John Thune
Senator for South Dakota · Republican · United States
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4166-S4167] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Working Families Tax Cut Act Mr. THUNE. Mr.”
“And Workforce Pell will also be a game changer for midcareer professionals. As Colette Atkins, who works at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa, said, ``we have students that are working already, and they can't step away for 2 years, but can they step away to do that 8 to 15 weeks to get that training? They sure can.”
“Trade Representative Office, were among the speakers. ``This isn't the 1980 Farm Crisis, but the pressure is mounting . . . and the effect will be felt across the broader Iowa economy,'' said Christopher Pudenz, the farm bureau's economist, who presented the report along with [Iowa State University] economists Chad Hart and John Crespi.”
“Steady farmland values have bolstered the ag economy, including supporting farmers' ability to borrow money for their operations, though last year, Iowa farmland values inched up less than 1% to an average of $11,549 per acre, [the Iowa State University] reported in its annual farmland survey.”
“``Iowa farm income fell 53 percent over 3 years, new ISU report says.'' Iowa farm income tumbled 53% from 2022 to 2024, squeezed by record-high import costs, depressed corn and soybean prices and continued trade uncertainty, a new report shows.”
“Trump Accounts are a significant tool for parents and their kids. But it is far from the only thing that we did in this bill to help the next generation get a headstart on their American dream.”
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“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3736] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF POLLOCK, SOUTH DAKOTA Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Pollock, SD. The town of Pollock will be celebrating its quasquicentennial July 17-19, 2026. Pollock will host quasquicentennial events, including live music, fishing tournaments, parades, class reunions, and much more. Pollock is located in Campbell County, situated along the shores of Lake Oahe in north-central South Dakota.”
“Artas became a central, rural town for surrounding farms, fostering a spirit of hard work, strength, and resilience. Though small in size, Artas reflects the enduring spirit of rural South Dakota, where neighbors know each other and a strong sense of community thrives. Since its beginning 125 years ago, the community of Artas continues to serve as a strong example of South Dakota values and traditions. I offer my congratulations to the citizens of Artas on their town's quasquicentennial and wish them continued prosperity in the years to come. [[Page S3736]] ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3735-S3736] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTAS, SOUTH DAKOTA Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Artas, SD. The town of Artas celebrated its quasquicentennial July 11, 2026. Artas hosted quasquicentennial events, including live music, reunions, and much more. Artas is located in Campbell County, situated along South Dakota's northern border and among the vast rolling prairies and open farmland. This community began when the Soo Line Railroad expanded into northern South Dakota.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3735] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“John Thune, Tim Sheehy, John Barrasso, Ashley Moody, James Lankford, Todd Young, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, Jon Husted, Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Bernie Moreno, John Cornyn, Chuck Grassley, James C. Justice, Eric Schmitt. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3735] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Cloture Motion Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture Motion We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 779, Jeffrey T. Kuntz, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3735] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 779. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination. The senior assistant bill clerk read the nomination of Jeffrey T. Kuntz, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3735] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The motion was agreed to. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3735] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent, notwithstanding rule XXII, to move to proceed to legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“The Apostle Paul writes: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. Whereas another Graham once put it: Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God. I will miss Lindsey's friendship more than I can say. We pray for his staff and for his family, whom he loved dearly and who loved him dearly in return. But I am comforted by the knowledge that in the end, he has just changed his address and that one day we will laugh together again.”
“I could always rely on him for straight-talking advice. He never minced words or pulled punches. I could also rely on him for a steady flow of humor and encouragement. He always could make me laugh--always. In the last couple of years, he came to South Dakota twice, and, twice, we sat on the deck and watched the sun go down on Lake Oahe--a familiar scene to me but new to him. And as the stars came out, you could see the Milky Way overhead, and you could hear coyotes howling and rooster pheasants cackling down below. Lindsey's wit punctuated all of it, and I will cherish those memories for a long time to come. If there is any light to be found in this grief, it is this: that as a Christian like Lindsey, I know that death is not the end.”
