US Senator John Thune (R-SD)
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | U.S. Senator
Recent News About US Senator John Thune (R-SD)
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Senators criticize VP Harris's handling of federal broadband initiatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, led his colleagues in sending a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris regarding her management of federal broadband initiatives. In 2021, President Biden tasked the vice president with leading efforts to expand broadband services to rural and unserved communities. Under Vice President Harris’s tenure as the “broadband czar,” the Biden-Harris administration’s $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has yet to connect any...
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Senator Thune criticizes Biden-Harris administration over record-breaking illegal immigration
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor on Wednesday, criticizing the Biden-Harris administration's handling of illegal immigration. Thune asserted that the administration's policies have led to unprecedented levels of illegal border crossings, which he claims have introduced terror threats, deadly drugs, and unaccompanied children into communities nationwide.
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Senator Thune criticizes Democrats' handling of defense priorities
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor today, emphasizing the urgency of passing the National Defense Authorization Act. Thune criticized Majority Leader Schumer for prioritizing politically motivated bills over national defense and security.
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Senator John Thune reflects on a busy summer across South Dakota
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) recently addressed the Senate floor, reflecting on his summer activities across South Dakota. Thune emphasized the value of spending time at home, highlighting that the priorities of South Dakotans are his priorities in Washington, D.C.
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Senator Thune criticizes Vice President Harris' policy reversals and administration's record
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) spoke on the Senate floor today, contrasting Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent policy changes with the Biden-Harris administration’s record over the past four years. Thune highlighted what he described as high prices, open borders, and global weakness under Democratic governance.
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Senator Thune criticizes Democratic efforts to end legislative filibuster
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor today, criticizing Senate Democrats' plan to end the legislative filibuster. He described it as a political tactic aimed at advancing their agenda and silencing the minority party.
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Senator John Thune criticizes Inflation Reduction Act on second anniversary
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor on the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, a significant piece of climate legislation under the Biden-Harris administration. Thune criticized the law, passed with Vice President Harris' tie-breaking vote, for increasing the deficit and failing to address inflation.
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Senator John Thune criticizes Biden-Harris economic policies on Senate floor
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor today, highlighting the economic challenges faced by American families due to the Biden-Harris administration's policies. Thune criticized what he described as a "tax-and-spend agenda," attributing rising costs for essentials such as groceries and gas, increased interest rates, mounting debt, and diminishing savings to these policies.
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Senate Commerce Committee passes bipartisan artificial intelligence bill
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, today commended the Senate Commerce Committee’s approval of his bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act. The legislation aims to enhance innovation while ensuring transparency, accountability, and security in the development and operation of high-impact AI applications.
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Senate passes Thune's bipartisan filter bubble transparency act
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, has commended the Senate's passage of his bipartisan Filter Bubble Transparency Act. This legislation was included in a broader bill aimed at enhancing children's safety on the internet, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The act aims to increase transparency for users of large-scale internet platforms by revealing potential manipulations through secret algorithms and providing an option to consume unmanipulated information.
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South Dakota delegation urges Biden for disaster declaration post-June storms
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) along with U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) have urged President Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for South Dakota following severe storms and flooding from June 16 through July 8, 2024. Their request came immediately after Governor Kristi Noem’s major disaster declaration.
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Senator Thune criticizes proposed changes to U.S. Supreme Court structure
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today criticized Democrats' efforts to alter the structure of the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that such actions would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the court's independence.
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Senators introduce bipartisan bill aimed at expediting rural broadband permits
U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Accelerating Broadband Permits Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expediting the federal review and processing of broadband permits to facilitate quicker deployment in unserved communities. The legislation seeks to cut bureaucratic delays, enhance transparency in the permitting process, and mandate that all federal agencies adhere to a 270-day deadline for processing broadband applications.
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Thune and Warner introduce bill targeting student loan repayment assistance
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) have introduced the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing student loan debt. The legislation seeks to make permanent a provision previously enacted by Thune that allows employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free towards their employees' student loans.
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Senator Thune urges swift action on national defense amid rising global threats
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor today, condemning recent pro-Hamas violence and vandalism in Washington, D.C., and urging Majority Leader Schumer to schedule a vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Thune emphasized the need for enhanced security measures both domestically and internationally.
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Senator Thune calls for urgent reforms at Secret Service after assassination attempt
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and emphasized the necessity for national unity and reforms within the Secret Service. Thune acknowledged that while it was appropriate for the Secret Service director to resign, substantial reforms are still needed to ensure the agency's future effectiveness.
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Senator Thune introduces bill to expand interstate firearm sales
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) recently joined his colleagues in introducing the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act (FICRA), legislation that would address federal regulations on the sale or delivery of firearms between different states.
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Thune criticizes Biden's border policies as national security threat
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor on Thursday, highlighting the potential risks associated with President Biden’s border policies. Thune cited the entry of approximately 10 million illegal immigrants during the Biden administration, including individuals suspected of terrorism and criminal activities.
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Senator John Thune pays tribute to former Senator Jim Inhofe
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today paid tribute on the Senate floor to former Sen. Jim Inhofe, honoring his life of service to the people of Oklahoma.
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Senator John Thune criticizes Democratic attacks on Supreme Court legitimacy
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor today, expressing concerns over what he describes as a Democratic effort to undermine the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. Thune's remarks came in response to recent criticisms from Democrats following decisions by the court that did not align with their policy preferences.