Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota has expressed approval for the Senate's recent passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2025. He underscored the bill's support for the B-21 mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including essential military construction funding and modernization efforts.

"The men and women of Ellsworth Air Force Base carry out a critical mission in service to America’s national defense, and South Dakotans have cause to celebrate with this year’s National Defense Authorization Act," Thune stated. He emphasized that the B-21 mission will benefit from authorized infrastructure improvements and noted that service members would receive significant salary increases, especially junior enlisted personnel.

Thune also critiqued what he described as past neglect by Washington Democrats regarding national defense issues. "However, years of Washington Democrats neglecting national defense will not be remedied by one piece of legislation. We have too many planes that can’t fly, ships that can’t go out to sea, and a Pentagon culture that has clouded sight of its primary mission."

Looking ahead, Thune expressed optimism about future collaboration between Senate Republicans and the Trump-Vance administration on national security investments: "The incoming Senate Republican majority will work closely with the Trump-Vance administration to make smart national security investments to keep our homeland safe, and we will do so early next year."