“And I saw firsthand the work that he did to promote American security and the security of freedom-loving peoples around the globe. And, of course, I don't need to tell anyone in this body that Lindsey was fearless in his commitment to the causes that he espoused. It didn't matter to him whether he would catch flack on an issue. He was undaunted by the politics if he believed he was right on the principle. Senator, warrior, patriot, statesman--words that will be written about Lindsey. But for me, most of all, he was my friend. ``Without friends''--Aristotle said--``no one would choose to live, [although] he had all other goods.'' And it is difficult to count the ways in which Lindsey's friendship made this job richer and its burdens lighter. Lindsey was as loyal as they come and a trusted adviser.”
“He was a friend and defender of freedom-loving peoples all over the world. He stood with the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression, and he died with his boots on, having just returned from a trip to Ukraine, his 10th. He believed fiercely in the importance of a strong national defense-- in ensuring that our country and our military men and women were always prepared to deter and defeat any threat. But while there was always a lot made of his support for American hard power, he was also a big believer in the use of soft power: economic, diplomatic, and political solutions to the world's problems. I was fortunate to travel with him all over the world, including to Israel after Hamas' October 7 attack.”
“In the Senate, Lindsey distinguished himself as a staunch conservative--and a fierce advocate for South Carolina--but also as someone who was willing to work across the aisle to find common ground and to reach solutions. A lawyer by trade, he served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021, where he helped confirm a Supreme Court Justice and numerous Federal judges--the kind of judges who believe in following the law and the Constitution, instead of legislating policy from the bench. Most of all, of course, Lindsey was known for his national security and foreign policy work. There was no bigger believer in America's role in the world. He was confident that the United States could be a force for good, and he gave everything he had to ensuring that we would be.”
“The events of Lindsey's life have been well-documented over the past couple of days: his humble beginnings in South Carolina; sharing a single room with the rest of his family, behind his family's bar; his guardianship of his younger sister Darline after the untimely death of their parents; his long service in the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve; his career in politics, first as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, then as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where I served with him for 6 years, and then in the Senate, where he was just completing his fourth term.”
“Mr. President, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart. I look to my right, and I see a desk which we in the Senate refer to and know as the John Calhoun desk. It is covered by a black shroud, and on top of that shroud is a bowl of white roses. That is Lindsey Graham's desk. It is difficult to believe that Lindsey Graham is no longer here with us, that we won't run into him at a meeting today or share a joke with him at this afternoon's vote. The halls of the Senate already feel empty without him, and I know I am not alone in that feeling. He was a friend to so many of us on both sides of the aisle. I know that I am not the only one who finds it difficult to imagine the Senate without Lindsey Graham.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3728] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Recognition of the Majority Leader The majority leader is recognized.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026, AT 3 P.M. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 4:40 p.m., adjourned until Monday, June 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. ____________________”
“6644, postcloture; further, at 5:30 p.m., that the Senate vote on adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment with the Scott amendment No. 5823; finally, if adopted, that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ORDERS FOR MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 22; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R.”
“86 be discharged from the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Senate proceed to its consideration; further, that there be 6 hours for debate only, with the time equally divided between the leaders or their designees on the concurrent resolution; and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote on adoption of the concurrent resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--H. CON. RES. 86 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in concurrence with the Democratic leader, no later than Thursday, June 25, H. Con. Res.”
“PN953 NAVY nomination of Frances S. Thomas, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN954 NAVY nominations (7) beginning DANIEL J. CLARK, and ending STEPHEN M. THOMAS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN955 NAVY nomination of Jami Lea G. Buckley, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN956 NAVY nomination of Jeffrey T. Chewning, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. ____________________”
“Simpson, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN951 MARINE CORPS nomination of Steven A. Bolt, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN952 MARINE CORPS nomination of Samir J. Glenn-Roundtree, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. [[Page S2975]] navy PN842 NAVY nomination of Jess A. Vaught, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 11, 2026. PN843 NAVY nomination of John H. Ross, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 11, 2026. PN844 NAVY nomination of John D. Morris, IV, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 11, 2026.”
