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/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-rural-health-transformation-program-delivers-historic-investments-in-all-50-states/,Thune: Republicans’ Rural Health Transformation Program Delivers Historic Investments in All 50 States,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, we’re coming to the end of the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program.

“This multi-year initiative, created in Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, will invest $50 billion in all 50 states to put rural health care providers on a more sustainable footing for the future.

“And beyond helping to ensure that Americans in rural areas can access health care, it will also ensure that providers are able to leverage technology and innovation to address the challenges unique to rural states.

“Mr. President, one year in, this program is off to a promising start.

“That’s certainly the case in my home state of South Dakota.

“Just last week, CMS announced a $13 million investment in behavioral and mental health care in South Dakota.

“This funding will help expand crisis services and build out our state’s workforce in behavioral health care.

“And it comes after another announcement in August of funding to modernize technology and strengthen cybersecurity at rural health care providers in South Dakota – an initiative that will not only modernize care in my state but also support future innovation to address the unique needs of rural South Dakota.

“Mr. President, when Republicans created the Rural Health Transformation Program last summer, we didn’t take a top-down, Washington-centered approach.

“Instead, we designed it to give states the resources and freedom to find solutions to their particular challenges.

“And I’m proud to see South Dakota taking the same approach when it comes to distributing the funding that it will receive.

“In the words of South Dakota Secretary of Health Melissa Magstadt, and I quote, ‘The initiatives that we’ve developed came strictly from the assessments we had, the expert input we garnered, and what citizens themselves said they needed in the community.’

“Mr. President, that’s exactly how the Rural Health Transformation Program is supposed to work.

“And it’s not just working in South Dakota.

“As I mentioned, all 50 states are taking advantage of this transformative program.

“Ohio is putting $3 million toward expanding offerings at pharmacies in rural communities.

“A nearly $5 million award will help a hospital in central Maine upgrade its electronic medical record system to integrate it with the wider health system it’s part of.

“Providers in Kansas will benefit from nearly $17 million this year to support new technologies and improve transportation options for specialty health care.

“And Missouri will use $35 million to support 20 rural hospital projects, and another $4 million to train its rural EMS workforce.

“A hospital in South Carolina will use funding to add an additional operating room and upgrade its technology.

“And a nonprofit in Alaska received $16 million to improve primary care offerings and bring in more providers and staff.

“And this is just some of the funding states are receiving for the first year of this program.

“Mr. President, as this list suggests, the Rural Health Transformation Program will make an impact in every corner of this country.

“All 50 states are receiving funding from this program – red states and blue states alike.

“Which makes Senate Democrats’ opposition to this program particularly baffling.

“Our Democrat colleagues … have made their opposition to the Rural Health Transformation Program very clear – with the Democrat leader going so far as to say this last year, and I quote: ‘This little fund to help reimburse rural hospitals is just a fraud.’

“Let me repeat that, Mr. President.

“‘This little fund to help reimburse rural hospitals is just a fraud.’

“That, from the Democrat leader.

“Perhaps the Democrat leader should check-in with his state’s governor, who said of a recent $76 million investment from this program, and I quote, ‘These investments will bring rural hospitals, health centers and community providers together to strengthen regional health care networks and make it easier for New Yorkers to get the care they need closer to home.’

“That, from New York’s governor.

“Let me repeat that, Mr. President.

“‘ … and make it easier for New Yorkers to get the care they need closer to home.’

“Well, that doesn’t sound like a fraud to me.

“But Mr. President, whether this would help the people in rural parts of their states didn’t seem to matter to Washington Democrats.

“In fact, Senate Democrats voted more than half a dozen times last year to repeal – repeal – the Rural Health Transformation Program.

“That’s right.

“Around this time last year – during Democrats’ record-long government shutdown – Senate Democrats were working to end this program.

“I’m curious if the Democrat leader would like to claw back … the $212 million that rural health care providers in New York will receive from the program this year?

“Should already-strapped rural hospitals not spend this money because Democrats are going to take it back next time they have the power to do so?

“Mr. President, let’s hope it never comes to that.

“The Rural Health Transformation Program is helping Americans in rural areas across this country.

“It’s helping South Dakota.

“Ohio.

“Idaho.

“Kansas.

“Rhode Island.

“Alaska.

“And everywhere in between.

“And I’m proud that Republicans are delivering for rural Americans.”",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-will-democrats-finally-take-yes-for-an-answer-2/,Thune: Will Democrats Finally Take Yes for an Answer?,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“I said a couple of weeks ago that we had a big, but limited, opportunity to get some really consequential things done.

“And unfortunately, it’s been very shameful that the Democrats have decided to play politics rather than to work with us to do what I believe is really consequential legislation.

“And the two most recent examples of that are blocking getting on the Clarity Act – which was incredibly necessary for our financial services markets for digital assets, and they blocked it, even getting on it on the floor of the Senate.

“And then now we’ve got them also not taking yes [for an answer] on permitting reform.

“We have been litigating that for a long time, a tremendous amount of work gone into it by Chair Capito and Chair Lee and their Democrat counterparts on the committees of jurisdiction.

“And we had a bill which I thought was an incredibly strong bill.

“The Democrats are not prepared to let us vote on that just yet.

“So right now, I think this is, a lot of it’s about election year politics, but it’s not the first time this has happened.

“If you think about the other things that they blocked just recently, the National Defense Authorization Act, the farm bill, FISA reauthorization – these are all bills that are critically important either to our national security or our economic security in this country.

“And in every circumstance, the Democrats have blocked us from consideration, even getting on those bills.

“So that’s where things are right now.

“It’s a political season, we all understand that.

“But you would think that, on issues where you have broad bipartisan consensus and things that are really important to the future of this country, you would get some Democrats to work with you and cooperate.

“Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.

“But there’s still an opportunity.

“So this week, we’re going to allow the Democrats to have an opportunity to vote on legislation that has come over from the House.

“The first of which is a photo ID law coupled with a ban on insider trading, something that’s broadly supported by the American people, both issues, and also something that had big support coming out of the House of Representatives.

“And then secondly, on the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would prevent rate hikes on electricity costs for consumers around this country.

“Both pieces of legislation strike at the very heart of issues that the American people care deeply about, passionately about – and we’ll see if the Democrats are willing to take yes for an answer.

“Because in the House of Representatives, the Ratepayer Protection Act passed 417-3 – 417-3.

“Huge bipartisan support coming out of the House, and it ought to be something that should be a no-brainer here on the floor of the Senate.

“We’re going to give the Democrats a chance tomorrow to vote on that, and let’s hope they do the right thing, but we’re going to see what they want to do.”",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-help-americas-small-businesses-grow-put-more-money-in-americans-pockets/,"Thune: Republicans Help America’s Small Businesses Grow, Put More Money in Americans’ Pockets",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Madam President, so far this year, 4.3 million Americans have filed to start their own business.

“That’s a 13 percent increase over the same time last year.

“And as these entrepreneurs get underway, their businesses will be able to take advantage of the pro-growth tax reform that Republicans enacted last year in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And because we delivered permanent tax reform, an entire generation of American small business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators will have a better environment in which to pursue their American Dream.

“Madam President, small businesses are already benefiting from this landmark law.

“This year, 12 million small business owners saw a lower tax bill – a $7,000 average tax cut.

“That’s the result of lower tax rates across the board.

“The permanent 199A small business deduction.

“Immediate expensing for new equipment and for factory construction.

“And the permanent research and development tax credit.

“Madam President, these tax policies are helping small businesses across an array of industries as well as family farms and ranches across America.

“That’s certainly true in my home state of South Dakota.

“An agricultural co-op in my state says the 199A small business deduction – which Republicans first implemented with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act back in 2017 – has allowed them to pass $140 million in tax savings back to South Dakota farmers over the last decade.

“A car dealership in Sioux Falls was able to put an addition on and hire 10 new employees thanks to the bonus depreciation provision.

“Just to the west, a rancher in Montana said that thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts’ expensing provisions, his ranch, and I quote, ‘will be able to upgrade equipment, increasing [its] efficiency without being hit by a huge tax burden.’

“U.S. Metal Powders – a manufacturer in Palmerton, Pennsylvania – has broken ground on a new production line that will allow the business to double the size of its workforce.

“A convenience store operator in Denver has said the Working Families Tax Cuts will help him double the size of one of his stores and reopen two others – allowing him to grow job opportunities at his company by 50 percent.

“And they’re not the only ones.

“Businesses across the country have been able to make investments in new equipment, raise their employees’ pay, and create jobs because of the tax policy in Republicans’ landmark bill.

“Madam President, one thing that business owners invariably bring up when they talk about the Working Families Tax Cuts is what it does for their employees.

“They talk about how they’ve been able to increase pay – not to mention the fact that more of that pay stays in their employees’ pockets.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts was responsible for no tax on tips and overtime, which allows hardworking people to keep more of their hard-earned money.

“And then there are the benefits … employers … have been able to offer because of this legislation.

“A business owner in Chicago has made long-term investments in paid maternity leave and a 401(k) matching program.

“Another company in Missouri is giving its employees a profit-sharing bonus.

“A number of employers are pledging to invest in the Trump Accounts that their employees have been able to set up for their children.

“And provisions in this legislation support employer efforts to offer child care and help repay their employees’ student loans.

“Madam President, I said that the Working Families Tax Cuts provides tax relief that will help small businesses and family farms and ranches for years to come.

“And on that point, perhaps no policy is as significant as the death tax relief we provided in this bill.

“Madam President, for a lot of family businesses, especially ag families, the death tax has cast a dark shadow over their dream.

“It’s a cause for anxiety especially among farmers and ranchers – businesses that might look well-off on paper, but are actually cash poor.

“Their wealth is tied up in land, tractors and combines, and livestock.

“But because that doesn’t matter when it comes to the death tax, many families have had to sell off all or part of their operation just to pay the tax bill when a family member dies.

“Madam President, eliminating this fundamentally unfair tax has long been a priority of mine.

“And I’m proud that the Working Families Tax Cuts permanently raised the exemption threshold on the death tax, which means that a lot more families will be protected from losing their livelihood when they lose a loved one.

“This was an important priority for Republicans last year, and it’s encouraging to see farmers and ranchers breathing a sigh of relief with the burden of this tax off of their shoulders.

“One farmer in Iowa said, and I quote, ‘One of my goals when I started farming was to be able to pass this farm onto the next generation, and I’m doing that. I feel very good about that.’

“A rancher in Montana said this, and again I quote, ‘Without the estate tax reforms … ranches like ours would have likely had to decide whether to sell off cattle or land just to cover the tax bill when it was time to pass it [down]. Now we have a fair shot at keeping the whole ranch together for the next generation.’

“Thanks to this bill, Madam President, family farms and ranches and family businesses have a fair shot at staying in the family for generations to come.

“Madam President, these are just some of the results of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And I can’t overstate how significant this bill is.

“The owners of a small business in Arizona wrote in their local paper last year that if Congress had not passed the Working Families Tax Cuts, they ‘would,’ and I quote, ‘have had to raise prices and cut costs, and over time, the pressure would have only increased.’

“Madam President, they’re not alone.

“This Republican majority has worked hard to put more money in American families’ pockets, in many cases by getting government out of the way.

“We’ve delivered permanent – permanent – tax relief.

“We’ve rescinded a number of Biden-era regulations that would have reduced choice and raised prices for Americans.

“We passed a housing bill that eliminated a lot of red tape that has driven up the cost of homeownership, and implemented new measures to drive down prices at the pharmacy counter.

“Madam President, Republicans are working to put more money in hardworking Americans’ pockets and to help … America’s small businesses grow.

“We’re setting the conditions for a brighter future and keeping the American Dream alive and strong for future generations.”",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-issues-statement-following-release-of-usps-oig-report-on-south-dakota-mail-service,Rounds Issues Statement Following Release of USPS OIG Report on South Dakota Mail Service,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,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 issued a statement following the release of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) report on the status of mail service in South Dakota. This investigation was requested by Rounds in December 2025. The report comes following USPS’s announcement that the Sioux Falls processing facility will be upgraded to a regional facility at Rounds’ request, keeping more intrastate mail in South Dakota.

“It’s encouraging and unsurprising that the Inspector General’s report studying the mail service in South Dakota shows evidence to back up what we’ve been hearing and seeing for years: the United States Postal Service is not adequately serving South Dakotans,” said Rounds. “We’ve heard from thousands of South Dakotans who have real concerns about their mail service. Veterans aren’t getting prescriptions on time, bills are arriving after they’re due and newspapers are old news by the time they make it to your doorstep. At the same time, Postal Service executives are receiving bonuses and airport lounge memberships while telling South Dakotans there are no problems. Today’s report states otherwise.

“I’m grateful to Inspector General Tammy Hull and her team for their thorough review process in South Dakota and their thoughtful recommendations for improvements,” continued Rounds. “I’m also grateful for all of the South Dakotans who have sent feedback and contributed to this report. We’ll be watching the USPS’s team closely to see if and how these recommendations are implemented, and whether they actually make meaningful improvements in delivery time. Until then, we’ll keep the pressure on and continue to fight for a return to service standards that not only meet but exceed expectations.”

Read the report HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on USPS issues in South Dakota, leading the push to keep local processing facilities in South Dakota. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, in February 2025, USPS committed to keeping the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron open, as well as investing $3 million in improvements to the facility. Rounds also secured a commitment from former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to keep mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing.

In September 2025, Rounds sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to restore reliable mail service and requesting a meeting. Rounds and Steiner met in October. Steiner followed up on the meeting with a letter dismissing the issues raised by Rounds, claiming that the mail delays were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City despite none of these facilities handling South Dakota’s intrastate mail. USPS leadership continues to deny any issues with South Dakota’s mail service despite the first-hand accounts from South Dakotans that say otherwise.

In December 2025, Rounds requested an investigation into persistent issues with USPS delivery in South Dakota. In April 2026, Rounds was notified that the Office of the Inspector General was on the ground in South Dakota to investigate mail service. In June 2026, Rounds sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs announcing his intention to place a hold on all USPS nominees until South Dakota’s issues are resolved. As a result, two Postal Service Board of Governors nominees were removed from the legislative calendar in August 2026.

###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-are-the-party-of-no/,Thune: Democrats Are the Party of No,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, if there’s one thing that quickly became clear at the start of the 119th Congress, it was that anything we were going to accomplish for hardworking Americans we were going to have to accomplish alone.

“There’s always some partisanship in Congress, Mr. President – and healthy disagreement – but it became clear very quickly that Democrats were going to be taking partisanship to a new and rarefied level in the 119th Congress.

“That started with presidential nominations.

“It’s long been standard practice in the Senate to expedite uncontroversial nominations to allow a president to get his team in place.

“But from the very beginning of the 119th Congress, Democrats made clear that this history of bipartisan cooperation was over.

“Democrats chose to slow down every single nomination – no matter how uncontroversial – for the majority of the 119th Congress.

“But slow-walking nominations, Mr. President, was just the beginning.

“At the top of our priority list for this Congress was preventing the massive tax hike that was set to hit hardworking Americans.

“And for a party that claims to be the party of working men and women, you would think that Democrats would have been eager to work with us.

“They weren’t.

“And not only were they not interested in working with us, but every single Democrat – in both houses of Congress – voted against tax relief for the American people.

“They voted against preventing a massive tax hike.

“And they voted against all the new tax relief Republicans implemented – from no tax on overtime, to a new bonus deduction for seniors.

“And just in case you thought Democrat opposition was a matter of high-minded principle … Since Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts, a number of Democrats have tried to associate themselves with some of the tax relief in the bill, despite universally opposing the legislation in Congress.

“And the partisanship continues.

“Last week, Mr. President, the Senate attempted to take up legislation on the issue of great importance to working families – namely, energy prices.

“The legislation we tried to take up – the Ratepayer Protection Act – would have protected hardworking Americans from the increased energy costs associated with data centers.

“The bill was so obviously commonsense that it passed the House overwhelmingly – with almost every Democrat as well as Republican supporting it.

“But in the Senate, Mr. President?

“Senate Democrats objected to passing the bill, and so it failed.

“Presumably Democrats wanted to deny Republicans the legislative success in the leadup to the elections – even though hardworking Americans are the ones that are going to pay the price.

“The same thing happened yesterday.

“Republicans and the White House have been negotiating for the better part of a year with Democrats over permitting reform legislation – a long-overdue priority that would help lower energy bills for American families by streamlining federal regulations for energy projects.

“And we closed a deal with them that we could bring to the floor that incorporated essentially all of the Democrats’ demands.

“But when it began to look like we could consider the bill this work period, Democrats changed their tune.

“Because while they may acknowledge the need for permitting reform, what they really care about is denying Republicans another legislative win.

“Mr. President, this is an example of, again, just blatant partisanship.

“Republicans and Democrats have been working for months – on a bipartisan basis, with two committees of jurisdiction: the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the two committees that have jurisdiction over all of the elements related to permitting reform.

“And I’ve had Democrats come up to me on the floor countless times and say, ‘We really want to get this done. We’re working together. If the White House would work with us on this or that …’

“And so, we communicated with the White House; the White House has been engaged in these conversations and discussions for the past several weeks.

“And essentially gave the Democrats the things they were asking for.

“Democrats can’t take yes for an answer!

“It’s like they caught the car, Mr. President, and they don’t know what to do.

“They said, ‘we want to work on this,’ because permitting reform affects not just energy projects, but projects in every sector of the economy.

“Energy projects, of course, obviously – both conventional energy and renewable energy projects – are being affected by the delays and the bureaucracy and the red tape and the excessive litigation that comes with trying to do anything in this country of major consequence.

“And so both sides had agreed that this was a worthwhile objective – ‘Let’s work together, let’s see if we can sit down and hammer out a compromise that incorporates the concerns, the issues that both sides bring to the table.’

“And that’s been going on for months!

“I’ve been watching it. Getting regular readouts. Talking to members on both sides, Democrats and Republicans, on both committees of jurisdiction – and others who are interested in this issue.

“And we get to a point, Mr. President, where Democrats flat can’t take yes for an answer.

“So, why is that?

“Well, if you agree on the substance, if you come to an agreement on the policy – which they had …

“I mean, everybody in these negotiations and these discussions had basically said, ‘Okay, this is the deal, here’s the counteroffer.’ Counteroffer back, counteroffer back.

“The last counteroffer from the Democrats was agreed to by the White House, by our Senate Republicans – [Democrats] couldn’t take yes for an answer.

“So the only conclusion one can draw, Mr. President, is that the Democrats have concluded that it’s good politics for them not to allow the Republicans to ‘get a victory’ or the president to ‘get a victory’ in the middle of a political season.

“That’s really the only conclusion you can draw.

“After literally months and months and months of bipartisan negotiations in which the very last offer put on the table was one made by Democrats and accepted by the White House and Senate Republicans.

“That’s where we are. That’s what it is. Let’s call it what it is: blatant politics.

“So Mr. President, my Democrat colleagues may talk a good game about working families, but the truth is that hardworking Americans take a distant back seat to Democrats’ political priorities.

“Mr. President, perhaps the most spectacular example of the Party of No came last fall, when Democrats shut down the government for 43 days – the longest full government shutdown in history – over a clean, temporary, and nonpartisan spending bill.

“That’s right.

“It was clear that Congress would need more time to get the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills finished.

“So Republicans proposed a clean, short-term funding measure free from poison pills or partisan policies – let’s just fund the government so we can continue the conversation about how we’re going to fund it for the full year.

“And Democrats?

“Well, they just said no.

“Not gonna do it.

“It didn’t matter to them that the bill was nonpartisan.

“It didn’t matter to them that it would only be in effect, actually, for a few weeks.

“And it certainly didn’t matter to them that they were putting thousands of Americans out of work.

“They blocked it – a clean, nonpartisan spending bill – and they shut down the government.

“For six weeks.

“Of course, the fall 2025 government shutdown wasn’t the only time this Congress that Democrats just said no to government funding.

“In the spring, Senate Democrats initiated the longest partial government shutdown in history due to their unwillingness to fund immigration law enforcement or border security.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“The Democrats kept the Department of Homeland Security – the Department of Homeland Security – shut down for an unprecedented 76 days.

“And while they eventually agreed to reopen most of the department, they still refused to fund immigration enforcement or Border Patrol.

“Clearly Democrat Socialism – and its philosophy of zero immigration enforcement and open borders – has gained a lot more than a foothold in the Democrat Party.

“Mr. President, whether the subject is protecting opportunities for women and girls in sports or tax relief for hardworking Americans, Democrats have spent the past 21 months throwing up every roadblock that they can.

“And I’m proud that despite the incredible amount of Democrat opposition, we’ve still managed to accomplish a lot for the American people – from regulatory relief and border security to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“There’s more work to be done, and I hope we’ll get the chance to continue our work not only in this Congress, but also in the next.

“Given the Democrats’ obsession with opposing President Trump and their demonstrated opposition to bipartisan cooperation, I think it’s safe to say that hardworking Americans would undoubtedly take a back seat in a Democrat-led Congress.

“And the American people, Mr. President?

“They deserve better than the Party of No.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-permitting-reform-democrats-need-to-take-yes-for-an-answer/,Thune on Permitting Reform: Democrats Need to Take Yes for an Answer,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“As you all know, Republicans in this Congress have focused on several things.

“One is safer streets, secondly is more money in the American people’s pockets, and finally, it’s new opportunities for people to get ahead.

“And on all those fronts, we have delivered.

“The border is more secure today than it has ever been.

“Crime is at historically low levels.

“And thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, people have more money in their pockets – not only now, but permanently, because that tax relief has been made permanent.

“And then you couple that with things like the newborn Trump Accounts, the new and created Opportunity Zones that are happening out there as a result of that legislation, and things like the expanded child tax credit, expanded … child care credits …

“Those are all things that were included in that legislation that, as time rolls forward, people are going to have an opportunity to benefit from, and it is going to result in more money in their pockets.

“I will say, the one thing that we would like to be able to get done before we leave is permitting reform.

“That’s something that has economic consequences.

“It’s very hard in this country to get energy projects permitted and ready to roll, and so we would like to see action on that.

“That’s something that we’re going to find out here, I think, pretty soon whether the Democrats are willing to take yes for an answer on that.

“But it has consequences for all the things that we’re talking about today – probably most importantly, energy prices.

“So if you can build more, create more energy in this country, build more refineries, it makes that much energy more available and more affordable for the American people.

“So we’ll know soon enough on that, but I think as you all know, that would be a very consequential development if we could get the Democrats to be willing to take yes for an answer, and I think we’re going to know that here soon enough.

“So those are the things that we’re going to be working on yet this week, and we’ll keep you posted as we know more on permitting reform, and Senator Capito will, I assume, have something to report on that pretty soon.”",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-todays-democrat-party-is-the-proud-home-of-socialism/,Thune: Today’s Democrat Party Is the Proud Home of Socialism,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, there’s no doubt that the Democrat Party has moved sharply left in recent years.

“But this election cycle has seen the Democrat Party take a big step further – toward full-blown socialism.

“New York City’s new Democrat mayor – a self-proclaimed democrat socialist – might be the most notable example.

“But he’s far from alone.

“Around the country, socialists have been winning Democrat primaries.

“And it’s no exaggeration to say that socialism is rapidly gaining a prominent new role in the Democrat Party.

“So let’s talk a little about socialism, Mr. President, and the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America.

“And when you take a look at the platform, right away you see some predictable things – namely, government control of almost everything.

“Health care.

“Business.

“Housing.

“Education.

“Energy.

“All of these sectors would come under government control in a Democrat Socialist state.

“And when I say government control, I don’t just mean they would be hit with a lot of regulations.

“I mean government control.

“Government would become the ultimate decision-maker for American families in most aspects of their life.

“Take health care, for example.

“We often talk about the doctor-patient relationship in medicine.

“Well, under Democrat Socialism, that would be a lot more like the government-patient relationship.

“It’s the government that would decide what health care Americans are eligible for.

“What medications they can take.

“And when and where they’re able to access care.

“Americans, Mr. President, place a high value on choice and freedom.

“But freedom and choice do not last very long when government takes over.

“And under Democrat Socialism, Mr. President, government would be truly taking over.

“I could dedicate a whole speech to what happens when government takes control of the economy and the means of production.

“And of health care and education and energy …

“But there’s more to the Democratic Socialist platform that I want to talk about.

“Mr. President, I guess I have to hand it to Democrat Socialists, despite their plan for government takeover of most aspects of American life, they do have a couple of cuts on the table.

“But the nature of those cuts is a big problem.

“Democrat Socialists would like to defund the Pentagon.

“They would like to abolish immigration enforcement.

“And they would like to eliminate the police.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“The official platform – the official platform – of the Democratic Socialists states that their goal is to, and I quote, ‘demilitarize police departments, disempower police unions, and redirect funding to public services as steps towards fully abolishing the police and prison system …’

“Think about that.

“‘… as steps towards fully abolishing the police and prison system …’

“The official platform, Mr. President, of the Democrat Socialists of America.

“Mr. President, I don’t think I need to explain to anyone just how unhinged that is.

“If anyone thinks we can keep our communities safe while fully abolishing the police and prison system, I have some oceanfront property in South Dakota to sell them.

“But the problem, Mr. President, is that Democrat Socialists do believe this.

“Swept up in their utopian fantasies, they believe that by implementing the right system – socialism – they can somehow do away with human evil and remove the need for police or prisons. Or armies for that matter.

“But of course, no system is going to be able to fully eliminate evil.

“No matter how many social programs you put in place or how much education the government provides, there are always going to be men and women who choose to harm others for their own ends.

“And the idea that we would eliminate the men and women who protect society from these people … well, Mr. President, again, I don’t think I need to explain to anyone just how quickly the peace and safety that we take for granted would evaporate – on both a local and a national scale.

“And the Democratic Socialist platform doesn’t end there, Mr. President.

“Everything I’ve discussed so far would remake our country on a massive scale, to the point of its being unrecognizable as the free, secure, and prosperous nation that we’ve known over the past 250 years.

“But Democrat Socialists would take it even further.

“Their platform calls for officially changing our system of government – for eliminating the Senate and replacing, and I quote, ‘the President and Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary chosen by and subordinate to Congress.’

“Those aren’t tweaks around the margin, Mr. President.

“That is a full abolishment of the American system.

“That is the elimination of the checks and balances that define our government and help prevent any one branch from exceeding its lawful authority.

“And it is the elimination – the elimination – of real protection for minority rights.

“I quote again: ‘… we know complete victory will require building a new society from the ground up,’ the authors of the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America write.

“And that is exactly what they propose to do – eliminate the American system, and build another in its place.

“And this, Mr. President, is the political organization that is currently finding a home in the Democrat Party.

“Democrats are giving a home to an organization not merely dedicated to the radical expansion of government, but to the actual elimination of our system of government.

“Why?

“Well, Mr. President, at its worst, socialism moves into a full-blown communism – the economic system that characterized the Soviet Union and oversaw not merely the exploitation of workers and ordinary people but the complete loss of freedom for millions and the death of millions more.

“And just in case you think that has nothing to do with the Democrat Socialists of America, think again.

“The Wall Street Journal reports that several members of the Democratic Socialists’ National Political Committee are, and I quote, ‘dedicated Marxists and communists.’

“One of the organization’s national co-chairs, in fact, is a member of the Democratic Socialists’ Red Star Caucus, whose goal is not merely socialism, but communism.

“Communism, Mr. President.

“The hallmark of some of the world’s most repressive regimes.

“And so I ask again, Mr. President – why are Democratic Socialists finding a home in the Democrat Party?”",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-california-dreaming-is-a-nightmare-for-americans/,Thune: Democrats’ California Dreaming Is a Nightmare for Americans,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, last week I came to the floor to discuss some of the things that this Republican majority has delivered over the last two years.

“Permanently lower taxes for families.

“A secure border.

“We’ve worked to bring down the cost of prescription drugs and make homeownership more affordable.

“And we’ve delivered regulatory relief, and tax policies to help our nation’s small businesses as well as family farms and ranches.

“Mr. President, Republicans have spent the last two years delivering on our agenda.

“And it should be pretty clear what we stand for.

“More money in your pocket. Safer streets. And new and more opportunities to get ahead.

“Our Democrat colleagues, however, have spent much of the last two years opposing this agenda.

“They’ve cast a lot of no votes and criticized Republicans’ agenda at seemingly every turn.

“So one has to wonder, what do Democrats stand for?

“What is their vision for this country?

“Well, Mr. President, I think their last stint in power is pretty instructive:

“Democrats’ vision for the country looks a lot like the big-government vision Democrats have implemented in California.

“And you don’t have to take my word for it.

“A Los Angeles Times headline a few days before President Biden took office read, and I quote, ‘Make America California Again? That’s Biden’s plan.’

“‘California,’ the article went on to say, and I quote again, ‘is emerging as the de facto policy think tank of the Biden-Harris administration and of a Congress soon to be under Democratic control.’

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“In the words of the LA Times, Democrats leaned on California for inspiration in setting a progressive policy agenda for the Biden administration.

“Democrats’ push to raise taxes mirrored California’s high tax rates – the highest individual rates in the country.

“The Biden administration’s disastrous approach to illegal immigration embraced the sanctuary policies and soft-on-crime laws for which California is the posterchild.

“And on regulation, Mr. President, Democrats were determined to follow the lead of the most regulated state in the union, especially on energy.

“Never mind the fact that over the years Californians have faced rolling blackouts, been asked to limit their electricity usage, and paid some of the highest energy prices in the country – Democrats still tried to take the California plan national.

“And on more than one occasion, the Biden administration basically gave the pen to California regulators to write rules that would affect all Americans.

“That’s what happened with electric vehicles.

“The Biden administration not only implemented its own California-style electric vehicle mandate; it also allowed California to impose a de facto EV mandate on the rest of the country.

“Fortunately, Republicans … rescinded that mandate just last year.

“And our work continues to block other mandates of the same sort.

“We have a number of resolutions in the pipeline to address painful California regulations that have created de facto mandates for the entire country.

“Senators Ricketts and Husted have resolutions related to California’s strict emissions standards targeting gas-powered vehicles.

“Senator Schmitt has another on California’s unrealistic emissions standards for cars.

“Senators Sullivan and Moreno have introduced resolutions related to commercial shipping vessels.

“And Senator Lummis’ resolution would block a California rule restricting small motors for things like lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

“Yes, Mr. President, as this list suggests, California will regulate just about anything that moves, ignoring the fact that these types of rules restrict consumer choice and lead to higher prices for working families.

“As I mentioned, California’s rush to electrification strained its power grid to the point that it faced rolling blackouts and high energy prices, and regulators had to ask residents not to charge their electric vehicles at certain hours.

“It confounds me as to why we would try to do the same thing nationwide.

“And that’s exactly, Mr. President, what Democrats tried to do during the Biden administration.

“Mr. President, over the summer, U.S. News and World Report released its ranking of states on a number of criteria.

“Here’s how California ranked:

“46th in energy,

“41st in pre-K-12 education,

“48th in employment,

“And 50th – 50th – in affordability.

“Last place.

“And I struggle to think of a Democrat who has critiqued the way California is run.

“Instead, as I’ve said, Democrats continue to seek to impose a California-style regulatory regime on the whole country.

“And when it comes to illegal immigration, the national Democrat Party is now to the left – if you can imagine that – to the left of California.

“Earlier this year, national Democrats tried to completely defund Border Patrol and immigration enforcement, a move that would have effectively made America a sanctuary country.

“And I fully expect that a Democrat government here in Washington would be spending taxpayer dollars on benefits like health care for illegal immigrants, as California has done.

“Mr. President, President Reagan – the governor of California in another era – once said, and I quote, ‘If a State is badly managed, the people will either do one of two things: They will either use their power at the polls to redress that, or they’ll go someplace else.’

“Well, Mr. President, Americans are leaving California in droves.

“In each of the past six years, the Golden State has had the largest net loss of population on the U-Haul Index.

“Businesses and employers are leaving, taking jobs and opportunities to other states.

“That should be instructive – that should be instructive – to us here.

“But Democrats don’t – or perhaps won’t – take the hint.

“California ranks last – dead last – in affordability … but it is the first place Democrats look to for ideas on how to govern.

“Mr. President, we can do better.

“Republicans are doing better.

“And that’s why so many Californians are moving to red states and leaving Democrats’ failed policies behind.”",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-theres-no-place-like-south-dakota/,Thune: There’s No Place Like South Dakota,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, late summer in South Dakota is one of my favorite times of the year.

“And as usual, I spent a lot of it crisscrossing the state, talking to South Dakotans and seeing some of the great things that are happening – from Sisseton to Spearfish to Sioux Falls.

“Late summer, of course, is fair season, and I made the rounds of multiple fairs.

“Brown County. Turner County. Butte/Lawrence County. The State Fair. Dakotafest.

“I love the chance to meet so many South Dakota families and to hear what’s on their minds.

“And, of course, if I can eat a little fair food while I’m at it, it’s even better.

“I particularly value the opportunity I have at these fairs to hear from the men and women of South Dakota’s leading industry, which is agriculture.

“The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a terrific agribusiness meeting at the Brown County Fair, and the Dakotafest congressional forum always provides me with a lot of valuable feedback from South Dakota farmers and ranchers.

“Outside the fair circuit, I also had the chance to talk to South Dakota ag producers at a number of other stops, including the CHS Southwest Grain elevator in Lemmon and the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit.

“Farmers and ranchers, Mr. President, are facing a lot of headwinds right now, and I’m committed to doing everything I can in Washington to help producers.

“I’m proud that the Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation strengthened a number of programs that producers depend on, such as crop insurance and commodity and livestock programs.

“And while I’m disappointed that my Democrat colleagues have chosen to put politics ahead of producers and unanimously oppose the farm bill, which was voted on yesterday at the Senate Ag Committee, I haven’t given up.

“Mr. President, another big perk of the past few weeks has been the opportunity to visit South Dakota small businesses.

“I got to tour Gameday Social’s new headquarters in Sioux Falls.

“Sit down with ranchers and other community leaders at the Lazy Spurr in Bison.

“Tour Woodland Cabinetry in Sisseton.

“And more.

“I love hearing from small business owners about how the Working Families Tax Cuts is helping their businesses.

“And I value the opportunity to hear what else we can do in Washington to help small businesses grow and thrive and create jobs.

“Mr. President, it’s always an honor to get to talk to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans.

“Over the past few weeks, I had the chance to visit with South Dakota sheriffs at a roundtable in Flandreau.

“Chat with members of the Lemmon Volunteer Fire Department.

“And show the under secretary of the Army around Ellsworth Air Force Base.

“Anticipation is building for the arrival of the B-21 bomber, which is the future of long-range strike.

“And we had some great discussions about the preparations that are underway.

“We also had the opportunity to meet with leaders of the South Dakota industrial base and academia about their contributions to the joint force, like the work that VRC Metal Systems in Box Elder is doing on cold-spray maintenance technology.

“Mr. President, there were so many other great moments from my travels.

“Getting to tour Spearfish High School’s Career and Technical Education Center.

“Visiting Dakota State’s Applied Research Corporation to discuss how South Dakota can be a leader in cybersecurity and national intelligence.

“Interacting with students at Black Hills State University.

“Participating in the groundbreaking of the James Abdnor Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Southeast Technical College – which was a deeply meaningful moment for me, as a former Jim Abdnor staffer.

“Mr. President, late summer in South Dakota can’t be beat.

“And I’m very proud to be from our great state.”",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-discusses-the-importance-of-protecting-college-sports-and-athletes/,Thune Discusses the Importance of Protecting College Sports and Athletes,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, it’s no coincidence that the largest stadium in the United States is a college football stadium.

“College athletics has a unique place in America.

“It’s deeply rooted in our communities and families.

“For student athletes, their sport is an important part of their education.

“What they learn from their coaches, teammates, and on the playing field, they carry with them throughout their lives.

“And there’s nothing like the opportunity to compete in front of your friends, classmates, parents, and professors.

“We could say the same about fans in the stands: there’s nothing quite like a college sporting event.

“There’s something very unifying about it.

“Game day brings together people from every walk of life:

“Fans who attended that university and often many who didn’t attend, but nevertheless are a part of that school’s community – all of them united by their love for the school.

“Mr. President, anyone who knows me knows I’m a sports fan.

“I spend a lot of time at games when I’m back home in South Dakota.

“And whether I’m in a high school gym on a Friday night, at a tailgate on a Saturday morning, at the DakotaDome or the Premier Center – in a conversation with sports fans, the current state of college athletics is bound to come up.

“Mr. President, anyone who follows college sports knows that the last few years have been complex and, at times, chaotic.

“Higher numbers of student athletes are entering the transfer portal, and rosters are being overhauled each season.

“Eligibility rules have been stretched – most notably with former professional players being recruited back to a college campus.

“And amid the arms race in revenue-generating sports and among larger institutions, smaller schools and non-revenue sports are increasingly anxious about the future.

“Smaller institutions risk losing stand-out players to schools with bigger budgets.

“And last year, it was reported that 41 Olympic sports programs were cut across NCAA Division I athletics programs, affecting over 1,000 student athletes.

“Mr. President, this status quo cannot continue.

“And to restore stability to the college sports ecosystem, Mr. President, we need national standards – not a patchwork of state laws.

“Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell – and a number of our colleagues on the Commerce Committee – we have a bill to do that.

“And yesterday, we moved forward to begin debate on that bill: the Protect College Sports Act, which preserves the opportunities that have been available to student athletes for generations and ensures those opportunities can coexist with the new opportunities available to the current generation of college athletes.

“Mr. President, the Protect College Sports Act addresses some of the largest issues in college athletics today, and in doing so, it restores stability to the college sports ecosystem.

“And that starts with uniform eligibility rules:

“One transfer without loss of eligibility.

“A maximum five years of playing time starting at college enrollment or on the athlete’s 19th birthday.

“And no professional athletes.

“This bill also bans coaches from switching schools mid-season, ensuring that athletes have the same coach at the end of the season as they did at the start.

“And it brings transparency to [athlete] compensation, protects student athletes from bad actors, and safeguards opportunities for women’s and Olympic sports.

“Mr. President, this bill has been a work in progress for a number of years.

“I’m grateful for all the hard work that went into getting it right.

“I’ve sat down with college athletes in my state to get their perspective.

“I’ve talked to coaches and athletic directors.

“And I know I’m not the only senator to have done so.

“Getting this type of input is the only way that you get a bill like this.

“A bill that has broad bipartisan support.

“That has support from more than 30 college athletic conferences.

“Hundreds of universities in all 50 states and in Washington, D.C.

“And from hundreds of thousands of student athletes – which is the most important support of all.

“Mr. President, I mentioned that I’m a sports fan.

“I’m also part of a sports family.

“My dad was a Big 10 basketball player in the early 1940s.

“He got the chance to play point guard for the University of Minnesota, where he was the team MVP.

“He was the high point man at a game in Madison Square Garden – quite a journey for a small town kid from South Dakota.

“My daughter ran cross country and track for Belmont University and was inducted into that school’s Hall of Fame.

“Mr. President, the question before us is whether the same opportunities that were available for my dad and for my daughter will be available for the next generation of student athletes.

