Category: US Senator John Thune

Working Toward Repealing Destructive and Unnecessary Death Tax
By Senator John Thune

For any family, the death of a loved one is a difficult and grievous time. Now add the federal government to this painful period, and the situation becomes a nightmare. The federal government shouldn’t force grieving families to pay a tax on their loved one’s life savings, built from income that has already been taxed by Uncle Sam. Many South Dakotans have witnessed this injustice firsthand – a friend, neighbor, or acquaintance who fell victim to the estate tax, also known as the death tax. Death shouldn’t be a taxable event, which is why I’m glad the Senate recently adopted my amendment to the Senate budget resolution calling on Congress to finally eliminate this destructive tax. I also recently introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, which would permanently eliminate the death tax, with 27 of my colleagues.

Here in South Dakota, we are land rich and cash poor, leaving roughly one-third of South Dakota farms vulnerable to the death tax, based on cropland values provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The death tax imposes a tax rate as high as 40 percent on family farms, ranches, and small businesses, which hurts economic growth by discouraging savings and development. A recent study by the non-partisan Tax Foundation found that repeal of the death tax would increase the U.S. capital stock by 2.2 percent, boost economic growth, and create 139,000 jobs.

We work hard daily to build a better life for our children, but the death tax only burdens them. It violates the basic premise of the American dream. Ninety-eight percent of farms in South Dakota are family owned and operated, and according to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, over 2,500 South Dakota farms have been in the same family for more than 100 years. In some cases, families have to sell land just to pay the death tax, which punishes farmers and entrepreneurs for a lifetime of hard work.

By keeping more money in the hands of hard-working Americans, they will have a better opportunity to build a stronger economic future for their families and our country. In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to promote common-sense policies, like repealing the death tax, that give South Dakota farmers, ranchers, and small business owners the peace of mind of knowing that their hard-earned money will stay with their families, and not end up in the federal government’s coffers.

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Balanced Budget Is a South Dakota Priority
By Senator John Thune

Every day, South Dakota families pay their bills, plan for the future, and strive to live within their means. I believe the federal government should do the same. Day after day, I hear from South Dakotans about their concerns with our out-of-control federal debt. They are worried about the burden that will be left on their children and grandchildren and the economic consequences of our debt, like slower economic growth and fewer opportunities.

To address these concerns, the Republican-led Senate recently passed a budget that will reduce spending by $5.1 trillion and balance in 10 years – all without raising taxes on hardworking South Dakotans. In contrast, the president’s budget never balances. Not now. Not in 10 years. Not in 75 years. His budget would add $7.4 trillion to our debt while raising taxes by $1.8 trillion to grow the government.

South Dakotans understand that spending more than what you take in leads to an unsustainable financial future. With the national debt skyrocketing, it’s high time for that same kind of common sense in Washington. Senate Republicans understand what’s at stake, which is why our balanced budget will create a framework for a more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government. It’s a clear contrast to the days of Democrat leadership in the Senate, when for years Democrats refused to pass a balanced budget, or any budget at all.

Returning fiscal sanity to Washington, D.C., is exactly what Republicans meant when we said that we wanted to get Washington working again for the American people. A responsible budget like the one we just passed is long overdue. Our budget preserves Social Security, enhances U.S. energy independence, supports our military and national security, and provides Congress with its best chance yet to repeal and replace Obamacare. Most importantly, it creates a path to a sustainable fiscal future for America and our future generations. While additional work remains to address our fiscal challenges, the Senate-passed budget is a big step toward serious accountability in Washington and greater opportunity for all Americans.

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Airspace Expansion Approval Essential to Maintaining Military Readiness
By Senator John Thune

Over the past 15 years, the United States has enjoyed air dominance in every combat operation in which we have engaged. This level of air superiority allows our troops on the ground to operate with a level of confidence that would otherwise be impossible.

Today, in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, whether fighting against ISIS, al Qaeda, or Taliban elements, the skill and experience of those in the air is essential to the survival and success of those on the ground. In modern combat scenarios, munitions dropped from above are often guided by line-of-site laser targeting from a sniper pod mounted on the underside of the aircraft. The ability of pilot and crew members to operate together over mountainous terrain while maintaining eyes on the target is essential for these weapons to be used in a high intensity, combat environment. What is also incredible is that after one aircraft has dropped a munition, they can hand off control of this munition to another aircraft, which will then guide it to its target. This type of seamless integration can only be achieved by extensive training, incorporating multiple aircraft operating over landscape that simulates the combat environment.

