]]>"In these challenging economic times, private employers are having to tighten their belts, and the federal government is no different," Thune said in a statement supporting his amendment. "Washington has a spending problem and steps need to be taken to fix it. Reining in the amount we spend on government operations has to be a part of the solution."
Thune's proposal would have permitted federal agencies to give bonuses and pay increases if they didn't exceed 2009 funding levels for salaries, a provision considered reasonable by co-sponsor Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).
]]>It's a major decision for Ellsworth Air Force Base that will bring hundreds of jobs to the base. It's taking on a new role in defending our country against the war on terror.
A few months ago, Ellsworth Air Force Base found out it was one of four being considered for a new global mission. And Monday, officials got the answer they were hoping for.
]]>Ellsworth Air Force Base has been selected as one of two home bases for unmanned drone missions, Sen. John Thune announced this morning.
]]>With legislative action slowed to a crawl in the Senate amid concerns over deficit spending, Democrats are beginning to balk at taking direction from the White House, a leading 2012 Republican contender said today.
“There's less and less of an appetite to do things now that are gonna involve spending money that's not paid for -- that's not offset,” Thune told us. “So, you know, my view is that there are things that can get done, but there're gonna have to be ways … to pay for it. And that's kind of the difference of opinion we have about the legislation that's on the floor of the Senate right now.
]]>Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) on Wednesday said concerns over deficit spending have prompted Senate Democrats into taking a serious look at his fully paid-for substitute tax extender bill.
"We have had a number of inquiries — quiet inquiries from Democrats who are interested in it and want to fund out more about it," he told reporters.
]]>Senate Republicans sought to paint Democrats as profligate spenders, as they unveiled an alternative Thursday to a Democrat- backed bill to extend jobless benefits and expired tax breaks.
Like the Democratic bill, the GOP alternative from Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.) would extend federal unemployment benefits through November and renew the tax cuts for businesses and individuals.
]]>Excellence, character and service - those make a strong leader, said U.S. Sen. John Thune.
Thune shared this with Boys State attendees, whom he called future leaders, on Tuesday at the Northern State University Johnson Fine Arts Center. This week, 435 South Dakota boys are in Aberdeen for Boys State, which is in its 68th year.
]]>He believes there's relief in sight for biodiesel producers. Sen. John Thune, (R) South Dakota:"It could happen in the next few weeks, if Congress, when they get back, the House passed legislation before they went out. The senate will have to take it up when we get back. I could see something happening that would get that done in the next, we're out of session this week, but hopefully in the next two or three weeks."
Thune is prepared to vote for renewal of the tax credit, which he sees as vital to the survival of this emerging industry.
]]>“I really believe that we’re here for a reason,” Thune said, speaking to a Girls State assembly in the Muenster University Center. “And sometimes it’s a short window of time we have to really have an impact. What we all should want to do is take those abilities we’ve been given, and put them to their highest and best use, and try to have a positive impact on the world around you, and for future generations.”
]]>We are concerned that taxpayer dollars were used to produce an inaccurate and misleading brochure entitled “Medicare and the New Health Care Law—What It Means for You,” recently issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We believe by selectively providing information, you are misleading seniors about the full impact of the new federal health care law.
]]>When they weren’t trying to orchestrate massive new taxes on health care, Democrats in Congress spent much of last year trying to push through massive new energy taxes. They jammed their scheme, called cap-and-trade, through the House before the Senate heard the opposition of the American people and the legislation stalled.
The plan Democrats devised would have raised the price of energy and every product or service that uses energy — in other words, pretty much everything. It would have destroyed jobs, expanded the federal bureaucracy and done almost nothing to help the environment or to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
]]>Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, told the crowd there are two competing visions about the future of the country.
"One consists of more government and less freedom, and one consists of less government and more freedom," he said. "And right now, unfortunately, the prevailing vision in Washington D.C. is that of government. More and more government."
]]>A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is a serious matter, and Ms. Kagan and the American people deserve a fair hearing and a thorough examination of her background and legal record. Our Constitution and laws must be what guide the decisions of our Supreme Court justices, not political inclinations or personal feelings. While I opposed Ms. Kagan’s previous nomination to be Solicitor General, I look forward to carefully reviewing her qualifications and record from throughout her career. I am particularly interested to see if she would be a judge who is committed to applying the law as it is written, as opposed to legislating from the bench. Given that Ms. Kagan does not have a judicial record, it will be especially important for Senators to inquire as to her views on the Constitution and the role of the Court.
U.S. Sen. John Thune says he will carefully review the qualifications and record of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.]]>
The South Dakota Republican opposed Kagan's previous nomination to be solicitor general.