“We have a responsibility to them to protect college sports so they can focus on their sport, their education, and their future.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-advance-senate-farm-bill-while-democrats-continue-to-put-politics-ahead-of-producers/,Thune: Republicans Advance Senate Farm Bill While Democrats Continue to Put Politics Ahead of Producers,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/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 issued the following statement after Republicans successfully voted to advance the Senate farm bill out of the Agriculture Committee. Multiple Thune priorities for South Dakota, including the year-round sale of E15 fuel, are incorporated in the bill, which Democrats blocked from advancing to the full Senate on August 6.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the Senate farm bill, and reporting the bill out of committee is an important step that pushes us closer to getting this critical legislation to the president’s desk,” said Thune. “While I’m frustrated by Democrats’ lack of support, I’m proud that Republicans united to advance the farm bill so we can build on the historic investments we enacted in the Working Families Tax Cuts and deliver long-overdue policy updates for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers.

“Senate Republicans worked in good faith with Democrats to negotiate a farm bill that includes year-round E15 and more than 100 bipartisan bills to support rural America, and Democrats’ decision to put partisan politics ahead of producers and vote against the farm bill yet again is simply inexcusable,” Thune continued. “It’s critical that Congress passes this legislation to give farmers and ranchers the certainty they need, and I hope Democrats will come to their senses and put politics aside so we can get the farm bill across the finish line for America’s producers.”

Thune-authored proposals included in the Senate farm bill:

Thune’s Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act (introduced on March 6, 2025), which would expand the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program’s (ELAP) authority to cover transportation costs for hauling feed and water and add adverse weather and drought as qualifying disasters;

Thune’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act (introduced on July 31, 2025), which would bolster CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers, and expediting emergency haying in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events;

Thune’s Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields (SAFETY) Act (introduced on April 1, 2025), which would protect American food products from unfair trade practices by foreign countries;

Thune’s Rural Internet Improvement Act, which 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;

Thune’s Strengthening Local Processing Act (introduced on April 29, 2025), which would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations;

Thune’s Promoting Precision Agriculture Act (introduced on February 11, 2025), which would facilitate the further adoption of precision agriculture technologies for farmers and ranchers;

Thune’s Fertilizer Transparency Act (introduced on March 19, 2026), which would provide American producers with more accurate information on prices for fertilizer and fertilizer products in response to longstanding concerns over rising input costs;

Thune’s proposed one-time increase to the voluntary base acre update cap passed in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to ensure all eligible acres can be enrolled in commodity programs; and

Thune’s American Beef Labeling Act (introduced on February 5, 2025), which would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

Thune has served on the Agriculture Committee in both the House and Senate. Thune has written four farm bills during his time in Congress, and the 2026 farm bill is his fifth. Agriculture is South Dakota’s top industry, with more than 42 million acres of agricultural land throughout the state.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-congress-has-opportunities-to-deliver-more-if-democrats-are-willing-to-work/,Thune: Congress Has Opportunities to Deliver More if Democrats Are Willing to Work,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Good afternoon, everyone.

“We have a big, I would say, but limited opportunity to get some things done here over the course of the next several weeks and, I would say, starting with the Clarity Act, which we’re going to vote on this afternoon.

“It’ll be a procedural vote, and we’ll find out if Democrats actually want to pass this legislation and whether or not they’re willing to take yes for an answer.

“Because our members who’ve been negotiating this – Chairman Scott, Chairman Boozman, Senator Lummis, others – have been very involved now, literally for months, in trying to come up with legislation that would address the Democrat concerns.

“And they have made myriad, I would say, concessions to the Democrats – I think 126 different changes to this legislation since it was first introduced – trying to accommodate some of the Democrat concerns.

“So this is, it’s time to vote.

“It’s time to put up or shut up.

“And so this afternoon we’re going to have that vote.

“And then, I would say, on the Protect College Sports Act, that will follow after, depending how the Clarity vote goes, but that’s also legislation that has had a lot of work put into it over the past several months, and I think most people acknowledge that the current landscape in college sports is a mess. It needs to be addressed.

“Chairman Cruz and others have worked diligently, Senator Schmitt, coming up with a product that I think is a vast improvement, and of course worked with Democrats as well on trying to get that in a form that we could move it across the floor.

“So we will see if there are 60 votes on a procedural vote on that issue as well.

“And I would also add to that list, permitting reform.

“Senator Capito and her team have been working with the Democrats, and we’ll find out soon whether or not we can.

“That is also something that has, I think, broad bipartisan support, and she’s done a great job of negotiating those issues.

“And I’m hopeful, frankly, that we could get that up on the floor and voted on, because I think that is an important and consequential piece of legislation that’s really important to our country’s economy.

“And then finally, I would say something that’s really important in farm country is the farm bill, and there’s going to be hopefully committee action on that this week as well.

“And so those are all issues that are sort of hovering out there right now, in addition to some of the nominations that we’ll deal with, both on the judicial and the executive calendars as well.

“But my hope would be that this can be a productive few weeks here – and it’s going to depend largely, I think, on whether or not the Democrats want to play ball, whether they want to get some things done, or whether they want to play politics.

“And we’ll find that out soon enough.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-the-clarity-act-regulatory-certainty-is-key-to-american-leadership-in-digital-assets/,Thune on the Clarity Act: Regulatory Certainty Is Key to American Leadership in Digital Assets,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Last year Congress passed the GENIUS Act – which is the first bill regulating digital assets ever to become law.

“And the GENIUS Act was a landmark bill for more reasons than just being the first.

“It applied a light-touch approach to digital asset regulation that provides clear rules of the road for stablecoins while allowing space for continued innovation – and encouraging that innovation to happen right here in the United States.

“Mr. President, we’ve already seen the positive effects of that approach.

“Stablecoin market capitalization increased by 49 percent in 2025, due in part to the regulatory clarity provided by the GENIUS Act.

“Visa and Mastercard have been investing in stablecoin-linked credit cards amid heightened demand for such cards.

“Visa alone tripled its offering of stablecoin-linked credit cards last year.

“And one Visa executive called the GENIUS Act a huge turning point for the industry.

“Mr. President, thanks to clear regulatory guidelines for stablecoins, the digital asset industry is moving in the right direction in the United States.

“That’s a stark contrast to how things were under the Biden administration.

“Not long ago, digital assets operated in a legal gray zone in this country.

“The Biden administration was regulating crypto companies with arbitrary enforcement measures – subjecting crypto firms to numerous lawsuits.

“And these hostile actions led a number of U.S.-based companies to consider moving out of the United States altogether.

“Mr. President, we can all agree that the United States should be the world’s leader in financial innovation.

“And as the GENIUS Act proves, innovation surges with certainty.

“When we passed the GENIUS Act over a year ago, I said market structure legislation would be the next logical step.

“Today, thanks to the leadership of Senator Lummis and Chairmen Scott and Boozman and a lot of hard work from a number of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the Senate has the opportunity to take that step with the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.

“Mr. President, the Clarity Act would apply the same approach that we took on stablecoins in the GENIUS Act to the entire digital asset ecosystem.

“It would provide clear rules of the road while encouraging innovation to happen right here in America.

“To begin with, the Clarity Act distinguishes the jurisdictions of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, while ensuring that the CFTC and the SEC still work together to harmonize their rules.

“The Clarity Act also ensures that companies can’t skirt securities laws that apply to other financial assets.

“And it protects the growing number of Americans investing in and utilizing … digital assets.

“It provides everyday Americans with the information they need to make investment decisions, prevents value manipulation schemes, and ensures that law enforcement has the tools that it needs to go after bad actors and fraud.

“Mr. President, anyone concerned about another failure like the FTX collapse a few years ago should want to see the Clarity Act pass quickly.

“This bill would prevent another FTX.

“It would require exchanges to be subject to examination, and provide transparency so that regulators can intervene before harm becomes widespread.

“It would prevent companies from using customers’ funds as their own, as FTX did.

“And it would ensure that exchanges and their affiliates can’t trade on their own platforms.

“Mr. President, this bill has support from large financial institutions and law enforcement organizations, and it’s had bipartisan support from the beginning.

“As I said, this bill has been a bipartisan work in progress for over a year – with roots that go back even before that.

“In the last year, 126 substantive changes have been made to the bill at the request of our Democrat colleagues.

“The Clarity Act was reported out of the Banking Committee on a bipartisan vote.

“And over the weekend, Senators Lummis, Boozman, and Scott released a final draft that incorporated even more of Democrats’ demands in the interest of moving forward with this bill.

“The question now is whether Democrats will take yes for an answer.

“Mr. President, digital assets are firmly rooted in the United States.

“One in five American adults has invested in or used cryptocurrency.

“The overwhelming majority of crypto owners want clear rules of the road and protections like those provided in the GENIUS Act and the Clarity Act.

“Mr. President, this is a shared priority for Republicans, Democrats, and President Trump.

“We’ve been working at it now for over a year.

“The only reason for this progress to end now would be if Democrats choose politics over good policy.

“And now is not the time for political games.

“We’ve seen what regulatory certainty did to promote innovation and growth in stablecoins.

“We have an opportunity to do that across the entire digital asset industry by passing the Clarity Act.

“We should take the opportunity, Mr. President, before us to ensure this innovation happens right here in America and that the United States remains the leader in financial technology well into the future.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-reflects-on-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/,Thune Reflects on 25th Anniversary of 9/11,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Madam President, on Friday our nation paused to observe the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“The passage of time has only emphasized the need for remembrance.

“For many of us the events of that day are fresh and clear as [if] they were yesterday.

“But there are so many young Americans – young adults even, now – who were not alive then.

“And who do not remember the grief of that day. The evil we saw. And the patriotism and resolve that rose from the ashes.

“There are young men and women who have never heard the stories of the heroes – the firefighters, the first responders, the men and women of Flight 93, the ordinary Americans who placed the lives of others above their own.

“In the darkness of that day, the very best of America stood up.

“And I pray that we will never forget their example.”",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-are-keeping-our-promises-and-delivering-for-working-families/,Thune: Republicans Are Keeping Our Promises and Delivering for Working Families,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Madam President, it’s hard to believe that we’re in the last few months of the 119th Congress.

“Two years ago at this time, Democrats were still in charge, and the country was dealing with the two defining legacies of the Biden administration: a historic inflation crisis, and a historic immigration crisis.

“And I don’t use the word historic lightly.

“But those two crises were truly historic.

“Democrats presided over the worst inflation crisis in 40 years – with inflation reaching 7, 8, and 9 percent.

“And they presided over four straight years – four straight years – of record-breaking – record-breaking – illegal immigration.

“Republicans’ priority when we came into office was dealing with the effects of these crises.

“And that started with preventing a massive tax hike on hardworking Americans.

“As everyone knows, during the first Trump administration Republicans passed a historic reform of our tax code.

“We cut tax rates across the board, doubled the child tax credit, and nearly doubled the standard deduction.

“But that tax relief was scheduled to expire at the end of 2025.

“The standard deduction – which is claimed by 90 percent of Americans on their taxes – would have shrunk, increasing the amount of Americans’ income the government could tax.

“Tax rates would have increased.

“The child tax credit would have been reduced by 50 percent.

“For a typical family in my state, that would have meant sending an additional $2,500 a year to Washington.

“Well, Republicans were not going to let that happen.

“And so in 2025, we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts – sometimes known as the One Big Beautiful Bill – to prevent this massive tax hike on hardworking Americans.

“We made the increased standard deduction permanent.

“We made the lower tax rates permanent.

“And we made the increased child tax credit permanent.

“In other words, more money in American families’ pockets, permanently.

“But we didn’t stop there.

“We were well aware that Americans had had a very rough time financially under the Biden administration.

“And so we took action to put additional money in hardworking Americans’ pockets.

“In 2017, we had doubled the child tax credit.

“In 2025, we not only made that increase permanent, we boosted the child tax credit even further, and indexed it to inflation so its value will never go down.

“We also implemented no tax on tips and no tax on overtime – substantially lowering the tax bills of millions of hardworking Americans, from Uber and Lyft drivers to hairdressers to police officers.

“And we added a new bonus deduction for seniors, making retirement more affordable for millions of older Americans.

“And our efforts to help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money didn’t stop with the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“We’ve also spent this Congress cutting burdensome regulations that would have driven up prices for hardworking Americans – from the California electric vehicle mandate, which would have forced Americans into costly electric cars, to regulations that would have driven up the cost of appliances.

“We passed landmark housing legislation in June to help keep hardworking Americans from being priced out of the housing market.

“And we took action to drive down costs at the pharmacy counter as well.

“We passed a law to ensure that patients get the savings from any discounts or rebates from their purchases at the pharmacy counter in their health care plans.

“We removed incentives for pharmacy benefit managers to promote higher-priced medications at the expense of seniors.

“And we improved access to more affordable generic drugs.

“Madam President, as I said, in addition to reducing taxes and working to lower costs, Republicans were also committed to dealing with the Biden border crisis.

“President Trump took action immediately to get the situation at our southern border under control.

“And the reduction in illegal immigration has been staggering.

“During the last full year of the Biden border crisis – which was fiscal year 2024 – there were well over 2 million illegal immigrant encounters at our southern border.

“Well, we’re almost done with fiscal year 2026, and you want to know how many encounters there have been at the southern border?

“Fewer than 120,000.

“We’re looking at somewhere on the order of a 90 percent decrease.

“And you want to know how many of those illegal immigrants have been released into the United States?

“Zero.

“That’s right.

“Not a single illegal immigrant has been released into the United States during the entire 2026 fiscal year.

“That’s been the case for 15 straight months, in fact, under President Trump.

“And I don’t need to tell anyone what a massive turnaround that is from the Biden administration, which presided over the release of millions of illegal immigrants into our country’s interior.

“Madam President, the dangers of the unchecked illegal immigration that we saw under the Biden administration are manifold.

“And to help prevent anything like that from happening again, the Working Families Tax Cuts included substantial resources to help guarantee the security of our nation’s border, from additional Border Patrol agents to security technology.

“We also boosted funding for our national defense and for law enforcement.

“Safer communities and a safer country – that has been and will continue to be a Republican priority.

“Madam President, our work isn’t done.

“But I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do this Congress to put more money in Americans’ pockets and to help make our country more secure.

“And hardworking Americans will continue to be at the top of Republicans’ agenda.”",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-martha-maccallum-on-fox-news-the-brian-kilmeade-radio-show-and-the-hugh-hewitt-radio-show/,"Thune Joins Martha MacCallum on Fox News, The Brian Kilmeade Radio Show, and The Hugh Hewitt Radio Show",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch Fox News, here to listen to Brian Kilmeade, and here to listen to Hugh Hewitt.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Martha MacCallum on Fox News, The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio, and The Hugh Hewitt Radio Show.

On Democrats embracing socialism:

“The Democrats in this country, in many cases, have gone so far left … They’ve embraced the socialist wing of their party, and that’s going to put them completely out of the mainstream with the American people.”

On the SAVE America Act:

“I’m a cosponsor of the SAVE America Act. I was a cosponsor of that in the last session of Congress before it became popular … We’ve had it voted on now six different times, Martha. Every single time, every single Democrat has voted against it.

“We don’t have the votes in the Senate to get rid of the legislative filibuster, which is the only way we can pass it at 51. Otherwise, it takes 60, meaning we have to have Democrats, and that’s why we need to elect more Republicans to office, because the Democrats now, on six different occasions, have bloc-voted against photo ID, citizenship to vote … banning mail-in ballots, making sure that we don’t have boys competing in girls’ sports, and trans surgeries for minors.

“That is the SAVE America Act in its totality. We voted on that. We voted on the individual pieces of it, now six times, and every single time the Democrats oppose it. So if you want to get it done, then make this an issue in the campaign. Go out and draw contrast with your Democrat opponent and elect more Republicans, and we can get the SAVE Act passed.”

On Iran:

“I think all tools need to be on the table in terms of holding Iran and its proxies and its international supporters accountable for their actions.

“I applaud the administration for finding unconventional ways to achieve what is the underlying goal … I think the military objectives have been very clear there. I think we’ve achieved those. Now the question is, we’ve got to ensure that … the shipping lanes remain open, and that Iran isn’t able to start stopping, blocking, and tolling people in an international waterway. And I think right now that’s the administration’s focus.”",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-ranch-act-to-help-rebuild-americas-cattle-herd,Rounds Introduces RANCH Act to Help Rebuild America’s Cattle Herd,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,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 Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced the Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act. This legislation would create a new voluntary grazing land restoration program that would open up to 20 million new acres for grazing. At full enrollment of 20 million acres, the program established by the RANCH Act would provide sufficient grazing land to support an estimated two to four million additional beef cows.

“Anyone who has spent time around cattle understands one simple truth: no grass means no cattle,” said Rounds. “With ranchers facing drought, high input costs and a shortage of grazing land, America’s beef cow herd is at its smallest size in over 70 years. The RANCH Act would create a voluntary Ranchland Program that helps producers restore eligible marginal cropland into grasslands for grazing. Producers can use their land in a way that makes the most sense for each individual operation, giving those who know their land best the tools needed to succeed.”

“With the U.S. cattle herd at its smallest size in over 70 years, many farmers and ranchers need new opportunities to stay afloat,” said Klobuchar. “The bipartisan RANCH Act will help farmers looking to start a cow-calf herd or expand their existing herd while also providing wildlife habitat on the land. In the long-term, this plan can rebuild the domestic cattle herd and help drive down beef costs.”

The RANCH Act:

Strengthens American food security by expanding the domestic beef supply and reducing reliance on imported beef.

Puts American ranchers first, expanding the grazing land base needed to rebuild the national cowherd and meet growing consumer demand.

Expands domestic demand for American-grown grain and forage, giving U.S. farmers a stronger, more reliable market as the cattle herd grows.

Supports commodity prices for row crop producers by modestly tightening grain supply through a reduction in planted acres.

Makes U.S. farmers and ranchers more competitive in the global marketplace while building a stronger domestic agricultural base.

Enhances water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat through established perennial cover and managed grazing.

Reinvigorates rural communities through the economic benefits of increased livestock production, grain demand and wildlife populations.

Lowers the barrier to entry for beginning ranchers through targeted cost-share and signing incentive payments, bringing the next generation onto the land.

The RANCH Act is supported by the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Society for Range Management, Pheasants Forever, the World Wildlife Fund, the National Audubon Society, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wildlife Federation and the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association.

“South Dakota cattle producers understand that well-managed grazing is not only compatible with conservation, it's one of our most effective conservation tools,” said Craig Bieber, President of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and owner and operator of Bieber Red Angus Ranch near Leola. “Expanding access to grass, keeping working lands in production, and creating opportunities to responsibly grow the nation’s cattle herd can strengthen ranch families, rural communities, and the health of our natural resources. The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association appreciates Senator Rounds' efforts to recognize cattle as an essential part of healthy, productive landscapes.”

“I'm encouraged to see Congress listening to the voices of farmers and ranchers who work in grasslands every day. Strong grass-based agriculture depends on healthy, productive grasslands, and investments in voluntary grazing and conservation practices help keep ranching businesses profitable for the long term,” says Dan Rasmussen, who, with his wife, Dawn, stewards 33 Ranch near Belvidere, South Dakota. “Through our work with Audubon and other partners, we've seen firsthand that when we manage grasslands well, our cattle benefit, wildlife thrives, and water quality improves. That's a win for ranchers, rural communities, and everyone who depends on these working lands.”

“The RANCH Act is a smart investment in America’s working lands at a critical time for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” said Andrew Schmidt, Director of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Giving producers the tools to convert marginal cropland to grazing land can help ranchers grow their operations, bring more grass back to the landscape, and increase the habitat that pheasants, quail, and other wildlife depend on. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever thank Senators Rounds and Klobuchar for their leadership on this important legislation.”

“The RANCH Act meets a critical need for America's ranchers and grasslands, particularly in the Great Plains,” said Alexis Bonogofsky, Vice President of the Great Plains Program at the World Wildlife Fund. “It would create a dedicated program to restore grasslands for grazing and enable effective grazing management plans, which are essential to the productivity of both ranchers and grassland ecosystems. While the scale of marginal lands that need to be restored far exceeds the 20 million acres this program would support, this is a significant and welcome step forward.”

“The RANCH ACT is the sort of legislation and idea that we have long worked on and hoped for to find new ways to incentivize creation of working forage to support ranchers, cow calf operations and cover for nesting ducks and other species,” said John L. Devney, Chief Policy Officer at Delta Waterfowl. “We sincerely appreciate Senator Rounds and Senator Klobuchar for advancing this important idea.”

“Healthy grazing lands are essential to a healthy landscape,” said Ryan Taylor, Director of Public Policy at Ducks Unlimited. “The RANCH Act recognizes the conservation value of these working lands while helping address the need for additional livestock grazing. This legislation helps ranchers restore marginal cropland to perennial cover and managed grazing. Ducks Unlimited supports voluntary, rancher-driven solutions that improve habitat, soil health, and water quality while keeping ranchers on the land for generations to come.”

“The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association is grateful for Senator Amy Klobuchar’s and Senator Mike Rounds’ support of the RANCH Act, which would establish a new voluntary grazing land restoration program to support and enhance grazing lands across the country,” said Jake Thompson, President of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. “Grazing is an incredible tool for land management, and it is great to see a program that offers cost-share and signing incentive payments to offset financial costs for the producers.”

Click HERE for a summary of the bill. Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-preserve-records-for-at-risk-afghan-allies,Rounds Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Records for At-Risk Afghan Allies,2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,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.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today introduced the Afghan Ally Records and Credential Heritage (ARCH) Act, legislation to establish a Department of War process to identify, verify and preserve the service records of certain Afghan allies who served alongside our forces during the war in Afghanistan.

Under the ARCH Act, the Department of War would establish a secure online application system through which eligible Afghan allies or their representatives could submit service information and supporting documentation. After reviewing available military, contractor and biometric records, the Department would preserve verified records for future use. The bill also provides applicants with notice of adverse decisions, an opportunity to appeal and the ability to request reconsideration when new evidence becomes available.

“Thousands of brave Afghans stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American service members in some of the most dangerous missions of the war,” said Rounds. “Many of these individuals risked everything to support the United States, yet the records documenting their service remain vulnerable to loss or destruction. The ARCH Act creates a secure process to preserve this documentation, making certain that accurate records are maintained.”

“We must keep our covenant with the Afghans who served beside us, risking everything — often at great personal expense to themselves and their families — to further America’s mission,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will ensure Afghan allies can be confident their service records will be preserved to help them establish facts about their service in future applications to the U.S. government.”

“We owe it to our Afghan allies to provide a fair and efficient process to preserve the service records documenting the sacrifices they made while serving alongside U.S. forces,” said Tillis. “I’m proud to cosponsor this effort to ensure those records are available for those who stood with our servicemembers in Afghanistan.”

“We owe an enormous debt to the Afghans who supported U.S. forces during their 20-year mission in Afghanistan,” said Coons. “In exchange for that huge risk to themselves and their families, we promised them protection. This is a first step to fulfilling that promise by ensuring those who put their lives on the line for our country don’t fall through the cracks.”

Specifically, the ARCH Act would:

Establish a Department of War Afghan Allies Records Preservation Program.

Create a secure online application portal for eligible Afghan allies outside the United States.

Verify applicants' service using available military, contractor and biometric records.

Preserve validated service records and supporting documentation for future use.

Provide applicants with written notice of denials, an appeals process and an opportunity to reopen applications with new evidence.

Prohibit application fees and authorize personnel necessary to administer the program.

Maintain the application process for at least ten years, unless the Secretary of Defense later determines that termination is in the national interest.

The legislation recognizes the service of former members of Afghanistan's special operations forces, Afghan Air Force, Special Mission Wing, intelligence personnel, justice-sector officials, female members of the former Afghan security forces and other individuals who supported the United States mission in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021.

The ARCH Act is supported by AfghanEvac, No One Left Behind, With Honor, REACT DC, the Lamia Afghan Foundation, Center for Law and Social Policy, the Afghan Scout Relief Fund and Keeping Our Promise Inc.

“For the men and women who served as commandos, pilots, intelligence officers, and judges alongside American forces, and for all the women who served in the ranks of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the record of that service is the difference between being recognized and being erased,” said Shawn VanDiver, President of AfghanEvac and a U.S. Navy veteran. “When Kabul fell, so did easy access to the documents and biometrics that prove who stood with us, and every day those records sit unprotected is a day we risk losing them for good. The ARCH Act makes sure that proof survives, so our allies can still be identified, verified, and protected when it counts. We're grateful to Senators Rounds, Klobuchar, Coons, and Tillis for their bipartisan leadership, and we urge the Senate to move this bill without delay.”

“Retaining Afghan allies’ service records is a national security necessity, and is vital to supporting our wartime allies,” said Andrew Sullivan, Executive Director of No One Left Behind. “No One Left Behind proudly endorses the Afghan Allies Records and Credential Heritage Act, a bipartisan recognition that would document the service and contributions Afghan allies made alongside American service members. Evacuating allies left behind remains a moral obligation, and this legislation is an important step in accomplishing that mission.”

“The United States and coalition forces relied on brave Afghan allies for years. In the wake of war and withdrawal, many records of their service were lost,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor Action is proud to endorse the ARCH Act, which provides a formal process for Afghan allies to document their service alongside U.S. military forces. We are encouraged to see the inclusion of this language in the Senate’s draft of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act, and urge Congress to preserve this provision as they work to conference this bill. With Honor Action thanks Senators Mike Rounds, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis for making sure that Afghans who served alongside Americans are never denied recognition simply because of missing paperwork.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-senate-republicans-deliver-for-the-american-people/,Thune: Senate Republicans Deliver for the American People,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, when this Congress began last year, we had a long to-do list.

“The American people had made their priorities clear.

“As I said from the start, this Republican majority was ready to deliver.

“Republicans were committed to strengthening our economic future.

“Ending the … Biden border crisis.

“And making America safer and stronger in the years ahead.

“Mr. President, that’s exactly what we’ve been working on these last 19 months.

“And the American people are seeing the results of our efforts.

“The clearest example came this April when [97] percent of Americans saw a tax cut, which meant more of their hard-earned money stayed in their pockets instead of going to the IRS.

“And that was thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Mr. President, that was Republicans’ top priority last year.

“The American people had suffered for years through an inflation crisis caused by Democrats’ reckless spending.

“And they were facing a massive tax hike – $2,500 for a typical family in my state – if Congress had failed to act.

“But the Working Families Tax Cuts made sure that tax hike never came.

“Republicans delivered permanent, permanent, tax relief that benefited 97 percent of taxpayers this past year.

“We implemented new tax cuts like no tax on tips or overtime.

“Raised the child tax credit.

“Gave seniors an additional $6,000 deduction.

“And provided America’s small businesses and family farms and ranches with significant and permanent tax relief too.

“And, Mr. President, Republicans haven’t just put more money in hardworking Americans’ pockets.

“We’ve been working to bring down costs.

“One of the ways we’re doing that is by lifting unnecessary and burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of things that Americans need.

“We passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which cuts red tape that has contributed to homeownership becoming [unaffordable] for too many Americans.

“We did away with Biden-era regulations that would have driven up the cost of household appliances and energy.

“We got rid of electrical vehicle mandates that were going to force Americans into pricey electric cars that they didn’t want.

“And we’ve taken concrete action to drive down costs at the pharmacy counter, as well.

“We passed a law to ensure that patients get the savings from any discounts or rebates from their purchases at the pharmacy counter in their health care plans.

“We removed incentives for pharmacy benefit managers to promote higher-priced medications at the expense of seniors.

“And we improved access to more affordable generic drugs.

“Mr. President, these are policies that change the math of families’ budgets.

“More money in their pockets.

“Lower costs for the things that they need.

“And beyond that, we’ve also taken actions to strengthen our economy for the long term.

“We’ve seen positive news about a boost in manufacturing in our country thanks in part to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Other provisions in that law make education pathways more affordable, strengthen our skilled workforce, and create opportunity for the future.

“The law also bolstered programs that America’s farmers and ranchers depend on.

“And the Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in rural health care providers in all 50 states, putting those providers on a more secure path forward so that Americans in rural areas continue to have access to quality, affordable health care close to home.

“Mr. President, I mentioned that ending the border crisis was another priority for this Senate majority.

“And we didn’t waste any time getting to work on that either.

“The first bill we passed was the Laken Riley Act, requiring that illegal immigrants who are arrested for certain crimes aren’t put back on the streets.

“We also passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to ensure that law enforcement has the tools it needs to go after fentanyl and fentanyl analogues that have taken too many, too many Americans’ lives.

“And then there’s the border itself.

“President Trump took swift action to secure the border early last year.

“And in the Working Families Tax Cuts, we provided the resources necessary to hire more agents, finish the border wall, and keep the border secure permanently.

“Mr. President, today illegal border crossings have slowed to a trickle.

“It’s been like that for just about the entire Trump administration – an incredible feat considering how bad things were under President Biden.

“And thanks to our efforts, the resources are in place to ensure the border stays secure for the long term.

“Mr. President, beyond the border, we’ve also been focused on strengthening our military.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in our military readiness.

“We complemented those efforts in last year’s annual defense bill, which, among other things, made significant reforms to the way the Pentagon does business, to ensure that … tax dollars are being spent to maximum efficiency and effectiveness for our men and women in uniform.

“And this year’s National Defense Authorization Act builds on those efforts as well.

“Mr. President, we’ve been busy.

“The Senate has taken close to 900 votes since last January.

“We’ve been in Washington a lot more than in previous years.

“We’ve also done a lot of things that haven’t been done in a number of years.

“As I said, we made generational investments in border security, military readiness, and in rural health care.

“We approved the most significant tax relief bill in decades.

“We confirmed 21 Cabinet nominees faster than the last three incoming administrations.

“And we passed the first crypto bill ever.

“We approved a rescissions package that cut billions in federal spending for the first time in literally three decades.

“Mr. President, our work continues.

“Earlier this afternoon, we passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, giving the president critical tools to bring peace to Ukraine.

“We also approved another slate of 74 Trump administration nominees, bringing our total to 590.

“And I expect to move forward on additional items very soon.

“Mr. President, we’ve been working our way through our to-do list and delivering real wins for the American people.

“And the work goes on.”",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-boost-american-manufacturing-of-robotics-stay-ahead-of-china,"Rounds Introduces Legislation to Boost American Manufacturing of Robotics, Stay Ahead of China",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,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 John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) today introduced the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act, legislation aimed at boosting American manufacturing of robotics systems. This legislation, which directs the Department of Commerce to collect more data and develop standards for new robotics, would help keep America ahead of China in the robotics industry and keep American manufacturing competitive globally.

“It’s important that the United States continues to stay ahead of China when it comes to development and manufacturing of new technologies,” said Rounds. “The Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act would improve data collection and coordination of the use of robotics in the United States.”

“The robotics revolution is here. To compete with China and keep workers from being left behind, we need better data and coordination to set smart standards,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill positions Colorado’s growing robotics industry and workforce to lead in this new economy.”

Specifically, the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act would:

Directs the Department of Commerce to support American industry by improving data sharing to support the development of the models that power advanced robotics.

Directs the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, a NIST department which works with Manufacturing USA institutes across the country, to promote the use of robotics.

Directs the Department of Commerce to coordinate with the robotics industry for the development of voluntary standards for new and emerging robotics use cases and develop training and apprenticeship programs to upskill American workers.

Directs the Department of Commerce to collaborate with the robotics industry to create solutions in the energy, food and healthcare spaces to drive down costs for American consumers.

Directs the Department of Commerce to coordinate with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor on the development of material to support workforce development and job creation in the robotics industry.

Requires the Department of Commerce to collect data annually (with a 5 year sunset) on the adoption of robotics systems across industry so that we can accurately benchmark US competitiveness relative to China and other leaders in the adoption of robotics.

Pushes NASA, which has developed incredible innovations related to robotics (ex. the Mars Rover) to work with industry to commercialize the research and patents developed by the agency, facilitating private sector entrepreneurship and job creation from federal research.

Supporters of the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act include:

“Prosperous Robotics strongly supports the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act and its vision to strengthen America’s leadership in robotics, AI, and advanced manufacturing,” said Michael Bankowski, Co-Founder and CEO of Sioux Falls-based Prosperous Robotics. “We are especially encouraged to see home and elder care recognized as a national priority, where robotics can improve independence, dignity, and quality of life for millions of families.”

“Boston Dynamics commends Senators Rounds and Hickenlooper on the introduction of the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act,” said Brendan Schulman, VP of Policy & Government Relations at Boston Dynamics “This legislation would direct NIST to gather key information and metrics on the building blocks of the advanced robotics industry, including workforce training programs, standards for physical AI, emerging use cases, and regular reports on national robot adoption rates. These are important elements for building the national robotics strategy that industry has been calling for.”

“From the assembly line to artificial intelligence, American manufacturing has constantly embraced new technologies,” said Sam Dorn, VP of Policy and Government Affairs, New American Industrial Alliance. “The Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act continues that legacy by creating an all-of-government approach to robotics, from setting key standards and implementation benchmarks to pushing cutting-edge government technology to partner with private sector leaders. We thank Senator Rounds for his leadership on this important piece of legislation.”

“On behalf of Robots For America, I'm proud to endorse the Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act, introduced by Senators Rounds and Hickenlooper,” said Saman Farid, Founder, Robots For America. “Robots don't replace American workers — they multiply what American workers can do, keeping factories competitive, production onshore, and good jobs in American communities. This bipartisan bill takes practical steps to strengthen our domestic robotics industrial base, from promoting adoption on factory floors to commercializing NASA innovations here at home. We urge Congress to pass it swiftly.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-thune-johnson-encourage-trump-administration-to-approve-highmore-disaster-declaration,"Rounds, Thune, Johnson Encourage Trump Administration to Approve Highmore Disaster Declaration",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,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 John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his support for South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden’s request for a major disaster declaration following storms in central South Dakota, including Highmore. The severe weather, caused by a series of storms between June 28 and July 3, impacted 21,786 households in eight counties and two tribal communities across roughly 8,500 square miles.

“We support the state’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration, as soon as possible so that the necessary federal resources are available to assist the relevant areas of our state,” wrote the delegation. “We also strongly urge you to approve the state’s request for hazard mitigation funding. This will allow the state to mitigate future damages to vulnerable electric infrastructure. Without this funding, preventable damage to utilities from future disasters will only compound existing repair challenges.”

Read the full letter HERE or below.

+++

Dear President Trump,

We write in strong support of the state of South Dakota’s major disaster declaration request submitted by Governor Larry Rhoden on July 27, 2026. This disaster declaration request would assist in recovery efforts from severe weather that occurred June 28 to July 3, 2026.

From June 28 to July 3, 2026, a single severe weather system brought a series of devastating storms across central South Dakota. This multiday storm system included: a mini-derecho, windstorms, hail, straight line winds, tornadoes and flooding. The system also included peak wind gusts of 131 MPH, making it the strongest recorded thunderstorm wind gust since 1983 and among the strongest recorded in the United States.

This combination of severe weather impacted 21,786 households in eight counties and two tribal communities across nearly an 8,500 square mile area.

In the city of Highmore alone, 80-90% of all structures in the city sustained damage. It also caused significant damage to public infrastructure and led to widespread power outages. In some cases, residents were left without power for over a week while experiencing extremely hot summer temperatures.

The damage to public utility infrastructure is also severe and far reaching. Across South Dakota, electric infrastructure has been repeatedly weakened by year-round extreme weather events including severe storms, ice accumulation, wildfire, high winds, and flooding.

We support the state’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration, as soon as possible so that the necessary federal resources are available to assist the relevant areas of our state. We also strongly urge you to approve the state’s request for hazard mitigation funding. This will allow the state to mitigate future damages to vulnerable electric infrastructure. Without this funding, preventable damage to utilities from future disasters will only compound existing repair challenges.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request, and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide any additional information.

###",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-put-politics-ahead-of-producers-and-rural-america-at-senate-farm-bill-markup/,Thune: Democrats Put Politics Ahead of Producers and Rural America at Senate Farm Bill Markup,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today issued the following statement after Democrats blocked the Senate farm bill from being reported out of the Agriculture Committee. Multiple Thune priorities for South Dakota, including the year-round sale of E15 fuel, are included in the legislation.

“Democrats’ refusal to support the farm bill and year-round E15 is deeply disappointing and only creates more uncertainty for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers,” said Thune. “This bill includes over 100 bipartisan bills, yet Democrats chose to put partisan politics above producers and rural America. I know Republicans on the Senate Agriculture Committee stand ready to enact these sensible agriculture policies.”

Thune-authored proposals included in the Senate farm bill:

Thune’s Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act (introduced on March 6, 2025), which would expand the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program’s (ELAP) authority to cover transportation costs for hauling feed and water and add adverse weather and drought as qualifying disasters;

Thune’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Improvement and Flexibility Act (introduced on July 31, 2025), which would bolster CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers, and expediting emergency haying in response to drought and other weather-related disaster events;

Thune’s Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields (SAFETY) Act (introduced on April 1, 2025), which would protect American food products from unfair trade practices by foreign countries;

Thune’s Rural Internet Improvement Act, which 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;

Thune’s Strengthening Local Processing Act (introduced on April 29, 2025), which would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations;

Thune’s Promoting Precision Agriculture Act (introduced on February 11, 2025), which would facilitate the further adoption of precision agriculture technologies for farmers and ranchers;

Thune’s Fertilizer Price Transparency Act (introduced on March 19, 2026), which would provide American producers with more accurate information on prices for fertilizer and fertilizer products in response to longstanding concerns over rising input costs;

Thune’s proposed one-time increase to the voluntary base acre update cap passed in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to ensure all eligible acres can be enrolled in commodity programs; and

Thune’s American Beef Labeling Act (introduced on February 5, 2025), which would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

Thune has served on the Agriculture Committee in both the House and Senate. Thune has written four farm bills during his time in Congress, and the 2026 farm bill is his fifth. Agriculture is South Dakota’s top industry, with more than 42 million acres of agricultural land throughout the state.",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-americas-newsroom-on-fox-news/,Thune Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox News,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News:

On Democrats embracing socialism:

“The progressive wing of [the Democrat] party, the liberal far-left wing, is ascendant in the in politics right now … But when you got the DSA and people out there advocating openly for those types of policies, I think the American people are going to say a big fat no to that come November, Bill … This is a clear contrast … elections are about differences, and the choices couldn’t be more clear.”

On Republicans’ agenda:

“If you look at the policies when it comes to taxes and regulations and energy and all the things that Republicans are delivering on for the American people, our goal and objective is to have more money in people’s pockets, and they will as a result of the policies we put in place.”

On the SAVE America Act:

“We’ve had five votes on it already … We’ll figure out a way to get yet another vote on the SAVE America Act, but I don’t expect the Democrats to change their view. The issue here is all 47 Democrats, all five times we’ve voted on the SAVE America Act on the floor of the United States Senate, have voted no.

“This is an issue about going after Democrats, making this an issue in the fall campaigns, and holding them accountable for being on the wrong side of an 80-20 issue with the American people. But we will try and set up a way to get more votes on that to put them on the record again … The fact of the matter is, you have block opposition from Democrats in the United States Senate when it comes to this issue, and that’s why it’s so important that we elect more Republicans to the Senate in November.”

On Todd Blanche’s nomination:

“We intend to vote on him before we leave, and I am hopeful and optimistic that we will get him confirmed.”",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/delegation-encourages-administration-to-quickly-approve-disaster-declaration-for-central-south-dakota/,Delegation Encourages Administration to Quickly Approve Disaster Declaration for Central South Dakota,2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/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.) recently sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his support for South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden’s request for a major disaster declaration following storms in central South Dakota, including Highmore, between June 28 and July 3.