Until recently, the ability of B-1 crews based at Ellsworth Air Force Base to train together over landscape that simulates our operations in the Middle East has been limited. However, this week I was pleased to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration signed off on the Air Force’s Record of Decision on the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), finalizing nine years of work by the Air Force to expand PRTC airspace over South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.

The expanded PRTC will be divided into four quadrants, with each quadrant providing essential elements needed for the success of the overall training range. Specifically, PR-1 over Montana offers pilots and crews the ability to train over terrain that simulates the topographical characteristics pilots and crews will encounter in combat. This expansion will allow for multiple B-1s from Ellsworth to train together at home and permit large force exercises for up to 10 days per year, bringing together aircraft from all across the country to train in South Dakota and adjoining states with no live fire ever used during the training missions.

Prior to this expansion, only 46 percent of B-1 training missions out of Ellsworth could take place in the Powder River Training Complex. Now that the FAA has approved the expansion, 85 percent of training flights can take place locally. For South Dakota, the ability of our B-1s to train closer to home will potentially save Ellsworth $23 million per year, and will provide the Air Force with one of its best training resources.

By allowing our aircrews to maintain the highest level of readiness, the Air Force’s expansion of the PRTC will ensure that our air crews continue to have the tools, resources, and experiences needed to continue to be the best in the world. I’m proud of the vital role Ellsworth continues to play in protecting and preserving America’s freedom at home and abroad, and look forward to this expansion contributing to these efforts long into the future.

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Senate Approves Thune Budget Amendment Opposing Long-Eared Bat Endangered Species Listing

“This amendment puts the Senate on record opposing the FWS’s proposal to list the long-eared bat.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) praised the Senate’s bipartisan approval of his amendment to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget resolution putting the Senate on record opposing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) proposal to list the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“This amendment puts the Senate on record opposing the FWS’s proposal to list the long-eared bat,” said Thune. “The forest management restrictions imposed due to the ESA listing would not only be devastating to forest health and combating the pine beetle epidemic, but would also jeopardize the more than 1,500 timber industry jobs and $119 million in revenue to local Black Hills economies. I will continue working to halt this misguided endangered species listing, and continue partnering with my colleagues in the Senate to prevent overreach by the FWS.”

In 2011, the FWS reached a secret sue-and-settle agreement with two radical environmental groups to require listing determinations on more than 250 species across the United States, including the northern long-eared bat. These bats are dying at alarming rates in parts of the country due to the spread of white-nose syndrome. While this syndrome has been found in 22 states across the country, it has not been found in South Dakota. Despite the lack of evidence suggesting white nose syndrome is a problem in our state, the FWS has proposed limiting forest management in the Black Hills to preserve the long-eared bats’ habitat.

On October 14, 2014, Thune sent a letter to the FWS with Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) encouraging the agency to withdraw its proposed listing of the northern long-eared bat as endangered and to refocus its attention on combating white-nose syndrome. Thune followed-up on his concerns with a January 14 letter to the FWS that he sent along with 12 of his Senate colleagues calling on the FWS to revise the misguided and harmful forest management restrictions accompanying the endangered species listing released in 2014, and instead issue a regulation to allow normal forest management practices and minimize economic impact on states. On March 4, Thune introduced legislation to prevent the FWS from listing the northern long-eared bat under the ESA.

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GOP Passes Balanced Budget, Holds Federal Government Accountable to the American People

“This balanced budget resolution is a framework for the more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government that the American people deserve.”  

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a balanced budget resolution:

“This balanced budget resolution is a framework for the more efficient, effective, and accountable federal government that the American people deserve. Not only does this budget balance, but it does so responsibly without raising a single dime in taxes on hardworking Americans, and it provides the Senate with a significant opportunity to finally repeal and replace ObamaCare.

“By passing a balanced budget that preserves Social Security, supports stronger economic growth, and enhances U.S. energy security, we can show the American people that we’re serious about getting Washington working again for them.”

