Category: Uncategorized

Thune Introduces Bill to Reauthorize Critical Drought Information Program

“This updated legislation improves current law while complementing the subseasonal provisions of my weather bill that was enacted earlier this year, keeping South Dakotans better informed and prepared to handle potential droughts.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this week introduced legislation (S. 2200) to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), which provides vital drought information to farmers, ranchers, and other industries affected by severe weather conditions. This legislation would encourage important partnerships with the private sector, integrate seasonal and subseasonal drought and water forecasts, and support ongoing soil moisture monitoring to better aid farmers.

“As South Dakota farmers and ranchers recover from devastating drought conditions, it’s important that Congress stays on the ball when it comes to updating critical drought tools like NIDIS,” said Thune. “This updated legislation improves current law while complementing the subseasonal provisions of my weather bill that was enacted earlier this year, keeping South Dakotans better informed and prepared to handle potential droughts.”

NIDIS was established by Congress in 2006 with an interagency mandate to coordinate and integrate drought research and create a national drought early warning system. The early warning system utilizes new and existing partner networks to optimize the expertise of a wide range of federal, tribal, state, local, and academic partners in order to make climate and drought science readily available, easily understandable, and usable for decision makers. It would also improve the capacity of stakeholders to better monitor, forecast, plan for, and cope with the impacts of drought. The NIDIS program is a function of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, of which the Commerce Committee has jurisdiction.

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Rounds Opposes Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after voting no on the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through December 22, 2017:

“The federal government’s budget process hasn’t worked in more than four decades. I have been a vocal critic of the current system, which largely rubber-stamps federal spending with very little debate or discussion. This year, working within this broken system, we gave negotiators extra time to work out a compromise on spending. Now we are one day from their extended deadline and yet no closer to a deal than they were three months ago. So they are asking for more time to negotiate, with a new deadline just before the holidays, hoping it will add pressure for Members to accept conditions they may otherwise disagree with. This is not good policy.

“A number of us have worked on proposals to modify our current budget ‘process’ – a term I use loosely – so that we can actually do the work we were sent here to do: make informed policy decisions and make certain the federal government is being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars. Yet Congress continues this pattern of passing short-term, stopgap spending bills.

“I cannot, in good conscience, lend my support to this continuing resolution that merely continues federal spending and whose lone policy change could actually end up hurting South Dakota families. If we are ever to get our spending under control, eliminate wasteful programs and provide much-needed stability for our military, we must reject the status quo.

“This practice will not change until more of us send the message that we must either repair this broken system or we get our work done on time. The American people expect no less.

“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am concerned about the impact continuing resolutions have on military readiness. Military leaders have repeatedly warned our committee of the dangers that these short-term, stopgap spending bills have on their ability to adequately train, equip and maintain the force. In particular, under continuing resolutions, the Defense Department is restricted from starting new programs which is deeply concerning in today’s rapidly-changing threat environment. An example is the mounting cyber threat to our armed forces and our civilian critical infrastructure. If we are to adequately recover readiness levels that were lost over the last eight years as well as modernize our armed forces in this increasingly dangerous and complex world, we must give them the funding stability and certainty that continuing resolutions fail to provide.”

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NEW VIDEO: NOEM FIGHTS FOR THE 2ND AMENDMENT

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Rep. Kristi Noem today launched an online video campaign highlighting her lifelong defense of the Second Amendment. An avid hunter and sportsman, Noem once owned and operated a hunting lodge near her home in northeast South Dakota. She has been a stalwart defender of the Second Amendment, fighting against Obama-era regulations that limited gun rights and strongly supporting policies such as national right-to-carry reciprocity, which passed the House of Representatives this week. Noem has an ‘A’ rating from the National Rifle Association and is a lifetime member of the organization.

“I grew up in a family that always had a shotgun in the pickup,” Noem explains in the video. “Our kids need to grow up recognizing the Second Amendment is a statement on what the government’s role in our lives should and should not be. This right to bear arms gives us an opportunity to talk to our kids about the values that our country was founded on.”

Earlier today, the Argus Leader had an article about Sioux Falls City Council member Pat Starr who got up and walked out of last night’s meeting and abstained from the vote on the newly approved City of Sioux Falls mixed-use parking structure as part of a political protest over how the debate.

I’m not sure how leaving ever accomplishes anything, but that’s what happened.

This afternoon, City Council Chairman Rick Kiley sent out a statement in regards to Starr’s press release sent out to the media about the incident demanding apologies:

Councilor Kiley’s response to Councilor Starr’s Request for Apology

“Councilor Starr requesting an apology is really just a concerted effort by him to deflect responsibility for this public spectacle, and failing to uphold a Councilor’s basic responsibility to represent his/her constituents by voting yes or no on challenging issues.”

“It is unfortunate that Councilor Starr elected to leave the Chambers last evening.  Once he left Chambers he was no longer in a position to represent the citizens that elected him to represent them and to make the hard decisions required of a Council member.”

“Councilor Starr could have appealed the Mayor’s decision by making a motion to override the chair which he has successfully done in the past. Why he decided to avoid voting instead is beyond me.”

“I want to emphasize that public input was taken on all six of the remaining items associated with the mixed use parking ramp project.  It is unfortunate that Councilor Starr was absent for this additional public input.”

“It is a dangerous precedent to not make the hard vote.  It is my hope Councilor Starr will elect to exercise a greater degree of professionalism in the future.”