“We support the state’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration, as soon as possible so that the necessary federal resources are available to assist the relevant areas of our state,” wrote the delegation. “We also strongly urge you to approve the state’s request for hazard mitigation funding. This will allow the state to mitigate future damages to vulnerable electric infrastructure. Without this funding, preventable damage to utilities from future disasters will only compound existing repair challenges.”

Full letter below:

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump,

We write in strong support of the state of South Dakota’s major disaster declaration request submitted by Governor Larry Rhoden on July 27, 2026. This disaster declaration request would assist in recovery efforts from severe weather that occurred June 28 to July 3, 2026.

From June 28 to July 3, 2026, a single severe weather system brought a series of devastating storms across central South Dakota. This multiday storm system included: a mini-derecho, windstorms, hail, straight line winds, tornadoes and flooding. The system also included peak wind gusts of 131 MPH, making it the strongest recorded thunderstorm wind gust since 1983 and among the strongest recorded in the United States.

This combination of severe weather impacted 21,786 households in eight counties and two tribal communities across nearly an 8,500 square mile area.

In the city of Highmore alone, 80-90% of all structures in the city sustained damage. It also caused significant damage to public infrastructure and led to widespread power outages. In some cases, residents were left without power for over a week while experiencing extremely hot summer temperatures.

The damage to public utility infrastructure is also severe and far reaching. Across South Dakota, electric infrastructure has been repeatedly weakened by year-round extreme weather events including severe storms, ice accumulation, wildfire, high winds, and flooding.

We support the state’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration, as soon as possible so that the necessary federal resources are available to assist the relevant areas of our state. We also strongly urge you to approve the state’s request for hazard mitigation funding. This will allow the state to mitigate future damages to vulnerable electric infrastructure. Without this funding, preventable damage to utilities from future disasters will only compound existing repair challenges.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request, and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide any additional information.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-farm-bill-to-provide-real-support-and-certainty-for-south-dakota-farmers-and-ranchers/,Thune: Farm Bill to Provide Real Support and Certainty for South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, America’s farmers and ranchers got some good news at the end of last week.

“After a lot of hard work from members of the Agriculture Committee, Chairman Boozman released the text of a five-year farm bill, which is slated for a markup tomorrow and will, I hope, be headed soon to the floor.

“Mr. President, as someone who hails from an ag state and who’s been part of the drafting of now five farm bills, I know how important the farm bill is, and how much work goes in to getting it right.

“As I made clear at the start of this Congress, America’s farmers and ranchers are a priority for this Senate majority.

“That started last year with the Working Families Tax Cuts, which strengthened the farm safety net, bolstered critical farm programs, and delivered tax relief to America’s agriculture producers – including relief from the unfair death tax and making the 199A deduction permanent.

“And it continues this year with this farm bill, which builds on the important measures in the Working Families Tax Cuts to give farmers and ranchers certainty into the future.

“After the Working Families Tax Cuts raised reference prices last year, this farm bill makes further improvements to commodity programs as well as crop insurance – cornerstones of the farm safety net.

“It modernizes farm loan programs to get America’s next generation of farmers and ranchers off to a strong start.

“And it strengthens other programs that producers depend on.

“It improves the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program so that it covers the cost of hauling feed or water and opens the program to producers dealing with drought or other adverse weather conditions.

“And it includes my CRP Flexibility and Improvement Act, which will make the Conservation Reserve Program a more working-lands-oriented option for producers.

“Mr. President, CRP plays a very significant role in South Dakota’s economy by helping to provide habitat for pheasants.

“But producers in my state have been frustrated for years with how the program is managed – in particular by the fact that its restrictions on land use can be excessive.

“And that’s why I introduced the CRP Flexibility and Improvement Act.

“My bill allows grazing options – including fencing and water distribution – on all CRP acres.

“And on top of that, it increases the annual CRP payment limit for the first time in the program’s 40-year history.

“This bill will make CRP an attractive option for more producers and open up access for livestock forage in drought conditions.

“Mr. President, the farm bill also includes a number of bills I’ve worked on that make it easier for producers to do business and get their products to market.

“It includes a bill I worked on with Senators Grassley, Klobuchar, and Baldwin that establishes reporting requirements on fertilizer prices, which will bring more transparency to the fertilizer marketplace by helping producers make more informed and cost-effective choices for their operations.

“Another bill of mine – the Promoting Precision Agriculture Act – will facilitate the creation of industry-led, voluntary standards for precision ag technology that will help more farmers adopt this promising tool.

“And my Strengthening Local Processing Act gives smaller processors access to critical information and allows more meat products approved by a state inspector to be sold across state lines.

“Mr. President, the farm bill is about more than just what happens on a farm or a ranch.

“It also supports America’s rural communities.

“That includes water infrastructure, rural development, and health care – among other critical services.

“It also includes our continued efforts to provide broadband in unserved communities.

“And I’m pleased that this bill will help ensure that broadband dollars are going to communities that need it – places where 90 percent or more of the residents lack access to basic internet services.

“Mr. President, there’s a lot more I could talk about with this bill.

“A lot more.

“This is a bill that will provide real support and certainty for America’s farmers and ranchers.

“And that’s good news for all Americans, who depend on our hardworking producers for food, fuel, and fiber.

“And fuel, Mr. President, is the final thing I want to discuss this morning.

“Mr. President, for decades, the seasonal sale of E15 has been a win-win for America’s farmers and for the American people.

“It has strengthened the agriculture economy while providing the American people with an affordable source of homegrown energy.

“And for many years, Mr. President, it’s been a priority for me – and for many of my colleagues here – to allow E15 to be sold all year.

“Mr. President, it’s taken a lot of work to get here, but I’m very proud that this farm bill delivers permanent – permanent – year-round E15.

“This is something that is going to further help producers and help bring down fuel costs for all Americans.

“And I want to thank Chairman Boozman as well as Senators Daines, Capito, and Fischer, for all of their hard work on this issue.

“I’m looking forward to getting it across the finish line.

“Mr. President, I spend a lot of time with farmers and ranchers back home in South Dakota.

“They talk to me about the uncertainty and the headwinds they face.

“And I’ve listened to their priorities and made them my own.

“As I said, America’s farmers and ranchers are a priority for this Senate majority.

“And with the Working Families Tax Cuts and now this farm bill, we’re making real progress on the challenges facing our producers.

“But of course our work is never finished.

“There will be more to do in the future to support and strengthen American agriculture.

“And America’s producers can be confident that their needs will always be at the top of my list.”",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thunes-big-tech-algorithm-transparency-bill-unanimously-approved-by-committee/,Thune’s Big Tech Algorithm Transparency Bill Unanimously Approved by Committee,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded the Commerce Committee’s unanimous passage of his bipartisan Filter Bubble Transparency Act, which was included in a larger bill to address kids’ safety on the internet. Thune’s bill would make it easier for internet platform users to understand the potential manipulation that exists with secret algorithms and require large-scale platforms to allow those users to consume information outside of that potential manipulation zone or “filter bubble.”

“Consumers deserve more transparency when it comes to how social media and other internet platforms use algorithms to amplify or suppress content on their services,” said Thune. “This bill would help consumers better understand how algorithms are used to select content in their feed and give users more control over what information they are digesting. I’m pleased that the committee has passed my bill as part of the Kids Online Safety Act, and I thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership on this important issue.”

The Filter Bubble Transparency Act would require large-scale internet platforms to disclose algorithm use to consumers and allow users to view content that has not been curated as a result of a secret algorithm. The bill would also make it unlawful for any person to operate a covered internet platform that uses a secret algorithm unless the platform complies with the two above requirements. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the legislation’s requirements, and it would be authorized to seek civil penalties for knowing violations.",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-strengthen-cyber-operations-in-indo-pacific-region,Rounds Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Cyber Operations in Indo-Pacific Region,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,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 Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) today introduced legislation to close strategy and resource gaps in the Department of War’s cyber cooperation activities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific Cyber Cooperation Strategy would require the Office of the Secretary of War and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to institutionalize cyber cooperation between DOW and the United States’ allies in the region.

“Modern warfare is now fought in five domains: air, land, sea, space and cyberspace,” said Rounds. “As our cyber capabilities continue to advance, so do those of our adversaries. As China grows increasingly capable in the cyber domain, the United States must leverage the capacity of our partners and allies, who are crucial for securing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Our legislation would require the Department of War to close any existing cyber operations gaps that exist between our nation and our allies in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

“Cybersecurity is key to a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening our national security and keeping us all safe,” said Duckworth. “As a Pacific nation, we must ensure we’re strategically engaging with our regional partners across all fronts to make sure they can protect critical infrastructure and effectively operate in cyberspace. Our bipartisan bill would enhance American cyber cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to better protect our economy and security from shared adversaries and hostile actors.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-congress-has-important-work-ahead-starting-with-government-funding/,"Thune: Congress Has Important Work Ahead, Starting With Government Funding",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Busy week in the Senate, a lot going on, … we’re juggling a lot of balls right now.

“But there are some things that we intend to get done this week, and the first is to ensure that we get about 75 of the president’s nominations through en bloc.

“And so there are a number of very qualified nominees that the president has put forward, and if we can get those across the finish line this week – and we intend to – that would put us on pace to have 95 percent of the president’s nominees done.

“And that is a rate that puts us ahead of every [incoming administration] going back for the last 25 years …

“And I think there were somewhere on the order, in the last Trump administration at this point, of about 155 nominees that hadn’t been acted on or confirmed, and this would have … that number at about six.

“So we’re going to be way ahead of pace of the historical average, and I think that’s really important to ensure the president has his people in place so that he can do the job the American people elected him to do.

“The other thing, of course, that we need to do is to fund the government.

“And credit to Chair Collins and her team, working with Democrats and Republicans to come up with a plan that will fund the government beyond the election into December.

“We were able to get on that bill last night with a very big bipartisan vote, and I hope we can continue down that path and ensure that we have funded the government, taken a government shutdown off the table.

“We’ve had two of those, as you know, in the last year.

“They are incredibly painful for the American people, and it’s important, in my view, that we demonstrate to the American people that we can do job one – and job one is ensuring that their federal government is working and funded.

“So that will also be something that between now and the end of this week, or however long we’re here, we intend to accomplish.

“And so we will keep you posted on other things. There are other issues out there.

“We had a discussion about some of them at lunch, and we’ll continue to have those conversations and figure out, as we attempt, at least, to get these things stacked up and get as many things done as possible that we stay on pace to do that.”",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-working-families-tax-cuts-law-is-delivering-for-hardworking-americans/,Thune: Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts Law Is Delivering for Hardworking Americans,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, a week or two ago I came down to the floor and talked about growing up in a small town in South Dakota.

“And as I said in those remarks, I carry those South Dakotans with me in a special way in my work here in Washington.

“When I consider bills or look at regulations, I think about what kind of impact they will have on those Americans – on hardworking people without a lot of extra money in the budget.

“On people living paycheck-to-paycheck – or, as was the case with some of the farmers I grew up with, harvest-to-harvest.

“I think about how to ensure that government isn’t standing in their way – or taking up all the extra money in their budget.

“And it was hardworking Americans like the South Dakotans I grew up with who were at the top of my mind when Republicans drafted our landmark tax relief legislation back in 2017.

“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates across the board, doubled the child tax credit, and nearly doubled the standard deduction.

“It put more money in hardworking Americans’ pockets: money that they were able to use for their particular needs – from child care to home repairs to medical bills to a family vacation.

“And those same hardworking Americans were our focus last year when we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Our first aim with the Working Families Tax Cut was making the 2017 tax relief permanent.

“And that’s exactly what we did.

“We made the lower tax rates permanent.

“We made the increased child tax credit permanent.

“And we made the increased standard deduction permanent.

“But that was just the beginning.

“We weren’t content with a permanent extension of the 2017 tax relief.

“We wanted to do more for working families.

“And so that’s what we did.

“As I said, our 2017 tax relief bill doubled the child tax credit.

“Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts not only made that permanent, it increased the child tax credit even further – and then indexed it to inflation, so its value will never go down.

“I said the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction.

“Well, the Working Families Tax Cuts boosted the standard deduction even further.

“And we didn’t stop there.

“We instituted two big new tax relief measures – no tax on tips and no tax on overtime.

“That meant major new tax relief for a whole host of working Americans.

“Waiters.

“Delivery people.

“Bartenders.

“Uber and Lyft drivers.

“Nurses.

“Factory workers.

“Paramedics.

“Police officers.

“And many others.

“And that still isn’t all.

“We instituted a new, $6,000 bonus deduction for seniors.

“And we created new, tax-advantaged investment accounts to help parents save for their children’s futures – starting with an initial $1,000 investment from the federal government for babies born between 2025 and 2028.

“And that’s far from the only thing we did to help the next generation get a head start on their American Dream.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also made some significant improvements to the traditional 529 education savings plan, allowing those savings to be used for a greater variety of education-related expenses – like tutoring or homeschool materials, and vocational and continuing education.

“On the higher education side, we implemented accountability and reforms that put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees.

“We also made permanent a policy I authored that allows … employers to pay off a portion of their employees’ student loans without the employee having to pay taxes on the repayment amount.

“And on top of all that, we created the Workforce Pell program, which will provide financial assistance to Americans in shorter-term skills and career-training programs – whether they’re just starting out, or looking to switch careers or develop new skills in their current field.

“Mr. President, this tax season, more than 35 million seniors claimed the new bonus deduction for older Americans.

“More than 29 million American workers were able to deduct overtime pay from their taxes, resulting in substantial tax savings.

“And more than 7.5 million workers deducted their tips on their taxes, ensuring that they were able to keep more of their hard-earned money.

“And that’s not to even mention the countless hardworking Americans who were able to take advantage of the increased standard deduction and the enhanced child tax credit.

“Tax refunds were up this tax season, Mr. President.

“And it’s no surprise.

“It’s the Working Families Tax Cuts at work.

“Mr. President, I may live in Sioux Falls now, which is one of South Dakota’s bigger cities, but I still spend a lot of time in small-town South Dakota.

“And whenever I’m there, I’m proud to be able to share the details of the Working Families Tax Cuts and report that Republicans are delivering for working families.

“And we are going to continue to build on the Working Families Tax Cuts to expand opportunity and make life more affordable for hardworking Americans.”",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-the-senates-historic-confirmation-pace/,Thune on the Senate’s Historic Confirmation Pace,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I am pleased to say that the text of the continuing resolution has been released.

“It is a strong, bipartisan piece of legislation, and I hope it will receive overwhelming support from both parties in the Senate.

“I am deeply grateful to Appropriations Chair Collins for her work to produce this legislation in consultation with members of both parties.

“And I also want to thank Senator Murray, vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee, for her efforts to get this done.

“I look forward to passing this bill in the next few days.

“Mr. President, this week we’ll move our fifth bloc of civilian nominees, which includes 74 well-qualified individuals.

“By the end of the week, we will have cleared 95 percent of the civilian nominees who are eligible for floor consideration.

“Ninety-five percent.

“At this same point in President Trump’s first term, there were 155 unconfirmed nominees on the calendar.

“This year that number is on track to be about 10.

“It’s the best confirmation track record in a quarter-century.

“As I said, we will have confirmed 95 percent of the civilian nominees available for confirmation – meaning that we’re doing better at this point than we were during President Obama’s first term, President Trump’s first term, or President Biden’s.

“It didn’t always look like we’d be able to achieve this, Mr. President.

“From the very beginning of his second term, Democrats met President Trump’s nominees with a historic level of obstruction.

“And when I say historic, I do mean historic.

“Up until extremely recently, President Trump was the only president on record – the only, the only, president on record – not to have had any civilian nominees approved by unanimous consent or voice vote.

“Mr. President, that used to be the standard way of approving these nominations.

“During President George H.W. Bush’s four years in office and President Clinton’s first four years, both presidents had 98 percent of their civilian nominees – 98 percent – confirmed through unanimous consent or voice vote.

“President George W. Bush and President Obama both had 90 percent.

“And then we get to President Trump’s first administration.

“Democrats introduced an unprecedented new level of partisanship into the historically bipartisan confirmation process, forcing time-consuming votes on civilian nominees who would once have gone by unanimous consent or by voice vote.

“But despite this, Mr. President, despite this new level of partisanship, both President Trump in his first term and President Biden had more than half of their nominees confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote.

“And then we get to President Trump’s current administration.

“As I said, until recently, he had not had one single nominee confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote.

“Zero.

“So the fact that we’re standing here today, Mr. President, with the civilian nominations calendar about to be essentially cleared, is pretty impressive.

“But we’ve been on a mission, Mr. President, to ensure that the president has his nominees in place so that he can do the job the American people elected him to do.

“That included taking action to restore the Senate tradition of en bloc confirmation of largely noncontroversial nominees.

“And most of all, Mr. President, it included putting in the work.

“Lots of work in committees.

“Lots of work on the floor.

“And lots of votes.

“Lots and lots of votes.

“And it’s paid off.

“We’ve confirmed 52 Article III judges.

“Ninety-one percent of the U.S. attorneys that have made it out of committee this Congress.

“Twenty-three Cabinet members.

“And the list goes on.

“And we’re going to continue to ensure that nominees are confirmed in a timely fashion, and that the president is able to have his team in place.”",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-the-hugh-hewitt-show-7/,Thune Joins The Hugh Hewitt Show,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to listen.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined The Hugh Hewitt Show.

On the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act:

“[T]here’s a huge … desire to do this for Lindsey and as a tribute to him, but also because it’s the right thing to do for the country … we’ve really got a chance to do something that helps shift the playing field in … Ukraine …

“[T]hese sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, family members, foreign persons, Russian banks, and financial institutions, as well as this Russian ‘shadow fleet,’ which continues to allow Russian oil and gas to fund Putin’s war. So it’s important we get this done, and there was a big bipartisan vote for it yesterday, and we’ve got to finish it now. We’ve got to get it across the finish line.”

On confirming President Trump’s nominees:

“[N]othing shapes the future of the country more than these lifetime appointments to the court[s] … we are actually about 10 ahead of where we were in the first Trump administration in terms of getting people on the bench … we’re going to continue to focus on that and on the executive branch noms as well.

“We’re going to move a package next week of 74 of those, which will keep us well ahead of where the first Trump administration was in terms of getting people confirmed to the departments and agencies that run the government as well.

[…]

“[W]e are working to … virtually clear the executive calendar, which is both judicial and executive branch noms, and we’re going to stay focused on that … it’s part of the Article I responsibility that we have, and I think that getting these on the floor for a vote and ensuring that we’re fulfilling that responsibility and setting the country up for success by ensuring that we have constitutionalist judges on the court to me is a really high priority.”

On Senate Democrats blocking the NDAA:

“It’s crazy, Hugh … they’re making it all about Iran, but the fact of the matter is, funding the military is job number one. I mean, if you don’t get that right, the rest is conversation.

“[W]e’re going to do everything we can to get that voted on again.

[…]

“[I]t is incredibly irresponsible on their part. It is frankly … inexcusable, if you think about what’s at stake for our country, for them to hold up the thing that authorizes taking care of our troops, their pay, taking care of the military families, ensuring that we’ve got the right weaponry and technology to keep our country safe and to deter and defeat any threat that’s out there to America’s national security interests. So, it’s critically important.”

On the SAVE America Act:

“I strongly support it. I cosponsored the original version last Congress, and I’ll do whatever I can to pass it if there’s a clear path to doing it. But we did put it on the floor for debate, and we had it on the floor for over a couple of weeks. We forced Democrats to take a position on all of those commonsense policies. We’ve had five votes now on the entire SAVE America Act, or pieces of it, including photo ID, including citizenship to register. During the debate, no one spoke more consistently in support of the bill than I did …

“[T]hey’re commonsense policies, widely supported by Republican and Democrat voters. They ought to get an automatic yes from literally every member of this body, but it’s the Democrats who consistently block it.

“There hasn’t been a single Democrat in the five votes that we’ve had that has voted for it, and so that’s what we ought to be doing, is turning our fire on the Democrats … [G]iven their staunch, unwavering opposition to the bill, I think it should be a message we should carry to voters across the country and further highlight the contrast between Democrats and Republicans on the issue – and get away … from attacking each other.”",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-urges-colleagues-to-support-clean-bipartisan-bill-to-fund-the-government/,"Thune Urges Colleagues to Support Clean, Bipartisan Bill to Fund the Government",2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, next week, our top priority will be funding the government until [after] the November election.

“The American people have faced two – two – record-breaking government shutdowns in the past 10 months.

“We need to ensure that they do not face a third.

“We owe the American people some certainty here.

“They should not have to be hoping and praying that, on September 30th, that the government will get funded and that government services will continue.

“I don’t think I need to tell anyone in this body that government shutdowns serve no one – not members of either party, and most of all not the American people.

“Shutdowns strain our national security agencies.

“They threaten military, law enforcement, and civilian pay.

“They endanger nutrition benefits.

“Farm programs.

“And a whole lot of other stuff.

“They’re bad for our economy.

“They snarl air travel.

“Mr. President, I could go on.

“Shutdowns hit our country – they hit the American people – hard.

“And we owe it to the American people to ensure that they do not face another shutdown this fall.

“That’s why Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Collins has been hard at work drafting a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to fund the government through the November elections.

“I appreciate everything that she has done to make this happen – engaging with members of both parties, and working through the necessary anomalies from the Office of Management and Budget.

“And I intend to bring the CR to the floor for a vote next week.

“Again, I would emphasize that the appropriators are working in good faith to produce a clean, bipartisan product, free of poison pills.

“And I hope that that will ensure a robust bipartisan vote next week, so that the American people don’t have to spend the next two months wondering if the Senate is going to do its job.

“Because that’s what this is, Mr. President.

“Our job.

“Funding the government is our most basic responsibility as members of Congress.

“And we owe it to the American people to get that job done – and done now.

“I urge all of my colleagues to support the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution and to get our government funded.”",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-discusses-the-importance-of-russia-sanctions-legislation/,Thune Discusses the Importance of Russia Sanctions Legislation,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“With the tragic and sudden passing of Senator Graham, the Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have joined together to cosponsor the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

“It’s legislation that I hope we can move across the floor.

“It was probably, I would say, in Lindsey’s last days, the thing he cared most passionately about.

“It’s something he’s worked on for the past year, and I think we all, both Democrats and Republicans, realize not only would this be a great tribute to him and his work and his legacy on national security matters, but it would also be something that would really give the president a tool at his disposal to try and end the war in Ukraine.

“Ukraine is now the largest conflict, literally, since World War II in Europe.

“And the Ukrainian people have been resilient, worked really, really hard to try and bring this war to an end.

“But as long as Putin has Russian oil and gas money, he’s able to continue this war.

“And what this sanctions bill would do would basically cut that off.

“And Lindsey also cared passionately, as you know, about the Middle East, and so the sanctions on Iran, I think, complement what’s in the underlying bill.

“But the fact is, there are 62 cosponsors on the bill.

“We had a motion to proceed vote on it yesterday that got 86 votes in the Senate.

“It is a bipartisan bill.

“It’s an important bill for this country and for our national security interests, and it’s something that I hope we can proceed with and ultimately pass, get across the finish line here in the next few days.”",1,2026-07-30T07:32:48Z,2026-07-30T07:34:08Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-bolster-national-security-and-innovation-through-quantum-technologies,Rounds Introduces Legislation to Bolster National Security and Innovation through Quantum Technologies,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,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 Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today introduced the National Quantum Readiness Act, legislation that directs the Department of War to support the development of quantum technologies and spur private-sector innovation.

“Quantum technologies are critical to the future of warfighting at home and abroad,” said Rounds. “By codifying pieces of the Trump administration’s executive order, we’re kickstarting research and development of quantum technologies that can strengthen our defense systems. I’m pleased to be leading this legislation and look forward to working with my colleagues to get it signed into law.”

“As an emerging national leader in quantum innovation, Connecticut deserves support in this bill to promote new technology and prepare localized training,” said Blumenthal. “By prioritizing quantum technology ecosystems and developments, this bill advances both Connecticut’s technological advancements and defense workforce. It aides our military to be at the forefront of navigation and intelligence collection and our state as a bulwark of national defense.”

On June 22, 2026, the Trump Administration released the executive order (EO) Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation, which directs a “whole-of-government approach” to secure American leadership in quantum information science and technology (QIST). The National Quantum Readiness Act codifies two sections of the EO related to deploying Quantum-Enabled Sensors and Networks and Bolstering the Domestic Ecosystem for Quantum Supply Chains.

Specifically, the National Quantum Readiness Act would:

Direct the Secretary of Defense to identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects within 60 days of enactment.

Task DoD, Commerce, Energy, and NSF to develop a plan to partner with the private sector, potentially through the use of prize challenges or advance market commitments.

Direct the Secretary of Defense to increase domestic access to quantum information science.

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-eulogizes-senator-lindsey-graham-at-capitol-memorial-service/,Thune Eulogizes Senator Lindsey Graham at Capitol Memorial Service,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered a eulogy at Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) memorial service at the U.S. Capitol.

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. Vice President, Darline – Senator Graham – Larry, members of the Graham family, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

“It’s difficult to believe that we’re here today to say a final farewell to Lindsey as he leaves the Capitol for the last time.

“My heart is heavy.

“I feel his absence every day – and I know so many of my colleagues do as well.

“Senators on both sides of the aisle counted him as a friend.

“And Republicans and Democrats alike – including the Democrat leader – are here to say farewell.

“Lindsey was a towering figure here in the Senate – and on the international stage.

“His leadership on national security and on our national defense is well-known.

“I traveled with Lindsey all over the world as part of congressional delegations, and I saw firsthand just how much he was respected by our allies – and just how well he was able to connect with foreign leaders around the globe.

“Striking too was the instant connection he had with the military men and women that we met.

“They recognized him immediately as one of their own.

“Lindsey’s work on these issues would be enough to cement his place as a leader in the Senate.

“But he was a leader on many other issues too.

“As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 116th Congress, he fought tirelessly to advance well-qualified judges.

“He was serving as chair of the Budget Committee at the time of his death and was responsible for getting important tax relief legislation to the floor.

“And no tribute to Lindsey’s work is complete without mentioning that he was a powerful voice for the pro-life movement.

“‘Until my last breath, I will be fighting for this cause,’ he said.

“And he was.

“He was a fierce defender of Ukraine.

“He was a fierce defender of the unborn.

“And on the surface, these might seem like two completely separate issues.

“But it strikes me that in another way they are both of a piece.

“In both cases, Lindsey Graham saw injustice. And he spoke up.

“And, as was typical of Lindsey, he spoke up fearlessly.

“‘I don’t apologize for being pro-life,’ he said in an interview in 2022 – and probably on a number of other occasions.

“It didn’t matter to Lindsey whether an issue was popular or unpopular – whether he had the full support of his colleagues or whether he was standing alone.

“If he believed he was in the right, he spoke up.

“He told things the way he saw them.

“And he didn’t mince words.

“But lest anyone think it was all work and no levity with Lindsey …

“Let me just say that there was no one – no one – who took his job more seriously than Lindsey Graham.

“But also no one was more capable of cracking up a room.

“During the workweek here in Washington, a lot of us are away from our families, so we often get together in groups for dinner.

“And let me tell you, Lindsey was always the first call.

“The conversation and the laughs always flowed at any meal where Lindsey Graham was present.

“He was entertaining, always.

“And pretentious, never.

“‘There are a lot of so-called “self made” people in this world,’ he once said. ‘I am not one of them. My family, friends, neighbors and my faith picked me up when I was down, believed in me when I had doubts. You made me the man I am today,’ he said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Lindsey will be remembered as a senator and as a statesman.

“But for me, most of all, I will remember him as my friend.

“It’s hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey.

“That he won’t be dropping by my office to discuss some piece of legislation, or make me laugh with his witty commentary.

“But I cling to the same faith that Lindsey had.

“To the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection, and the knowledge that death is not the end.

“‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord. ‘The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’

“To Darline and the Graham family, to Lindsey’s beloved staff members, be assured of the prayers of my wife, Kimberley, and I – and the prayers of so many in this room.

“And to Lindsey, rest in peace, my friend.

“I look forward to the days when you make us all laugh again.”",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-sean-hannity-on-fox-news-7/,Thune Joins Sean Hannity on Fox News,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the interview.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) joined Sean Hannity on Fox News.

On radical far-left policies:

“This is a Democrat Party that has really lost its identity. They have moved so far left … You’ve got … people who are openly out there espousing and endorsing socialism, which is why you have the Democrat Socialists of America now.”

On the SAVE America Act:

“[The SAVE America Act] was the pending business in the Senate for over two weeks, late February, early March. We had five votes on it. We voted on photo ID. We voted on photo ID and citizenship to register. We voted on the entire SAVE Act … two different times. And we also voted on no boys in girls’ sports. So we’ve had five votes, portions of or all of the SAVE America Act.

“The problem we have is we have no Democrats. The Democrats block voted against it, in spite of the fact that there are at least a dozen Democrats – and I have the quotes – who have come out publicly and said they’re for photo ID, but when they actually got a chance to put up or shut up on the floor of the Senate, they all voted no.”

On Senate Republicans’ agenda:

“We’re going to do Russia sanctions, and that’s a tribute to Lindsey Graham, who we all are going to … commemorate … I think we’ll get that done. I think we’ve got to fund the government, and I think we’re on a path to do that.”

[…]

“There’s a package of nominations, it’s about 74 noms that the president’s put forward that we’ve now, we’re moving in a block … We will probably have a vote on the Clarity Act, which is the digital assets bill, legislation that’s in front of the Senate. We’ll see if the Democrats give us the votes to get on that. There’s also a possibility on NIL legislation. I had a couple of conversations over the weekend with people like Ted Cruz, Eric Schmitt [who] have been working on that issue, and that’s the college sports issue. A lot of people are interested in that.”",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-rounds-discusses-funding-for-iran-conflict-with-dod-officials-at-appropriations-committee-hearing,ICYMI: Rounds Discusses Funding for Iran Conflict with DoD Officials at Appropriations Committee Hearing,2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,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.) discussed the President’s supplemental funding request of $87.6 billion for national defense with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“I had the opportunity to serve as governor of South Dakota for eight years. During that time, we deployed over 5,000 young men and women into harm's way, National Guard members from South Dakota,” said Rounds. “I attended their departure ceremonies, I attended their welcome home ceremonies, and I attended 31 funerals. One of the main reasons that I decided to come to Washington was because I never wanted to see young men and women going into harm's way again if they didn't have the best leadership, the best training and the best equipment possible.”

“You've offered a supplemental request, and I recognize that it's part of a $1.5 trillion overall. But is this enough money to get the job done, or is this going to just get us far enough until we've got to come back in here?” asked Rounds.

“I can't answer the question on what it will cost because the enemy has a vote. What I'll commit to you, as this plays out, we'll make sure that the Congress is informed,” answered Caine.

Click HERE to watch Rounds’ full questioning. Read a transcript of the exchange below.

+++

Rounds: Thank you, Madam Chair. I had the opportunity to serve as governor of South Dakota for eight years. During that time, we deployed over 5,000 young men and women into harm's way, National Guard members from South Dakota.

I attended their departure ceremonies, I attended their welcome home ceremonies, and I attended 31 funerals. One of the main reasons that I decided to come to Washington was because I never wanted to see young men and women going into harm's way again if they didn't have the best leadership, the best training and the best equipment possible.

Now, this body, the Senate, with regard to the Iranian war, to date this body has chosen not to impose war power limitations on the president, nor have we pushed for the withdrawal of forces from the theater. I think the decision to take out Iran's nuclear program and their missile production capacity was the right one, and it should have been done a long time ago. But when the president did that, we also assumed that there would be risk involved. And when you put young men and women in harm's way, you want to do everything you can to make sure that you get in, you get the job done and you get out. I think that's what we talk about.

Now today, it has been since February that we now have the Iranians that are shooting back. We haven't finished the job. I think the question that the American people have is when the difficult decision comes, because I don't think diplomacy is necessarily working, and I think most people would say we've got more issues in front of us before this is complete. For General Caine, when the time comes, and the president is asking for the decisions about the options available to him to appropriately end this war favorable to the United States and to take care of this problem permanently, are you prepared to provide him with the appropriate options that he is going to have to make a decision to choose from?

Caine: Sir, I always provide the president with appropriate options and risks that he can choose from.

Rounds: And those options that he will have to choose from will cost money, and that's our role here. Because if we don't do it right, young men and women die. The question to you, sir, is this. You've offered a supplemental request, and I recognize that it's part of a $1.5 trillion overall. But is this enough money to get the job done, or is this going to just get us far enough until we've got to come back in here? And in the meantime, we may very well not have these young men and women out of harm's way yet. That's my question.

Caine: Sir, I want to first start with recognizing your 31 fallen from home and mourn their losses. We carefully consider the use of military force every single day. And the most important thing that I do is make sure that the president and the other leaders understand the risks and carefully consider the Dover test, a place you've been many times. And that is, are we willing to go to Dover, as we will tomorrow, to bring back the fallen? I can't answer the question on what it will cost because the enemy has a vote. What I'll commit to you, as this plays out, we'll make sure that the Congress is informed. But because I'm not quite sure how this is going to play out yet, it would be unwise for me to comment on what a future cost may or may not be, depending on what they choose.

Rounds: In general, you will provide a plan to Congress at whatever the appropriate classification level is on what resources are required to execute what the president's intent will be to successfully end this conflict.

Caine: Sir, I will always make sure that, as we have, that we're moving data as appropriate to Congress. Yes, sir.

Rounds: Let me come back in just in terms of follow up on this a little bit. Some have criticized Operation Epic Fury for expending many of our munitions stockpiles. Were our munitions, the inventories of those munitions, and the capacity of our munitions industrial base sufficient for great power competition with near peer adversaries like China prior to Operation Epic Fury? Secretary Hegseth?

Hegseth: Senator, as I laid out, because the previous administration short funding shortfalls, munitions transferred to Ukraine and not replaced, and then ignoring threats, it built a lot of risk that requires this kind of investment. So you'd look at the $67 billion alongside the remainder for $1.5 billion. That's the kind of generational investment that not just matches peer adversaries, but far surpasses them, which I think is your expectation, having been to those ceremonies, which is mine, having been to them and going to them, is that we give everything possible to the warfighter that they deserve.

###",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-jay-claytons-nomination/,Thune on Jay Clayton’s Nomination,2026-07-27,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, this afternoon we’re going to move on the nomination of Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence.

“Amid a heightened threat environment, having a proven leader in this role is especially important.

“And Jay Clayton fits the mold.

“Mr. President, during the first Trump administration, Jay Clayton served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission for almost four years.

“And under his leadership, the SEC went after financial crimes and fraud and aimed to protect Main Street investors.

“He also worked with the intelligence community on national security issues that intersected with our financial system.

“That included efforts to address Chinese influence and exploitation of our markets.

“And, of course, he worked to maintain economic stability after the onset of the pandemic as well.

“So, Mr. President, with that record, it’s no wonder that President Trump wanted Jay Clayton to serve in his second administration, this time as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York: an important law enforcement post.

“And for the past year and a half in that role, Mr. Clayton has been busy.

“He’s supervised the prosecution of terrorists and the drafting of the indictment against Nicolas Maduro on drug-trafficking and terrorism charges.

“And now President Trump has nominated him for a Cabinet post leading our nation’s intelligence community.

“Mr. President, Jay Clayton’s record inspires confidence in the type of DNI that he will be.

“And Democrats have previously recognized his abilities.

“He’s earned bipartisan support in the past.

“The Democrat vice chair of the Intelligence Committee even said after Mr. Clayton was nominated for this position, and I quote, ‘I have known and respected Jay Clayton for many years and believe he is a capable public servant.’

“That, again, Mr. President, from the Democrat vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“So one might think that we’d be seeing some bipartisanship from Democrats on this nominee.

“But Democrats are playing the same partisan games with this qualified nominee as they have for so many of President Trump’s picks.

“And, Mr. President, it’s a funny thing, because Democrats have made no secret of their disdain for [the] current acting director of … national intelligence.

“In fact, Democrats were so worked up over the president’s temporary choice for this position, they allowed our nation’s most important counterterrorism tool to go dark for the first time ever.

“That’s right.

“Now Democrats have the opportunity to replace that acting official.

“But they’re in no apparent rush to confirm a permanent director of national intelligence.

“They’ve opposed his nomination in committee.

“They’ve delayed things here on the floor.

“And I don’t expect we’ll see a lot of Democrat support for him in the final roll call.

“It doesn’t matter how qualified the nominee, Mr. President.

“Or even that Democrats supposedly want to see the current acting director replaced.

“For our colleagues across the aisle, everything – everything – takes a back seat to their political games.

“Well, I’ve run out of words, Mr. President.

“It’s shameful.

“Mr. President, we’re going to move forward with the Clayton nomination this week.

“We will have a permanent director of national intelligence in place shortly.

“And I hope this will encourage my colleagues to stop blocking reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.”",1,2026-07-28T07:37:32Z,2026-07-28T07:38:50Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-selected-to-serve-on-us-air-force-academy-board-of-visitors,Rounds Selected to Serve on U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors,2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,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 been selected to serve on the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors:

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the United States Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors,” said Rounds. “One of the most rewarding parts of my work in the Senate is nominating young South Dakotans to attend our military service academies. The students selected to attend the Air Force Academy are some of our nation’s best and brightest, and we must continue to provide them with a quality educational experience that prepares them to defend our country. I look forward to working with my Congressional colleagues, the Department of the Air Force and the cadets to make certain the U.S. Air Force Academy is fully resourced and positioned to prepare future generations to serve our country.”

Established by law in 1956, the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors provides independent advice and recommendations on matters relating to the Academy, including morale, discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and any other matters relating to the Academy that the Board decides to consider. For more information on the Board of Visitors, click HERE.

###",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-reflects-on-his-south-dakota-roots-and-values-that-shaped-him/,Thune Reflects on His South Dakota Roots and Values that Shaped Him,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, over the weekend I headed back to Jones County, South Dakota, for my high school reunion.

“It’s been a few years since high school, Mr. President – just a few.

“But it’s amazing how the years roll away when you head back and see some of the people who shaped your high school years.

“Some of them are missing now, of course.

“Teachers.

“Coaches.

“Parents.

“My dad, who was a teacher at my high school, a coach at my high school, and the bus driver at my high school.

“And my mom, who served as the school librarian.

“Needless to say, we Thune kids didn’t get away with much in our high school years.

“My high school reunion this year happened to coincide with the 120th anniversary of the town of Murdo where I grew up – current population: roughly 500.

“And being back in Jones County and in Murdo really got me to reminiscing about growing up in small-town South Dakota – about how blessed I was to grow up in a small town in South Dakota.

“People discuss the loss of community today that can result from the circumstances of modern life.

“That was never something we had to worry about in Murdo.

“In Murdo, you knew you were part of a community.

“Rural South Dakotans are sturdy and independent people, but they also know from experience that you can’t get by in a small town on the prairie without the support of your neighbors.

“And when someone was in need in Murdo, the whole town rallied around to help – whether it was an unexpected death in the family or the collapse of a barn roof.

“We celebrated with each other too – whether it was a harvest, Fourth of July, pheasant season.

“And the whole town swelled with pride at one of its kids’ achievements.

“I carry the sense of community and belonging I had growing up in Murdo with me to this day.

“And I carry those small-town South Dakotans with me in a special way in my work here in Washington.

“When we look at a government regulation, I think about what impact it will have on small-town South Dakota – on the people in our state like the ones that I grew up with.

“Is it going to lighten their burden?

“Or is it going to add new challenges on top of those they already face?