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Thune Ushers Through Final Approval of Critical Airspace Expansion

Final FAA approval of PRTC increases national security while saving taxpayers money

Following nearly nine years of collaboration between U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and the Air Force to expand the military training airspace over South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, known as the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC), Thune today praised the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) announcement that it signed off on the Air Force’s proposed expansion of PRTC. This announcement marks the final step in the expansion process, making way for use of the expanded range by year’s end.

Click here to download video of Thune’s statement on the final FAA approval of PRTC.

“This has been a very long process, but I’m proud we’re finally completing this important expansion to provide our servicemen and women with the resources they need to be successful in a combat environment—all done while saving money. Talk about a winning combination for our country and for Ellsworth Air Force Base,” said Thune. “After nearly nine years working with the Air Force on this important expansion project, we’re not only going to see savings to the tune of $23 million a year at Ellsworth, but we’re also going to offer better training opportunities to our airmen—increasing readiness across the Air Force. I’m proud of the vital role Ellsworth continues to play in protecting and preserving America’s freedom at home and abroad, and look forward to this expansion contributing to these efforts long into the future.”

“I would like to applaud Senator Thune on keeping his eye on the ball for the past nine years,” said Pat Burchill, Chairman of South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. “The Powder River Training Complex expansion wouldn’t have been possible without the relentless efforts of Senator Thune in the face of numerous obstacles. This is great news not only for Rapid City, but certainly also for South Dakota and our national defense.”

“During the 2005 BRAC, Senator Thune played a major role in the fight to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base from the closure list, and he continues to play a large part in improving our military readiness by successfully leading the effort to expand the Powder River Training Area,” said former chairman of the Ellsworth Task Force, Bruce Rampelberg. “The FAA’s announcement of the Powder River Training Area expansion is the result of Senator Thune’s tenacity over the past nine years. This expansion will reduce training costs and provide an area that can be structured to reflect the conditions our Air Force pilots may face in different parts of the world.”

The PRTC expansion will provide Air Force pilots and personnel with expanded airspace to perform the critical training they need in conditions that more closely resemble combat missions. The expansion will also allow for large force exercises where multiple aircraft and crews can train together simulating a combat environment without live fire exercises.

The new expanded Powder River Training Complex will be divided into four quadrants spanning nearly 35,000 square miles, or four times the size of the current range. The quadrants will each be divided into low-, medium-, and high-altitude sections. With the exception of Large Force Exercises, which only comprise 10 days per year, only a few quadrants will be in use during the week, and only for a few hours each day.

The PRTC expansion not only marks the largest expansion of Special Use Airspace in America’s history, but also represents an important cost-saving initiative. The expanded airspace will save Ellsworth Air Force Base up to $23 million per year and is the first time the FAA and Air Force have worked jointly on such an effort, setting a precedent for further cost-saving cooperation down the road and addressing stakeholder concerns up front.

Ellsworth Air Force Base has a $350 million impact on South Dakota’s economy and is the state’s second largest employer.

Thune Reintroduces Bill to Repeal Death Tax

-Permanently abolishes punitive tax on family farms, ranches, businesses-

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, today reintroduced legislation to permanently repeal the federal estate tax, better known as the death tax, to finally put an end to a punitive tax on family farms, ranches, and businesses upon the death of an owner. Thune’s bill, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, is identical to legislation introduced in House of Representatives by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas). The House Committee on Ways and Means will be marking up Brady’s companion bill today in committee. Thune also introduced an amendment to the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Resolution to create a deficit neutral reserve fund to eliminate the federal estate tax, or death tax. The Senate is expected to vote on Thune’s amendment later this week.

“Death should not be a taxable event,” said Thune. “For too long the federal government has forced grieving families to pay a tax on their loved one’s life savings that has been built from income already taxed when originally earned. Currently more than 70 percent of family businesses do not survive to the second generation, and 90 percent of family businesses do not survive to the third generation. According to a study by former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, repealing the death tax would create 1.5 million additional small business jobs and would shave almost a percentage point off the unemployment rate. This tax punishes farmers and entrepreneurs for a lifetime of hard work. I will continue to work in Congress to see a permanent end to this unfair tax.”

