up tuition costs while raising prices on a variety of other goods and services for ordinary Americans.’ “‘… while raising prices on a variety of other goods and services for ordinary Americans.’ “Mr. President, as the Washington Post’s editorial board noted, American taxpayers will be footing the bill for the president’s student loan decision. “Ordinary Americans will pay in the form of higher prices. “They’ll pay in the form of higher rates on loans and mortgages. “And they’ll pay in the form of higher tuition costs. “The majority of Americans do not have student loan debt – either because they’ve paid off their loans, never went to college, got a scholarship or worked their way through college, or were able to go thanks to their or their parents’ savings. “Now these Americans will be footing the bill for the 13 percent of Americans who do have student loan debt. “Everyone is going to have to suffer economically to provide loan forgiveness for the few. “This is deeply unfair, Mr. President. “It’s unfair to expect Americans who either never went to college, paid off their loans, or paid their way through to shoulder the cost of other Americans’ loans. “The president’s decision is unfair to parents who scrimped and saved to send their children to college. “To students who chose a lower-cost college or worked to put themselves through. “To the men and women in the military who fought for this country to earn money for their college education. “And to the families struggling with high grocery bills and high energy bills and high rent prices who are likely to end up facing even more price increases thanks to the president’s student loan decisions. “And let’s remember that taxpayers are going to be facing economic hardship to pay off student loans for Americans who, if they graduated from college, enjoy greater long-term earning potential than many of the Americans who will be helping to shoulder the burden for their debts. “The president’s plan isn’t even targeted to the most needy, with families making $250,000 – nearly ten times the poverty line for a family of four – now eligible to have their loans forgiven. “Mr. President, there’s no doubt that the cost of a college education has risen outrageously. “And that in some cases students have been encouraged to take on unrealistic levels of debt to pay for it. “But the president’s student loan plan does absolutely NOTHING to fix these problems. “The president’s plan will not only do nothing to control the cost of college education, it will almost undoubtedly make our current situation worse. “What college is going to spend time worrying about lowering student fees if it can expect the federal government to pick up part of the bill for its students’ education? “The president’s plan will also do nothing to discourage students from taking on unrealistic levels of debt. “In fact, it’s likely to encourage students to incur even more debt, since the president has now set up an expectation that the government will step in to help pay down students’ loan burden. “Given the fact that student loan debt is expected to be back to its current level in six years, I imagine we will be hearing more Democrat calls for student loan forgiveness in the very near future. “In fact, some members of the Democrat Party already think the president didn’t go far enough. “More than one Democrat wanted the president to forgive $50,000 in debt. “Apparently these Democrats won’t be satisfied until our economy drowns entirely under the weight of reckless government spending. “Mr. President, the defining ‘achievement’ of the Biden administration so far has been an economy that has left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. “Apparently the president wants that to be his legacy. “Because for the sake of a few possible additional votes in November, he has decided to pursue yet another economic policy that will almost undoubtedly result in further economic pain for the American people. “Now he’ll just have to hope that his strategy doesn’t backfire. “Because while his reckless student loan plan may buy him a vote or two, a lot of other Americans may decide that they’ve had their fill of inflationary spending and far-left appeasement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:29:59Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-legislation-block-tok,Johnson Introduces Legislation to “Block the Tok”,2022-09-06,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Block the Tok Act, a bill that would prohibit TikTok from accessing U.S. citizens’ user data from within China and block the installation of TikTok on government devices. Earlier this year, reports indicated the Chinese parent company of TikTok was freely accessing sensitive user data such as passwords, keystrokes, browser history, and voice and facial recognition. “According to TikTok’s own employees, ‘everything is seen in China,’” said Johnson. “It might seem trivial to go after an app known for viral dance videos, but TikTok is a national security concern. TikTok has more than one billion users, and China is using Americans’ information to advance its communist agenda. It’s no secret China’s goal is to replace the U.S. as the world’s superpower – Americans shouldn’t help China advance its agenda. Block the Tok keeps China’s hands off your personal information.” TikTok has circumvented privacy safeguards since 2020 and has paid nearly $100 million in fines for improper data collection, including that of children under the age of 13. Currently, several government agencies recommend employees do not download TikTok on government devices. The Block the Tok Act would put safeguards in place to ensure better user privacy, pursue transparency, and protect our national security. The bill would:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-strengthen-school-security,Rounds Introduces Legislation to Strengthen School Security,2022-08-25,2022,2022-08,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings (SAVES) Act. This legislation would redirect