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state; it was the lifeblood of Murdo as well.

“Farmers and ranchers have a tough job: backbreaking work in all weathers – work that can be destroyed in an instant by a storm or a flood.

“I want to ensure that Washington isn’t making their life even tougher than it is already.

“That’s why I’ve fought for things like the elimination of the death tax – so that farmers and ranchers can hand down the family enterprise to their kids, and don’t have to spend time and money on costly estate planning.

“It’s also why I’ve fought to ensure that federal farm programs are actually serving farmers – that they take into account the realities of farm life and keep pace with changes.

“You can bet that I had small-town South Dakota in mind when I fought to pass the tax relief [for] hardworking Americans in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – and then when we made that new tax relief permanent in the Working Families Tax Cuts just last year.

“I think a lot of my political beliefs have their roots in growing up in Murdo: from a belief that government should be limited – and that if a matter can be handled at the state or local level, it should be – to my understanding of the importance of freedom, and the individual responsibility that comes with the freedoms that we enjoy.

“I’m grateful every day, Mr. President, for the blessings of growing up in a small town, and in small-town South Dakota.

“And I am proud to be a son of Murdo.”",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z
https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-priorities-included-annual-defense-bill,Johnson Priorities Included in Annual Defense Bill,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with several of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson’s (R-S.D.) priorities, including funding for the Ellsworth Air Force Base B-21 Raiders, securing America’s supply chain, improving border security, and countering China.

“A strong and secure America requires a military that is prepared to meet the modern challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Johnson. “This defense package invests in our troops, secures our supply chains, and expands production capacity. These investments will reinforce our national security for generations to come.”

Johnson priorities included in the 2027 NDAA:",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-delivers-remarks-supporting-supplemental-funding-request-at-appropriations-committee-hearing,Rounds Delivers Remarks Supporting Supplemental Funding Request at Appropriations Committee Hearing,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,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.) delivered testimony in support of the President’s supplemental funding request of $87.6 billion for national defense and agricultural aid. Rounds spoke as part of a member panel at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“In South Dakota, farming and ranching is more than a job, it's a way of life built on hard work, stewardship and the hope of leaving the land better for the next generation,” said Rounds. “Feeding and fueling the world has never been easy. Producers continue showing up year after year despite drought, floods, disease, pests, volatile markets and other challenges beyond their control.”

“Protecting America's food supply, energy supply and national defense are not separate priorities: they reinforce one another,” continued Rounds. “This supplemental provides needed assistance to help farm and ranch families endure today's economic challenges while Congress and the administration continue advancing long-term policies that strengthen American agriculture.”

Click HERE to watch Rounds’ full testimony. Read Rounds’ remarks as prepared for delivery below.

+++

Chair Collins, Vice Chair Murray and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to highlight why food security and national security go hand in hand.

I’d also like to thank the Trump administration for recognizing that input pressures have made it more difficult for American farmers to support their own operations.

In South Dakota, farming and ranching is more than a job, it's a way of life built on hard work, stewardship and the hope of leaving the land better for the next generation. Feeding and fueling the world has never been easy. Producers continue showing up year after year despite drought, floods, disease, pests, volatile markets and other challenges beyond their control.

This supplemental funding request comes at a critical time. Farmers and ranchers are facing production costs that exceed market returns. Higher fertilizer, diesel fuel, seed, equipment and crop protection costs, coupled with retaliatory trade practices and continued market uncertainty, have put enormous financial pressure on producers. Specifically, the projected loss per acre across the country in 2026 for corn is $131; for cotton, $342; for wheat, $114; and for soybeans, $80.

While we work to strengthen America's ability to produce more of what we need here at home and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, Congress should provide stability so producers can remain in business and continue producing the best food and fuel in the world.

Today's threats extend well beyond weather and markets. Foreign adversaries, cyber threats, industry consolidation, arbitrary standards and unfair trade practices impact farmers’ ability to produce food, fiber and fuel. Food security, energy security and national security are connected.

We also have an opportunity to strengthen both agriculture and energy security by permanently authorizing voluntary access to nationwide, year-round sales of E15. Giving consumers the option to choose a higher ethanol blend would increase domestic fuel production, expand markets for corn growers, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources and provide families with a lower-cost option at the pump.

Given the significant defense investments included in this supplemental, I also want to emphasize the importance of fully funding our national defense. We are living in one of the most complex and lethal threat environments since the Second World War, and the brave men and women who volunteer to defend this country deserve the leadership, training, equipment and resources necessary to maintain America's military advantage.

Protecting America's food supply, energy supply and national defense are not separate priorities: they reinforce one another.

This supplemental provides needed assistance to help farm and ranch families endure today's economic challenges while Congress and the administration continue advancing long-term policies that strengthen American agriculture.

I urge my colleagues to support this supplemental request to provide stability to our ag producers at this time.

###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-hopeful-democrats-will-cooperate-in-funding-the-government/,Thune Hopeful Democrats Will Cooperate in Funding the Government,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, the Senate is in the middle of a busy work period, and we have a lot to accomplish in the coming weeks and months.

“And we have some great opportunities for bipartisan collaboration:

“Market structure legislation.

“The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act.

“The National Defense Authorization Act.

“FISA.

“But at the top of the list right now is funding the government.

“If there’s any responsibility we have as members of Congress, it is that.

“And our country cannot afford another shutdown like the two shutdowns we’ve experienced over the course of this fiscal year.

“Shutdowns take a toll on our economy.

“On our national security.

“They create havoc at airports.

“And, of course, they take an incredible toll on hardworking Americans inside and outside of government whose paychecks depend on the government being open.

“I think a lot of Americans remember pretty clearly what things looked like during the Democrats’ two record-breaking shutdowns this past year.

“Government workers lining up at food banks. Charging essentials on credit cards and taking up any work they could find in hopes of being able to make ends meet.

“Government services reduced.

“National security agencies strained.

“I don’t think any American who traveled will forget the effect those two shutdowns had on air travel.

“Hours-long TSA lines … snaking … around airport concourses and out airport doors.

“Canceled and delayed flights.

“A nationwide reduction in air traffic, when our air traffic control system could no longer safely maintain regular flight schedules.

“And the list goes on.

“We cannot – cannot – have this again, Mr. President.

“And that’s why I’ve asked Appropriations Chair Collins to draft a bipartisan and clean continuing resolution to fund the government until after the November election.

“And I intend for the Senate to vote on that before we head to our states to work during August.

“The Senate Appropriations Committee is hard at work reviewing anomalies from OMB to ensure we have a bipartisan product ready to move quickly.

“No one is served by our waiting until the last minute to take this up.

“And after all that our country has been through with the past two shutdowns, the American people deserve to have confidence that their government will be open and running.

“Not to mention the fact that government employees – like our own staffers and the Capitol Police officers standing guard around this building – deserve to know that their paychecks will be coming.

“It was not a good year on the government funding front, with two record-breaking government shutdowns.

“But we have an opportunity now to chart a new path.

“I’m encouraged that so far my Democrat colleagues have signaled that they do not want to force another government shutdown.

“And I appreciate Chair Collins’ work to engage with Democrats and produce a bipartisan continuing resolution.

“No one – no one, Mr. President – is served by another shutdown – not either political party, and most of all not the people that we represent.

“So I look forward to bringing up a bipartisan CR in the coming days.

“And I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and give the American people the certainty that they deserve.”",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-lujan-barrasso-legislation-to-expedite-broadband-permits-to-unserved-communities-heads-to-full-senate/,"Thune, Luján, Barrasso Legislation to Expedite Broadband Permits to Unserved Communities Heads to Full Senate",2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/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 Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today applauded the Commerce Committee for unanimously passing their Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026 (S. 4448), bipartisan legislation that would improve federal agencies’ review and processing of broadband permits and allow service to be more quickly deployed to unserved communities. The legislation, which now heads to the full Senate, would cut unnecessary red tape and increase transparency into the federal permitting process. It would also require all federal agencies to implement controls to ensure broadband applications are being processed within the required 270-day deadline.

“In order to ensure rural communities in South Dakota have access to reliable broadband, it’s critical that federal agencies are processing permits in a timely fashion and are being held accountable for any delays,” said Thune. “I’m pleased that the committee has passed our legislation to help accelerate the deployment of broadband across our nation, and I look forward to its consideration by the full Senate.”

“More must be done to address the barriers that have long kept rural communities from accessing reliable broadband,” said Luján. “For years, I have pushed the federal government to streamline and expedite permitting processes to improve rural broadband connectivity. I’m encouraged that our bipartisan legislation has advanced with the support of my colleagues. This is an important step toward expanding broadband infrastructure in New Mexico and across the country while ensuring programs like BEAD are implemented efficiently. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill across the finish line and deliver high-speed, affordable broadband to every American.”

“In Wyoming, nearly half the land is owned by the federal government,” said Barrasso. “Washington red tape makes it harder to expand broadband infrastructure on these lands. This results in higher costs and less internet access in rural areas. Our legislation will improve the permitting process and provide rural communities with more reliable internet service. Today’s committee passage is an important step toward getting this bill across the finish line in the Senate.”",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/the-working-families-tax-cuts-law-invests-in-future-generations/,The Working Families Tax Cuts Law Invests in Future Generations,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, every parent wants to give their kids a better life than they had.

“So parents spend a lot of time making sure that their kids are ready when opportunity comes their way.

“In many cases, that involves putting money aside for their future.

“Mr. President, opportunity is one of the pillars of Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts.

“That means both creating opportunity and helping more Americans to seize those opportunities and get ahead.

“And one of the ways this bill does that is by helping parents to save and invest in their children’s futures.

“That starts with lower tax bills so parents keep more of their hard-earned money.

“And on top of that, we’ve made it easier for parents to support their kids’ dreams with things like the bill’s new Trump Accounts.

“These new tax-advantaged investment accounts can be a powerful tool for parents and other family members to give the next generation a brighter future.

“Because Trump Accounts can be used for a broad array of expenses.

“Money from a Trump Account can go toward education expenses.

“Buying a first home.

“Starting a business.

“Or buying the family farm or ranch when the time comes.

“Kids can even opt to use the accounts as retirement savings when they reach adulthood – a financial priority for every American.

“Mr. President, Trump Accounts will help bring big dreams closer within reach.

“Parents of children born between 2025 and 2028 can opt in to receive an initial $1,000 balance in their Trump Account from the government.

“On top of that, numerous companies have already made pledges to contribute to the Trump Accounts for their employees’ children.

“And some philanthropists have made similar commitments.

“Plus, as I indicated earlier, any member of the family can contribute to a Trump Account.

“So an aunt or an uncle, grandma or grandpa, can add money to a Trump Account as a birthday or Christmas gift – further boosting the amount a child will have available when he or she reaches young adulthood.

“Mr. President, even $20 per month can build to a substantial sum of money by the time a baby born this year turns 18.

“And the Trump Accounts app even includes modules and other resources for parents and children to learn about investing and grow their financial literacy – which will help them throughout their lives.

“Mr. President, Trump Accounts are a significant tool for parents and their kids.

“But it’s far from the only thing that we did in this bill to help the next generation get a head start on the American Dream.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also made some significant improvements to the traditional 529 education savings plan, allowing those savings to be used for a greater variety of education-related expenses.

“Tutoring.

“Homeschool materials.

“And vocational and continuing education.

“Plus, we doubled the withdrawal limit for 529s to $20,000 per year.

“Mr. President, I’m also proud of how the Working Families Tax Cuts strengthens pathways to meaningful career options for the next generation.

“On the higher education side, we implemented accountability and reforms that put downward pressure on the cost of college degrees.

“We also made permanent a policy I authored that allows employers to pay off a portion of their employees’ student loans without the employee having to pay taxes on the repayment amount.

“For Americans who are interested in learning a skilled trade, the bill is transformative.

“As I mentioned, it allows 529 savings to go toward vocational education.

“It also created the Workforce Pell program, which will provide financial assistance to Americans in shorter-term skills and career-training programs – whether they’re just starting out, or looking to switch careers or develop new skills in their current field.

“Mr. President, states are just beginning the process of identifying programs that will qualify for Workforce Pell.

“And it’s already generating excitement.

“One community college president in New York said of Workforce Pell, and I quote, ‘The potential is absolutely huge.’

“Another community college administrator in Oregon hailed how Workforce Pell will provide assistance for the college’s truck-driving certificate program.

“A popular program that leads to high-paying jobs, but for which financial aid is hard to come by.

“Workforce Pell will change that.

“And Workforce Pell will also be a gamechanger for mid-career professionals.

“As Colette Atkins, who works at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, said, and I quote, ‘We have students that are working already and they can’t step away for two years, but can they step away to do that 8 to 15 weeks to get that training? They sure can. And now there’s financial support to help them do that.’

“Mr. President, suffice it to say, Workforce Pell will open new pathways and create opportunities for a lot of Americans.

“And it’s getting started thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Mr. President, putting more money in Americans’ pockets.

“Helping them seize opportunities to get ahead.

“And creating new pathways to success.

“That is the Working Families Tax Cuts at work.”",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-there-is-plenty-of-work-the-senate-can-do-if-democrats-decide-to-cooperate/,Thune: There Is Plenty of Work the Senate Can Do If Democrats Decide to Cooperate,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“It’s a busy week here in the United States Senate, and I would say that there is no shortage of opportunities for bipartisan legislating in the weeks ahead.

“There are a number of things that we can do, one of which would be a market structure bill – that’s something that’s a candidate for consideration.

“The Lindsey O. Graham sanctioning Russia legislation is also something that’s being worked on, and is something I hope we can get the necessary support to get to the floor.

“And then, obviously, a defense authorization bill, which was voted down on the motion to proceed last week by the Democrats, is something that also normally is a bipartisan piece of legislation.

“But none of those things get done if the Democrats continue their posture of trying to block even getting on legislation.

“And again, I used the defense authorization bill as an example of something that we’ve done for 65 years in a row, which last week the Democrats decided – even though … a number of them had voted for the legislation when it came out of the Armed Services Committee – decided to block its consideration on the floor.

“So that’s something that ought to be able to get done.

“And then, obviously, the most important thing that we need to do is to fund the government.

“And on that front, Chair Susan Collins is working with Democrats on the Appropriations Committee to find a path forward to have a continuing resolution to keep the government funded to get past the November elections, so that we don’t have the specter of a government shutdown – something that happened a couple of times this last year.

“And the disruption, the chaos that creates is just something that both sides ought to be willing to try and avoid.

“And so, I think it’s going to be really important that we figure out a path forward to get a bipartisan agreement to fund the government that will keep government open and ensure that government employees are getting paid.

“And that is something that I intend to bring to the floor for a vote before the August break.”",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-embrace-far-left-agenda/,Thune: Democrats Embrace Far-Left Agenda,2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, at the beginning of last year the New York Times took a poll of American voters.

“And the headline captures their results:

“This is what it said: ‘Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.’

“Let me repeat that, Mr. President.

“‘Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.’

“That’s right.

“A New York Times poll taken … weeks after voters rejected Democrats at the ballot box suggested that one of the reasons for Democrats’ loss was that Americans don’t think Democrats share their priorities.

“The story went on to say, and I quote, ‘The issues that people cited as most important to them personally were the economy and inflation, health care and immigration…’

“But when the poll asked Americans to identify Democrats’ most important priorities, Americans identified issues like abortion and climate change, among others.

“Mr. President, our Democrat colleagues have found themselves out of power for 18 months now.

“And we’ve given them plenty of opportunities to show some evolution – perhaps even moderation – to voters.

“But as the record shows, Democrats are still in thrall to the far left of their party.

“They still have the same priorities that turned voters off from Democrats in the last election.

“For starters, radical transgender ideology remains an article of faith among Democrats.

“Democrats have repeatedly opposed efforts to keep biological men out of women’s sports.

“And when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously last month that state laws protecting women’s sports are allowable under the plain language of Title IX, one Democrat senator called the ruling ‘unjust.’

“Unjust, Mr. President.

“As if a young woman working hard all season only to lose to a man with an inherent biological advantage is somehow just.

“Mr. President, the overwhelming majority of Americans believe that biological men should not be playing women’s sports.

“But that doesn’t seem to matter to Senate Democrats.

“And their commitment to transgender ideology doesn’t end with supporting the presence of men in women’s sports.

“Democrats have also tacitly – or not so tacitly – endorsed radical gender transition procedures being performed on minors.

“Procedures, I might add, with no substantial medical evidence to support them – and plenty of reason to believe they are extremely dangerous for children.

“But apparently Democrats are fine subjecting children to those risks.

“And of course, Mr. President, Democrats are still proudly pro-abortion.

“And when I say pro-abortion, I mean pro-abortion.

“How else do you describe a party that won’t even support legislation to provide medical care to a baby born alive during a failed abortion?

“A party that can’t bring itself to support a bill to ensure that a pregnant college student knows that there are resources available to help her finish her degree and have her baby.

“A party that directed small-business COVID relief funds to Planned Parenthood, even though they were legally ineligible.

“A party that is doing everything it can to eliminate pregnancy resource centers simply because they won’t recommend abortion.

“Mr. President, as I said, Democrats are in thrall to the far left of their party.

“And it’s not just on those issues.

“Far-left activists seem to be the audience for almost everything Democrats do these days.

“Take, for example, Democrats’ two – that’s right, two – record-long government shutdowns.

“Last fall, Democrats shut down the entire federal government for a record 43 days to show the far left that they were ‘fighting’ President Trump.

“And while TSA lines snaked outside of airports and Americans were visiting food banks because they had to work without pay, the Democrat leader was quoted saying, and I quote, ‘Every day gets better for us.’

“Better, that is, for Democrats seeking the approval of the far left.

“Then earlier this year, Democrats shut down the Department of Homeland Security because they didn’t want to fund law enforcement.

“That’s right.

“Defunding law enforcement – once a fringe position in their party – became the official position of the Democrat Party as they tried to completely – completely – defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.

“Once again, it didn’t matter to Democrats whether Americans would be less safe with open borders.

“Their audience – far-left activists – wanted them to defund border security and immigration enforcement officers, so they did.

“And Democrats weren’t done.

“Last week, Democrats here in the United States Senate blocked the National Defense Authorization Act, the bill that authorizes funding for our military.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“Democrats voted against authorizing funding for our military.

“Mr. President, it’s a sad day when Democrats are playing politics with everything all the way up to our national security.

“But that’s where we are.

“Democrats have had numerous opportunities in the last year and a half to work with us on things that matter to the American people.

“And again and again, they have chosen to follow members of their far-left base.

“In some cases – see New York City’s mayor – follow them directly into socialism.

“That’s right.

“Self-identified democratic socialists have been winning elections across the country.

“So what’s next?

“Will the Democrat Party adopt the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America?

“Mr. President, to quote the New York Times again, and I quote, ‘Many Americans Say the Democratic Party Does Not Share Their Priorities.’

“A year and a half later, it’s obvious that that’s still the case.

“Men in women’s sports. Abortion up until the moment of birth. Open borders. Defunding law enforcement.

“Instead of moving toward the middle, Democrats are just getting more extreme.”",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-rounds-legislation-to-advance-lewis-and-clark-water-expansion-project-approved-by-committee/,"Thune, Rounds Legislation to Advance Lewis and Clark Water Expansion Project Approved by Committee",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for passing their legislation on Thursday, July 16, that would authorize a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. The bill now heads to the full Senate.

“The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System continues to achieve meaningful progress toward fully serving its member communities across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota,” said Thune. “I’m pleased that the committee has passed our legislation and look forward to its consideration by the full Senate. I thank Senator Rounds for working with me on this important effort.”

“Continued access to clean and reliable water is critical to economic development and quality of life in our state,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced our legislation that would authorize a feasibility study for an expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. I look forward to working with Senator Thune and my colleagues to get this feasibility study through the Senate and into law.”

“Lewis and Clark Regional Water System is grateful to Congress and the champions of this legislation, including Leader Thune, for recognizing the importance of long-term water infrastructure planning,” said Troy Larson, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. “The success of our region depends on a dependable water supply, and this measure will help ensure we are prepared to meet future needs as our communities grow. Thoughtful planning today will help secure reliable water service, economic opportunity, and quality of life for generations to come. We thank the bill sponsors for their leadership.”

In addition to Thune and Rounds, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act (S. 3725) is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn).",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-fetterman-fischer-introduce-legislation-to-improve-the-fccs-broadband-mapping-process/,"Thune, Fetterman, Fischer Introduce Legislation to Improve the FCC’s Broadband Mapping Process",2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) on Thursday introduced the Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers (MAP) Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation that would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to evaluate and improve its broadband mapping process. The FCC has made significant strides in enhancing the accuracy of its National Broadband Map, but providers have reported difficulties with the FCC’s challenge process, which allows providers to dispute the serviceability of certain locations. The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would instruct the FCC to review and assess its mapping and challenge procedures.

“Broadband providers who are on the ground in South Dakota and across rural America have vital, firsthand knowledge of the communities they serve,” said Thune. “Ensuring the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband map and its corresponding challenge process is critical to build on our progress to make federal broadband investments as effective and efficient as possible. I thank Chairman Carr for supporting our efforts and for his continued commitment to connecting households across our country to the internet.”

“Broadband internet is a necessity, especially for our rural communities,” said Fetterman. “The first step we can take to ensure families have internet access across Pennsylvania and the country is figuring out who still doesn’t. I’m proud to join Senator Thune in introducing this bill to get us one step closer to bringing connectivity to every American. I look forward to working with the FCC when the maps are complete to continue to expand broadband.”

“We need a better understanding of where internet connectivity falls short, especially in rural America,” said Fischer. “With broadband maps, we can accomplish this goal; however, they must be accurate. I’m joining Leader Thune to make sure these maps correctly identify unserved and underserved communities. This will safeguard taxpayer dollars while connecting more Americans to high-speed internet.”

“From his time as chairman of the Commerce Committee to today, Leader Thune has passed smart broadband policies that have expanded affordable broadband,”said Brendan Carr, chairman of the FCC. “This legislation will make more great progress by ensuring the FCC’s National Broadband Map stays up to date and serves as a trusted resource for the American people and broadband builders for years to come.”

“The South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) member companies know firsthand that accurate, location-level broadband mapping is essential for the FCC to make sound policy and funding decisions,” said Kara Semmler, executive director of SDTA. “The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would help ensure continued refinement to the map through a careful review of the standards, processes, and data used to determine where broadband is truly available. On behalf of SDTA’s member companies and the South Dakota communities they serve, we appreciate Majority Leader Thune’s leadership in advancing legislation that will help ensure broadband resources are directed where they are needed to expand and sustain service, essential for a rural state like South Dakota.”

“While we have seen improvements to the National Broadband Map over time, precisely because this is an iterative and evolving process, there is more to be done to make sure the map accurately captures where services are in fact available and the locations that could be served,” said Mike Romano, chief executive officer of NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association. “The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would help spur continuous improvement in the map through a renewed look at the standards and processes used to develop and refine it. I applaud Majority Leader Thune and Senators Fetterman and Fischer for their leadership in seeking to ensure that broadband policy and funding decisions are based upon the best possible real-world data.”",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z
https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-targeted-biden-dojs-arctic-frost,Johnson Targeted by Biden DOJ’s Arctic Frost,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement regarding Operation Arctic Frost in which President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice officials obtained and reviewed the Congressman’s text messages. The investigative team improperly reviewed the messages of 44 Members of Congress.

“My text messages obtained by Jack Smith’s rogue investigation team shows an unprecedented level of carelessness for the rule of law and the constitutional separation of powers,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful to the whistleblowers who brought these acts to light and to the Senate Judiciary Committee for continuing this Congressional oversight.”

Johnson will review the classified information obtained by the Justice Department.

Background:

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary released evidence that the United States Department of Justice Special Counsel investigation lead by Jack Smith improperly obtained and reviewed text messages from Members of Congress from across political lines.

The Justice Department’s letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley can be viewed here.",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-celebrates-americas-250th-birthday/,Thune Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, we recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – the 250th birthday of our country.

“On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration.

“The document laid out the causes which impelled the colonists’ separation from Great Britain.

“But more than that, it laid out the political beliefs that would govern the new nation.

“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.’

“Unalienable rights.

“Rights inherent in man, given by God.

“Rights that exist before government, and that it is the job of government to protect.

“Government not by divine right or military might, but by consent.

“A government that represents the people, not the will to power.

“A revolutionary document, Mr. President.

“Pun intended.

“Many of the ideas in the Declaration, of course, were not new.

“It was a document built on the wisdom of the ages, on the tradition of British common law, on the inheritance of Christianity, and the colonists’ own experiment in self-government in the colonies.

“Jefferson himself, writing in 1825, said of the Declaration, and I quote, ‘Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion. All its authority rests then on the harmonizing sentiments of the day, whether expressed in conversation, in letters, printed essays, or in the elementary books of public right, as Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, Sidney, etc.’

“But while many of the ideas in the Declaration were not new, the document was nevertheless, as I said, revolutionary.

“Because the Declaration marked an event essentially unique in human history.

“There had been philosophical treatises laying out principles of government.

“But this was not a philosophical treatise.

“It was the founding of a government, of a new nation, based on philosophical principles.

“A nation inaugurated not by conquest but on a set of ideas.

“And what ideas, Mr. President.

“All men are created equal.

“Where before in the history of governments do we find that?

“All men are created equal.

“No one is given special dignity by nature. No man has a divine right to rule over any other.

“No.

“All men are created equal.

“Created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.

“Rights that cannot be taken away.

“Rights that are not the gift of government, but … of nature and of nature’s God.

“Rights that government must defer to and defend.

“Mr. President, as everyone knows, the United States is currently hosting the World Cup.

“And the media has been filled with stories on how much visitors to this country are enjoying the United States.

“They’re encountering the American character – generous, optimistic, big-hearted, friendly.

“And they are embracing it.

“And it occurs to me, Mr. President, that that American character almost unquestionably has a lot to do with our founding principles.

“When you believe that all men are created equal, when you believe that they have God-given rights and dignity – well, that has consequences.

“All men are created equal.

“There is no class of divinely appointed rulers.

“No hereditary aristocratic class.

“No barrier set to prevent you from rising.

“Those principles have consequences.

“So I don’t think it’s surprising that Americans are generous and big-hearted and optimistic and friendly.

“I think it’s the natural consequence of the principles that we espouse.

“Mr. President, every Fourth of July is a day of celebration.

“But this one, marking 250 years, was particularly special.

“South Dakota was honored to welcome President Trump to our fireworks at Mount Rushmore – a truly spectacular event.

“There’s no better place to reflect on the majesty of this great country.

“It’s fitting too, though, that along with the celebrations – along with the fireworks and the parades and the hot dogs and the hamburgers – that July 4th be a day of thanksgiving.

“For the Declaration of Independence and the nation it founded.

“For the blessings of liberty.

“And for all those who have pledged their lives to its defense, from the founding of our country to the present day.

“Mr. President, Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his ‘Concord Hymn,’ referred to the opening shot of the battles of Lexington and Concord as, and I quote, ‘the shot heard round the world.’

“Well, Mr. President, if I may borrow his phrase, I think it’s fair to say that the Declaration was the statement heard round the world.

“It is still – still – heard around the world, to this day.

“And I pray it will be heard until the end of time.

“May God bless our beloved country and keep us faithful to the principles for which we stand.”",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z
https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-highlights-postal-service-improvement-areas,Johnson Highlights Postal Service Improvement Areas,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner highlighting geographic areas of South Dakota still experiencing Postal Service delays and service issues.

“A functional and efficient Postal Service is essential for many South Dakotans,” said Johnson. “While I’m encouraged to see some improvements in service, progress for southeastern South Dakota is failing to meet the standard of service South Dakotans expect. I’m looking forward to ongoing discussions with the Postmaster General on how we can work together to provide a Postal Service that works for South Dakota.”

United States Postal Service data shows continued delivery delays for postal customers in the Sioux Falls metro area and southeastern South Dakota.

South Dakotans can submit feedback to the United States Post Office’s Office of the Inspector General here.

Click here to view the letter.

Background:

Johnson surveyed thousands of South Dakotans in December 2025 about their experiences with USPS. He heard hundreds of stories about the impacts of delayed delivery and package routing negatively impacting families and businesses.

Johnson hosted a roundtable event in Sioux Falls January 2026 to hear first-hand experiences with the Postal Service. Johnson was joined by Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) who chairs the subcommittee which has oversight of the USPS.

Johnson then sent a letter to Steiner detailing the Postal Services’ shortcomings in service. Rep. Sessions joined Johnson for a tour of the Sioux Falls mail processing facility on April 2, 2026.

Johnson’s full letter to Steiner:

Postmaster General Steiner,

I am writing once again regarding the performance of the United States Postal Service (USPS) in South Dakota. Earlier this year, I shared concerns raised by thousands of South Dakotans, outlined persistent service challenges, and expressed my hope that by July 2026 we would be able to point to measurable improvements in service reliability, staffing, and delivery performance.

I appreciate the work USPS has undertaken to improve operations over the past year. The latest performance data shows meaningful progress across much of South Dakota, demonstrating that operational improvements are possible even in some of the nation’s most geographically challenging rural delivery areas. Those improvements deserve recognition, and I appreciate the efforts of USPS employees and leadership who have helped produce them.

However, South Dakotans in the Sioux Falls region still report delayed and missed deliveries, inconsistent service, staffing shortages, and disruptions affecting prescriptions, financial documents, newspapers, and small businesses. In a rural state like South Dakota, dependable mail service is not simply a convenience, it is essential infrastructure that families, businesses, and communities rely upon every day.

These concerns are reflected in USPS’s own performance data, attached to this letter. Using September 2025 – the closest available ZIP3 benchmark to the beginning of your tenure, as the point of comparison – USPS has achieved measurable improvements across nearly every South Dakota service region. ZIP3 regions 572 through 577 have all shown improvement across key inbound mail performance metrics. Those results are encouraging and demonstrate that meaningful progress is achievable.

However, the two service areas that encompass nearly half of South Dakota’s resident – ZIP3 regions 570 and 571 – have experienced measurable declines over the same period. Given the success achieved elsewhere in the state, understanding why these two regions remain outliers is particularly important.

I am encouraged by USPS’s decision to install a new PILS machine serving the 571 region. That investment reflects a recognition that additional operational capacity is needed, and I am hopeful it will produce the same measurable improvements that residents in other parts of South Dakota have already begun to experience.

At the same time, I recognize that no single investment is likely to resolve every operational challenge affecting service in the 570 and 571 regions. For that reason, I want to ensure the deployment of this new equipment is accompanied by whatever additional operational, staffing, or transportation improvements may be necessary to restore reliable service. My office stands ready to assist that effort wherever Congress can be helpful.

Accordingly, I respectfully request a written response addressing the following:

The primary operational factors contributing to declining performance in ZIP3 regions 570 and 571, including staffing levels, vacancy rates, transportation networks, mail processing operations, facility capacity, or any other relevant challenges;

The specific actions USPS is taking to improve service in these regions, including how the new PILS machine fits into the agency’s broader operational strategy and whether successful practices implemented elsewhere in South Dakota can be applied in these service areas;

The measurable performance goals and anticipated timeline for improvement in the affected regions, including how USPS intends to evaluate and communicate progress; and

Any legislative, regulatory, operational, or resource constraints that may be limiting USPS’s ability to improve service and where Congress may be able to provide assistance.

My objective is not simply to identify shortcomings, but to better understand how we can work together to improve mail service for the people of South Dakota. If there are barriers preventing USPS from delivering the level of service South Dakotans deserve, I want to understand what role Congress can play in addressing them.

The progress achieved across much of the state demonstrates that improvement is possible. I am hopeful the investments now being made in the Sioux Falls region will allow those same gains to extend to the communities that have yet to experience them. I look forward to working with you to ensure that every South Dakotan receives the reliable postal service they depend on.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

DUSTY JOHNSON

Member of Congress",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-at-senate-intelligence-committee-hearing,Rounds Introduces DNI Nominee Jay Clayton at Senate Intelligence Committee Hearing,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,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 delivered the introduction for Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton at his nomination hearing in front of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Rounds first met Jay through his role on the Senate Banking Committee when Clayton was nominated and confirmed to be Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2017.

“Jay is a consummate professional with a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors,” said Rounds. “The Senate previously confirmed him on a bipartisan basis to serve as the SEC Chair, and I’d like to think we were proven correct in judging his character the first time around.”

“Jay’s time at the SEC and in the private sector has given him valuable experience with issues that the DNI faces on a daily basis: cyber threats from state and non-state actors, illicit finance, economic competition with China, and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by both our adversaries and our own intelligence community,” continued Rounds. “He brings valuable insight into each of these areas that will serve him well.”

Click HERE to watch Rounds’ full introduction. Read Rounds’ remarks as prepared for delivery below.

+++

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Today, I have the privilege of introducing the Honorable Jay Clayton, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Director of National Intelligence.

I first met Jay through my role on the Banking Committee when he was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate to be Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2017.

He’s a consummate professional with a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. The Senate previously confirmed him on a bipartisan basis to serve as the SEC Chair, and I’d like to think we were proven correct in judging his character the first time around.

It’s no surprise President Trump would select him to serve in his cabinet. The DNI has to be a trusted, unbiased voice to provide ongoing intelligence to the President. I believe Jay will do great work in this role.

Jay is an accomplished lawyer with decades of experience, and he currently holds one of the most high-profile and demanding posts in the Department of Justice as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

He’s made the most of his time in New York by prosecuting some of America’s worst enemies and threats to our national security: Mohamed Al-Sadia, the Iranian-Iraqi national responsible for over a dozen terrorist attacks in Europe and two attempted attacks in America, Nicolas Maduro, and multiple other narco-terrorists.

These efforts required extensive coordination with the intelligence community and larger national security enterprise, including the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If confirmed, Jay’s experience at the helm in New York will serve him well as DNI.

Mr. Clayton chaired the SEC through a period of significant uncertainty for financial markets during the depths of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020.

His success in leadership roles at the SEC and DOJ is strong evidence of his ability to be an effective coordinator as the Director of National Intelligence.

Many of the most pressing national security threats we face today are cross-cutting issues that involve technology and economics and go beyond the IC’s traditional focus on foreign military capabilities and foreign leadership intentions.

Jay’s time at the SEC and in the private sector has given him valuable experience with issues that the DNI faces on a daily basis: cyber threats from state and non-state actors, illicit finance, economic competition with China, and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by both our adversaries and our own intelligence community. He brings valuable insight into each of these areas that will serve him well.

Jay holds a TS/SCI clearance and has worked in highly classified compartmented environments requiring discretion and security compliance. As a result, he knows first-hand the critical importance of Section 702 of FISA. His extensive experience working across agencies is a quality needed as DNI. He has a working relationship with CIA director Ratcliffe that will make for a smooth transition into this leadership role.

While Jay may not have served in the intelligence community, he has the right mix of practical experience working with the IC, including experience with the Justice Department and coordination with the Department of the Treasury. His professional background is important to the growing demands being placed upon the IC related to technology and economic competition. Furthermore, his diverse experience in the private sector, the SEC and as a U.S. attorney in a very active district give him the wealth of management, leadership, and organizational experience to succeed in coordinating with all the different equities that make up the Intelligence Community.

In closing, I offer my strong endorsement for Mr. Clayton to serve as the next Director of National Intelligence. Thank you.

###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-introduces-legislation-to-expedite-scientific-research-on-diseases,Rounds Introduces Legislation to Expedite Scientific Research on Diseases,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,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 Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today introduced legislation to expedite scientific research on diseases through specimen collection. This is the first piece of legislation introduced using feedback from Rounds and Heinrich’s American Science Acceleration Project (ASAP), a national initiative to support making American science 10 times faster by 2030.

The Homestake AI Act would establish a pilot program in the Department of Energy (DOE) focused on the collection, cataloguing and sequencing of whole genomes and metabolites from samples collected in unique locations. This includes locations exposed to extreme properties such as high heat or pressure, locations at extreme risk of destruction in coming decades and other locations that hold potential for finding useful organisms to help advance health care treatments.

The Homestake AI Act was inspired by the case of the Gila monster. The Gila monster, native to the deserts of North America, can survive on just a few meals a year due to a digestion-slowing hormone in its venom. This discovery helped pave the way for Ozempic, a drug for diabetes patients to manage blood sugar.

“The Homestake AI Act would take great strides to accelerate scientific research on diseases here in the United States,” said Rounds. “Evidenced by the Gila monster, species who survive in extreme environments usually hold an interesting secret to doing so. Increasing the amount of data we collect from these specimens could unlock cures to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes and different types of cancers. I’m pleased to be unveiling our first piece of legislation related to our ASAP initiative. Thank you to everyone who provided information to make this legislation possible.”

“We need to leave no stone unturned in the race to discover cures and treatments for cancer, diabetes, and dementia,” said Heinrich. “Our Homestake AI Act will establish a new initiative at the Department of Energy that helps researchers harness the power of AI to identify, catalog, and sequence plants, animals, and microbes that may hold the secret to potential cures and treatments. This is how we keep America at the forefront of scientific innovation while saving lives.”

Supporters of the Homestake AI Act include:

“The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, SD. SURF is America’s Underground Lab and has a strong track record of supporting leading biological research deep underground,” said Mike Headley, Executive Director of SDSTA and Lab Director at SURF. “We’re excited to potentially play a role in the Extremophile Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative and thank Senators Rounds and Heinrich for their strong support of U.S. science leadership.”

“Artificial intelligence is only as powerful as the infrastructure that supports it,” said Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, Chancellor of Dakota State University. “The Homestake AI Act, the first legislative initiative of the American Science Acceleration Project led by Senator Mike Rounds and Senator Martin Heinrich, recognizes that the next generation of breakthroughs will depend not only on advanced computing, but also on access to rich, high-quality biological data. By investing in the collection, preservation, and accessibility of genomic and metabolic data, this act lays the foundation for AI-driven discoveries that could transform how we prevent, diagnose, and treat countless health challenges. Building this research infrastructure today will ensure the United States remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery for decades to come.”

“Biological organisms’ diversity is an incredibly rich resource for America and the world,” said Barry Dunn, President of South Dakota State University. “Their genomes carry the information we need to harness a diversity of organisms' unique properties for our greater use. The Homestake AI Act is a critically important step toward discoveries that will change the way we live.”

“The Homestake AI Act underscores the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence and scientific discovery to improve lives. By strengthening scientific datasets and accelerating research, this initiative can help unlock new insights into some of our most pressing health challenges,” said Sheila K. Gestring, President of the University of South Dakota. “At the University of South Dakota, we see every day how innovation, data-driven research and strong partnerships can advance knowledge and create meaningful impact. This legislation recognizes the value of investing in discovery today to improve health outcomes for future generations. We commend Senators Mike Rounds and Martin Heinrich for their leadership in advancing this forward-looking effort and strengthening America’s capacity for scientific innovation.”

“South Dakota Mines strongly supports the Homestake AI Act,” said Dr. Brian Tande, President of the South Dakota School of Mines. “This bill would accelerate American science by using artificial intelligence and unique datasets to pursue breakthroughs in treating cancer, diabetes, dementia, and other serious diseases. It enhances the kind of bold research we do at Mines every day: driving innovation and improving lives.”

“America's leadership in AI and biotechnology depends on building the scientific infrastructure that will power the next generation of discovery,” said Ylli Bajraktari, CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project Action Program. “The Homestake AI Act recognizes that the genomes and molecular diversity of living organisms represent a strategic and largely untapped resource for innovation. By investing in the systematic collection and analysis of these data, the United States can accelerate the development of new therapies, fuel AI-driven scientific breakthroughs, and strengthen our nation's leadership in innovation, economic competitiveness, and national security for decades to come.”