“I am proud to join Senator Thune in introducing the Death Tax Repeal Act, which will finally abolish this unfair, anti-family tax, and I appreciate his leadership on this issue,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “The death tax unduly burdens American families by taxing assets that are handed down from generation to generation, like family farms or small family businesses. It is the federal government’s final insult to tax your family when you have already paid taxes on your property throughout your life. The thought of having to visit the IRS and the undertaker on the same day is an absolute outrage. This is wrong and it’s why I have consistently supported legislation to eliminate this burdensome tax.”

“The death tax unfairly targets hardworking American families, small business owners, and farmers that have already been taxed all their lives,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch. “Fortunately, there is bipartisan support to put an end to this burdensome tax once and for all. It’s time this tax be repealed so that families can pass down what they’ve worked so hard to build over a lifetime to their children.”

Thune’s bill is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Associated Builders and Contractors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, 60 Plus Association, Americans for Tax Reform, Club for Growth, National Black Chamber of Commerce, International Franchise Association, National Taxpayers Union, American Conservative Union, Family Business Coalition, and many others.

Thune’s bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), and David Vitter (R-La.).

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Thune Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of ObamaCare
“Higher premiums, higher deductibles, less choice, and fewer jobs – that’s the story of ObamaCare five years later.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the five-year anniversary of ObamaCare being signed into law:

“Higher premiums, higher deductibles, less choice, and fewer jobs – that’s the story of ObamaCare five years later. The Democrats’ signature legislative achievement has proven to be one big broken promise after another. Millions of Americans lost the coverage they had and liked, and many are facing fewer choices because of it. ObamaCare is hamstringing America’s small businesses – our engines of economic growth – and their ability to hire more people and grow.

“The American people have waited long enough for relief from the pain ObamaCare is causing them. I look forward to finally repealing this fundamentally flawed law and replacing it with real reforms that will actually lower costs and increase access to care.”

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EPA Smog Regulations Could Hurt South Dakota Families and Businesses
By Senator John Thune

When I think of the Great Plains, I think of rolling hills and sprawling farmland—open spaces stretched between scattered towns. South Dakota is blessed with an abundance of space and fresh air, both of which are critical for our agriculture and hunting industries. But a rule proposed by the Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricting air quality standards is so strict that even the expansive prairies of the Midwest and the untouched beauty of national parks like Yellowstone may be considered too polluted.

The proposal has to do with ground-level ozone—or what we usually refer to as smog. What the EPA has proposed doing is lowering the smog standard from the current level set in 2008, which is 75 parts-per-billion, to anywhere between 70 and 65. The new Obama EPA smog regulations would impose heavy-handed, costly new requirements in the open plains of South Dakota before first ensuring that we address smog problems in urban areas, such as Los Angeles, where smog remains a consistent problem.

In 2010, the Obama administration put forward a similar proposal to lower the standard, but later withdrew it because of the burdens and uncertainty it would impose. One reason this is such an aggressive standard is that currently, 277 counties in 27 states can’t even meet the current standard. When these counties are considered in “non-attainment” they are expected to implement expensive plans to reach compliance.

Just to give you an idea of the cost of this regulation, research from the National Association of Manufacturers indicates that the EPA’s proposal could lead to 1.4 million fewer jobs per year and reduce annual Gross Domestic Product by $140 billion. According to the EPA’s own estimate, this regulation is one of the most expensive in the agency’s history.

Such staggering costs is why on March 17, Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, and I introduced a bill to block the EPA from implementing what is expected to be the most costly regulation in the EPA’s history. The bill I introduced would block the EPA from lowering the air quality standards until 85 percent of the counties currently in non-attainment achieve compliance with the existing standard. My bill would also require the EPA to consider the costs and feasibility of the lower standard, which the EPA currently does not consider.

In South Dakota alone, a lower standard would cost jobs in manufacturing, natural resources and mining, and construction, and severely cut household spending by over $1200 per year. Costs for the typical South Dakota family could include expensive annual vehicle emission tests and higher energy costs.

This issue is yet another example of just how out of touch the Obama EPA is with the American people. Rather than strangle American industry with a job-killing regulation that could slash economic growth and raise energy prices for American families, the Obama EPA needs to focus its efforts on areas already struggling with air quality attainment standards. My bill takes a sensible stand against this aggressive EPA and puts American jobs and communities first.

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