federal funds to establish a grant program to enhance school safety at the state and local levels. “The first responsibility of any school is to provide for the safety of all students,” said Rounds. “When it comes to our kids, it should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. South Dakota has schools of many sizes and needs. Decisions about education are best made at the state and local levels. This bill would allow states and local schools to determine how to improve school safety in a manner that best fits their needs.” The SAVES Act would create a new Department of Justice grant program to improve school security. This program would reallocate $500 million in funding over five years to states to create grants for local K-12 schools and school systems. Unlike other federal programs for school security, this grant program will allow states and local schools, rather than federal agencies, to determine how to utilize this money to strengthen school safety. The grant program would not cost any additional taxpayer money. It would instead transfer funding appropriated in last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities. The redirecting of funds would allow schools to access metal detectors and school security officers rather than providing solar panels at schools. You can read the full bill text HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-opposed-bidens-cancelation-student-debt,Johnson Opposed to Biden’s Cancelation of Student Debt,2022-08-24,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the Biden Administration’s announcement to cancel $10,000 of student loan debt for individuals making $125,000 a year or families earning up to $250,000. This action is estimated to cost U.S. taxpayers up to $300 billion. “This decision is a slap in the face to the millions of Americans who did the right thing and paid off the student debt they willingly took on,” said Johnson. “Where is their $10,000 free pass? The administration’s willingness to spend, spend, spend is baffling – President Biden is making inflation worse with every stroke of his pen. “Congress should focus on long-term solutions to the high cost of education. This is nothing more than a political giveaway as Democrats look down the barrel of a Republican majority come November.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0A4A98A1-EEC0-4E16-A267-1186E3023A5B,Thune Statement on President Biden’s Costly Student Loan Decision,2022-08-24,2022,2022-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement regarding President Biden’s expected executive action to extend the suspension of repayments on qualifying federal student loans and forgive between $10,000 to $20,000 per borrower. “The president’s plan to forgive student loans is incredibly unfair to those taxpayers who never incurred student debt because they didn’t attend college in the first place or because they either worked their way through school or their family pinched pennies and planned for higher education, and it will do nothing to address the problems that actually created this debt crisis,” said Thune. “Regrettably, Democrats have made clear that they do not have a serious plan to lower the cost of higher education and instead support putting taxpayers and working families on the hook for billions of dollars of student loans in a blatant political payoff.” Some estimates suggest that forgiving $10,000 in student loans for certain borrowers would cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. In addition, the current student loan repayment freeze has already cost American taxpayers more than $100 billion. In April, Thune introduced the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act, which would end President Biden’s untargeted, budget-busting suspension of repayments on qualifying federal student loans. The bill would still allow the president to temporarily suspend repayment for low- and middle-income borrowers in future national emergencies and would prohibit the president from cancelling outstanding federal student loan obligations due to a national emergency.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:26:22Z https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8A228319-90C3-4B5E-8FB5-A495481BFE9E,Thune on Fox News: Biden Transfers Student Debt From Graduates to Taxpayers,2022-08-24,2022,2022-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Neil Cavuto on Fox News to discuss President Biden’s executive action to extend the suspension of repayments on qualifying federal student loans and forgive up to $20,000 per borrower. Earlier today, Thune called out Democrats for not having a serious plan to lower the cost of higher education and for putting taxpayers and working families on the hook for billions of dollars of student loans in a blatant political payoff. On President Biden’s costly student loan decision: “[President Biden] keeps coming up with new ways to increase inflation in our economy. [Student loan forgiveness] will certainly do that. It’ll increase the cost of college education because tuition costs are going to go up. And I think it will add to inflation because it’s pumping more money out into the economy at a time when we have record 40-year-high inflation. “Here’s the problem with this, you’ve got 87 percent of the people in this country [who] don’t have student debt, so [the Biden administration is] going to subsidize the 13 percent who do, and the 87 percent who don’t have student loan debt are going to pay for it in the form of maybe higher taxes down the road […] and higher inflation.” … “Democrats are trying to change the subject. They're trying not to talk about inflation and the broken border and energy costs and crime in our streets. They're trying to shift it to something that they think is more favorable ground for them. And the way they do that, in most cases, is they buy it. Democrats spend money, they raise taxes, they grow and expand government. That is what they do. And in this case, at least $300 billion dollars – I mean, think