“AlphaFold solved protein structure prediction only because researchers spent decades building the dataset behind it,” said Josh New, Director of Policy at SeedAI. “The Homestake AI Act lets us jumpstart that process for genomics, treating untapped genomes as the national resource they are and turning them into an open library for American researchers that could speed new treatments for some of our worst diseases. The pace of scientific discovery is a choice, and the Homestake AI Act is a choice to move faster. This kind of effort is why we launched Accelerate Science Now, and SeedAI applauds Senators Rounds and Heinrich for their progress with the American Scientific Acceleration Project (ASAP) and commitment to keeping America the global leader in scientific discovery”

“We are grateful to Senators Rounds and Heinrich for their bipartisan leadership on the Homestake AI Act,” said Chan Park, Head of U.S. and Canada Policy and Partnerships at OpenAI. “By creating a secure, interoperable collection of genomic data from extreme environments, this bill would give American scientists a powerful new resource to accelerate breakthroughs in medicine and other critical fields.”

“I applaud the bipartisan effort of Senators Rounds and Heinrich to accelerate American scientific breakthroughs, especially those that directly improve individual health and well-being,” said Pat Gelsinger, General Partner at Playground Global. “From its inception, Playground Global has taken big bets on hard problems. The Homestake AI Act similarly recognizes that technological advancement alone won't cure cancer; it requires a moonshot. By ensuring America secures and responsibly shares relevant data, this bill unlocks new innovation opportunities by addressing a significant bottleneck to medical scientific progress.”

“The Homestake AI Act proposes the creation of a national biological data resource for research that can accelerate progress on longstanding health challenges while strengthening the nation's scientific and national security capabilities,” said Fred Humphries, CVP of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft. “We commend Senators Rounds and Heinrich for their leadership.”

“By supporting the collection, cataloguing, and sequencing of genomes and metabolites, the Homestake AI Act would help build a powerful scientific resource that could accelerate treatments for serious diseases, such as cancer,” said Eliezer Van Allen, MD, Chandra Nohria Family Chair for AI in Cancer Research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Making these data broadly accessible to researchers, while safeguarding national security, is an important investment in American science that could save lives at Dana-Farber and across the country.”

“For all human existence the language of life was an unreadable secret--until American scientists deciphered the DNA-based alphabet of life,” said Daniel Gluesenkamp, Executive Director of the California Institute for Biodiversity. “Today, the Homestake AI Act gives America a golden library card to the most powerful library in existence. The Institute for Biodiversity applauds the ambitious plan: send the best scientists on Earth to collect the rarest and most imperiled creatures, leverage AI to turn their secrets into miraculous medicines and new materials and store these priceless samples in repositories secure against even meteor strike. This legislation seizes a strategic opportunity to secure some of the most valuable resources in the world, and ensure American leadership in the most crucial technologies of the 21st century and beyond.”

“Biomedical insights and innovation using AI begin with great data, and by preserving and sharing the genomes of extraordinary species, this bill helps turn nature's ingenuity into treatments and cures,” said Tom Secunda of the Secunda Family Fondation. “The Secunda Family Foundation is proud to support the Homestake AI Act, and I thank Senator Rounds and Senator Heinrich for their leadership.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-must-come-to-their-senses-stop-obstructing-ndaa/,"Thune: Democrats Must Come to their Senses, Stop Obstructing NDAA",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“It’s been a heavy week here in the United States Senate, with the tragic and unexpected passing of Senator Lindsey Graham.

“Lindsey was a great American patriot.

“He was a champion for the Republican Party.

“And for many of us, he was a trusted and loyal friend and adviser.

“And so, we mourn his loss, and we welcome his beloved sister Darline here to the United States Senate.

“She will take up his duties and responsibilities as a senator for the state of South Carolina.

“And I say all this in the context of, I wish we had Lindsey here, because right now we are dealing with an important national security matter, the National Defense Authorization Act, something that Congress has done every year now for the last 65 years.

“And yesterday, we had what was simply a motion to proceed to get on the bill – actually, it was a cloture motion to proceed to get on the bill – and the Democrats blocked it, every single one.

“And that, my friends, I believe is really unfortunate.

“This is an issue that ought to be bipartisan.

“It’s about the national security interest of this country, and the Democrats seem to be dug in and willing to play politics with America’s vital national security interests.

“This is not about funding for Iran.

“This is something we do on an annual basis, and we have for the last 65 years in a row.

“So, I am hopeful that at some point the Democrats will come to their senses and realize that national security ought to be a priority for them.

“It certainly is for us.

“And we will give them more opportunities in which to change that vote, and to express their support for even moving forward and having the debate.

“By the way, I would add that there were 38 Democrat amendments that were included in the National Defense Authorization Act that we tried to get up on the floor yesterday.

“So, national security is important to this country.

“Border security is important to this country.

“The Democrats have a pattern, going back now over a year, of, you know, not wanting to pay air traffic controllers, not wanting to pay border security personnel, and in this particular case, holding hostage the pay increases for our men and women in uniform.

“That is really unfortunate and unprecedented, and I certainly hope that soon they’ll come to their senses.”",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-ndaa-democrats-latest-national-security-hostage-taking-exercise/,Thune on NDAA: Democrats’ Latest National Security Hostage-Taking Exercise,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, Americans tend to trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to national security, and boy oh boy, do Democrats seem determined to demonstrate why that is the case.

“Yesterday afternoon, Democrats voted against the National Defense Authorization Act – the annual bill that authorizes spending for our nation’s defense.

“Their ostensible excuse was the conflict in Iran.

“Well, in case they were operating under a misconception, I am happy to tell them that this year’s National Defense Authorization Act is not an Iran funding supplemental.

“It is the annual – annual – legislation authorizing the basic needs of our military and the basic needs of our men and women in uniform.

“Needs that exist no matter what is happening in Iran.

“Let’s just talk about what Democrats voted against yesterday.

“They voted against a pay increase for our troops.

“They voted against quality-of-life improvements for our troops.

“They voted against the reform of the Pentagon’s acquisition process.

“They voted against funding for unmanned systems, like drones and counter-drone measures – an essential security need in this day and age.

“They voted against shipbuilding efforts to strengthen our naval fleet.

“They voted against measures to maintain our nation’s air power.

“They voted against including 38 of their own amendments!

“I could go on here, Mr. President, but you get the point.

“Once again, Democrats are playing fast and loose with our nation’s security.

“I say once again, Mr. President, because Democrats have been playing fast and loose with our nation’s security all year.

“First there was their record-breaking full-government shutdown last fall, which affected our military and all of our nation’s security agencies – to say nothing of the impact that it had on air travel.

“Then there was their record-breaking shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which lasted a staggering 76 days.

“Then, after that, Democrats refused to reauthorize a critical intelligence-gathering tool, which the Democrat leader himself has described as, I quote, a ‘very important tool for ensuring our national security.’

“And now they’ve blocked the Senate from considering the National Defense Authorization Act.

“And who knows what’s next?

“Mr. President, in either a fit of self-delusion or an attempt to distract from their actions, Democrats are trying to peddle the narrative that somehow they can’t agree to anything because Republicans are trying to make things partisan.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“Well, let me spend just a minute correcting the record here.

“The National Defense Authorization Act that Democrats voted against yesterday?

“Bipartisan.

“That’s right, Mr. President.

“The National Defense Authorization Act is bipartisan legislation.

“Four Democrats voted for a bill – for a bill – at the committee markup.

“Democrats’ record-breaking full-government shutdown in the fall?

“Well, that was because they wouldn’t accept a nonpartisan, short-term, clean government funding extension to allow bipartisan negotiations to continue.

“The Democrats’ record-breaking Department of Homeland Security shutdown?

“Well, that was also because Democrats couldn’t take yes for an answer.

“Democrats and Republicans had agreed on a bipartisan DHS funding bill; Democrats reneged on that agreement because they wanted to negotiate for more; and Republicans said yes to negotiation – and then Democrats shut down the department anyway.

“Even though Republicans were willing to negotiate further.

“Even though the White House repeatedly offered a robust package of reforms.

“So as I said, Mr. President, I don’t know whether it’s self-delusion or deliberate deception, but I have heard few things more ludicrous than Democrats’ narrative that they can’t agree to legislation because Republicans are being partisan.

“Here are the facts, Mr. President.

“Democrats can’t bring themselves to authorize funding for our nation’s security – whether that’s security at our border, funding for our military, or paychecks for our troops.

“It doesn’t matter how bipartisan the bill is.

“Democrats can’t bring themselves to support our nation’s security.

“Is it politics, Mr. President?

“Do Democrats think that voting against our national defense and our nation’s military will gain them points with their base?

“Or do they simply think they can afford to ignore our nation’s defense needs until some hostile actor takes advantage of our weakness?

“I don’t know, Mr. President.

“But I do know that our nation is less safe because of Democrats’ actions.”",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-calls-on-democrats-to-support-the-bipartisan-national-defense-authorization-act/,Thune Calls on Democrats to Support the Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, before I begin my remarks this morning, I want to offer a word of welcome to the new senator from South Carolina.

“Later today, we will swear in Darline Graham to fill the seat of her brother and our friend, Lindsey Graham.

“And I know Darline will carry on Lindsey’s tireless service for South Carolina, and I look forward to serving with her.

“Mr. President, like many of us, I represent a state with a rich heritage of military service.

“And South Dakota continues to punch above its weight in our armed forces.

“Our National Guard is frequently called up for critical deployments at home and around the world.

“And Ellsworth Air Force Base is a key asset to our national defense.

“In fact, today Ellsworth is the largest construction site in the Air Force as it prepares to host the first B-21 bombers next year.

“During the recent state work period, I was glad to welcome Air Force Secretary Troy Meink – a South Dakota native – to Ellsworth.

“We met with the base leadership and some of the airmen stationed there, and we saw the progress the base is making as it prepares for its important new mission.

“Mr. President, whether responding to a natural disaster at home or fighting our enemies abroad, the men and women in America’s armed forces stand ready to answer the call.

“They are our most important national security asset.

“And we have an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have everything they need for whatever the mission may be.

“I know senators on both sides of the aisle take that obligation seriously.

“And we must.

“As I’ve said so often before, if you don’t get national security right, the rest is just conversation.

“If we don’t make national security a priority here, we run the risk that Americans serving in uniform won’t have what they need when they need it.

“Mr. President, that’s why the National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most important bills that we do each year.

“It’s the bill that helps ensure our military is ready today and prepared for tomorrow.

“And I’m proud that our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee – with the leadership of Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed – have reported out a strong National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.

“For the 66th year in a row, the Armed Services Committee has produced a bipartisan NDAA.

“And later today, we’re going to have a vote to proceed to this important bill.

“Mr. President, we’ve had regular reminders over the last few years that we live in a dangerous world.

“That America still has enemies – enemies that want to attack us, our allies, and our interests.

“We’ve seen, too, how quickly warfare evolves in this day and age.

“Mr. President, this year’s NDAA will not only help ensure that America can keep pace with those challenges, but also that we can outpace our adversaries.

“It puts a heavy emphasis on unmanned systems – especially drones and counter-drone measures.

“It also continues shipbuilding efforts to strengthen our naval fleet.

“And as for our air power, this year’s bill will help ensure we maintain a force of at least 1,800 fighters and supports the new B-21 long-range strategic bomber.

“Mr. President, there’s a lot I could talk about in this bill, from investing in our nuclear deterrent to supporting munitions production.

“But I’ll mention just two more important aspects of this year’s bill.

“First, it builds on efforts in last year’s NDAA to reform defense acquisition.

“That includes allowing multi-year procurement contracts that allow the Pentagon to do business more efficiently with greater predictability and savings for taxpayers.

“And Mr. President, I need to mention what this bill does for the men and women serving our country – and their families who serve alongside them.

“This year’s NDAA supports a 3.6 percent pay raise for our troops.

“And it invests in a number of quality-of-life improvements for them and their families.

“Investments in education.

“Housing.

“Health care.

“And child care.

“Mr. President, our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have put forward a strong bill.

“A strong bill for our national security and for the men and women who defend our nation.

“It’s my hope that we’ll be able to pass this bill out of the Senate soon and begin the process of working with our counterparts in the House and with the White House on a final bill.

“Republicans are ready to go.

“The question is, how will Democrats vote today?

“Are there enough Democrat senators who support moving forward with a bipartisan – bipartisan, Mr. President – defense bill?

“I see no reason there shouldn’t be.

“But then again, Democrats have allowed the politics of obstruction to determine so many of their actions for the last year and a half.

“I certainly hope that Democrats won’t now put politics ahead of support for our men and women in uniform.

“But that’s up to them.”",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-fox-news-cnn-and-newsmax-to-reflect-on-decades-long-friendship-with-senator-graham/,"Thune Joins Fox News, CNN, and Newsmax to Reflect on Decades-Long Friendship With Senator Graham",2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch Fox News, here to watch CNN, and here to watch Newsmax.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News, Inside Politics on CNN, and The Record with Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax.

On Senator Graham’s legacy:

“On a personal level, he was a very good friend to me … He came out to my first campaign, my first House campaign in 1996. And then the last couple of years, he’s been out in South Dakota with me, and we’ve been just a lot of places together through the years. But more important than all of that is just the impact he’s had on this country and the voice that he has been on so many issues that are critical to America’s national security interests and to protecting the American people.”

[…]

“I’ve never seen anybody, honestly, who … had more energy, more passion … Sometimes we kind of find ourselves going through the motions here; Lindsey was never that way. He believed every day in what he was doing and why he was doing it. He had a great sense of mission and purpose, and that is absolutely going to be missed here.”

[…]

“Lindsey was a bigger-than-life impact player in terms of the international scene, domestic politics, legislation, policy, things he was passionate about. But like you said, there are a lot of us who knew him as a close friend. He was that to me. He was a trusted advisor, somebody I could go to to give me straight advice and counsel, and just spent a lot of time through the years.

“And I’m really, really, incredibly sad and still in shock, I think like a lot of people are, but we’re doing our best to process it. And you know, we just have to make the best of the situation and do everything we can to honor and give tribute to Lindsey and his life and his impact and just the difference he made here as a public servant through all these years.”

[…]

“I can’t imagine this place without Lindsey. I can’t imagine the world writ large without Lindsey, for the incredible impact that he had on so many levels. Just so passionate about national security, obviously huge influence and voice on matters affecting judges and the judiciary. He was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, got us through two reconciliation bills this last year. And of course, one of the strongest voices for the pro-life movement in this country.”

[…]

“It is going to be very, very hard to envision the United States Senate, our country, certainly South Carolina, or for that matter the world, without Lindsey.”

[…]

“He was somebody who was fearless in the way he approached the legislative process. He was willing to take on tough issues and speak out about them. And of course, he had just one of the sharpest wits I’ve ever been around, and he was able to use that when he communicated. He was a very gifted and talented communicator.”",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-pays-tribute-to-the-life-and-legacy-of-senator-lindsey-graham/,Thune Pays Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart.

“I look to my right and I see a desk which we in the Senate refer to and know as the John Calhoun desk.

“It’s covered with a black shroud.

“And on … top of that shroud is a bowl of white roses.

“That, Mr. President, is Lindsey Graham’s desk.

“It’s difficult to believe that Lindsey Graham is no longer here with us – that we won’t run into him at a meeting today, or share a joke with him at this afternoon’s vote.

“The halls of the Senate already feel empty without him.

“And I know I’m not alone in that feeling.

“He was a friend to so many of us, on both sides of the aisle.

“And I know that I’m not the only one who finds it difficult to imagine the Senate without Lindsey Graham.

“Mr. President, the events of Lindsey’s life have been well-documented over the past couple of days.

“His humble beginnings in South Carolina, sharing a single room with the rest of his family behind his family’s bar.

“His guardianship of his younger sister Darline, after the untimely death of their parents.

“His long service in the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve.

“His career in politics, first as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives; then as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where I served with him for six years; and then in the Senate, where he was just completing his fourth term.

“In the Senate, Lindsey distinguished himself as a staunch conservative – and a fierce advocate for South Carolina – but also as someone who was willing to work across the aisle to find common ground and to reach solutions.

“A lawyer by trade, he served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021, where he helped confirm a Supreme Court justice and numerous federal judges – the kind of judges who believe in following the law and the Constitution, instead of legislating policy from the bench.

“Most of all, of course, Mr. President, Lindsey was known for his national security and foreign policy work.

“There was no bigger believer in America’s role in the world.

“He was confident that the United States could be a force for good, and he gave everything he had to ensuring that we would be.

“He was a friend and defender of freedom-loving peoples all over the world.

“He stood with the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression, and he died with his boots on, having just returned from a trip to Ukraine – his tenth.

“He believed fiercely in the importance of a strong national defense – in ensuring that our country, and our military men and women, were always prepared to deter and defeat any threat.

“But while there was always a lot made of his support for American hard power, he was also a big believer in the use of soft power – economic, diplomatic, and political solutions to the world’s problems.

“I was fortunate to travel with him all over the world – including to Israel after Hamas’ October 7th attack – and I saw firsthand the work that he did to promote American security and the security of freedom-loving peoples around the globe.

“And of course, I don’t need to tell anyone in this body that Lindsey was fearless in his commitment to the causes that he espoused.

“It didn’t matter to him whether he would catch flack on an issue – he was undaunted by the politics if he believed he was right on the principle.

“Senator. Warrior. Patriot. Statesman.

“Words that will be written about Lindsey.

“But for me, most of all, Mr. President, he was my friend.

“‘Without friends,’ Aristotle said, ‘no one would choose to live’ … ‘though he had all other goods.’

“And it’s difficult to count the ways in which Lindsey’s friendship made this job richer – and its burdens lighter.

“Lindsey was as loyal as they come – and a trusted adviser.

“I could always rely on him for straight-talking advice.

“He never minced words or pulled punches.

“I could also rely on him for a steady flow of humor and encouragement.

“He always could make me laugh.

“Always.

“In the last couple of years, he came to South Dakota twice, and twice we sat on the deck and watched the sun go down on Lake Oahe – a familiar scene to me but new to him.

“And as the stars came out, you could see the Milky Way overhead and you could hear coyotes howling and rooster pheasants cackling down below.

“Lindsey’s wit punctuated all of it.

“And I will cherish those memories for a long time to come.

“Mr. President, if there is any light to be found in this grief, it is this:

“That as a Christian, like Lindsey, I know that death is not the end.

“The Apostle Paul writes, and I quote, ‘Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.’

“Or as another Graham once put it, and I quote, ‘Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.’

“I will miss Lindsey’s friendship, Mr. President, more than I can say.

“We pray for his staff and for his family, whom he loved dearly, and who loved him dearly in return.

“But I am comforted by the knowledge that in the end, he has just changed his address.

“And that one day, Mr. President, we will laugh together again.”",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-to-attend-independence-day-fireworks-at-mount-rushmore-with-president-trump,Rounds to Attend Independence Day Fireworks at Mount Rushmore with President Trump,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,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 will be attending the Independence Day fireworks display at Mount Rushmore alongside President Trump on July 3.

“I’m looking forward to attending the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 3 with President Trump,” said Rounds. “In South Dakota, we don’t just climb mountains – we carve them. Thanks to President Trump and his team, fireworks will once again be displayed over Mount Rushmore for the first time since 2020, just in time for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. There’s no better place to celebrate than at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to put on a great event.”

###",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-hyde-smith-lead-legislation-to-ban-barbaric-abortion-procedures,"Rounds, Hyde-Smith Lead Legislation to Ban Barbaric Abortion Procedures",2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,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 Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, today introduced the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026. This legislation would establish a federal prohibition on dilation and evacuation procedures, commonly known as dismemberment abortions, in which surgical instruments are used to extract an unborn child piece by piece. Under this bill, physicians who knowingly perform these procedures will face fines and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

“Every life is a precious gift from God and should be treated with dignity,” said Rounds. “Dismemberment abortions are among the most brutal methods of abortion, accounting for around 80% of second trimester abortions. Our legislation would make performing a dismemberment abortion a criminal offense, with the doctor or health care provider who performs it liable to fines and up to two years in prison.”

“Every pre-born child is precious, and it’s appalling that any physician trained to save lives would dismember a child in the womb. The fact that this horrifying procedure is still being done to babies who can feel pain in the womb is why we need to enact the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act,” Hyde-Smith said.

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Kat Cammack (R-Fla.).

“Under our current system, abortion procedures exist in a legal gray area with no federal standards and no accountability. Providers can perform inhumane extraction methods and face zero consequences. That ends now,” said Cammack. “This bill sets a clear federal standard that holds providers accountable, protects the dignity of all life, and ensures women are protected, not prosecuted.”

The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act is supported by South Dakota Right to Life, the National Pro-Life Alliance, National Right to Life, the Ethics and Religions Liberty Commission, Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America and Live Action.

“South Dakota Right to Life strongly supports this legislation to protect unborn children from the brutal and heinous practice of dismemberment abortion,” said Jenn Lee, Executive Director of South Dakota Right to Life. “Every child in the womb is a human life with immeasurable value, and our laws should reflect our commitment to defending the most vulnerable among us. This legislation is an important and compassionate step toward protecting babies from violence and affirming our nation's dedication to life.”

“Senator Mike Rounds is a steadfast pro-life champion dedicated to protecting the unborn from the moment of conception,” said Marisa Jorge, Director of Legislation at the National Pro-Life Alliance. “We applaud this legislation to end one of the most brutal abortion procedures performed in the United States. His bill shines a light on the horrific reality of dismemberment abortions and exposes the radical agenda of the pro-abortion lobby, which continues to oppose even the most basic protections for unborn children. The National Pro-Life Alliance is grateful for Senator Rounds' unwavering commitment to defending the most vulnerable. The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act represents a step toward restoring respect for human life and affirming the dignity of every child, born and unborn.”

“The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act addresses a horrific abortion procedure commonly performed in the United States,” said Carol Tobias, President of National Right to Life. “No child should be subjected to being torn apart piece by piece before birth. This bill affirms the fundamental principle that every human life has inherent dignity and worth. We thank Senator Rounds for reintroducing this critical piece of legislation. National Right to Life proudly supports this measure and urges Congress to pass it.”

“Senator Rounds' legislation would be a common-sense extension of current law to bar a particularly egregious form of abortion,” said Dr. Evan Lenow, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. “Dismemberment abortions are cruel, and the civil penalty should reflect the seriousness of the harm inflicted.”

“On the fourth anniversary of the landmark Dobbs decision, we face the grim reality that abortions are up across the nation,” said Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, Vice President of Government Affairs for Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America. “The most common second trimester abortion method, dismemberment abortions, end the life of an unborn baby by tearing off her arms and legs, removing her torso, then crushing her tiny head. This barbaric practice takes the lives of 60,000 to 70,000 fully formed babies every year. We applaud Senator Rounds, Senator Hyde-Smith, and their colleagues in the Senate for introducing this bill to put an end to these brutal abortions. As we continue onward in a post-Roe America, we look forward to continuing to work with members of Congress to pass legislation that protects unborn children and their mothers from the horror of abortion.”

“Every child, no matter how small, deserves protection under the law,” said Mark T. Wiltz, Director of Government Affairs at Live Action. “The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act would end a barbaric procedure that brutally takes the life of a preborn child. While Live Action believes that every abortion unjustly ends an innocent human life and should ultimately be abolished, this legislation is a step toward protecting vulnerable children. Live Action is grateful to Senator Rounds for standing for the fundamental human rights of the most vulnerable among us.”

Click HERE for full bill text.

###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-marks-fourth-anniversary-of-supreme-courts-dobbs-decision/,Thune Marks Fourth Anniversary of Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, today we mark four years since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision – the landmark Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the question of abortion to the people and their elected representatives.

“Roe was, quite simply, terrible constitutional law – a fact that’s been acknowledged by legal scholars across the political spectrum.

“And the Dobbs decision reversed this decades-old error and made it clear that Roe’s … supposed constitutional right to an abortion simply didn’t exist.

“I’m proud to have fought, along with my Republican colleagues, to put justices on the Supreme Court who focus on interpreting the law and the Constitution – instead of creating new constitutional law out of thin air, as justices did in Roe.

“Mr. President, it’s fitting that the Dobbs decision occurs close to our nation’s birthday – July 4, the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

“And as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration – the 250th birthday of our country – the proximity of these two anniversaries has been on my mind.

“The Declaration lays out the fundamental principles underlying our system of government.

“And no lines are more important than these:

“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’

“‘… that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’

“Unalienable rights, Mr. President.

“Rights given by God, rights that come before government, and that government is required to protect.

“‘All men are created equal … [and] endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.’

“Mr. President, as our country knows, to its sorrow, we haven’t always lived up to the principles of the Declaration.

“And the sad truth is that when it comes to unborn Americans, we are failing to live up to those principles today.

“Because in state after state around this country, it is legal to kill unborn human beings – unborn Americans – in some cases up until the point of birth.

“Up until the point of birth, Mr. President.

“These babies – these human beings – will never have the chance to enjoy the rest of their unalienable rights because they are denied their most fundamental right while they’re still in their infancy.

“This is not, of course, something you will hear from my Democrat colleagues when they attempt to defend abortion.

“You won’t hear about the baby whose rights are at stake.

“In fact, my Democrat colleagues do everything they can to obscure the baby in this debate.

“They mention women and ‘health care’ and ‘reproductive freedom’ – as if killing an innocent person could ever be something we’re free to do – and they never mention the other person in question, which is the unborn human being who is sacrificed in every abortion.

“Probably because they know at some level that supporting the killing of an innocent human being is indefensible – and completely incompatible with our nation’s creed.

“And let’s be very clear here, Mr. President.

“When we talk about abortion, we are talking about the killing of a human being.

“Everyone knows this – even my Democrat colleagues know this, although they might like to gloss over the fact.

“You don’t even need to have seen a baby kicking her feet and sucking her thumb on an ultrasound to know that she’s human.

“Because human moms and human dads … have other human beings.

“That’s Biology 101.

“No, Mr. President, the question isn’t whether the unborn baby is a human being – the question is whether we value that human being. Whether we really believe our American creed.

“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life …’

“Do we really believe that, Mr. President?

“Or do we believe that it’s okay to say that some human beings are more important than others?

“That some human beings can be sacrificed for others?

“I would hope history has taught us that it is a very dangerous thing to say that some groups of human beings are not worthy of protection.

“Mr. President, I am proud to be from a state that has extended the full protection of the laws to unborn human beings – that has recognized that unborn Americans are also created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.

“And I am proud to have supported, sponsored, and co-sponsored pro-life legislation here in Congress.

“The overturning of Roe has opened the door to substantive pro-life legislation – and Republicans in Congress are going to keep up the fight for real protections for unborn Americans.

“I’m very proud that with the Working Families Tax Cuts, Congress enacted the first pro-life law in decades.

“Thanks to Republicans’ landmark legislation, this year some of the nation’s largest abortion providers – including Planned Parenthood – were prohibited from receiving federal Medicaid funding.

“Organizations that have turned the killing of babies into a business were cut off from this source of taxpayer dollars.

“Mr. President, the Dobbs decision was a landmark decision because it opened the door for full protection of the unalienable rights of unborn Americans.

“But there is a lot more work to be done.

“The Democrat Party fights tooth and nail to ensure that even the most commonsense measures – like measures to protect babies who survive abortions, or to ensure pregnant college students are aware that they have alternatives to abortion – do not make it through Congress.

“And currently mail-order abortion drugs are flooding into states – in defiance of the law – thanks to the Biden administration’s decision to loosen restrictions on these drugs, despite the fact that they pose a danger to women – as well as, obviously, to their babies.

“So, as I said, Mr. President, the fight to protect the right to life for all Americans continues.

“And I and my Republican colleagues will continue to do everything we can here in Congress to support moms and to protect babies.

“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’

“May the day soon come when we fully live up to that creed.”",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-requests-south-dakotans-submit-complaints-with-postal-service,Rounds Requests South Dakotans Submit Complaints with Postal Service,2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,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 requesting that South Dakotans submit comments to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) detailing the issues they are having with the United States Postal Service (USPS). As part of their investigation in South Dakota at Rounds’ request, OIG is asking for first-hand accounts of poor mail service.

“My office continues to hear from South Dakotans on a daily basis about the issues they’re experiencing with mail delivery,” said Rounds. “At my request, the Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation into South Dakota’s postal service. They are currently soliciting feedback from South Dakotans as a part of this investigation. I encourage anyone experiencing issues with their postal service to submit a comment to help paint a full picture of USPS problems in our state.”

OIG is taking comments from South Dakotans until July 26, 2026. Click HERE to submit feedback.

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on USPS issues in South Dakota, leading the push to keep local processing facilities in South Dakota. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, in February 2025, USPS committed to keeping the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron open, as well as investing $3 million in improvements to the facility. Rounds also secured a commitment from former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to keep mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing.

In September 2025, Rounds sent a letter to new Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to restore reliable mail service and requesting a meeting. Rounds and Steiner met in October. Steiner followed up on the meeting with a letter dismissing the issues raised by Rounds, claiming that the mail delays were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City despite none of these facilities handling South Dakota’s intrastate mail. USPS leadership continues to deny any issues with South Dakota’s mail service despite the first-hand accounts from South Dakotans that say otherwise.

In December 2025, Rounds requested an investigation into persistent issues with USPS delivery in South Dakota. In April 2026, Rounds was notified that the Office of the Inspector General was on the ground in South Dakota to investigate mail service. In June 2026, Rounds sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs announcing his intention to place a hold on all USPS nominees until South Dakota’s issues are resolved.

###",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-a-stronger-america-is-a-safer-america-2/,Thune: A Stronger America Is a Safer America,2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I spoke on the floor yesterday about the landmark bill Republicans passed last year: the Working Families Tax Cuts bill.

“And I talked about how this bill fits into Republicans’ efforts to turn things around in our country.

“Turn things around by putting more money in Americans’ pockets.

“Helping small businesses grow.

“Strengthening the agriculture sector.

“And giving a lifeline to rural health care.

“Mr. President, any one of those things alone would have been a significant achievement, but the Working Families Tax Cuts addressed all of them – all of them and more.

“Much more.

“And this morning, I want to talk about how this bill helps to make America more secure.

“That too, Mr. President, is unfortunately a turnaround story.

“And I say unfortunately, because the previous administration allowed our nation’s security to fall into a sorry state.

“Images of the chaos at the southern border during the Biden administration come to mind.

“So does the state of our military readiness.

“Mr. President, in recent years, our military readiness has not been where it needs to be to deter and counter threats.

“We’ve had ships in need of maintenance.

“Planes that can’t fly.

“Meanwhile, China was investing in key military technologies.

“Yet the Biden administration showed little interest in making the type of investment needed to get our military back to where it needed to be.

“And so when Republicans took control last year, we didn’t waste any time.

“As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans made a generational investment in America’s military.

“It was a major investment to help get our readiness to where it needs to be – quickly.

“It invested in shipbuilding, missile defense, defense manufacturing capacity, critical munitions, drones and counter-drone technology, an expanded Air Force fighter fleet, nuclear modernization, U.S. infrastructure in the Pacific, and more.

“And alongside robust funding in the annual defense bill, these investments will help restore America’s military strength and make our adversaries think twice before crossing us.

“Mr. President, as I mentioned, we also needed to address border security.

“When President Trump took office, he wasted no time implementing policies that restored order at America’s southern border and put criminal illegal immigrants living in our country on notice.

“And we saw the results.

“Illegal crossings dropped precipitously.

“Border agents weren’t being stretched so thin anymore, and could spend more time stopping cartels and other criminals.

“That’s how things should be at the border, Mr. President.

“And Republicans are making sure that it stays that way.

“As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, we made a generational investment in border security.

“We provided the resources necessary to finish the border wall and deploy additional barriers and technology to secure the border.

“There was funding to support the hiring of new agents.

“And to bring on more immigration judges to address the massive backlog in immigration cases.

“And those resources are making a difference.

“Thanks to President Trump and the Working Families Tax Cuts, as of the end of last month apprehensions at the southern border are more than 90 percent lower than they were under the Biden administration.

“Border Patrol is seeing a few hundred border crossings on a typical day – compared with as many as 10,000 in a single day at times under President Biden.

“And not a single illegal immigrant has been released from the border in more than a year.

“Mr. President, the American people support border security.

“And keeping America safe should be something that cuts across party lines.

“Unfortunately, our Democrat colleagues have repeatedly demonstrated zero interest in border security, and they’ve consistently reaffirmed their belief in open borders.

“First there was their complicit silence as the Biden administration opened our borders to a flood of illegal immigrants.

“Then every Democrat opposed our border security measures in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And then this year – this year, Mr. President, Democrats took their radical open-border beliefs to a new level and tried to defund Border Patrol and ICE.

“That’s right.

“Democrats not only opposed giving these agencies adequate resources to do their jobs, they opposed giving them any resources.

“Fortunately, Democrats’ radical proposal did not carry the day.

“And Republicans were once again able to fund border security and immigration enforcement – unfortunately without Democrats’ assistance.

“Mr. President, the security of our country is one of our greatest responsibilities.

“Without it, nothing else matters.

“It’s a responsibility that Republicans are taking seriously.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts is a big step toward a more secure America.

“It invests in safer streets with funding for state and local law enforcement.

“Safer skies by supporting air traffic control modernization.

“A secure border.

“And a strong military.

“Mr. President, we all watch the news and can see that the world is a dangerous place.

“There will always be bad actors and other dangers threatening the safety and security of the American people.

“But Republicans are working to ensure there are individuals standing ready to protect us, and that they have everything they need to keep America safe.

“Mr. President, a stronger America is a safer America.

“And that’s what Republicans are delivering.”",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-work-to-make-americans-safer-and-more-prosperous-ahead-of-america-250/,Thune: Republicans Work to Make Americans Safer and More Prosperous Ahead of America 250,2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here or on the picture to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“This is an exciting season of our year.

“We are heading up now on the 250th anniversary, a celebration for our country.

“And I think I can say that we are very fortunate to live in the greatest land, in my view, in the history of the world.

“And we can be enormously thankful and grateful to those who have come before us, who have sacrificed and served to make that possible for the rest of us.

“And as we think about this 250th anniversary, it’s also a good time to reflect on many of the things that we’ve been able to accomplish and the issues that we’ve been trying to address here in the United States Senate.

“First and foremost, of course, right now, as you know, is the housing bill.

“It just passed; it’s going to be taken up by the House later and hopefully signed into law by the president.

“It gets at the very heart of an issue that I think is really important to the American people, and that’s the issue of affordability.

“You know, homeownership has always been considered to be part of that American dream, and to be able to, you know, put your flag in the ground and have someplace where you can take care of your family – this legislation is going to make that more possible.

“And I can’t think of anything that is a better way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this country than … making it easier for people to pursue the American dream of homeownership.

“And as we think about wrapping up this session of the Congress, as we get into the upcoming election, Republicans continue to stay focused on keeping our country safe, on safe streets, on the American people having more money in their pockets, and better opportunities to get ahead.

“That’s what our focus has been and will continue to be, and we look forward to, you know, the days ahead, and hopefully more victories for the American people.

[…]

“A year ago, we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, and we will celebrate the one-year anniversary of that on July 1 here in the Senate.

“But one of the things that came out of that were these Trump Accounts, and those Trump Accounts go live on July 4, and that’s an opportunity for people in this country to save and to provide a better future for their kids.

“And so that was just one feature of the many that were included in that legislation.

“And so we will be celebrating 250 years of American history and freedom, and the sacrifices that those who came before us made – we’ll also be celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation.”",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-the-working-families-tax-cuts-delivered-major-wins-for-the-american-people/,Thune: The Working Families Tax Cuts Delivered Major Wins for the American People,2026-06-22,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Madam President, we’re approaching one year since the Working Families Tax Cuts became law.

“For nearly a year now, the American people have been seeing the benefits of this bill.

“From a more secure border to a stronger military.

“Larger paychecks and bigger refunds.

“Support for farmers and ranchers.

“And a lifeline for struggling rural health care providers.

“Madam President, for the past year the story of the Working Families Tax Cuts has been unfolding across the country in a number of ways.

“And this afternoon, I want to talk about how Republicans’ landmark bill has strengthened our economy and put more money in Americans’ pockets.

“Madam President, when this Republican majority took over last year, the American people were reeling from the pain of the Biden economy.

“They had suffered through an inflation crisis during which the cost of living increased by more than 20 percent in just a few years.

“And without action from Congress, they were looking at a $4 trillion tax hike in the not-too-distant future.

“For folks in my home state, that would have meant paying $2,500 more in federal taxes this year.

“And that was completely unacceptable to Republicans.

“And so we set out to prevent that tax hike.

“And not just prevent it, Madam President.

“We made our 2017 tax reform permanent so that that tax hike would never come.

“And then we provided additional tax relief to lower- and middle-income Americans so that they would be able to keep more of their hard-earned money.

“Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, 97 percent of Americans who filed taxes this year got a tax cut.

“Let me repeat that, Madam President.

“Republicans delivered a tax cut for … 97 percent … of tax filers, collectively saving them $82 billion on their federal taxes just this year.

“We made lower tax rates permanent.

“Raised the standard deduction and made that permanent as well.

“We increased the child tax credit to $2,200 and linked it to the cost of living so that it never loses its value.

“Then we created a number of new tax relief provisions.

“The new senior deduction helped 35 million Americans over age 65 reduce their tax burden this year.

“No tax on tips meant that 7.5 million workers’ income from tips landed in their pockets instead of going to the IRS.

“And 29 million workers – from nurses to police officers and factory workers – took advantage of the new overtime deduction.

“All told, Madam President, Americans earning between $100,000 and $200,000 last year who took advantage of the new tax relief saw an average tax cut of $1,250.

“A bakery owner in Sioux Falls said her head chef got a bigger refund this year, and that she was able to put that extra money toward a crib for her new baby.

“And she’s not the only one.

“Hardworking people all across the country have additional money to put toward their expenses or their savings thanks to Republican tax relief.

“But Madam President, the good news doesn’t stop there.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also delivered meaningful pro-growth tax reforms for America’s small businesses, farms, and ranches, enabling them to invest more in their operations and their employees.

“Small businesses have benefited from lower tax rates.

“And the 199A small business deduction is now a permanent feature of the tax code.

“One agricultural co-op in my state estimates the impact of that one provision helped its co-op members reinvest more than $100 million into our local economy in the last 10 years.

“Then there’s 100 percent immediate expensing for new equipment, which allows small businesses, farms, and ranches to deduct the full cost of any new piece of equipment the year they start using it.

“The owner of Montgomery’s, a furniture store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, called bonus depreciation, and I quote, ‘a huge, huge deal’ for his furniture store.

“And a car dealer in my state said this provision enabled his business … to build an addition and hire 10 new employees.

“And the now-permanent research and development tax credit is making a similar impact on small businesses in my state and on our farm economy.

“In fact, our former colleague and neighbor to the north in North Dakota – former Democrat Senator Heidi Heitkamp – has said, and I quote, ‘For many producers and ag-related businesses, this is more than a tax break; this is a real opportunity to reinvest, innovate and stay competitive.’

“She’s right, and the same could be said for a good number of provisions in this bill.

“Madam President, I’ve already talked a little about how [the] tax relief we passed benefits farmers and ranchers.

“… Although I haven’t mentioned the higher estate tax threshold that protects a lot more family farms and ranches from the death tax – not to mention the costly estate-planning that comes with that unfair tax.