VIDEO: “Restoring America’s Place in the World”

“America led the world in the 20th century, and this tax bill makes it clear that she is going to do the same in the 21st century.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Finance Committee, today released a video entitled, “Restoring America’s Place in the World,” which highlights the Senate’s tax reform plan that passed on December 2. The video features portions of Thune’s speech that he delivered just hours before the tax reform bill passed the Senate and clips from throughout the year of Thune visiting with South Dakotans.

“America has always been about opportunity,” said Thune. “A place where you can start from nothing and become anything. This bill is about helping Americans for the long term. It’s about restoring the American Dream. It’s about giving Americans access to the kinds of wages, jobs, and opportunities that will set them up for a secure and a more prosperous future. And it’s about sending a message to the world that America is finally serious about competing for 21st century jobs and innovation.

“For years our tax laws have kept American businesses at a disadvantage in the global economy. That ends now. Instead, American businesses will have money to invest in American workers. They will be able to expand their domestic operations. And what’s the result of that? More growth here at home, more jobs, and more opportunities, and an America that can lead the world, innovation, job creation, and economic growth. 

“America may have been through a rough patch lately, but she is coming back stronger than ever. America led the world in the 20th century, and this tax bill makes it clear that she is going to do the same in the 21st century.  

“I’m reminded of Ronald Reagan’s presidential ad quoting that it was morning in America again. It may not be morning yet, but the dawn is peaking over the horizon.”

To learn more about Thune’s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.

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Rounds Delivers Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing on Natural Disaster Clean Ups

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, today delivered his opening statement at a hearing entitled “Challenges Facing Superfund and Waste Cleanup Efforts Following Natural Disasters.”

“Today this subcommittee will conduct a review of the response, remediation and recovery challenges faced by states and public officials tasked with securing superfund sites and managing waste debris in the aftermath of these natural disasters,” said Rounds in his opening remarks. “Our goal today is to conduct oversight on the agency coordination among federal, state, and local officials following these destructive events. We will also hear about the preparations that were made to secure superfund sites in advance of these natural disasters occurring, and hear suggestions on how the planning and preparation for natural disasters can be improved.”

Thune Presses Trump Administration to Prioritize Agriculture in NAFTA Negotiations

“I strongly encouraged Secretary Ross to keep the unique needs and dynamics of the agriculture industry at the forefront of the administration’s NAFTA renegotiation effort.” 

Commerce Committee Chairman Thune (left, seated at the head of the table) meets with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (opposite end of the table) and members of the Senate Commerce Committee.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a meeting with U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Thune, who was joined by several colleagues,emphasized the importance of agricultural trade in South Dakota and the significant harm any disruption would cause. 

“Agriculture is the top industry in South Dakota, and it is supported by many hardworking men and women on farms and ranches throughout the state,” said Thune. “I strongly encouraged Secretary Ross to keep the unique needs and dynamics of the agriculture industry at the forefront of the administration’s NAFTA renegotiation effort. I appreciate the secretary’s willingness to meet. He knows that I’ll be following this process closely, and I look forward to receiving additional updates from the administration.”

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Noem-Backed Second Amendment Protections Pass House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem today helped lead the House in passing H.R.38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. If this legislation, which she cosponsored, is signed into law, those permitted to carry a concealed handgun will be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry.

“For most of American history, firearms were integral to the way we lived,” said Noem. “People understood how to use them and taught their children how to as well. In South Dakota, that way of life still exists. I’m really proud of that, and I will always fight to protect it. While we have some reciprocity agreements on the books in South Dakota, this legislation would extend the policy nationwide to better protect the right to bear arms. I love the way we live in South Dakota. We celebrate the liberties and freedoms we’re entitled to under the Second Amendment, and our Constitution demands they not be infringed upon.”

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Thune Appointed to Committee That Will Negotiate Final Tax Reform Bill

“The House and Senate are on the same team, we’re headed toward the same end zone, and we have the same goal in mind – putting a pro-growth tax reform bill that helps middle-income Americans on the president’s desk as soon as possible.”  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, has been appointed to the conference committee that is tasked with negotiating a final tax reform bill after the House and Senate each passed their respective versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate passed its version on December 2, but a final bill must pass both chambers of Congress before it can be sent to the president for his signature. As one of eight Republican senators serving on the conference committee, Thune’s selection ensures that South Dakota’s interests will be represented at the negotiating table.

“The House and Senate are on the same team, we’re headed toward the same end zone, and we have the same goal in mind – putting a pro-growth tax reform bill that helps middle-income Americans on the president’s desk as soon as possible,” said Thune. “Both chambers have outlined our priorities, which include doubling the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, lowering tax rates for all taxpayers, particularly low- and middle-income Americans, and reforming our business tax code. Delivering on this promise that we made to the American people will lead to an environment that will foster greater economic growth and create additional opportunities for families to get ahead. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and I am committed to ensuring that our final product delivers on the goals we’ve set out to achieve.”

To learn more about Thune’s work on tax reform, please visit the tax reform section on www.thune.senate.gov.

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20th Annual Pie Day Scheduled for Saturday December 9th

PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that the 20th Annual Pie Day will be held on Saturday, December 9th. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Capitol building in Pierre.

“I want to extend an invitation to the 20th Annual Pie Day. It is the perfect opportunity to take in “Christmas at the Capitol” and enjoy a slice of pie,” said Jackley.

The event will include free pie, cookies, coffee and ice cream. This event is free and the public is encouraged to stop by the Capitol and enjoy.

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact Sara Rabern at 605-773- 3215.