about that – just like that the Democrats dropped $300 billion in hopes again that it has some positive political benefit. “In the long run this hurts the economy, contributes to inflation, and more importantly, as has already been pointed out by your reporters, this sends a really wrong message to people in this country. This is a country that was built upon a principle of personal individual responsibility. And what you're saying here, to a whole lot of people in the country, is go ahead, take out loans, don't worry about it, we'll just write it off when the time comes. “And again, that may make a few people happy in the near term, but this is going to have long term consequences that are very, I would say, devastating to the whole principle and ethic that sort of undergirds the American experiment. But in the near term, it's going to have a negative, I think, economic consequence as well because it's going to add to the cost of tuition to go to college in this country.” Some estimates suggest that forgiving $10,000 in student loans for certain borrowers would cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. In addition, the current student loan repayment freeze has already cost American taxpayers more than $100 billion. In April, Thune introduced the Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act, which would end President Biden’s untargeted, budget-busting suspension of repayments on qualifying federal student loans. The bill would still allow the president to temporarily suspend repayment for low- and middle-income borrowers in future national emergencies and would prohibit the president from cancelling outstanding federal student loan obligations due to a national emergency.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:26:22Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-mount-rushmore-protection-act-amid-calls-retire-mount,Johnson Introduces Mount Rushmore Protection Act Amid Calls to “Retire” Mount Rushmore,2022-08-22,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – On Friday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Mount Rushmore Protection Actin response to former NBA player Jalen Rose’s call to “retire” Mount Rushmore, claiming it is “offensive.” The Mount Rushmore Protection Act prohibits the use of federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove the likeness, the name of, or any of the faces on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. “The four presidents on Mount Rushmore championed the cause of freedom,” said Johnson. “Our nation has an imperfect past, but the calls to cancel Mount Rushmore will not move our nation forward. My legislation ensures the protection and beauty of Mount Rushmore for generations to come.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-blacklist-china-from-buying-american-farm-land-and-agriculture-businesses,Rounds Introduces Legislation to Blacklist China from Buying American Farm Land and Agriculture Businesses,2022-08-17,2022,2022-08,Republican,Senate,SD,Mike Rounds,R000605,www.rounds.senate.gov,rounds,https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation that would blacklist China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from investing in, purchasing or otherwise acquiring land or businesses involved in agriculture. “Protecting American farmland is critical to maintaining our national security,” said Rounds. “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was alarmed when a Chinese company recently purchased farmland near an Air Force base in North Dakota. This acquisition could threaten our national security by allowing the Chinese Communist Party to closely monitor the operations and communications at a very important military facility. “In my travels around South Dakota, I’ve heard from many farmers and ranchers who are concerned about foreign adversaries owning American farmland. It’s time to put a stop to this and take action. This legislation makes certain American interests are protected by blacklisting foreign adversaries from purchasing land or businesses involved in agriculture.” On July 1, 2022, Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) introduced the House version of the PASS Act. Rounds’ legislation retains key provisions of the House version and adds additional language related to foreign investments, agricultural land acquisition and reporting by the Secretary of Agriculture. The new provisions are outlined below: Blacklists China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing or investing in agriculture land and companies. Requires reporting from the Secretary of Agriculture on the risk to the American agriculture sector of foreign takeovers and/or investments in agriculture companies or land used for agricultural purposes. Allows the President, after reporting to Congress on why doing so is vital to the national security interests of the United States, to waive the requirement prohibiting a transaction on a case-by-case basis.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-partisan-reconciliation-bill,Johnson Statement on Partisan Reconciliation Bill,2022-08-12,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the U.S. House passed the Democrats’ $739 billion Inflation Reduction Act on a party-line vote: “This week’s 8.5% inflation report is a resounding alarm the Left continues to ignore,” said Johnson. “Americans are facing record-high inflation – more spending is not the answer. In the last two years alone, I’ve opposed nearly $10 trillion in government spending. This bill further risks increasing prices of goods across the board. “Congress should turn its focus to solutions that will solve the supply chain crisis, increase domestic energy production, and get workforce participation back to pre-pandemic levels. The majority of South Dakotans are feeling the pressure of inflation every time they have to take out their wallet. The alarm bells have been going off for a long time – it’s time to listen.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z