“But this bill went further than tax relief.

“It strengthened critical programs that producers depend upon.

“It raised reference prices for every covered commodity so they more closely reflect the actual market conditions farmers are dealing with.

“It bolstered crop insurance.

“And it supported livestock producers by making existing programs more responsive to drought.

“Madam President, we still have more work to do to strengthen the ag sector, but the Working Families Tax Cuts delivered meaningful relief to farmers after a challenging few years defined by higher input costs, higher interest rates, and natural disasters – all while many farm programs were inadequate to meet the circumstances that farmers were living in.

“So helping our ag producers was a priority for Republicans when we came in last year, and it will continue to be a priority for us moving forward.

“Madam President, I’ve spent a lot of time this afternoon talking about how Republicans aimed to turn things around with this bill.

“And there’s one more thing I want to discuss before I finish.

“And that’s rural health care.

“Madam President, for all the challenges in health care today, it’s even harder for rural providers.

“More than 100 rural hospitals have closed in the last two decades, and doctors in rural areas can be hard to come by.

“So last year, in the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans did something to address the rural health care crisis.

“And in the last year, every single state has applied for funding from the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program created by our landmark bill.

“Rather than a top-down, Washington-based approach, we’re giving states the resources and freedom to find solutions to their unique challenges and to find sustainable ways of ensuring access to health care in their rural communities.

“And as I said, the response has been robust.

“Every single state – red, blue, and purple – is planning to take advantage of this much-needed support, and they have big plans for folks in rural parts of their states.

“And I can’t wait to see just how transformative the Rural Health Transformation Program is across this country.

“Madam President, it’s fair to say that things weren’t going great in a lot of ways the last few years before President Trump and Republicans took control in Washington.

“But we’ve been working to address those issues and implement solutions to the problems facing the American people.

“And far from patting ourselves on the back, we’re keeping our foot on the gas.

“Later today, we’ll pass a housing affordability bill.

“The Agriculture Committee is continuing work on a farm bill and additional agricultural relief.

“And we continue important legislative efforts on issues from cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence to reining in waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.

“Madam President, one year ago Republicans delivered major wins for the American people in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And we are working every day to build on that success and to deliver again and again.”",1,2026-06-23T06:27:52Z,2026-06-23T06:29:20Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-the-21st-century-road-to-housing-act-makes-life-more-affordable-for-americans/,Thune: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Makes Life More Affordable for Americans,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, this week the Senate takes a big step forward on an issue that’s important to many Americans.

“And that’s homeownership.

“Whether you read about it in the news or hear about it in conversation with friends and family members, most people know that the dream of homeownership is out of reach for too many people in our country.

“Limited housing supply and burdensome regulations have contributed to higher prices, and many Americans are simply being priced out of the housing market.

“That, Mr. President, is a problem.

“And it’s a problem we aim to address with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

“Mr. President, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act tackles some of the causes of the higher prices that are preventing too many Americans from realizing the dream of homeownership.

“As much as 25 percent of the cost of building a new single-family home comes from regulations.

“That figure rises to 40 percent for multi-family construction.

“As you can imagine, that contributes quite a bit to the price that Americans pay for that home.

“So this bill cuts unnecessary red tape that’s delaying construction and driving up prices.

“For example, it removes the outdated chassis requirement for manufactured housing, which will not only reduce the cost of manufactured homes but allow for more innovation in manufactured home design.

“And then there are the costs and delays associated with the environmental review process.

“This bill enables state, local, and tribal governments to streamline environmental reviews.

“It right-sizes the NEPA process and exempts certain rural housing projects from these extensive and often burdensome reviews.

“And it directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the USDA to coordinate joint environmental reviews for housing projects funded by both agencies.

“It should go without saying, Mr. President, that if it’s one project, there should be one review.

“And because federal regulations are only one layer of the costs and burdens placed on new home construction, this bill also encourages local governments to reform zoning laws to encourage home construction.

“Mr. President, lifting regulatory burdens will do a lot to bring down housing prices and encourage more construction.

“But it’s not the only aspect of encouraging homeownership.

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also takes meaningful steps to support financing the purchase of a new home.

“It lifts regulatory burdens on community banks and credit unions to ensure that these local lending institutions can be focused on people rather than paperwork.

“And it tailors regulations for smaller and new financial institutions, which will help increase competition that benefits the American people.

“Mr. President, this bill is the result of years of hard work by many of our colleagues as well as months of negotiations with our colleagues in the House.

“They have worked tirelessly to produce a bill that addresses some of the barriers to homeownership in this country.

“I’m grateful for the work of Senators Rounds and Ricketts to support housing in rural areas.

“For Senators Moreno and Hagerty’s contributions to the financial institutions component of this bill.

“And for Senators Kennedy and Crapo’s efforts to support work at the local level to build more housing.

“Mr. President, thanks to all of their hard work, and that of many others, this bill is almost across the finish line.

“And, Mr. President, no one has been more committed to the success of this legislation than Chairman Tim Scott.

“And I’m especially grateful to Chairman Scott for his leadership in getting this landmark bill on a path to becoming law very soon.

“Mr. President, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a significant bill to make life more affordable for hardworking Americans.

“And it’s just the latest item on Republicans’ agenda to address the cost of living.

“Last year, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts – another landmark bill, which cut taxes for lower- and middle-income Americans.

“This year, these hardworking people saw larger tax refunds and larger paychecks – and I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them put some of that money away to save for their dream of buying a home: a dream that the ROAD to Housing Act will help put within their reach.

“Plus, the Working Families Tax Cuts provisions like immediate 100 percent expensing for investments are also contributing to addressing housing shortages by making it easier for builders to, well, build.

“And our legislation gave a boost to affordable housing construction as well.

“As one realtor in Sioux Falls wrote last year, and I quote, ‘Developers now have stronger incentives — and fewer barriers — to build more affordable units … For Sioux Falls, where we see steady population growth and a strong workforce influx, this is a game-changer.’

“Mr. President, a recent poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Americans see housing affordability as a major issue, and they want to see Congress address it.

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act does just that, and I’m proud that it garners support from a similarly overwhelming majority here in the Senate – and, I expect, it will in the House as well.

“I look forward to getting this bill through Congress in short order, sending it to the president’s desk, and delivering another major win for the American people.”",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-senate-to-prioritize-passage-of-ndaa/,Thune: Senate to Prioritize Passage of NDAA,2026-06-17,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, last week, a U.S. Army Apache helicopter went down off the coast of Oman.

“Within two hours, a rescue boat had located the pilots.

“But this was not an ordinary rescue boat, Mr. President.

“For the first time ever, an unmanned sea drone was sent to pick up the pilots and bring them to safety.

“Mr. President, from the battlefields of Ukraine to the conflict with Iran, drones and other unmanned systems have become the weapon of choice.

“Yet the United States military has been dangerously behind in drone and counter-drone capabilities.

“We’ve made considerable progress in just the last year – as evidenced by the rescue last week.

“But we still have more work to do.

“That’s where the National Defense Authorization Act comes in.

“Mr. President, I often say if we don’t get national security right, the rest is just conversation.

“And this annual defense bill is one of the most important bills we consider each year because it’s where we make the policies that help ensure we do get national security right.

“We pass this bill every year so that these policies are up to date – so that we’re giving our men and women in uniform the very best equipment and capabilities to do the job we ask them to do.

“Mr. President, last week the Armed Services Committee reported out the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027, and I’m proud to say that this bill authorizes important investments to improve readiness and to provide the capabilities that we need to keep America safe today and into the future.

“That includes a heavy focus on unmanned systems.

“This bill would create a new combatant command overseeing these technologies.

“It authorizes $1 billion in unmanned maritime systems.

“Supports drone and counter-drone capabilities at military bases and at America’s borders.

“And will ensure that we are able to produce and procure enough munitions for all of these systems as well.

“And drones, Mr. President, are just the beginning.

“There’s a lot more in this year’s NDAA to strengthen America’s military, improve readiness, and keep our armed services on the cutting edge.

“One of those things is shipbuilding.

“The bill reported out of committee authorizes investment in a number of new ships, including accelerating procurement of amphibious warfare ships and supporting domestic shipbuilding and repair capabilities.

“As for our air power, this year’s bill will help ensure we maintain a force of at least 1,800 fighters.

“It supports the new B-21 long-range strategic bomber, which is expected to land at Ellsworth Air Force Base in my home state sometime next year.

“And it allows for multi-year procurement for fighter planes, which will allow the Pentagon to do business more efficiently with greater predictability and save taxpayers money.

“Mr. President, this year’s bill builds on the significant reforms to defense acquisition we enacted in last year’s NDAA in a number of ways.

“As I mentioned, it allows for multi-year procurement contracts for fighter aircraft as well as for munitions and vehicles.

“And it accelerates the process for new software to come online, removing unnecessary red tape that delays getting new technology into the hands of American soldiers.

“And speaking of our men and women in uniform, Mr. President, I’m pleased to be able to say that this bill authorizes a 3.6 percent pay raise for our military members.

“It also supports a number of quality-of-life improvements, including investments in education, health care, and child care for service members and their families.

“Mr. President, as I’ve already said, this is an important bill, and drafting a bill of this size is not a simple task.

“I appreciate the hard work by our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee.

“Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed, we have – for the 66th year, now, in a row – a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act.

“That too is no small feat.

“Mr. President, when it comes to military capabilities, we just can’t play catch-up; we need to be the leader in the capabilities that will define the future.

“Capabilities that will keep Americans safe by making our enemies think twice before crossing us.

“That’s peace through strength.

“But you can’t get there with a strong budget one year and a weak budget the next.

“We ask members of the armed forces to be ready whenever we need them, wherever we need them, and for whatever we need them to do.

“And we here have an obligation to make sure that when that call comes, they have what they need to answer it.

“Mr. President, we need to make every concerted effort every year to strengthen our military.

“There’s never a time when we can afford to put this on the backburner.

“Try as we might, we simply don’t know what’s coming over the horizon.

“And we’ll eventually pay the price for failing to invest in a strong national defense today.

“Mr. President, 251 years ago this week, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington its commander-in-chief.

“For 251 years, Americans have bravely gone to fight our nation’s battles.

“And for 251 years, it’s been Congress’ job to stand behind them and provide what they need to execute the mission.

“The face of the battle has changed, but the fundamental duty – theirs and ours – has not.

“As Washington himself said, and I quote, ‘If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace … it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.’

“Mr. President, we have to get national security right.

“I’m glad this year’s National Defense Authorization Act is up to the task, and I look forward to bringing it to the floor very soon.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-secures-national-defense-victories-in-senate-armed-services-committees-fiscal-year-2027-ndaa,Rounds Secures National Defense Victories in Senate Armed Services Committee’s Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA,2026-06-16,2026,2026-06,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 (SASC) and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, released the following statement on the committee’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

“The NDAA is the hallmark piece of legislation that the Armed Services Committee works on each year, and it’s always an honor to have a role in crafting it at the committee level,” said Rounds. “This is the 12th NDAA I’ve had the opportunity to work on as a member of the Armed Services committee. I was glad to have several wins for South Dakota in the committee version of this legislation, including $43.7 million for military construction projects for the South Dakota National Guard in Sioux Falls and Sturgis. Our committee version of the bill fully authorizes the B-21 Raider program to be housed at Ellsworth, with $3.23 billion for procurement and another $4.25 billion in ongoing research and development for the platform. As Chair of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I am also very pleased with the cyber provisions included to strengthen our nation’s offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, as well as ongoing efforts to accelerate AI adoption.

In an increasingly dangerous world, a consensus on defense spending is more important than ever. I firmly believe that this year’s NDAA takes great strides to secure our nation and put us in a position to fight away games rather than on our own soil. I look forward to working with the rest of my Senate colleagues and the House to get the NDAA passed and signed into law.”

Rounds was named as the 6th most effective member of the United States Senate on defense and national security issues for the 118th Congress. Read a full list of his provisions in this year’s NDAA below.

Rounds’ South Dakota Victories:

Fully authorizes the B-21 Raider program, including over $3.23 billion for total procurement ($2.23 billion for procurement and $1 billion in advanced procurement), and an additional $4.25 billion in research and development.

Authorizes $146.8 million for B-1B Lancer.

Authorizes $40 million for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar for the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls.

Authorizes $3.7 million for a Vehicle Maintenance Shop for the South Dakota Army National Guard in Sturgis.

Authorizes $10 million for Cold Regions Advanced Materials and Manufacturing research being done at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Authorizes $10 million for Large Area Additive Deposition work being done on large area additive manufacturing by VRC Metal Systems and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Authorizes $5 million for Innovate High Energy Density Sodium Battery research being done by South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Authorizes $30 million for the University Consortium for Cybersecurity including Dakota State University.

Requires the Army and the Air Force to provide the congressional defense committees a briefing on the resources needed for environmental restoration activities on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and encourages the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, and Army Corps of engineers to conduct government-to-government consultation with the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Requires with the Under Secretary for Research & Engineering, Under Secretary for Acquisition & Sustainment, and the geographic combatant commands to develop a comprehensive strategy for cost-effective, attritable high-altitude systems, including cross-Department coordination of investments and what policy, budgetary, and industrial base changes are needed to accelerate adoption at speed and scale.

Requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the commander of U.S. Strategic Command to reevaluation the B-21 Raider program of record and provide an assessment of the number of B-21 aircraft necessary to meet the nuclear and conventional mission requirements in the FY26 National Defense Strategy. They must also provide a plan for producing the necessary number of aircraft. (It is likely that many of the aircraft purchased beyond the initially planned 100 B-21s will make their way to Ellsworth.)

Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide the full report and unredacted materials used in the review of the Medals of Honor provided to soldiers for their conduct at Wounded Knee Creek in December 1890.

Authorizes $50 million for small businesses and non-traditional contractors to cover their Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification costs (to meet the Department’s cybersecurity standards).

Rounds’ Major National Defense Victories:

Creates an Under Secretary of Defense for Cyber, Information, and Networks, merging the Department’s Chief Information Officer and the Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense into a single dual-hat individual.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a joint program with Germany for co-development and co-production of air defense and air-to-air munitions to increase the defense industrial base capacity of both countries.

Directs the Department to develop a strategy and resource plan to enhance U.S. cyber cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners

Requires AI models being used by the Department of Defense to provide source attribution, helping prevent dissemination of foreign adversary propaganda.

Provides resources to the National Guard and Reserve cyber components who are participating in ongoing cyber military operations.

Requires the Department to mandate effective software acquisition pathway for all software purchases to support more flexible appropriations options for software activities to speed up software acquisition and development activities.

Requires the Department to provide an update on the development of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing capabilities to facilitate better use of the spectrum by both the military and commercial interests.

Authorizes $1 million to strengthen cooperation between U.S. Cyber Command and the Kingdom of Jordan.

Directs Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command to submit annual reports to Congress on their Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment program, which is critical to securing the Department’s networks.

Directs the Chief Information Officer of the Department to reduce administrative burden of the Department’s risk management framework, making it easier for cyber, AI, and software companies to work with the military.

Establishes artificial intelligence governance rules for the Department and our miliary to make sure autonomous weapon systems and AI tools require human judgment when appropriate, without slowing down our warfighters and industry partners from developing and utilizing cutting edge technologies.

Directs an independent study on the roles, responsibilities, authorities, and resourcing of the Principal Cyber Advisors of the military departments.

Directs a plan to remove unnecessary bureaucratic procedures and regulations related to the AUKUS partnerships between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom so our defense industrial bases are better able to work together.

Requires the Department to develop a plan for a public-private partnership to train individuals at the scale required for modern drone warfare.

Requires an Army report on potential Army National Guard drone units.

Requires an Army report on a potential Army National Guard Drone Center of Excellence.

Rounds-Supported Victories:

Authorizes funding to support a 3.6 percent pay raise for military members.

Encourages the Department to establish a Robotic and Autonomous Systems Combatant Command.

Requires acceleration of the adoption and purchase of low-cost munitions.

Authorizes the establishment and continued operation of Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel to coordinate and bolster the counter-cartel mission and defending the southwest border.

Establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, coordination, and industrial cooperation between the U.S. and Israel.

Codifies the Department review process for autonomous weapon systems and AI capabilities, specifying standards for human judgment, validation and testing requirements, prohibited uses, and a centralized incident reporting repository.

Establishes comprehensive prohibitions against betting on military operations in prediction markets.

Requires the Department to accept the Classic Learning Test at military service academies.

Click HERE to read an executive summary from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

###",1,2026-06-17T06:49:24Z,2026-06-17T06:50:53Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-break-all-the-wrong-records/,Thune: Democrats Break All the Wrong Records,2026-06-16,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I don’t think at this point there are too many people who think Democrats were actually interested in reforms of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Because it was pretty clear from their actions that they were not.

“If you’re interested in getting reforms, you don’t say no when you’re repeatedly offered a robust reform package.

“Even if you can’t get every single thing you want.

“But Democrats, of course, said no – again and again and again.

“And eventually they just walked away completely.

“And refused to provide even a dollar of funding for Border Patrol or ICE.

“Clearly, they decided that having a political issue for November was more important than reforms.

“And, Mr. President, you certainly don’t have to take my word for it.

“Because the Democrat leader came out last week and admitted that the decisions he and his party have made this Congress have been about one thing, and that’s improving Democrats’ prospects in November.

“This is a quote: ‘We made a lot of strategic decisions that got us to this place — it didn’t happen by accident,’ the Democrat leader said, referring to his view of his party’s position.

“And you know what he ticked off as some of the most strategic decisions, Mr. President?

“Democrats’ two record-breaking government shutdowns.

“That’s right.

“Democrats shut down the government – twice – to try to improve their chances in November.

“Not to help hardworking Americans. Not to get reforms at ICE and Border Patrol.

“No.

“To improve their chances in November.

“Mr. President, let’s just run down some of the consequences of Democrats’ choices.

“The disastrous situation at U.S. airports that resulted from Democrats’ decision to cut off funding for air traffic controllers, for one.

“There are the incredible lines that Americans faced at TSA in the middle of that shutdown.

“The TSA officers who have left in droves thanks to Democrats’ decision to force them to work without pay for quite literally months this fiscal year.

“There’s the strain Democrats’ actions placed on our national security agencies – and the people entrusted with protecting our nation.

“And then there were the government workers lining up at food banks, charging necessary expenses on credit cards, and wondering if they would be evicted from their homes because they couldn’t afford to pay next month’s rent.

“The damage Democrats have caused has been immense.

“And for what?

“For what, Mr. President?

“To improve their chances in November.

“Well, Mr. President, Democrats would like you to believe they’re the party of the little guy – of everyday American workers.

“But a better insight into their real attitude might be gained by the Democrat leader’s statement earlier in Democrats’ first government shutdown, when he said this, and I quote:

“‘Every day gets better for us’ – the ‘us,’ of course, being Democrats.

“‘Every day gets better for us.’

“Well, Mr. President, when the Democrat leader made this statement, military families were on the verge of missing pay.

“So were a lot of civilian government employees – like the Capitol Police officers who stand on guard for us around this building.

“People were wondering how they’d cover their rent. Their food. Their commuting costs. Their electric bills.

“But none of that was on the Democrat leader’s mind.

“All he could think about was whether the shutdown was good for Democrats’ polling.

“And then there’s the article that came out last week about what House Democrats’ first bill would be should they take the majority in November.

“Democrat leadership, of course, has been trying to push the narrative that Democrats’ big interest is in making life more affordable for everyday Americans.

“But as last week’s article made clear, it turns out that House Democrats are by no means agreed that affordability should be at the top of their priority list.

“They’re interested in other issues, like a reboot of their proposed federal election takeover, or simply trying to undo anything President Trump has done – presumably simply because President Trump has done it.

“I wonder if they would try to undo the tax relief Republicans passed for working families – which every single Democrat voted against.

“Hard to know.

“But as the Democrat leader made clear last week, Mr. President, one thing’s for sure: it’s not the American people who are top of mind for Senate Democrats – it’s their election prospects in November.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-must-stop-obstructing-fisa-reauthorization-help-to-quickly-confirm-jay-clayton/,"Thune: Democrats Must Stop Obstructing FISA Reauthorization, Help to Quickly Confirm Jay Clayton",2026-06-16,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Jay Clayton is an eminently qualified individual to become the new director of national intelligence, and so we are looking forward to processing him this week.

“Chairman Cotton, they will be … having his confirmation hearing tomorrow … and hopefully reporting him out later in the week.

“It would take cooperation among the Democrats in order to get him confirmed this week, but in my view, at least, he has all the qualifications that are necessary, has the vision, the experience, the judgment, the competence – all the things that you want in that position.

“And so I’m hopeful the Democrats will cooperate and enable us to get him into this position and get him confirmed there quickly.

“And that, of course, has not been a given.

“You look at the fact that this president, President Trump, is the first president in history not to have a civilian nominee confirmed either by voice vote or unanimous consent.

“That is truly, truly unprecedented.

“But that’s been the Democrat practice and pattern … in this current administration.

“But I hope that they will waive that for this and allow us to get this done, because I think that also unlocks the 702 process.

“And as most of you know, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s 702 program is the most successful tool when it comes to keeping people and this country safe.

“And we are currently lapsed, and that also is unprecedented, and we are lapsed because the Democrats block voted – block voted – against a bipartisan deal that had been worked out between members here in the Senate and the House, Democrats and Republicans, and so it is now currently not an authorized program.

“That needs to be changed, it needs to be fixed quickly, and I hope that the Democrats will work with us in order to make that happen.

“That’s going to be certainly something that’s front and center for the balance of this week.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-bret-baier-on-fox-news6-17/,Thune Joins Bret Baier on Fox News,2026-06-16,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Bret Baier on Fox News.

On Jay Clayton’s nomination:

“I hope he gets through this week … The confirmation hearing will happen tomorrow in the Intelligence Committee. They will report him out. We will take him up as soon as we can, but that will take some cooperation from Democrats. If they want to, they can slow-walk it … They can’t slow it down forever – we’ll get him on the floor – but if we want to get him confirmed by the end of the week, we’re going to need a little bit of help. And right now, we’re getting mixed signals about whether or not the Democrats will participate and help with that.”

On FISA:

“FISA has, in an unprecedented way, gone dark. And the FISA, which is short for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, there is a section there, Section 702, which is the principal tool by which we keep this country safe. It prevents terrorist attacks, it’s helped us in times of war, protects American citizens, and that program right now [has] ‘gone dark.’

“When we say that, it’s no longer authorized by the Congress. And so the Democrats had agreed to passing it with reforms that Republicans had agreed to. It was a bipartisan deal, and then when Pulte was nominated, they completely block voted against even getting on the bill. So right now, in my view, they own this. That was an irresponsible thing to do on a program that’s critical for America’s national security.”

On Iran:

“I give the president great credit for having the guts and the courage to do the hard thing that no president for the last 50 years has been willing to do, and that is to degrade Iran’s nuclear capability and significantly diminish their military capabilities in the region. How it winds down now is the thing we’re all paying attention to, and in that respect, I think it’s the old Reagan axiom: you trust but you verify. You’ve got to make sure that … we’ve got a good path forward here.”

On the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:

“The housing bill, carefully negotiated, what we call four corners – bipartisan, bicameral, Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate. It is an issue that directly gets at the heart of the affordability question for a lot of Americans. It creates additional supply of housing in this country, makes housing more affordable, and so I’m hoping that’s something, too, that we can complete, get on the president’s desk, get signed into law …”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-jay-claytons-nomination-and-consequences-of-democrats-fisa-lapse/,Thune on Jay Clayton’s Nomination and Consequences of Democrats’ FISA Lapse,2026-06-15,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, on Thursday President Trump nominated Jay Clayton – the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York – to be the director of national intelligence.

“He has an impressive resume, with experience in both the public sector and the private sector.

“And he has the kind of skill set necessary for managing issues as complex and varied as those faced by the director of national intelligence.

“And for some perspective from the other side of the aisle: the Democrat vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee noted on Thursday, and I quote, ‘I have known and respected Jay Clayton for many years and believe he is a capable public servant.’

“Mr. President, Republicans here in the Senate have built a record of acting quickly on the president’s nominees, and we’re going to do the same with Mr. Clayton.

“The Senate Intelligence Committee has already announced that it will hold a hearing on Mr. Clayton’s nomination this week.

“And once he is approved by the committee, it is my intention to bring his nomination to the floor very quickly.

“And I hope we will have bipartisan support for making that happen.

“Mr. President, while we didn’t know exactly when it would arrive, we knew a nomination like Mr. Clayton’s was coming.

“How?

“Because the president made it very clear that his choice of Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence was a temporary pick.

“Despite this, Democrats decided to hold Section 702 of FISA hostage over Mr. Pulte’s temporary, short-term appointment.

“And thanks to their decision, as of Friday this program authorization has lapsed.

“What does that mean, Mr. President?

“It means the nation is currently operating without the full capacity of its most critical intelligence-gathering tool.

“Let that sink in for just a minute.

“Thanks to Democrats’ actions, the nation is currently operating without the full capacity of its most critical intelligence-gathering tool.

“All over a short-term, temporary presidential appointment.

“Mr. President, you certainly don’t have to take my word for it on the importance of the 702 program to the security of our nation.

“Let me just read a few quotes from my Democrat colleagues last time we were in danger of having the program authorization lapse.

“This was from the Democrat leader, and I quote: ‘[T]his very important tool for ensuring our national security is going to lapse, and that would be unacceptable.’

“From the senior Democrat from Delaware, and I quote again: ‘This program is critical to the security of our nation, and we could not permit it to lapse.’

“From the senior Democrat from New Mexico, and I quote again: ‘As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I’ve learned the vital role that FISA’s Section 702 authority plays in bolstering our nation’s ability to effectively fight terrorism, disrupt foreign cyberattacks, impede drug trafficking, and protect U.S. troops. For our national security and the safety of the American people, it is simply too important of a tool to let it expire.’

“Mr. President, just last week the Democrat vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee called Section 702, and I quote again, ‘one of the most important intelligence tools we have.’

“And yet despite all this, Mr. President, despite my Democrat colleagues’ clear awareness and acknowledgement of the importance of this program, they voted to let the authorization for this program lapse.

“And what the consequences of that will be, we cannot fully predict.

“We do know information secured through this program has been repeatedly used to help protect our nation and American lives from a range of threats, from fentanyl to cyberattacks to terrorism.

“And that information from this program is used on a near-daily basis by those entrusted with the defense of our country.

“The Democrat vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee has himself referred to the suspension of FISA as, and I quote again, ‘a high-risk proposition.’

“So, Mr. President, while we can’t know the consequences of Democrats’ decision to allow Section 702 authorization to lapse, we do know it is almost certainly putting our nation at greater risk.

“And I hope and pray that my Democrat colleagues will rethink their decision to take this program hostage and to restore this key safeguard of our country’s security.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-service-academy-appointments-2,Johnson Announces Service Academy Appointments,2026-06-15,2026,2026-06,Republican,House,SD,Dusty Johnson,J000301,dustyjohnson.house.gov,dustyjohnson,https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced nine South Dakotans will be attending the United States service academies. They will begin their military training at their respective schools in June. Johnson nominated each of these students in December 2025, and they recently accepted their appointment offers. This is a highly competitive process; approximately ten percent of applicants receive appointment offers across the five service academies.

“One of the best parts of my job is nominating South Dakota’s best and brightest who strive to begin their service to our country at one of our nation’s esteemed service academies,” said Johnson. “These students are exceptional, and their willingness to dedicate their lives to defending America’s freedom is honorable. I know they will all represent South Dakota well at their respective institutions.”

Representative Johnson’s Class of 2030 Service Academy Appointees:

Miles Bender – United States Air Force Academy

Miles Bender of Sioux Falls, S.D. will be attending the United States Air Force Academy and intends to study operations research or civil engineering. He is eager to serve his country and live by a code.

Miles participated with the Civil Air Patrol’s youth cadet program for three years and held leadership roles at O’Gorman High School in campus ministry, rotary club, and student council, including student council president. He was a member of O’Gorman’s Hope Squad, which helps fellow students with mental health issues, and as a regular volunteer at a local meal ministry. Additionally, Miles participated in football, tennis, and powerlifting. Each of these have instilled “a sense of discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence – qualities that align and are upheld by the service academy.” His mentors say, “Miles excels at those traits that aren’t always measurable.” He’s looking forward to the daily sports, beautiful nature of Colorado Springs, CO, and the drive of like-minded people.

Kanin Booth – United States Air Force Academy

Kanin Booth of Summerset, S.D. will be attending the United States Air Force Academy. Attending an academy was a childhood goal for Kanin. As a JROTC Cadet, Command Sergeant Major Kanin served as the Drill Team Captain and Color Guard Trainer. Kanin volunteered more than 320 community service hours, worked several jobs, and was very active in community programs such as the Future Business Leaders of America, he co-founded the Rapid City Student School Board, participated in the Rapid City Police cadet program, attended Boys State, and served as a delegate to the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C.

Kanin wants to major in Military and Strategic Studies and pursue a career in Air Force Special Warfare upon graduation. More specifically, he wants to be a Combat Rescue Officer. “I strive to challenge myself both mentally and physically,” Kanin explained. “I believe that one can’t learn to develop as a person unless they place themselves in situations that challenge them to adapt and overcome.”

Max Cook – United States Air Force Academy

Max Cook of Gregory, S.D. will be attending the United Staes Air Force Academy. Inspired by the military service of both of his parents, Max has desired to serve his country for a long time. “Above all, the opportunity to serve my country at the highest level, and to become the best leader that I can be is what draws me to this noble institution,” Max says.

While at Gregory High School, Max participated in track and field, qualifying for the state meet. At a world engineering competition in Minneapolis, MN, Max and his team designed and built their own wind turbine. Max has spent this past year at the United States Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, CO, where he was selected as flight commander. Leading 22 of his peers has been a jump start to his military career and strengthened his leadership skills.

Esten Foss –United States Military Academy

Esten Foss of Aberdeen, S.D. will be attending the United States Military Academy, where during a summer leadership program he attended as a high school junior, Esten witnessed how respect and duty were engrained in not only every cadet, but military faculty and civilian employees too. At Central High School, Esten is graduating second in his class. He participated in Boys State, was recognized for distinguished math and science skills, and has volunteered more than 100 service hours in his community.

Esten ran track and field, was captain of his cross-country team, and was also captain of his wrestling team. “What impresses me most about Esten is the level of passion he has for working with his teammates,” his cross-country coach explained. Esten adds, “It is my duty to ensure that I hold myself to be an example of what I want the team to be through perseverance, consistency, and above all, a good attitude.”

Lincoln Mansfield –United States Naval Academy

Lincoln Mansfield of Hurley, S.D. is a Naval Academy Foundation Scholar at the Georgia Military Academy and will be attending the United States Naval Academy this summer. Attending a preparatory school gave Lincoln a chance to further hone his skills and get ready for the academy.

At Viborg-Hurley High School, Lincoln was on the Superior Honor roll six times and High Honor Roll one semester, and achieved All State Academic All Star for football, baseball, and track. He served as the junior class president and participated in Boys State. Lincoln is heavily involved with his community as a volunteer firefighter, T-ball coach, and softball umpire. Lincoln believes, “being an officer in the Navy will allow me to help, serve, lead, and guide people.”

Tyler Mueller – United States Air Force Academy

Tyler Mueller of Rapid City, S.D. will be attending the United States Air Force Academy to study aeronautical engineering. Tyler graduated ninth of his 367 classmates from Stevens High School. He participated in Rapid Acceleration, South Dakota’s only FIRST® Robotics Competition team, where his team developed an award-winning open-source dashboard, autonomous navigation, and localization system on a competitive robot. Tyler also participated in a South Dakota School of Mines internship where he simulated the extraction of toxins from soil and researched substitute materials for vascular grafts. Additionally, Tyler conducted STEM outreach for Title I schools where he noted, “presenting these findings confirmed that research is not just about gaining knowledge but about using it to serve others.”

Applying this same work ethic to military service, Tyler said, “I am certain that service and leadership are demonstrated through the consistent actions of those who endeavor valiantly in a worthy cause.” He’s most looking forward to the camaraderie at USAFA.

Grant Roth – United States Military Academy

Grant Roth of Sioux Falls, S.D. will be attending his first-choice school, the United States Military Academy, where he will major in mechanical engineering. A top performer at O’Gorman High School, Grant excelled in academics, football, powerlifting, and track. Outside of school, Grant participated in Boys State, served on the Sioux Falls Mayor’s Youth Council, was a Senate Page for the South Dakota state legislature, and participated on a mission trip to Guatemala. Furthermore, Grant has distinguished himself through his achievement as an Eagle Scout and as a mentor.

Always seeking to grow and push himself, Grant expressed his motivation to apply to the service academies is rooted in discipline and training himself physically, mentally, and morally. He’s looking forward to continuing his personal character development and the rigorous education that lies ahead at such a prestigious school.

Trinidy Sorensen – United State Naval Academy

Trinidy Sorensen of Sioux Falls, S.D. will be attending the United States Naval Academy and majoring in chemistry. At Lincoln High School, Trinidy demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence. She was a top performer in her AP classes and served as the president and secretary for the National Honor Society. Trinidy participated in track, basketball, marksmanship, and served as the wrestling team captain. Trinidy was also the executive officer for her MCJROTC unit and intends to try out for the USNA silent drill team. Outside of school, Trinidy served others in her community through Faith Temple food giveaway, VFW pancake feeds, and several mission trips.

Trinidy was inspired to serve others by her parents’ example. She writes, “They instilled in me a sense of respect and a duty to help others.” After the Naval Academy, she hopes to serve in either Explosive Ordinance Disposal or Surface Warfare in the Navy.

Anders Van Olson – United States Military Academy

Anders Van Olson of Yankton, S.D. will be attending the United States Military Academy to study cybersecurity. Anders is most excited to participate in West Point’s leadership development program; he desires to serve his country and be the best version of himself that he can be. At Yankton High School, Anders was on the Honor Roll of Excellence all four years. He was on the hockey team, trap team, and a leader in orchestra, where he achieved first chair first violin, and was selected to All-State Orchestra three years in a row.

Anders is inspired to serve by his grandfather, who served on destroyer escorts in World War II, and by the battlefield history of the upper plains at places like the Little Bighorn. Reflecting on these examples, Anders says he “started to understand the process of training officers and the role of the academies in America’s defense.”",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:11:26Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-democrats-refusal-to-prioritize-national-security/,Thune on Democrats’ Refusal to Prioritize National Security,2026-06-11,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, last week, Senate Republicans passed legislation to fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years.

“On Tuesday, House Republicans passed the legislation.

“And yesterday, the president signed the bill into law.

“Mr. President, I’m proud that we got this done of course.

“Republicans are deeply committed to ensuring a safe country and safe communities, and border security and immigration enforcement are key parts of that.

“No country – no country – can be secure if bad actors can make their way freely across our borders, or if criminal illegal immigrants are able to operate freely within our neighborhoods.

“So, as I said, I am proud that we got this done.

“But, Mr. President, I also have to ask, how did we get here?

“How did we get to the point where one party has completely abdicated any responsibility for our nation’s security?

“And it’s not just this bill, Mr. President.

“Democrats have been playing fast and loose with our national security all year.

“Their two record-breaking shutdowns strained our nation’s critical national security agencies – particularly agencies at the Department of Homeland Security, which was shut down for a staggering 119 days all told this fiscal year.

“The TSA, responsible for the security of our nation’s airports, has seen a flood of resignations thanks to Democrats’ decision to make these critical workers go without pay for quite literally months.

“And then there’s border security and immigration enforcement.

“Democrats absolutely refused to provide so much as a dollar – a dollar – to fund the agents who provide security at our nation’s borders and remove criminal illegal immigrants from America’s streets.

“I can’t make that point enough, Mr. President.

“If Democrats had their way, there would be zero – zero – physical presence at our nation’s borders and zero agents to remove criminal illegal immigrants who do make their way into our country.

“It is a breathtaking – breathtaking – level of irresponsibility.“Still not done, Mr. President.

“Because I haven’t yet talked about FISA.

“Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is our nation’s most critical intelligence-gathering tool.

“Policymakers across the federal government – from both parties – rely on Section 702 information on a near-daily basis.

“And we were well on our way to reauthorizing it, with Democrat and Republican lawmakers here in the Senate working on an agreement.

“And then – as has happened more than once this year – Democrats backed out.

“And now this critical tool is set to go dark on Friday.

“And what the consequences of that will be, we cannot predict.

“Mr. President, it’s striking how weak Democrats’ ostensible “reasons” have been for all of these actions.

“They’re blocking a critical national security tool because they don’t like the president’s temporary, short-term pick for acting – acting – DNI.

“They shut down the federal government twice – and refused to fund border security and immigration enforcement – because they couldn’t take yes for an answer.

“Ultimately, Democrats have made it clear this year that for them, it’s always politics over policy.

“And if our economy suffers, if our national security suffers, because of Democrats’ decision to shut down the government or refusal to fund border security – well, Democrats are apparently just fine with that.

“Mr. President, polls tend to show that Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats when it comes to crime and national security.

“And I think Democrats are making it very clear why that is.

“The fact that Republicans had to act alone to fund security at our nation’s borders is all the evidence you need to know to show that Democrats are fundamentally unserious about their national security responsibilities.

“Republicans, of course, will continue to do everything we can to keep our country and our communities secure.

“It’s too bad the same cannot be said of Senate Democrats.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-mornings-with-maria-and-americas-newsroom/,Thune Joins Mornings With Maria and America’s Newsroom,2026-06-10,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch Fox Business and here to watch Fox News.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Mornings With Maria on Fox Business and America’s Newsroom on Fox News.

On FISA:

“Here’s the issue: This is an irresponsible position for the Senate Democrats to take. The 702 program – first off, you had … air [traffic] control issues, then it was the border security issues, sanctuary cities. This is a party of defund the police, open borders, sanctuary cities, and now, now shutting down one of the most important tools we have to keep people in this country safe. And this thing goes dark at midnight on Friday, and what you heard the speaker say yesterday is absolutely right: This is an absolutely irresponsible position for the Democrats to take, and one that puts at risk and in jeopardy the American people if this particular program goes dark.”

[…]

“[Democrats want] to defund the intelligence gathering capability that has been responsible for 90 percent of the drug busts that we’ve had. And it’s prevented terrorist attacks, it is a tool, it’s a national security tool, it needs to be reauthorized … When we moved to proceed to it last week, [Democrats] block voted against it.

“We’ve got to take care of the business of national security. If we don’t get that right, the rest is conversation, and the Democrats right now are dug in over this Pulte issue, and it’s an irresponsible position to take.”

[…]

“This is a bipartisan bill, it was negotiated – and bicameral – between the House, Senate, Democrats and Republicans, with significant reforms in it, and it needs to get passed. And it doesn’t matter who’s running DNI; this is legislation you want in place. So, it’s a bogus argument, and this is the problem we have with Democrats: their Trump Derangement Syndrome, the blind hatred they have of the president, is preventing them from doing anything, even if it’s something that is in the national security interest of the country.”

On the Working Families Tax Cuts:

“Republicans care about … creating an opportunity for working families to get ahead, and part of that means having more money in your pocket. And I think everything that we did [in the Working Families Tax Cuts] – whether it’s no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, reducing taxes on seniors on Social Security, lower rates, incentives for business to create better-paying jobs for people in this country – it is the right economic policies. And … safe and secure communities, safe and secure neighborhoods. Is my neighborhood safe, is my community safe, is my country safe?

