Author: Pat Powers

Thune Statement on Nationwide Stay of Obama EPA’s WOTUS Implementation“The Obama EPA’s WOTUS rule – one of the largest federal land grabs in history – was dealt another legal blow today.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement in response to a nationwide stay of the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:  

“The Obama EPA’s WOTUS rule – one of the largest federal land grabs in history – was dealt another legal blow today,” said Thune. “I’ve heard from farmers and ranchers from every corner of South Dakota who are concerned that the overreaching arm of the federal government will drive up compliance costs and expose homeowners and property owners across the country to massive new fines. I applaud today’s ruling and will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that South Dakotans are protected from what amounts to yet another massive Obama administration overstep.”

The decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extends to all 50 states an earlier injunction by a federal district court that blocked implementation in 13 states, including South Dakota.  

Thune is a cosponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that would direct the EPA to scrap its current proposal and ensure future proposals do not include ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, and certain other areas not typically regulated under the federal Clean Water Act. 

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And my Massachusetts tour continues on!  As noted yesterday, after jettisoning my 12 passenger van for a Chrysler Town & country, my wife and I have been eating, imbibing and enjoying the sights.

This morning, we got up and did a bit of walking around downtown Boston, where history resides on every corner.

  
This historic graveyard was one of our first stops…

  
And Faneuil Hall/market with its multitude of shops is a place for a return trip when I’m back on Sunday.

  
 

The site of the Boston Massacre on State street at the old state house sits as a centerpiece for the area among the more modern skyscrapers.

  
This Chipolte is the site of a former bookstore owned by Benjamin Franklin’s brother. (apparently people went to the bookstore to suffer gastric distress.)

  
We also saw the site of the first school in America, where some of our founding fathers attended school as children.

From there we headed to Salem Massachusetts, where we’re currently enjoying lunch amidst the gravestones and more New England historic sites.

 Administration Will Keep Lean Red Meat in 2015 Dietary Guidelines

“I’m glad Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Burwell heeded our request and rejected the advisory committee’s misguided recommendation to leave lean red meat out of what they consider to be a healthy diet.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the administration’s decision to only consider the most relevant nutritional science in determining the 2015 dietary guidelines, which is consistent with statutory guidelines, and reject the advisory committee’s earlier inconsistent conclusions and recommendations regarding the role of lean red meat in a healthy diet. 

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell announced their decision earlier this week in a joint blog post. The 2015 dietary guidelines “are not the appropriate vehicle for this important policy conversation about sustainability,” Vilsack and Burwell wrote.

“This is the right decision,” said Thune. “I’m glad Secretary Vilsack and Secretary Burwell heeded our request and rejected the advisory committee’s misguided recommendation to leave lean red meat out of what they consider to be a healthy diet. Although the guidelines are not yet finalized, the administration’s announcement will be welcome news for the livestock, pork, and poultry industries in South Dakota.” 

Every five years, USDA and HHS review the dietary guidelines for American food consumption. A March 2015 advisory committee report recommended to the agencies foods that should be included in the new dietary guidelines. The committee left lean red meat out of what it considers to be a healthy diet due to inappropriately using sustainability as a factor.  

Following the advisory committee’s report, Thune led 29 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Vilsack and Burwell urging them to reject the committee’s sustainability recommendations.  

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From the Capital Journal:

As the first assistant U.S. attorney, which he was last fall when elected to the City Council, and as acting U.S. attorney which he has been since March, moonlighting on his city’s council was OK.

But now, under the Obama administration’s rules for U.S. attorneys avoiding any conflicts of interest, he must leave the Council, Seiler said.

and…

“I’m very proud of Randy as a Fort Pierre guy,” said Hanson Thursday from the same state meeting of municipal officials in Watertown where Seiler spoke.

Read it all here.

Rounds Supports Nomination of Randy Seiler to be U.S. Attorney for South Dakota 
WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) announced his support for President Obama’s decision to nominate Randy Seiler of Fort Pierre to be U.S. Attorney for South Dakota. Seiler, a longtime federal prosecutor, had been serving as acting U.S. attorney since March. His nomination will now head to the Senate for confirmation.

“Randy is a friend who has earned the respect and admiration of many South Dakotans,” said Rounds. “He has the experience, integrity and professionalism necessary to faithfully uphold the Constitution and protect South Dakotans. I applaud President Obama for nominating Randy to this post and look forward to his quick approval by the Senate.”

