Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the Senate floor, emphasizing the efforts of Senate Republicans to enhance American energy production. He highlighted the ongoing work on a reconciliation bill designed to strengthen and enrich the nation.

Thune stated, "Mr. President, Senate Republicans are continuing to work on a reconciliation bill that makes America stronger and more prosperous." A key focus of this legislation is energy policy.

Thune criticized the current administration's approach, noting, "Republicans spent a lot of time last year talking about how the Biden administration’s hostility to conventional energy production was putting America on a dangerous trajectory in the future." He asserted that since taking charge, Republicans have been striving to promote American energy independence.

He expressed concerns over energy reliability: "Without a reliable energy supply, our homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, factories – and our entire country – literally grind to a halt."

Thune argued that current policies have led to an impending crisis: "The United States is rapidly heading toward an energy crisis where we simply don’t have the supply to meet the demand."

Citing reports from sources like The Washington Post and North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Thune warned of potential power shortages and resource challenges.

He emphasized America's untapped natural resources and criticized their treatment as liabilities under current policies: "We have an abundance of natural resources from the Gulf of America to the North Slope of Alaska."

The proposed reconciliation bill aims to change this perspective by promoting responsible conventional energy development. Thune outlined measures within the bill such as opening leases for energy development and expanding production opportunities.

Additionally, he mentioned regulatory changes being pursued by Republicans: "For the last several months, we’ve been hard at work eliminating burdensome regulations that threatened to stifle energy development in our country."

Thune concluded by affirming Republican commitment to long-term secure energy supply: "Our reconciliation bill will help put us on the path to that secure energy future."