“I think those are the issues, and the Democrats are way off the reservation on all of those. But I think when it comes to the pocketbook issues, the kitchen table issues, it’s making the argument to the American people that these policies are going to lead to a more prosperous future for them and their families. And if you look at where the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts went – when it’s called the Working Families Tax Cuts, it’s for a reason, because working families are the major beneficiaries of that.”

On Iran:

“I think most Republican senators … believe we need to finish the job and want to support the president to ensure that that gets done. Now, if he can negotiate a deal that is acceptable, that’s obviously one way of reaching an outcome. If it’s necessary to use additional force to achieve that outcome, I certainly am supportive of that, because I think that we need to ensure that he finishes the job – and that job is to make certain that Iran never possesses or has a nuclear capability.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-rounds-legislation-to-advance-key-south-dakota-water-projects-approved-by-committee/,"Thune, Rounds Legislation to Advance Key South Dakota Water Projects Approved by Committee",2026-06-10,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for passing their bills that would authorize feasibility studies for the Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) and the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System, respectively. Thune’s Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act (S. 3723) and Rounds’ Dakota Mainstem Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act (S. 3736) now head to the full Senate.

“These bills are aimed at addressing the rapidly growing water needs in rural communities across South Dakota,” said Thune. “I’m pleased that the committee has passed our bills and look forward to their consideration by the full Senate. I’m proud to work with Senator Rounds on this critical effort.”

“Rural water projects are crucial for the success of South Dakota, both in the near future and for the next generation,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has passed our bills to authorize feasibility studies for the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System and the Western Dakota Regional Water System. I thank Senator Thune for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working together to get these bills through the full Senate.”

“The advancement of S. 3723 to Senate markup is an encouraging step forward for the future of water security in western South Dakota,” said Kristin Conzet, executive director of WDRWS. “WDRWS is grateful for the leadership and diligent work of Senators Thune and Rounds, whose commitment has been instrumental in advancing our legislation. Reaching this stage reflects growing recognition of the need for a reliable, long-term water supply to support our communities, economy, agriculture, and national defense interests.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-the-working-families-tax-cuts-is-delivering-for-working-americans/,Thune: The Working Families Tax Cuts Is Delivering for Working Americans,2026-06-10,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, it’s been almost a year since Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“One year since Republicans delivered permanent tax relief to the American people and put more money in their pockets.

“And I’m proud to say that it’s working.

“Mr. President, at the start of this year, hardworking Americans saw their take-home pay go up as the new tax law took effect.

“They saw its impact again in April when they filed their taxes, and many Americans saw a significant boost in their tax refunds.

“The New York Times interviewed three dozen Americans and reported that, and I quote, ‘Many of the taxpayers said they had received their largest refund in years, allowing them to pay down debt, save more or cover the cost of a vacation or a new bed.’

“And, Mr. President, last week, we got yet more news that shows that the Working Families Tax Cuts is working.

“The Treasury Department released data showing that [97] percent of Americans who filed taxes this last year actually got a tax cut.

“So, take a look at that, Mr. President.

“That’s a pretty stunning number, if you think about it.

“97 percent.

“Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, 97 percent of taxpayers got a tax cut this year, collectively saving about $82 billion on their tax bills.

“And who was it – who was it – that benefited from the Working Families Tax Cuts, Mr. President?

“Well, I’ll give you a hint: It’s in the name.

“Working families.

“Almost every one of the 97 percent of American taxpayers who saw a tax cut this year earned less than $200,000.

“Nearly 70 percent earned less than $100,000.

“So, if you take a look at this chart, Mr. President, you’ll be able to see just exactly what I’m talking about.

“If you look at the dark blue line, those are the number of people who are making less than $100,000 a year who benefitted from the new tax deductions in this bill.

“And if you look at the light one, that’s the number of people under $200,000 who got a benefit.

“And I’ll get into each of those specifics here in just a minute, but I think it’s important to point out that the beneficiaries of the Working Families Tax Cuts were working families.

“In other words, Mr. President, the Americans benefiting from this bill are people who get up every day and go to work to provide for their families.

“They’re not rich.

“They’re people who spend nights at the kitchen table putting together their budgets, trying to make ends meet and save a little bit for the future.

“And that’s who Republicans were thinking about when we wrote the Working Families Tax Cuts, and as the numbers show, that’s who’s benefiting.

“Mr. President, I’ve said that the Working Families Tax Cuts is about putting more money into hardworking Americans’ pockets.

“And that’s exactly what this bill did.

“It let working Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.

“Money that they would have to send to the IRS if not for the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And that they can now spend, invest, and save as they see fit.

“Mr. President, the Working Families Tax Cuts delivered real tax savings to the American people through a number of tax relief policies.

“Permanent lower tax rates reduced Americans’ tax burdens across the board.

“And the now-permanently doubled standard deduction helped 127 million Americans reduce and simplify their taxes this year.

“Nearly 40 million families claimed the newly enhanced $2,200 child tax credit in 2025 – and as you can see from the chart, Mr. President, almost all of those families had incomes below $200,000.

“And, I said before, two-thirds earned less than $100,000.

“And again, that’s from the enhanced child tax credit, which is the bottom number down there.

“Mr. President, a New York Times story in April on … this year’s larger tax refunds highlighted Nicole Mendoza, a 68-year-old Georgian who ‘works a couple of shifts a week at a Cracker Barrel in Canton, Georgia, to supplement her Social Security income and savings. All told, Ms. Mendoza said, she earned about $38,000 last year and paid $551 in federal income taxes.’

“And as Ms. Mendoza told the Times, and I quote, ‘I got back every penny.’

“Mr. President, this year millions of hardworking Americans like Ms. Mendoza were eligible for additional tax relief thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Americans earning between $100,000 and $200,000 last year who took advantage of new tax relief in this bill saw an average tax cut of $1,250.

“Older Americans were able to take advantage of the enhanced senior deduction, which helped 35 million seniors this past year.

“And 7.5 million tipped workers were able to take advantage of no tax on tips.

“Fully 90 percent, Mr. President, of Americans who took advantage of the no tax on tips earned less than $100,000.

“Ninety-nine percent – 99 percent – earned less than $200,000.

“And so, if you look at the tipped wages, the number there on top, Mr. President, the dark blue … bar represents the number of people who were making less than $100,000 who benefited from the no tax on tips; the lighter blue bar represents the number of people making less than $200,000 in their income this year who benefited from the no tax on tips.

“So look at that.

“I mean, 90 percent of people – 90 percent of people who get tipped wages – who get the benefit of no tax on tips make less than $100,000 a year; 99 percent less than $200,000 a year.

“That is pretty stunning, if you think about it.

“If you talk about actually working families out there, people who are trying to make ends meet, and those numbers, I think, represent just how important that particular provision was in the bill.

“And the savings they’re seeing is significant.

“There was a bartender in Beloit, Wisconsin, said that he more than doubled his federal tax refund.

“Katie, who is a DoorDash driver in Oklahoma, said, and I quote, ‘It increased my refund from $300 to $2,000.’

“And another DoorDash driver in Oregon, said, and I quote, ‘[No Tax on Tips] has changed life. I worry less about being able to cover all my expenses and I am able to work less which is better for my health and family.’

“Mr. President, that’s the Working Families Tax Cuts in action.

“And I haven’t even talked about no tax on overtime, which – like everything else I’ve talked about this morning – is overwhelmingly benefiting middle- and lower-income Americans.

“Mr. President, last year, Republicans promised to deliver lower tax bills for hardworking Americans.

“And the data released last week proves that is exactly – exactly – what this bill does.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts is delivering for working Americans.

“Mr. President, as they have every time that … Republicans have lowered taxes for working people, Democrats have resurrected their dusty old talking points about tax cuts for the rich.

“I can’t count – I can’t count – the number of times that I’ve heard a Democrat senator say this bill was just about tax cuts for billionaires.

“Well, Mr. President, look at the data.

“Does this look like a billionaire tax cut to you?

“Seventy-five percent of Americans taking the overtime deduction make less than $100,000 a year.

“Ninety percent of those taking no tax on tips made less than $100,000 a year.

“And 97 percent of Americans who filed their taxes this year got a tax cut.

“Mr. President, this is real tax relief for hardworking Americans.

“And the American people are seeing it with their own eyes.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-must-not-expose-americans-to-the-consequences-of-letting-fisa-section-702-lapse/,Thune: Democrats Must Not Expose Americans to the Consequences of Letting FISA Section 702 Lapse,2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, in four days, authorization for our nation’s most critical intelligence-gathering tool will expire.

“Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the U.S. government to target the digital information of foreign actors located outside of the United States for specific national security purposes, such as counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

“Established in the wake of September 11 to address gaps in foreign intelligence collection, this program plays a vital role in foiling bad actors, including terrorists, cyber criminals, and drug and weapons traffickers.

“Our nation’s policymakers – from the White House to the Pentagon to Congress – rely upon intelligence acquired from Section 702 on a near daily basis.

“Twenty-four percent of the National Security Agency’s intelligence reports in 2025 contained Section 702 information.

“So did 62 percent of products in the CIA’s daily World Intelligence Review.

“And 63 percent of articles in the President’s Daily Brief.

“And just to bring this down to the concrete, Mr. President, more than 90 percent – 90 percent – of synthetic drug disruptions enabled by the CIA in 2025 relied on Section 702 information.

“Synthetic drug disruptions – that’s operations targeting fentanyl and fentanyl analogues: poison intended for America’s streets.

“The CIA reports that one raid alone supported by Section 702 resulted in the seizure of more than one metric ton of fentanyl pills from a facility in Mexico.

“And drug disruption is just one activity supported by 702 information.

“Section 702 provided intelligence that helped prevent a terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert.

“It enabled law enforcement to warn potential U.S. victims of ransomware attacks planned by North Korea.

“It helped enable the successful mission against al-Qaeda’s top leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in 2022.

“It’s identified threats to U.S. troops and provided information key to pursuing the release of Americans held hostage abroad.

“And the list goes on.

“Suffice it to say that Section 702 plays a vital role in providing intelligence to protect our country.

“Now, Mr. President … we’ve considered multiple 702 reauthorizations since the program’s inception, and each time there is a robust discussion of the program and its safeguards, to ensure that civil liberties are protected in the collection of vital intelligence.

“Two years ago, a bipartisan coalition of senators voted to reauthorize this program with 56 bipartisan reforms that have now been fully implemented by the Trump administration.

“The result is that 702 is the most overseen intelligence collection tool in the world.

“And over the past several weeks, both Senate Democrats and Republicans have been working on a Section 702 reauthorization in good faith.

“The bill released by Chairmen Cotton and Grassley last week included additional bipartisan reforms over and above those included in the House-passed bill, and over and above the robust guardrails already in place to ensure that 702 operates within the law and with respect for civil liberties.

“And on Friday, Mr. President, I would have expected those Democrats who’ve been working with us to vote to advance the bill.

“After all, some of the provisions in the bill were included at their request.

“But they didn’t.

“Why?

“Because they disagree with a short-term personnel choice made by the president – his temporary appointment for acting director of national intelligence.

“Now, Mr. President, Democrats have every right to disagree with the president’s choice for this position – no matter how short-term the appointment is likely to be.

“But I invite my Democrat colleagues to think about what they are doing here, in holding this vital intelligence collection program hostage because they don’t like the president’s temporary – temporary – DNI pick.

“I’ve talked at some length here today about the critical role that Section 702 plays on a near daily basis in protecting Americans from a range of threats.

“And you don’t have to take my word for it.

“The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee has also made it clear that he regards Section 702 as a key intelligence source.

“And yet he and a number of his colleagues are holding up reauthorization because they disagree with the president’s – again, temporary – DNI pick.

“Mr. President, without Democrat cooperation, in four days the Section 702 program will go dark.

“America’s enemies, however, will not – will not – go dark.

“They will continue working against the United States, whether that’s conducting cyberattacks, planning terrorist activity, or trafficking fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our country.

“The only difference is that our intelligence agencies will have a greatly reduced capacity to discover these activities.

“Mr. President, I hope my Democrat colleagues will rethink their decision to hold the 702 program hostage before we all have cause to regret the consequences.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-joins-squawk-box-on-cnbc-3/,Thune Joins Squawk Box on CNBC,2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Squawk Box on CNBC.

On the Secure America Act:

“We had to use [reconciliation] because Democrats wouldn’t fund ICE and [Border Patrol] through the normal appropriations process, so we had to do it with Republican-only votes. It got a little complicated along the way, but we were successful in defeating all the poison-pill amendments that would have taken it down. And this week, hopefully, the House will vote on it, put it on the president’s desk, and we’ll get those important law enforcement agencies funded.

“It is really unfortunate we had to resort to this … The Democrat mantra now is defund the police, open borders, and we’re seeing more evidence of that this week as they block … the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization, which is a critical tool that our intelligence agencies use to keep Americans safe.”

On Democrats’ sanctuary city policies:

“I think there is a high level of frustration at the sanctuary city policies and what they are doing to a lot of our major cities in this country. And I think the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Mullin, obviously are coming up with ideas that they think would help at least incentivize a lot of these cities to start behaving in a way that doesn’t give sanctuary to criminal illegal aliens in this country … I think the sanctuary city policy, coupled with defund the police, coupled with open borders – these are just Democrat policies right now that are anti-law enforcement, and frankly, are dangerous with respect to a lot of America’s biggest cities and ensuring that those communities and those streets are safe and secure for people who live there.”

On reconciliation:

“A reconciliation 3.0 is something that’s been considered and talked about. There’d have to be a specific reason for doing it, and you’d have to ensure that you’ve got 218 in the House and 50 votes in the Senate for it. These have become increasingly hard as we’ve gotten into this year and a few of these primaries have gotten behind us. There are votes that are harder to get now in the Senate on some of these things, but we did fend off a lot of really bad poison-pill amendments last week on the last reconciliation bill.

“What happens on the next one remains to be seen … but we’re not ruling it out, let me put it that way. Open to it, but also recognizing it has some serious challenges ahead of it if we get another reconciliation bill on the floor of the Senate.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-democrats-holding-fisa-hostage/,Thune on Democrats Holding FISA Hostage,2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“We have a saying around here that, if you don’t get national security right, the rest is just conversation.

“And that’s certainly true with respect to some of the issues that we have in front of us right now.

“The FISA legislation, which is pending here in the United States Senate, is critical to keeping this country safe and secure for Americans.

“And just to put a fine point on that, if you look at how effective FISA has been, it has stopped numerous terrorist attacks.

“It has been used in 90 percent of the CIA’s synthetic drug disruptions.

“So, in other words, these drug busts that you keep reading about, a lot of that originates with information derived from the 702 process.

“So, it’s very, very concerning when you have the Democrats here in the United States Senate essentially saying that, ‘We are not interested in reauthorizing this program,’ which will go dark at midnight on Friday if we don’t take action.

“And it would be alarming under any circumstance, but it’s especially alarming now, given the fact that we are heading into a time where the U.S. starts hosting the World Cup, for example.

“We’ve got all kinds of 250th anniversary celebrations coming up here in the not-too-distant future.

“And you’ve got a program that has a proven record when it comes to keeping this country safe that is at risk because Democrats here in the United States Senate have decided to block vote against it.

“That is a very dangerous proposition.

“It puts Americans at risk.

“And it started with the air traffic control, and then it was border security, the Department of Homeland Security – you go right down the list of all these agencies the Democrats have decided not to fund.

“They truly are the party of open borders, defund the police, sanctuary cities, and unfortunately right now, defunding the 702 program, which is essential to America’s national security interests.

“So, Republicans are going to do everything we can to keep this program on track, but obviously … we’re going to need some help from Democrats in order to get it across the finish line.

“And I certainly hope that they put the nation’s national security interests ahead of their Trump Derangement Syndrome, which seems to be what’s driving the decisions that they’re making here on a daily basis.”",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=963EF55B-B715-4E6B-A8D9-B88B042DAF47,Thune: Republicans Thwart Democrats’ Pursuit of “Defund the Police 2.0”,2026-06-08,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, sometimes I have to wonder if Democrats remember the last election – and how four years of record-breaking illegal immigration on President Biden’s watch helped hand the House, the Senate, and the White House to Republicans.

“Because to watch the Democrat Party right now, you’d think that 2024 never happened.

“Democrats not only haven’t rejected the open-borders philosophy of the Biden administration, they’ve doubled down.

“At least we had the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Biden.

“Now every Senate Democrat is on record as wanting to shut down those agencies.

“That’s right.

“Democrats voted to defund – to defund – the agents who stand guard on our nation’s borders and help prevent dangerous individuals from entering our country.

“They voted to defund the agents who remove criminal illegal immigrants who do make their way into the United States.

“And when I say defund, Mr. President, I mean defund.

“Democrats opposed giving these agencies a single dollar.

“And I hope – I really hope – that my Democrat colleagues are not going to attempt to defend themselves by claiming that they simply wanted reforms of these agencies, and that Republicans wouldn’t give them.

“Because as the record amply – amply – reflects, Democrats were offered reforms again and again.

“The White House not only made reforms on its own, it repeatedly offered Democrats a robust legislative package.

“But Democrats weren’t interested.

“Presumably because they somehow thought that ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘abolish border security’ would play well for them in November.

“Of course, I’m pretty sure most Americans don’t think we should eliminate security at our nation’s borders, or open the floodgates for unchecked illegal immigration.

“But that hasn’t stopped Democrats from embracing Defund the Police 2.0.

“Mr. President, I am happy to report that as of Friday, Democrats’ crusade to defund border security and law enforcement is well on its way to failure – for now, at any rate.

“Senate Republicans passed legislation to fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years, to ensure that Democrats can’t try defunding these agencies again this fall.

“But, Mr. President, it is deeply disturbing that we are in this position – that we are having to use the reconciliation process just to get normal appropriations passed for border security and immigration enforcement.

“The damage that Democrats caused in the 2026 fiscal year has been immense.

“Two record-breaking government shutdowns.

“Critical workers at DHS left for months without pay.

“Government workers lined up at food banks.

“TSA agents quitting in droves.

“And that’s not to even mention what [could] be irreparable harm to the appropriations process here in the Senate.

“And then there’s our subject today, Defund the Police 2.0 – Democrats’ resolute refusal to spend a single dollar protecting our nation’s borders or deporting criminals here in our country illegally.

“It is absurd, Mr. President, that Republicans are having to act unilaterally to fund basic national security responsibilities.

“What is the Democrat Party going to propose defunding next?

“The DEA? The FBI? Our nation’s military?

“Where exactly does this insanity end?

“The Democrat leader has repeatedly attempted to cloud the issue – going so far as to make the insane suggestion that Congress somehow has to choose between our national security responsibilities and addressing the challenges facing hardworking Americans.

“To which I say, not only can we walk and chew gum at the same time, but we have an obligation to do so.

“It is our responsibility as members of Congress to work to alleviate not only the economic challenges facing Americans but to protect our nation’s security – and that includes securing our borders and attempting to ensure that criminals, drug traffickers, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals do not make their way into our country.

“And that if they do make their way in, they are identified and deported.

“Mr. President, as long as Republicans are in charge, we will be focused on both the economic challenges facing our country and on securing peace and safety for hardworking Americans.

“On our watch, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.

“I wish I could say the same of our Democrat colleagues.”",1,2026-06-09T06:27:37Z,2026-06-09T06:30:10Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-thwart-democrats-pursuit-of-defund-the-police-2-0/,Thune: Republicans Thwart Democrats’ Pursuit of “Defund the Police 2.0”,2026-06-08,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“On our watch, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, sometimes I have to wonder if Democrats remember the last election – and how four years of record-breaking illegal immigration on President Biden’s watch helped hand the House, the Senate, and the White House to Republicans.

“Because to watch the Democrat Party right now, you’d think that 2024 never happened.

“Democrats not only haven’t rejected the open-borders philosophy of the Biden administration, they’ve doubled down.

“At least we had the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Biden.

“Now every Senate Democrat is on record as wanting to shut down those agencies.

“That’s right.

“Democrats voted to defund – to defund – the agents who stand guard on our nation’s borders and help prevent dangerous individuals from entering our country.

“They voted to defund the agents who remove criminal illegal immigrants who do make their way into the United States.

“And when I say defund, Mr. President, I mean defund.

“Democrats opposed giving these agencies a single dollar.

“And I hope – I really hope – that my Democrat colleagues are not going to attempt to defend themselves by claiming that they simply wanted reforms of these agencies, and that Republicans wouldn’t give them.

“Because as the record amply – amply – reflects, Democrats were offered reforms again and again.

“The White House not only made reforms on its own, it repeatedly offered Democrats a robust legislative package.

“But Democrats weren’t interested.

“Presumably because they somehow thought that ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘abolish border security’ would play well for them in November.

“Of course, I’m pretty sure most Americans don’t think we should eliminate security at our nation’s borders, or open the floodgates for unchecked illegal immigration.

“But that hasn’t stopped Democrats from embracing Defund the Police 2.0.

“Mr. President, I am happy to report that as of Friday, Democrats’ crusade to defund border security and law enforcement is well on its way to failure – for now, at any rate.

“Senate Republicans passed legislation to fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years, to ensure that Democrats can’t try defunding these agencies again this fall.

“But, Mr. President, it is deeply disturbing that we are in this position – that we are having to use the reconciliation process just to get normal appropriations passed for border security and immigration enforcement.

“The damage that Democrats caused in the 2026 fiscal year has been immense.

“Two record-breaking government shutdowns.

“Critical workers at DHS left for months without pay.

“Government workers lined up at food banks.

“TSA agents quitting in droves.

“And that’s not to even mention what [could] be irreparable harm to the appropriations process here in the Senate.

“And then there’s our subject today, Defund the Police 2.0 – Democrats’ resolute refusal to spend a single dollar protecting our nation’s borders or deporting criminals here in our country illegally.

“It is absurd, Mr. President, that Republicans are having to act unilaterally to fund basic national security responsibilities.

“What is the Democrat Party going to propose defunding next?

“The DEA? The FBI? Our nation’s military?

“Where exactly does this insanity end?

“The Democrat leader has repeatedly attempted to cloud the issue – going so far as to make the insane suggestion that Congress somehow has to choose between our national security responsibilities and addressing the challenges facing hardworking Americans.

“To which I say, not only can we walk and chew gum at the same time, but we have an obligation to do so.

“It is our responsibility as members of Congress to work to alleviate not only the economic challenges facing Americans but to protect our nation’s security – and that includes securing our borders and attempting to ensure that criminals, drug traffickers, terrorists, and other dangerous individuals do not make their way into our country.

“And that if they do make their way in, they are identified and deported.

“Mr. President, as long as Republicans are in charge, we will be focused on both the economic challenges facing our country and on securing peace and safety for hardworking Americans.

“On our watch, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.

“I wish I could say the same of our Democrat colleagues.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0C174FF5-0FBB-478C-8906-E73069D070D9,"Thune: Republicans Invest in Border Security, Democrats Undermine Law Enforcement",2026-06-04,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I expect there will be a lot of amendments today on a lot of topics.

“So I wanted to take just a minute to focus in on the essence of the bill that we are on, that we will be considering and voting on today.

“It’s a simple bill, Mr. President.

“It will do nothing more than fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years.

“And why are we doing this bill, Mr. President?

“Why are we doing appropriations for these Department of Homeland Security agencies separately – and for three years instead of the usual one?

“Because Democrats have refused to fund border security or immigration law enforcement.

“That’s it, Mr. President.

“We are here today only – only – because Democrats refused to appropriate a single dollar for our border and immigration law enforcement.

“They originally agreed to fund them, of course.

“Back in January, Democrats in both houses – House and Senate – signed off on an appropriations bill that included multiple reforms.

“But shortly before passage, after the events in Minneapolis, Democrats reneged.

“They wanted more reforms, they claimed.

“And Republicans agreed to reopen negotiations.

“The White House implemented a number of reforms on its own.

“And then the White House repeatedly – repeatedly – offered Democrats a robust package of legislative reforms.

“But Democrats would not agree to anything.

“And eventually, they walked away altogether.

“Presumably because they thought that it would serve them better to have an issue for November.

“Although I would say it remains to be seen, Mr. President, how well ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘eliminate border security officers’ play for Democrats this fall.

“Because let’s be very clear, Mr. President, that is what Democrats have opted for.

“No – zero, no – officers at our nation’s borders.

“And no officers to remove dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from our country.

“If it weren’t for Republicans, our nation’s borders might currently be thrown wide open to drug traffickers, cartel members, terrorists, criminals, human smugglers, and other dangerous individuals.

“And dangerous criminal illegal aliens could be living freely in our country.

“That’s, Mr. President, what no funding for border security and immigration enforcement means.

“And I can’t emphasize that enough, Mr. President.

“If Democrats had their way, our nation’s borders would be completely – completely – unprotected.

“And criminal illegal immigrants would be allowed to remain in our country and endanger Americans.

“Democrats’ position is not just breathtakingly irresponsible; it’s a betrayal of their obligation as members of our government.

“This, Mr. President, is a national security issue, and Democrats have completely abdicated their national security responsibility.

“Mr. President, as I said, I expect there will be a lot of amendments today.

“Many will be intended to distract from Democrats’ ‘defund law enforcement’ position.

“Some may even echo the reforms the White House offered to Democrats – that Democrats rejected, but which they will now attempt to use to score political points.

“But when all the political statements have been made, we will pass the underlying bill and be one step closer to funding border security and immigration law enforcement for the next three years.

“For the next three years, Mr. President.

“That’s what Democrats have forced us to do.

“I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who have helped secure our nation’s border over the past 16 months and take criminal illegal immigrants off of our streets.

“And I’m grateful to Secretary Mullin and border czar Tom Homan for their leadership and their work to refocus things at DHS and ensure that both Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are fully focused on their core mission of protecting our country.

“And Republicans are going to continue to ensure that these agencies have the funding that they need to fulfill their national security responsibilities.”",1,2026-06-05T06:35:23Z,2026-06-05T06:36:42Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-republicans-invest-in-border-security-democrats-undermine-law-enforcement/,"Thune: Republicans Invest in Border Security, Democrats Undermine Law Enforcement",2026-06-04,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“[W]hen all the political statements have been made, we will pass the underlying bill and be one step closer to funding border security and immigration law enforcement for the next three years.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, I expect there will be a lot of amendments today on a lot of topics.

“So I wanted to take just a minute to focus in on the essence of the bill that we are on, that we will be considering and voting on today.

“It’s a simple bill, Mr. President.

“It will do nothing more than fund Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the next three years.

“And why are we doing this bill, Mr. President?

“Why are we doing appropriations for these Department of Homeland Security agencies separately – and for three years instead of the usual one?

“Because Democrats have refused to fund border security or immigration law enforcement.

“That’s it, Mr. President.

“We are here today only – only – because Democrats refused to appropriate a single dollar for our border and immigration law enforcement.

“They originally agreed to fund them, of course.

“Back in January, Democrats in both houses – House and Senate – signed off on an appropriations bill that included multiple reforms.

“But shortly before passage, after the events in Minneapolis, Democrats reneged.

“They wanted more reforms, they claimed.

“And Republicans agreed to reopen negotiations.

“The White House implemented a number of reforms on its own.

“And then the White House repeatedly – repeatedly – offered Democrats a robust package of legislative reforms.

“But Democrats would not agree to anything.

“And eventually, they walked away altogether.

“Presumably because they thought that it would serve them better to have an issue for November.

“Although I would say it remains to be seen, Mr. President, how well ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘eliminate border security officers’ play for Democrats this fall.

“Because let’s be very clear, Mr. President, that is what Democrats have opted for.

“No – zero, no – officers at our nation’s borders.

“And no officers to remove dangerous criminal illegal immigrants from our country.

“If it weren’t for Republicans, our nation’s borders might currently be thrown wide open to drug traffickers, cartel members, terrorists, criminals, human smugglers, and other dangerous individuals.

“And dangerous criminal illegal aliens could be living freely in our country.

“That’s, Mr. President, what no funding for border security and immigration enforcement means.

“And I can’t emphasize that enough, Mr. President.

“If Democrats had their way, our nation’s borders would be completely – completely – unprotected.

“And criminal illegal immigrants would be allowed to remain in our country and endanger Americans.

“Democrats’ position is not just breathtakingly irresponsible; it’s a betrayal of their obligation as members of our government.

“This, Mr. President, is a national security issue, and Democrats have completely abdicated their national security responsibility.

“Mr. President, as I said, I expect there will be a lot of amendments today.

“Many will be intended to distract from Democrats’ ‘defund law enforcement’ position.

“Some may even echo the reforms the White House offered to Democrats – that Democrats rejected, but which they will now attempt to use to score political points.

“But when all the political statements have been made, we will pass the underlying bill and be one step closer to funding border security and immigration law enforcement for the next three years.

“For the next three years, Mr. President.

“That’s what Democrats have forced us to do.

“I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who have helped secure our nation’s border over the past 16 months and take criminal illegal immigrants off of our streets.

“And I’m grateful to Secretary Mullin and border czar Tom Homan for their leadership and their work to refocus things at DHS and ensure that both Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are fully focused on their core mission of protecting our country.

“And Republicans are going to continue to ensure that these agencies have the funding that they need to fulfill their national security responsibilities.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2C05CD29-E0ED-4E6F-A6A5-AF9B269AC895,Thune: Trump Accounts Set Kids Up for Success,2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, as of tomorrow, we will be one month away from the opening date for Trump Accounts.

“These are new, tax-advantaged investment accounts for children created by Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And as of a few days ago, parents can now download the new app for Trump Accounts.

“The app will allow parents to track current and projected account balances.

“Schedule automatic account contributions – whether that’s $20 a month, or $200 a month.

“And, eventually, choose among multiple broad-based investment accounts, all designed to make investment easy.

“The app also offers several modules to educate children and parents on investing and to boost financial literacy.

“Mr. President, Trump Accounts, as I said, were created as part of Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts law.

“We call it the Working [Families] Tax Cuts for a reason, Mr. President – because that’s who we were focused on with this legislation.

“We prevented a massive tax hike on Americans making less than $400,000.

“Made lower tax rates for hardworking Americans permanent.

“Increased the child tax credit, which we had already doubled in 2017.

“Implemented no tax on tips and no tax on overtime to give American workers a further break on their taxes.

“Instituted a new bonus deduction for seniors.

“And more.

“All of these measures were designed to help everyday Americans and to make life a little easier for working families and help put their dreams within reach.

“Trump Accounts are a part of that.

“These tax-advantaged accounts were designed to allow parents to save for their children’s future beyond their education: to give kids a nest egg, whether large or small, to help them buy a home or start a business – to help them pursue their American dream.

“And if kids choose not to withdraw money once they reach adulthood, they can use these accounts as retirement savings – a financial priority for every American.

“Mr. President, to get savings started for a lot of families, kids born between 2025 and 2028 will receive a free $1,000 for their Trump Account should their parents choose to open one and opt in to the money.

“That money alone will grow over a kid’s childhood.

“And then, of course, parents will be able to add as desired – anywhere from a few dollars to up to $5,000 a year.

“And parents are not the only ones who can make contributions.

“Employers will be able to contribute to Trump Accounts for their employees’ kids.

“And multiple philanthropists are also offering initial contributions for a lot of American children.

“All of this is designed to give kids a leg-up in the world of savings and investment – and, as I said, a head start on their American dream.

“Mr. President, musician Nicki Minaj attended a Trump Accounts summit with the president a few months ago.

“She grew up in a housing project in a family that faced its share of financial struggles, and now she’s raising her own family.

“And she has said of the Trump Accounts, and I quote, ‘This program will benefit everyone, decreasing the gap for future prosperity between children who traditionally aren’t born with a full bank account and children who are.’

“‘… decreasing the gap for future prosperity between children who traditionally aren’t born with a full bank account and children who are.’

“Increasing opportunity.

“Opening new paths to prosperity.

“Ensuring that working families can keep more of their hard-earned money.

“That, Mr. President, is Republicans’ mission – and the goal of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“I’m proud that working families are benefiting.

“And I look forward to seeing the opportunities that will be unlocked next month when Trump Accounts kick off.”",1,2026-06-04T06:38:12Z,2026-06-04T06:39:44Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-trump-accounts-set-kids-up-for-success/,Thune: Trump Accounts Set Kids Up for Success,2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“These tax-advantaged accounts were designed to allow parents to save for their children’s future beyond their education: to give kids a nest egg, whether large or small, to help them buy a home or start a business – to help them pursue their American dream.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, as of tomorrow, we will be one month away from the opening date for Trump Accounts.

“These are new, tax-advantaged investment accounts for children created by Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts.

“And as of a few days ago, parents can now download the new app for Trump Accounts.

“The app will allow parents to track current and projected account balances.

“Schedule automatic account contributions – whether that’s $20 a month, or $200 a month.

“And, eventually, choose among multiple broad-based investment accounts, all designed to make investment easy.

“The app also offers several modules to educate children and parents on investing and to boost financial literacy.

“Mr. President, Trump Accounts, as I said, were created as part of Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts law.

“We call it the Working [Families] Tax Cuts for a reason, Mr. President – because that’s who we were focused on with this legislation.

“We prevented a massive tax hike on Americans making less than $400,000.

“Made lower tax rates for hardworking Americans permanent.

“Increased the child tax credit, which we had already doubled in 2017.

“Implemented no tax on tips and no tax on overtime to give American workers a further break on their taxes.

“Instituted a new bonus deduction for seniors.

“And more.

“All of these measures were designed to help everyday Americans and to make life a little easier for working families and help put their dreams within reach.

“Trump Accounts are a part of that.

“These tax-advantaged accounts were designed to allow parents to save for their children’s future beyond their education: to give kids a nest egg, whether large or small, to help them buy a home or start a business – to help them pursue their American dream.

“And if kids choose not to withdraw money once they reach adulthood, they can use these accounts as retirement savings – a financial priority for every American.

“Mr. President, to get savings started for a lot of families, kids born between 2025 and 2028 will receive a free $1,000 for their Trump Account should their parents choose to open one and opt in to the money.

“That money alone will grow over a kid’s childhood.

“And then, of course, parents will be able to add as desired – anywhere from a few dollars to up to $5,000 a year.

“And parents are not the only ones who can make contributions.

“Employers will be able to contribute to Trump Accounts for their employees’ kids.

“And multiple philanthropists are also offering initial contributions for a lot of American children.

“All of this is designed to give kids a leg-up in the world of savings and investment – and, as I said, a head start on their American dream.

“Mr. President, musician Nicki Minaj attended a Trump Accounts summit with the president a few months ago.

“She grew up in a housing project in a family that faced its share of financial struggles, and now she’s raising her own family.

“And she has said of the Trump Accounts, and I quote, ‘This program will benefit everyone, decreasing the gap for future prosperity between children who traditionally aren’t born with a full bank account and children who are.’

“‘… decreasing the gap for future prosperity between children who traditionally aren’t born with a full bank account and children who are.’

“Increasing opportunity.

“Opening new paths to prosperity.

“Ensuring that working families can keep more of their hard-earned money.

“That, Mr. President, is Republicans’ mission – and the goal of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“I’m proud that working families are benefiting.

“And I look forward to seeing the opportunities that will be unlocked next month when Trump Accounts kick off.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=136039E3-9F71-4DFF-AE86-86331DD02CDF,Thune Commemorates C-SPAN’s 40th Senate Anniversary and Discusses Recent Work in South Dakota,2026-06-02,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, as we begin our proceedings this morning, I want to take a moment to recognize a milestone here in the Senate.

“On this day 40 years ago, C-SPAN broadcast the United States Senate for the very first time.

“On June 2, 1986, the American people were able to turn on their televisions and see the Senate come to order and their senators engage in debate until the gavel dropped later that day.

“Gavel-to-gavel coverage, Mr. President.

“That’s the C-SPAN way.

“And over the last 40 years, C-SPAN hasn’t missed a beat.

“It’s captured 43,830 hours of Senate proceedings.

“Broadcast 169,000 speeches by hundreds of United States senators who have served in these halls.

“And captured the moments large and small – historic and human – that make up the United States Senate.

“Mr. President, on that day, that first day 40 years ago, the Senate was considering an education bill.

“And what a fitting topic of discussion for C-SPAN’s first day covering this chamber.

“Education is C-SPAN’s entire mission.

“C-SPAN urges its viewers to ‘Make Up Your Own Mind.’

“And for 40 years, C-SPAN has enabled the American people to make up their own minds about what we do here in the Senate.

“It’s helped countless American students see the legislative process in action.

“And it’s ensured that what happens here is lost neither to the day’s news cycle nor to history.

“And I trust that C-SPAN will continue to offer the American people a front-row seat to the Senate for many decades to come.

“Mr. President, C-SPAN captures a lot of our work here in Washington, but just as important is the work that senators do back in our states.

“Last week, the cameras were off here in the chamber, and senators were back at home hearing from the people that we all represent.

“I spent last week back home in South Dakota, traveling around my state and hearing directly from South Dakotans.

“I had a chance to catch up with the mayors of Webster and Lennox.

“Mayor Danny Fergen of Lennox took me around his city.

“He showed me new housing developments in Lennox.

“I saw the city’s infrastructure needs.

“And we went down Main Street to a few businesses, including El Mariachi restaurant.

“Mr. President, I also spent some time up in northeastern South Dakota.

“As I mentioned, I met with the mayor of Webster, Mike Grosek.

“And I dropped by a few local businesses that are benefiting from the permanent tax relief Republicans delivered in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“I went to the Three22 Kitchen and Cocktails in Aberdeen and saw the Main Street expansion that the owners have undertaken, including the first rooftop lounge in the city.

“I visited ‘Quite Possibly the Coolest Store Ever,’ the Hitch’n Post, a family-owned business that has been an icon in Aberdeen for over 50 years and was recently named one of America’s best western retailers.

“And then over at the Meathouse in Andover, I had a conversation about the local agricultural economy … with the ranchers … who run that business and who take pride in their home-raised beef.

“Mr. President, I’ve [also] valued the opportunity I’ve had lately to spend some time hearing from South Dakota’s young people.

“This past month, I’ve been in classrooms in Winner, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.

“And we’ve had a number of school groups visiting Washington, D.C., as well.

“I attended the Dakota Relays at the beginning of May and then the state track meet this past Friday.

“And last week, I had the privilege of speaking at Boys State at Northern State University and then at Girls State at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

“Mr. President, it’s always a pleasure to get to talk with young people and to hear what’s on their minds and what their dreams are for their futures.

“And I suppose, Mr. President, that’s because on any given day here in the Senate, that’s what our focus as Republicans boils down to: cultivating a brighter future for young people and for all Americans.

“A future that’s secure.

“With greater prosperity.

“And more opportunities to get ahead.

“That’s our focus here in the Senate, Mr. President.

“And it’s what we continue to work toward every day.”",1,2026-06-03T06:40:39Z,2026-06-03T06:42:22Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=740AEA4A-0844-4EBA-92AD-A9C23BDB3419,Thune on Republicans’ Fight to Secure America,2026-06-02,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhere to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Last Thursday was the 102nd anniversary of the Border Patrol in this country.

“And as we celebrate 250 years for America, I think it’s interesting to also observe that we have had an agency like … Border Patrol defending our borders now for over 100 years.

“And if you think about what they’ve done just in this last year, it’s pretty remarkable, because what we inherited from the Biden administration was the most open border that we’ve ever seen – literally millions of people crawling, pouring across the border, literally every single year, illegally.