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After exchanging the worlds biggest airport rental vehicle for a slightly smaller cousin from inside the town (who would have thought Boston in the fall would be this crazy?) we’re in the Union Oyster House where my wife is getting her oyster fix.
  
I’m still searching out my Irish Pub, which is where we’ll be next.

Aaand we managed to land at the Black Rose (Roisin Dubh) for dinner. So darned good!

Rounds: Senate Democrats Continue to Block Appropriations Process

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today expressed his disappointment that Senate Democrats blocked another appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016. H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, was filibustered on the Senate floor today despite receiving overwhelming bipartisan support when it passed the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this year.

“Senate Democrats continue denying us the opportunity to debate these bills on their merits,” said Rounds. “These tactics, if continued, put us in a position where we will be faced with another government shutdown just before the holidays. We only have until December 11th to pass appropriations bills, so it is important we take them up in a timely manner. The appropriations process is an important duty of Congress. It allows us to enact meaningful reform and prioritize federal programs. Many of these bills have passed with broad, bipartisan support in committee. Unfortunately, Democrats have refused to even debate the appropriations bills on the floor of the Senate. Since they are not allowing debate on appropriations bills we cannot accept amendments to find common ground. Stopping the appropriations process in this manner, and refusing to negotiate on the individual bills, is apparently intended to obtain a continuing resolution based on last year’s funding bills in which Democrat’s policies would be sustained.”

The Energy and Water appropriations bill is one of 12 appropriations bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2016.

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Do you have a right to complain if you don’t bother to show up?

At the same time the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is trying to complain to the PUC that the Dakota Access pipeline construction hasn’t completed a cultural resources survey along the pipeline route, they’re forced to admit that they refused to respond to multiple attempts to get their input on a cultural resource survey:

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe didn’t work with Dakota Access when the company conducted a cultural resources survey along the route proposed for its oil pipeline, the tribe’s historic preservation officer testified Wednesday.

The officer said the tribe expected to go through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but that didn’t occur.

A company lawyer’s cross-examination of the officer showed the company’s consultant had made attempts to reach the tribe by letter and email.

The officer, Waste’ Win Young, told the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission that the tribal government considers the process incomplete.

Read it all here.

If they refuse to participate on the front end, their comments shouldn’t be given much weight on the tail.

Thune Urges President to Abandon Veto Threat on Nation’s Troops
“The president must immediately abandon his radically irresponsible veto threat on this historically bipartisan bill.”  

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a bipartisan basis:

“As conflict spreads throughout the Middle East, we need a military that is strong, ready, and well-equipped. The bipartisan defense bill the Senate passed today is critical to preserving our military’s technological edge and redirecting funds from the bloated Pentagon bureaucracy to focus precious defense dollars on our troops. The president must immediately abandon his radically irresponsible veto threat on this historically bipartisan bill. Congressional Democrats must also have the courage to stand up for our military men and women and override any veto the president may unwisely issue.”

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Thune, Casey Reintroduce Bill to Encourage Volunteer Opportunities
at Community Health Centers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today reintroduced the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to remove barriers currently preventing health care professionals from volunteering their services at cost-effective, high-quality primary and preventative health care facilities, known as Community Health Centers (CHCs). The Family Health Care Accessibility Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage to all qualified health care professionals who volunteer at CHCs.

“Millions of Americans rely on Community Health Centers to provide crucial medical care to underserved areas,” said Thune. “It’s especially true in states like South Dakota where patients – many who live in rural communities – must travel great distances for routine care. Our bill breaks down some of the barriers faced by medical professionals, including the excessive cost of medical malpractice coverage, which will make it easier for them to donate their time and services to these underserved areas. Doing so may increase access for some 60 million Americans who depend on these Community Health Centers for care.”

“Community Health Centers play a vital role in ensuring some of our most vulnerable citizens have access to care,” said Casey. “This bill will help remove barriers that physicians and other health care providers currently face when volunteering their time and services at Community Health Centers around their neighborhoods and cities.”

Currently, CHC employees, contractors, and board members receive medical malpractice coverage through the FTCA, but doctors, dentists, and other health care professionals seeking to volunteer their services at CHCs are required to provide their own medical malpractice coverage, which is extremely costly.

Thune and Casey’s bill would be paid for with existing funds under the health centers’ annual appropriations through the Department of Health and Human Services and would not require additional funding.

The Family Health Care Accessibility Act passed with overwhelming support (417-1) in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 112th Congress.

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