“And in a year’s time, Border Patrol has completely cleaned that up, to the point, as, I think it was the month of April, there was an entire year where there hadn’t been a single illegal released into the country.

“And so a truly remarkable record and a tribute to the men and women, the dedicated men and women who make the Border Patrol work.

“And Rodney Scott, the commissioner, has said that the mission of the Border Patrol has never changed; what has changed is that now their members, their agents, are able to do their jobs, the jobs that lawfully we ask them to do.

“And so, tremendous change from one administration to the other, literally, in the time span of a year, Border Patrol has done just a truly incredible job of securing our southern border.

“And that’s what we are committed to doing as Republicans here in the Senate, and we, as we move forward on the Secure [America] Act this week, intend to ensure that law enforcement – both ICE and CBP – have the resources they need to carry out the responsibilities that they are given by the American people.

“And I believe the American people are on our side on this issue.

“They do not want to defund the police, they don’t want open borders.

“Those are Democrat policies.

“Republican policies are to have the back of law enforcement to ensure they have the resources, the personnel, the technology – everything they need to keep our border secure – and to ensure that our nation’s laws are enforced, so that our communities in this country can be safe and secure for the people who live here, for our families.”",1,2026-06-03T06:40:39Z,2026-06-03T06:42:22Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-commemorates-c-spans-40th-senate-anniversary-and-discusses-recent-work-in-south-dakota/,Thune Commemorates C-SPAN’s 40th Senate Anniversary and Discusses Recent Work in South Dakota,2026-06-02,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“C-SPAN captures a lot of our work here in Washington, but just as important is the work that senators do back in our states … I spent last week back home in South Dakota, traveling around my state and hearing directly from South Dakotans.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, as we begin our proceedings this morning, I want to take a moment to recognize a milestone here in the Senate.

“On this day 40 years ago, C-SPAN broadcast the United States Senate for the very first time.

“On June 2, 1986, the American people were able to turn on their televisions and see the Senate come to order and their senators engage in debate until the gavel dropped later that day.

“Gavel-to-gavel coverage, Mr. President.

“That’s the C-SPAN way.

“And over the last 40 years, C-SPAN hasn’t missed a beat.

“It’s captured 43,830 hours of Senate proceedings.

“Broadcast 169,000 speeches by hundreds of United States senators who have served in these halls.

“And captured the moments large and small – historic and human – that make up the United States Senate.

“Mr. President, on that day, that first day 40 years ago, the Senate was considering an education bill.

“And what a fitting topic of discussion for C-SPAN’s first day covering this chamber.

“Education is C-SPAN’s entire mission.

“C-SPAN urges its viewers to ‘Make Up Your Own Mind.’

“And for 40 years, C-SPAN has enabled the American people to make up their own minds about what we do here in the Senate.

“It’s helped countless American students see the legislative process in action.

“And it’s ensured that what happens here is lost neither to the day’s news cycle nor to history.

“And I trust that C-SPAN will continue to offer the American people a front-row seat to the Senate for many decades to come.

“Mr. President, C-SPAN captures a lot of our work here in Washington, but just as important is the work that senators do back in our states.

“Last week, the cameras were off here in the chamber, and senators were back at home hearing from the people that we all represent.

“I spent last week back home in South Dakota, traveling around my state and hearing directly from South Dakotans.

“I had a chance to catch up with the mayors of Webster and Lennox.

“Mayor Danny Fergen of Lennox took me around his city.

“He showed me new housing developments in Lennox.

“I saw the city’s infrastructure needs.

“And we went down Main Street to a few businesses, including El Mariachi restaurant.

“Mr. President, I also spent some time up in northeastern South Dakota.

“As I mentioned, I met with the mayor of Webster, Mike Grosek.

“And I dropped by a few local businesses that are benefiting from the permanent tax relief Republicans delivered in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“I went to the Three22 Kitchen and Cocktails in Aberdeen and saw the Main Street expansion that the owners have undertaken, including the first rooftop lounge in the city.

“I visited ‘Quite Possibly the Coolest Store Ever,’ the Hitch’n Post, a family-owned business that has been an icon in Aberdeen for over 50 years and was recently named one of America’s best western retailers.

“And then over at the Meathouse in Andover, I had a conversation about the local agricultural economy … with the ranchers … who run that business and who take pride in their home-raised beef.

“Mr. President, I’ve [also] valued the opportunity I’ve had lately to spend some time hearing from South Dakota’s young people.

“This past month, I’ve been in classrooms in Winner, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.

“And we’ve had a number of school groups visiting Washington, D.C., as well.

“I attended the Dakota Relays at the beginning of May and then the state track meet this past Friday.

“And last week, I had the privilege of speaking at Boys State at Northern State University and then at Girls State at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

“Mr. President, it’s always a pleasure to get to talk with young people and to hear what’s on their minds and what their dreams are for their futures.

“And I suppose, Mr. President, that’s because on any given day here in the Senate, that’s what our focus as Republicans boils down to: cultivating a brighter future for young people and for all Americans.

“A future that’s secure.

“With greater prosperity.

“And more opportunities to get ahead.

“That’s our focus here in the Senate, Mr. President.

“And it’s what we continue to work toward every day.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-on-republicans-fight-to-secure-america/,Thune on Republicans’ Fight to Secure America,2026-06-02,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“Republican policies are to have the back of law enforcement to ensure they have the resources, the personnel, the technology – everything they need to keep our border secure – and to ensure that our nation’s laws are enforced …”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Last Thursday was the 102nd anniversary of the Border Patrol in this country.

“And as we celebrate 250 years for America, I think it’s interesting to also observe that we have had an agency like … Border Patrol defending our borders now for over 100 years.

“And if you think about what they’ve done just in this last year, it’s pretty remarkable, because what we inherited from the Biden administration was the most open border that we’ve ever seen – literally millions of people crawling, pouring across the border, literally every single year, illegally.

“And in a year’s time, Border Patrol has completely cleaned that up, to the point, as, I think it was the month of April, there was an entire year where there hadn’t been a single illegal released into the country.

“And so a truly remarkable record and a tribute to the men and women, the dedicated men and women who make the Border Patrol work.

“And Rodney Scott, the commissioner, has said that the mission of the Border Patrol has never changed; what has changed is that now their members, their agents, are able to do their jobs, the jobs that lawfully we ask them to do.

“And so, tremendous change from one administration to the other, literally, in the time span of a year, Border Patrol has done just a truly incredible job of securing our southern border.

“And that’s what we are committed to doing as Republicans here in the Senate, and we, as we move forward on the Secure [America] Act this week, intend to ensure that law enforcement – both ICE and CBP – have the resources they need to carry out the responsibilities that they are given by the American people.

“And I believe the American people are on our side on this issue.

“They do not want to defund the police, they don’t want open borders.

“Those are Democrat policies.

“Republican policies are to have the back of law enforcement to ensure they have the resources, the personnel, the technology – everything they need to keep our border secure – and to ensure that our nation’s laws are enforced, so that our communities in this country can be safe and secure for the people who live here, for our families.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2115A147-837A-4432-B254-0F84CAC38F2F,Thune to Democrats: Enforcing the Law Isn’t A Choice,2026-06-01,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, enforcing our nation’s laws is not optional.

“Securing our borders isn’t optional.

“And supporting the men and women who do this important work – funding law enforcement – isn’t optional either.

“That should go without saying.

“But unfortunately, Mr. President, members of the Democrat Party have made it very clear that they disagree.

“Incredibly, Democrats have refused to provide a single penny for border security and immigration law enforcement for fiscal year 2026.

“That’s zero dollars for a physical presence at our nation’s border.

“Zero dollars to deport criminals who have made their way into our country illegally.

“If Democrats had their way, illegal immigrants would be allowed to flood across our nation’s southern border entirely unchecked.

“And I guess we really shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. President.

“After all, this is hardly the first time Democrats have demonstrated that border security and immigration enforcement are at the very bottom of their priority list.

“For decades now, Democrat-led cities and states have implemented sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

“These policies have had deadly consequences, yet Democrats have defended them and continue to uphold them across the country.

“Then there was the crisis at the southern border.

“Four – four – straight years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border under Democrats and President Biden.

“As the New York Times reported, and I quote: ‘After Mr. Biden became president, migrant encounters at the southern border quickly doubled, then kept rising. New arrivals overwhelmed border stations, then border towns, and eventually major cities like New York and Denver.’

“That from the New York Times, Mr. President.

“Now, contrast that with today.

“Illegal crossings have plummeted to a trickle.

“And as of the end of April, not a single illegal immigrant has been released at the border and into our country for an entire year.

“But, Mr. President, Democrats are apparently determined to bring back unchecked illegal immigration.

“And to do that, they are embracing the far-left ideologies of ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘abolish ICE.’

“These were once considered fringe positions among Democrats.

“Today, they’re basically the official position of the Democrat Party.

“The junior senator from California said in January, and I quote, ‘I’m not giving ICE or Border Patrol another dime.’

“The junior senator from Massachusetts told a crowd in February, and I quote, ‘We know that we must defund and abolish ICE.’

“And one Democrat Senate candidate has even said, and I quote, ‘Dismantling ICE is the moderate position.’

“Mr. President, this is today’s Democrat Party – a party in thrall to its far-left base.

“And a party that has completely abandoned its national security responsibilities when it comes to enforcing immigration law and securing our borders.

“Mr. President, needless to say, as long as Republicans are in charge, we are not going to let Democrats defund border security and immigration law enforcement.

“So we’re moving forward with a bill to fund these important responsibilities for the remainder of the Trump administration, so that Democrats cannot again put our nation’s security and Americans’ safety in jeopardy.

“Mr. President, I don’t know who Democrats think benefits from blocking funding for Border Patrol and ICE.

“The American people certainly don’t benefit from there being no law enforcement at the border.

“They don’t benefit from human traffickers and drug smugglers being able to enter our country unchecked.

“Or from rapists, murderers, and other criminals being allowed to live freely in our country.

“And Democrats’ position puts illegal immigrants in danger as well.

“Border Patrol agents are the ones pulling illegal immigrants out of the Rio Grande and rescuing dehydrated migrants in the desert.

“But Democrats don’t support these agents’ work.

“If Democrats’ position helps anyone, it helps the cartels, the coyotes, and other criminals who prefer to act without risk of detection and apprehension.

“And I suspect that’s why we haven’t heard much from Democrats in recent weeks about the core of this legislation.

“Democrats haven’t exactly demonstrated an eagerness to come to the floor and defend open borders – and I strongly suspect that’s because at some level they know that their position is completely indefensible.

“Mr. President, President Trump and Republicans have cleaned up Democrats’ mess at the border.

“We’ve secured the southern border and put criminals on notice that they will no longer be living freely in our country.

“And we plan to keep it that way.”",1,2026-06-02T06:40:38Z,2026-06-02T06:42:17Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-to-democrats-enforcing-the-law-isnt-a-choice/,Thune to Democrats: Enforcing the Law Isn’t A Choice,2026-06-01,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats haven’t exactly demonstrated an eagerness to come to the floor and defend open borders – and I strongly suspect that’s because at some level they know that their position is completely indefensible.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, enforcing our nation’s laws is not optional.

“Securing our borders isn’t optional.

“And supporting the men and women who do this important work – funding law enforcement – isn’t optional either.

“That should go without saying.

“But unfortunately, Mr. President, members of the Democrat Party have made it very clear that they disagree.

“Incredibly, Democrats have refused to provide a single penny for border security and immigration law enforcement for fiscal year 2026.

“That’s zero dollars for a physical presence at our nation’s border.

“Zero dollars to deport criminals who have made their way into our country illegally.

“If Democrats had their way, illegal immigrants would be allowed to flood across our nation’s southern border entirely unchecked.

“And I guess we really shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. President.

“After all, this is hardly the first time Democrats have demonstrated that border security and immigration enforcement are at the very bottom of their priority list.

“For decades now, Democrat-led cities and states have implemented sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

“These policies have had deadly consequences, yet Democrats have defended them and continue to uphold them across the country.

“Then there was the crisis at the southern border.

“Four – four – straight years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border under Democrats and President Biden.

“As the New York Times reported, and I quote: ‘After Mr. Biden became president, migrant encounters at the southern border quickly doubled, then kept rising. New arrivals overwhelmed border stations, then border towns, and eventually major cities like New York and Denver.’

“That from the New York Times, Mr. President.

“Now, contrast that with today.

“Illegal crossings have plummeted to a trickle.

“And as of the end of April, not a single illegal immigrant has been released at the border and into our country for an entire year.

“But, Mr. President, Democrats are apparently determined to bring back unchecked illegal immigration.

“And to do that, they are embracing the far-left ideologies of ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘abolish ICE.’

“These were once considered fringe positions among Democrats.

“Today, they’re basically the official position of the Democrat Party.

“The junior senator from California said in January, and I quote, ‘I’m not giving ICE or Border Patrol another dime.’

“The junior senator from Massachusetts told a crowd in February, and I quote, ‘We know that we must defund and abolish ICE.’

“And one Democrat Senate candidate has even said, and I quote, ‘Dismantling ICE is the moderate position.’

“Mr. President, this is today’s Democrat Party – a party in thrall to its far-left base.

“And a party that has completely abandoned its national security responsibilities when it comes to enforcing immigration law and securing our borders.

“Mr. President, needless to say, as long as Republicans are in charge, we are not going to let Democrats defund border security and immigration law enforcement.

“So we’re moving forward with a bill to fund these important responsibilities for the remainder of the Trump administration, so that Democrats cannot again put our nation’s security and Americans’ safety in jeopardy.

“Mr. President, I don’t know who Democrats think benefits from blocking funding for Border Patrol and ICE.

“The American people certainly don’t benefit from there being no law enforcement at the border.

“They don’t benefit from human traffickers and drug smugglers being able to enter our country unchecked.

“Or from rapists, murderers, and other criminals being allowed to live freely in our country.

“And Democrats’ position puts illegal immigrants in danger as well.

“Border Patrol agents are the ones pulling illegal immigrants out of the Rio Grande and rescuing dehydrated migrants in the desert.

“But Democrats don’t support these agents’ work.

“If Democrats’ position helps anyone, it helps the cartels, the coyotes, and other criminals who prefer to act without risk of detection and apprehension.

“And I suspect that’s why we haven’t heard much from Democrats in recent weeks about the core of this legislation.

“Democrats haven’t exactly demonstrated an eagerness to come to the floor and defend open borders – and I strongly suspect that’s because at some level they know that their position is completely indefensible.

“Mr. President, President Trump and Republicans have cleaned up Democrats’ mess at the border.

“We’ve secured the southern border and put criminals on notice that they will no longer be living freely in our country.

“And we plan to keep it that way.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-28T06:33:41Z
https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-legislation-to-prevent-smuggling-of-american-semiconductors-into-china-unanimously-passes-senate,Rounds Legislation to Prevent Smuggling of American Semiconductors into China Unanimously Passes Senate,2026-05-22,2026,2026-05,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 his legislation to prevent the smuggling of American-made semiconductors into China has passed the Senate. The Stop Stealing our Chips Act would amend the Export Control Reform Act to create a whistleblower incentive program at the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The program is designed to increase reporting of illegal exports.

“I am pleased that the Stop Stealing our Chips Act has passed the Senate,” said Rounds. “The United States has taken extensive measures to prevent American-made semiconductors from falling into the wrong hands, particularly China; however, China continues to smuggle these chips into their country. As the use of artificial intelligence continues to accelerate, this creates a grave national security concern. Our legislation would strengthen BIS’s export control enforcement by rewarding whistleblowers with credible information on illegal actions to come forward. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the House to get this important legislation through Congress and to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.”

Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) is a cosponsor of this legislation.

“Today’s Senate passage of the Stop Stealing our Chips Act is an important step toward strengthening our export control system and protecting America’s national security,” said Warner. “As China continues working to acquire advanced American AI technology through illicit networks, we need stronger tools to detect and prevent these violations. This bipartisan legislation empowers whistleblowers to help expose illegal export schemes and gives BIS additional support in enforcing our export control laws. I’m proud to work with Senator Rounds to help safeguard America’s technological edge and keep sensitive technologies out of the wrong hands.”

BACKGROUND:

The smuggling of cutting-edge semiconductors from the United States into China is a growing national security concern, as China intends to use advanced AI systems created with these chips for military applications and advanced surveillance systems. Reporting has indicated that at least eight Chinese smuggling networks have conducted transactions exceeding $100 million each. Reports also indicate that these chips often reach sanctioned Chinese entities, including military research institutions and companies linked to the People’s Liberation Army. The United States has taken measures to restrict China’s access to these materials, but despite these measures, black-market networks and intermediaries have exploited loopholes to funnel restricted chips into China.

Rounds first introduced the Stop Stealing our Chips Act in April 2025. Specifically, Rounds’ legislation would:

Require BIS to create a public, secure platform for submitting whistleblower reports.

Establish a fund, financed by fines collected from export control violations, to cover whistleblower rewards and program operations.

Includes confidentiality guarantees and anti-retaliation safeguards to protect whistleblowers.

Whistleblowers providing original information leading to fines against violators can receive 10 to 30 percent of collected fines, with exceptions for known terrorists and criminals as well as federal employees acting within the scope of their duties. Reports deemed credible must lead to formal investigations within 60 days, with whistleblowers receiving status updates every 30 days. Any remaining funds from fines will be returned to the Treasury. No new funds are appropriated for this program. This program is modeled after the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Whistleblower Incentive Program.

Click HERE to read full bill text.

###",1,2026-05-23T06:08:46Z,2026-05-23T06:10:20Z
https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-votes-advance-highway-bill,Johnson Votes to Advance Highway Bill,2026-05-22,2026,2026-05,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.) voted to invest in America’s critical transportation and infrastructure programs and protect American infrastructure from Chinese spy technology. Several of Johnson’s priorities were included in the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America’s 250th Act, which passed the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee with a bipartisan 66-2 vote.

“America’s roads, bridges, and railways are among our most important assets,” said Johnson. “People use roads every day to get to and from work, school, or the doctor. For others, the roads are their office – they spend hours each day hauling goods across the country. Roads are critical to community life, the supply chain, and our national security. The BUILD America 250 Act provides a strong investment in our transportation system to keep America moving and gives states the driver’s seat to address their unique needs.”

Click here to watch Johnson’s remarks.

“The South Dakota Trucking Association applauds the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for advancing the BUILD America 250 Act,” said Christine Erickson, President of the South Dakota Trucking Association. “A long-term, sustainable surface transportation bill is critical to keeping freight moving safely and efficiently across South Dakota and the nation. Investments in our roads, bridges, and supply chain infrastructure support economic growth, strengthen rural connectivity, and ensure the trucking industry can continue delivering for American families and businesses.”

The BUILD America 250 Act:

Provides $45 billion for bridge program funding – the largest-ever investment in American bridges.

More than one-third of United States bridges need major repairs or replacement. Motorists drive across “structurally deficient” bridges 163 million times each day.

Cuts red tape to ensure projects get built more quickly and with fewer costs due to permitting delays.

Invests $750 million to expand truck parking to decrease the nationwide shortage of truck parking.

Focuses resources on work zone safety and supports law enforcement.

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to remove Commercial Driver’s License mills from the provider registry to ensure truck drivers are properly trained and licensed.

Combats cargo theft, which costs the freight industry more than $18 million per day. The BUILD America 250 Act protects these goods, driving down costs for consumers.

Johnson priorities included in the bill:

Provides more than $2 billion in federal highway funding for South Dakota over five years.

Provides more than $460 million in bridge funding for South Dakota over five years, more than double the previous allocation of $225 million.

Johnson’s Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act, whichprohibits the Department of Transportation from using LiDAR technology from foreign adversaries like China, which creates millimeter-level accurate digital 3-D maps of our infrastructure.

Streamlines National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for Federal Highway Administration projects to ensure faster reviews for projects.

Exempts livestock haulers from electronic logging devices and hours-of-service requirements when traveling within a 150 air-mile radius from the final destination of the livestock.

Johnson’s amendment to establish a voluntary ten-year pilot program for states to increase truck weights on federal interstates up to 91,000 lbs. on six axles, easing burdensome regulations and improving driver recruitment and retention.

Increases funding for the Tribal Transportation Program.",1,2026-06-27T21:44:12Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=93D60303-0376-4A56-B9C0-C02BBD77D091,"Thune: Democrats Cling to Open Borders, Republicans Want to Secure America",2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,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. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, the Democrat Party has gone off the rails.

“It’s no secret that the Democrat Party has drifted sharply leftward in recent years.

“And it’s become increasingly divorced from the concerns of ordinary Americans.

“‘Many Americans Say the [Democratic] Party Does Not Share Their Priorities’ – that was a headline noted last year from The New York Times.

“But it is remarkable just how extreme Democrats have become.

“Everyone remembers the Democrat Party’s flirtation with ‘Defund the Police’ a few years ago.

“But when it rapidly became apparent that we actually need the police, Democrats seemed to rein things in.

“But no more.

“In today’s Democrat Party, ‘Defund the Police’ is back – and more strongly than ever.

“The reason we’re here today, Mr. President – I would say the sole, sole reason we are here today – is because we’re considering this reconciliation bill because Democrats refused to fund law enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security.

“They refused to fund Border Patrol.

“And they refused to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“At all.

“They wouldn’t agree to provide a single dollar for either of these agencies.

“Not a single dollar for a physical presence at our border.

“Not a single dollar to take criminal illegal aliens off of our streets.

“Really think about that for a minute, Mr. President.

“Is there any country in the world that doesn’t have officers to protect its borders?

“Well, if Democrats had their way, that would now be the United States of America.

“The public record provides ample evidence of the fact that among those who try to make their way illegally across the border, there are bad actors whose presence in this country would endanger Americans.

“Democrats don’t want there to be a single individual at the border to stop those individuals from entering our country.

“And they don’t want there to be a single individual to enforce immigration law in this country.

“The various women who were murdered by illegal immigrants who entered the country under the open-borders Biden administration? What about those?

“Well, Democrats apparently don’t think that even one of those individuals should have been deported.

“Mr. President, if what I’m saying sounds extreme, let me confirm – it is.

“But it is also an accurate description of the Democrats’ position.

“If this were about making reforms to the way ICE or Border Patrol does business, then Democrats would have accepted the robust package of legislative reforms they were offered by the White House – or engaged in serious negotiations to tweak the package.

“But they didn’t.

“They put up a good show – for a little while.

“But it rapidly became clear that Democrats were not interested in actually reaching any kind of agreement.

“And eventually they just walked away.

“Presumably because they felt that it was more valuable for them to have a political issue than to actually agree to any reforms.

“Of course, I’m not sure what political constituency they were appealing to.

“Because I don’t think mainstream Americans believe in, for example, completely defunding our nation’s Border Patrol.

“But then again, I’m not too sure the Democrat Party really understands or thinks about mainstream Americans.

“They’re in the pockets of the far left, and so they embrace positions guaranteed to appeal to the far left – no matter, no matter how out of step those positions are with those of mainstream Americans.

“Mr. President, in recent days, perhaps realizing just how extreme ‘Defund the Police’ could seem to mainstream Americans, the Democrat leader has attempted to obfuscate what is happening here by suggesting that Republicans’ consideration of this bill somehow means that Republicans are not concerned with the challenges facing ordinary Americans.

“To which I say, give me a break.

“This from the same Democrat leader who oversaw passage of legislation that plunged our country into an inflation crisis.

“From legislation to drive down the cost of prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter to our signature Working Families Tax Cuts, which permanently cut Americans’ taxes and put more money in workers’ pockets, Republicans have been focused – focused like a laser – on making life easier for hardworking Americans.

“But remarkably, it is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time.

“And we can protect Americans by protecting our borders and continue to pass legislation that will alleviate some of the pressures facing hardworking Americans.

“We not only can do both; we have a responsibility to do both.

“And Republicans are going to fulfill that responsibility.

“As long as we’re in charge, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.

“Our nation’s security demands nothing less.”",1,2026-05-22T06:27:39Z,2026-05-22T06:29:18Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-cling-to-open-borders-republicans-want-to-secure-america/,"Thune: Democrats Cling to Open Borders, Republicans Want to Secure America",2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“As long as [Republicans are] in charge, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, the Democrat Party has gone off the rails.

“It’s no secret that the Democrat Party has drifted sharply leftward in recent years.

“And it’s become increasingly divorced from the concerns of ordinary Americans.

“‘Many Americans Say the [Democratic] Party Does Not Share Their Priorities’ – that was a headline noted last year from The New York Times.

“But it is remarkable just how extreme Democrats have become.

“Everyone remembers the Democrat Party’s flirtation with ‘Defund the Police’ a few years ago.

“But when it rapidly became apparent that we actually need the police, Democrats seemed to rein things in.

“But no more.

“In today’s Democrat Party, ‘Defund the Police’ is back – and more strongly than ever.

“The reason we’re here today, Mr. President – I would say the sole, sole reason we are here today – is because we’re considering this reconciliation bill because Democrats refused to fund law enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security.

“They refused to fund Border Patrol.

“And they refused to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“At all.

“They wouldn’t agree to provide a single dollar for either of these agencies.

“Not a single dollar for a physical presence at our border.

“Not a single dollar to take criminal illegal aliens off of our streets.

“Really think about that for a minute, Mr. President.

“Is there any country in the world that doesn’t have officers to protect its borders?

“Well, if Democrats had their way, that would now be the United States of America.

“The public record provides ample evidence of the fact that among those who try to make their way illegally across the border, there are bad actors whose presence in this country would endanger Americans.

“Democrats don’t want there to be a single individual at the border to stop those individuals from entering our country.

“And they don’t want there to be a single individual to enforce immigration law in this country.

“The various women who were murdered by illegal immigrants who entered the country under the open-borders Biden administration? What about those?

“Well, Democrats apparently don’t think that even one of those individuals should have been deported.

“Mr. President, if what I’m saying sounds extreme, let me confirm – it is.

“But it is also an accurate description of the Democrats’ position.

“If this were about making reforms to the way ICE or Border Patrol does business, then Democrats would have accepted the robust package of legislative reforms they were offered by the White House – or engaged in serious negotiations to tweak the package.

“But they didn’t.

“They put up a good show – for a little while.

“But it rapidly became clear that Democrats were not interested in actually reaching any kind of agreement.

“And eventually they just walked away.

“Presumably because they felt that it was more valuable for them to have a political issue than to actually agree to any reforms.

“Of course, I’m not sure what political constituency they were appealing to.

“Because I don’t think mainstream Americans believe in, for example, completely defunding our nation’s Border Patrol.

“But then again, I’m not too sure the Democrat Party really understands or thinks about mainstream Americans.

“They’re in the pockets of the far left, and so they embrace positions guaranteed to appeal to the far left – no matter, no matter how out of step those positions are with those of mainstream Americans.

“Mr. President, in recent days, perhaps realizing just how extreme ‘Defund the Police’ could seem to mainstream Americans, the Democrat leader has attempted to obfuscate what is happening here by suggesting that Republicans’ consideration of this bill somehow means that Republicans are not concerned with the challenges facing ordinary Americans.

“To which I say, give me a break.

“This from the same Democrat leader who oversaw passage of legislation that plunged our country into an inflation crisis.

“From legislation to drive down the cost of prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter to our signature Working Families Tax Cuts, which permanently cut Americans’ taxes and put more money in workers’ pockets, Republicans have been focused – focused like a laser – on making life easier for hardworking Americans.

“But remarkably, it is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time.

“And we can protect Americans by protecting our borders and continue to pass legislation that will alleviate some of the pressures facing hardworking Americans.

“We not only can do both; we have a responsibility to do both.

“And Republicans are going to fulfill that responsibility.

“As long as we’re in charge, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.

“Our nation’s security demands nothing less.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0CB53BFD-D4C8-4EC4-B688-678E77A584A1,Thune: Democrats Have Made Their Choice; Republicans Will Fund Border Security Despite Them,2026-05-20,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, yesterday on the floor I discussed some of our accomplishments here in the Senate, and one of those accomplishments is restoring regular order consideration of appropriation bills.

“Unfortunately, in fiscal year 2025, we were forced to do a full-year CR after the failures of the previous Democrat majority and the Biden administration to enact full-year bills in a timely manner.

“But at the start of this year, we were on the verge of concluding an open, member-driven, and bipartisan appropriations process and passing the full complement of 12 full-year appropriations bills.

“It’s what I said I wanted to do when Republicans took the majority last year.

“And we were about to get it done.

“That is, until Democrats reneged on our bipartisan DHS funding bill – a bill, I might add, that included bipartisan reforms and money for additional body cameras for immigration enforcement.

“When they backed out of this deal, Democrats said they just needed two more weeks to negotiate additional reforms on immigration enforcement.

“Republicans were willing to do that, and we began negotiations.

“But then that two-week deadline came and went without much progress.

“And pretty soon it drug on into 40, 41, 42, 43, 45 days.

“And instead of agreeing to fund the Department of Homeland Security while negotiations continued, Democrats shut the department down.

“Meanwhile, the White House implemented reforms of its own.

“And as negotiations continued, the White House repeatedly offered Democrats a robust package of legislative reforms.

“But as the weeks dragged on, it became very clear that Democrats weren’t interested in reforms at all.

“And eventually, they just walked away.

“Now why would they do that, Mr. President?

“If reforming immigration enforcement is as important as Democrats were claiming, why would Democrats choose to walk away from reforms?

“I suspect it’s either that the reforms that the Trump administration implemented were adequate to solve the problem at hand, or – and I think this is the real reason – Democrats weren’t interested in reforms at all.

“They wanted a political issue.

“Something that would please the far left.

“And apparently they decided that defunding law enforcement would be a winner for them.

“Because that’s what we are talking about here, Mr. President.

“Democrats voted to defund border security.

“They voted to defund immigration enforcement.

“Not reform, Mr. President.

“Defund.

“And defund completely.

“It’s really quite shameful.

“A few weeks ago on the floor, the Democrat leader said that ICE and Border Patrol are two agencies that ‘nobody respects in this country.’

“Nobody respects Border Patrol and ICE, Mr. President, those are the Democrat leader’s words.

“Apparently, the fact that there are men and women risking their lives against drug cartels and gang members doesn’t merit respect from Democrats.

“Not only that, but Democrats apparently don’t think we should have these agencies that go after criminals, stop illegal drugs from entering our country, fight human trafficking, and enforce our nation’s immigration laws.

“And that last one is, I think, the real issue here, Mr. President.

“Do Democrats believe we should enforce our immigration laws?

“It really seems like they don’t.

“For years now, Democrat-led cities and states have implemented sanctuary policies that prevent their law enforcement agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities.

“Those policies have had deadly consequences.

“The murder of Laken Riley is just one example.

“Yet Democrats still defend these misguided policies.

“Then, under President Biden, Democrats’ embrace of open-border policies reached its zenith.

“The Biden administration clearly did not believe in enforcing our immigration laws, and the result was year upon year of record-breaking illegal immigration.

“As even the New York Times has reported, and I quote, ‘After Mr. Biden became president, migrant encounters at the southern border quickly doubled, then kept rising. New arrivals overwhelmed border stations, then border towns, and eventually major cities like New York and Denver.’

“Still, Mr. President, Democrats embrace open borders.

“And make no mistake, that is exactly what Democrats are embracing when they opt for giving no funding – zero funding – to Border Patrol and ICE.

“What they’re suggesting is that we have no physical presence at our borders.

“They’re suggesting that we don’t have law enforcement officers taking criminal illegal immigrants off of our streets.

“And I really have to wonder who they’re doing this for.

“Because letting illegal immigrants enter our country unchecked and allowing criminal illegal immigrants to roam free is certainly not putting the American people first.

“Mr. President, Democrats have made their choice.

“They would rather have applause from the far-left ‘defund the police’ crowd than keep the American people safe.

“They would rather have a political issue this November than do their jobs.

“As I say, they’ve made their choice.

“Fortunately, Republicans can fund these critical agencies without Democrats’ assistance.

“And we will be moving forward with the final steps of that process shortly.

“Mr. President, as I said at the top of my remarks, I wanted to restore regular order, bipartisan consideration of funding bills – and we were doing that.

“And despite Democrats’ partisan games, we’re still going to get the entire federal government funded.

“We’re going to ensure our immigration laws are enforced and criminal illegal aliens are not allowed to live freely in our country.

“And if Democrats want to play partisan games and vote against border security, well, they’re free to do that.

“But Republicans are going to do our jobs and ensure that law enforcement can do theirs.”",1,2026-05-21T06:28:16Z,2026-05-21T06:29:43Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/thune-democrats-have-made-their-choice-republicans-will-fund-border-security-despite-them/,Thune: Democrats Have Made Their Choice; Republicans Will Fund Border Security Despite Them,2026-05-20,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/news/press-releases/,scraper,"“[D]espite Democrats’ partisan games, we’re still going to get the entire federal government funded. We’re going to ensure our immigration laws are enforced and criminal illegal aliens are not allowed to live freely in our country.”

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, yesterday on the floor I discussed some of our accomplishments here in the Senate, and one of those accomplishments is restoring regular order consideration of appropriation bills.

“Unfortunately, in fiscal year 2025, we were forced to do a full-year CR after the failures of the previous Democrat majority and the Biden administration to enact full-year bills in a timely manner.

“But at the start of this year, we were on the verge of concluding an open, member-driven, and bipartisan appropriations process and passing the full complement of 12 full-year appropriations bills.

“It’s what I said I wanted to do when Republicans took the majority last year.

“And we were about to get it done.

“That is, until Democrats reneged on our bipartisan DHS funding bill – a bill, I might add, that included bipartisan reforms and money for additional body cameras for immigration enforcement.

“When they backed out of this deal, Democrats said they just needed two more weeks to negotiate additional reforms on immigration enforcement.

“Republicans were willing to do that, and we began negotiations.

“But then that two-week deadline came and went without much progress.

“And pretty soon it drug on into 40, 41, 42, 43, 45 days.

“And instead of agreeing to fund the Department of Homeland Security while negotiations continued, Democrats shut the department down.

“Meanwhile, the White House implemented reforms of its own.

“And as negotiations continued, the White House repeatedly offered Democrats a robust package of legislative reforms.

“But as the weeks dragged on, it became very clear that Democrats weren’t interested in reforms at all.

“And eventually, they just walked away.

“Now why would they do that, Mr. President?

“If reforming immigration enforcement is as important as Democrats were claiming, why would Democrats choose to walk away from reforms?

“I suspect it’s either that the reforms that the Trump administration implemented were adequate to solve the problem at hand, or – and I think this is the real reason – Democrats weren’t interested in reforms at all.

“They wanted a political issue.

“Something that would please the far left.

“And apparently they decided that defunding law enforcement would be a winner for them.

“Because that’s what we are talking about here, Mr. President.

“Democrats voted to defund border security.

“They voted to defund immigration enforcement.

“Not reform, Mr. President.

“Defund.

“And defund completely.

“It’s really quite shameful.

“A few weeks ago on the floor, the Democrat leader said that ICE and Border Patrol are two agencies that ‘nobody respects in this country.’

“Nobody respects Border Patrol and ICE, Mr. President, those are the Democrat leader’s words.

“Apparently, the fact that there are men and women risking their lives against drug cartels and gang members doesn’t merit respect from Democrats.

“Not only that, but Democrats apparently don’t think we should have these agencies that go after criminals, stop illegal drugs from entering our country, fight human trafficking, and enforce our nation’s immigration laws.

“And that last one is, I think, the real issue here, Mr. President.

“Do Democrats believe we should enforce our immigration laws?

“It really seems like they don’t.

“For years now, Democrat-led cities and states have implemented sanctuary policies that prevent their law enforcement agencies from cooperating with immigration authorities.

“Those policies have had deadly consequences.

“The murder of Laken Riley is just one example.

“Yet Democrats still defend these misguided policies.

“Then, under President Biden, Democrats’ embrace of open-border policies reached its zenith.

“The Biden administration clearly did not believe in enforcing our immigration laws, and the result was year upon year of record-breaking illegal immigration.

“As even the New York Times has reported, and I quote, ‘After Mr. Biden became president, migrant encounters at the southern border quickly doubled, then kept rising. New arrivals overwhelmed border stations, then border towns, and eventually major cities like New York and Denver.’

“Still, Mr. President, Democrats embrace open borders.

“And make no mistake, that is exactly what Democrats are embracing when they opt for giving no funding – zero funding – to Border Patrol and ICE.

“What they’re suggesting is that we have no physical presence at our borders.

“They’re suggesting that we don’t have law enforcement officers taking criminal illegal immigrants off of our streets.

“And I really have to wonder who they’re doing this for.

“Because letting illegal immigrants enter our country unchecked and allowing criminal illegal immigrants to roam free is certainly not putting the American people first.

“Mr. President, Democrats have made their choice.

“They would rather have applause from the far-left ‘defund the police’ crowd than keep the American people safe.

“They would rather have a political issue this November than do their jobs.

“As I say, they’ve made their choice.

“Fortunately, Republicans can fund these critical agencies without Democrats’ assistance.

“And we will be moving forward with the final steps of that process shortly.

“Mr. President, as I said at the top of my remarks, I wanted to restore regular order, bipartisan consideration of funding bills – and we were doing that.

“And despite Democrats’ partisan games, we’re still going to get the entire federal government funded.

“We’re going to ensure our immigration laws are enforced and criminal illegal aliens are not allowed to live freely in our country.

“And if Democrats want to play partisan games and vote against border security, well, they’re free to do that.

“But Republicans are going to do our jobs and ensure that law enforcement can do theirs.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=92C406B2-9938-4BBA-992D-4EA7E53A71BA,Thune: Republicans Fight to Secure America,2026-05-19,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,SD,John Thune,T000250,www.thune.senate.gov,thune,https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a press conference with Senate Republican leadership:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“The former vice president said here recently that this is a moment when there are no bad ideas.

“With all due respect to the former vice president, it seems to me, at least, to the Democrats, there’s no shortage of bad ideas.

“And chief among those is this idea that they’re going to defund the police.

“That is the mantra of the Democrat Party, it’s the position of the Democrats here in Washington in the House and the Senate.

“And as a consequence of that, Republicans are going to be forced to take care of the American people.

“Because I think the question … that’s before us is, do we want to live in safety and security?

“And obviously the answer to that, for most Americans, I think, is going to be yes.

“And if you look at the record of success that this administration and working with this Congress has had, in the last 12 months, there was not a single illegal immigrant released into this country.

“Last 12 months, not a single one.

“And you go back to just two years ago, under the Biden administration, there were literally thousands being released into the country every single day.

“So, this is about whether or not you want to live in a country that is safe and secure, where you support law enforcement and the important job they do – Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement – or whether you don’t.

“And Republicans do.

“Republicans are going to have law enforcement’s back.

“And so this week we’re going to vote on the Secure America Act, which is a piece of legislation that will fund ICE and CBP, not only for this year but through the entirety of the Trump administration, because the Democrats have adopted a defund-the-police and open-borders policy, which is incredibly detrimental to this country, and we’re going to ensure that that doesn’t happen.

“So that’s what’s going to be on the floor here, hopefully later this week.

“I expect again that the Democrats are, we’ll see what they want to do in terms of amendments, and but I doubt you’ll see many amendments that have to do with Border Patrol or … Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“I think most of what you’re going to see is a bunch of unrelated amendments, but we’re going to stay focused on the job, keep our … foot on the gas … and ensure that the American people are able to live in safety and security in their communities in this country.”",1,2026-05-20T06:27:31Z,2026-05-20T06:28:54Z