“McGuire, which was received by the Senate and appeared in nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN979 ARMY nomination of Michele L. Buratti, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026. marine corps PN804 MARINE CORPS nomination of Scott M. Carter, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of February 4, 2026. PN948 MARINE CORPS nomination of Steven M. Warner, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressionql Record of April 30, 2026. PN949 MARINE CORPS nomination of Garrett W. Vetter, which was received by the Senate and a'ppeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN950 MARINE CORPS nomination of Michael J.”
“Heaton, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN943 ARMY nominations (3) beginning Andy Buissereth, and ending Eric S. Slater, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN944 ARMY nominations (2) beginning Kevin A. Chesnut, and ending Trevor R. Robles, which Nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN945 ARMY nomination of Jeremy D. Reed, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN946 ARMY nominations (3) beginning Joshua T. Kresowaty, and ending Mary C. Penniman, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN947 ARMY nomination of Matthew S.”
“ADKINS, and ending ZHENG ZHONG, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026. PN973 AIR FORCE nominations (40) beginning KAILA W. ACRES, and ending JAIMIE M. WYCKOFF, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record or May 12, 2026. army PN883 ARMY nomination of Timothy M, Benedict, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of March 19, 2026. PN919 ARMY nomination of Robert T. Bundy, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 13, 2026. PN941 ARMY nomination of Gladys E. Scales, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN942 ARMY nomination of John M.”
“YOUTSLER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026. PN969 AIR FORCE nominations (485) beginning MICHAEL R. ABBOTT, and ending JAY R. ZEIGLER, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026, except Matthew T. Anderson. PN970 AIR FORCE nominations (249) beginning KATHRYN L. ABBOTT, and ending JONATHAN G. YAP, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026, except Blair W. Kessler. PN971 AIR FORCE nominations (27) beginning CORBIN A. ALDRIDGE, and ending SUNG B. YI, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of May 12, 2026. PN972 AIR FORCE nominations (240) beginning DONALD J.”
“Beaurpere navy The following named officer for appointment in the United States Navy to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be vice admiral Rear Adm. Joseph F. Cahill, III army The following named officer for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., section 12203: To be brigadier general Col. Michael W. Brancamp navy The following named officer for appointment as Chief of Chaplains of the Navy and appointment to the grade indicated in the United States Navy while serving in that position under title 10, U.S.C., section 8082: To be rear admiral Rear Adm. (lh) Carey H. Cash Nominations Placed on the Secretary's Desk AIR FORCE PN968 AIR FORCE nominations (125) beginning RUBEN ADORNO, and ending TAYLOR A.”
“Wertzler The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Maj. Gen. Constantin E. Nicolet air force The following named officers for appointment in the United States Air Force to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Lt. Gen. Daniel H. Tulley Maj. Gen. David G. Shoemaker army The following named officer for appointment inI the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C., section 601: To be lieutenant general Maj. Gen. Guillaume N.”
“Kessler, PN970; that the nominations be confirmed en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows: army The following named Army National Guard of the United States officers for appointment in the Reserve of the Army to the grade indicated under title 10, U.S.C., sections 12203 and 12211: To be major general Brig. Gen. William E. Temple, V Brig. Gen. Brian F.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2974-S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations en bloc: Calendar No. 750 through 756; and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, with the exception of PN681-4; PN835-2; PN925; Matthew T. Anderson, PN969; and Blair W.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2933] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] LEGISLATIVE SESSION ______ MORNING BUSINESS Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session and be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2933] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Unanimous Consent Agreement--Executive Calendar Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader in consultation with the Democratic leader, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 758, Darrell Owens, to be U.S.”
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”
“For Sioux Falls, where we see steady population growth and a strong workforce influx, this is a game-changer. A recent poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Americans see housing affordability as a major issue, and they want to see Congress address it. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act does just that. I am proud that it garners support from a similarly overwhelming majority here in the Senate, and I expect it will in the House as well. I look forward to getting this bill through Congress in short order, sending it to the President's desk, and delivering another major win for the American people. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.”
“Last year, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cut, another landmark bill which cut taxes for lower and middle-income Americans. This year, these hard-working people saw larger tax refunds and larger paychecks, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of them put some of that money away to save for their dream of buying a home--a dream that the ROAD to Housing Act will help put within their reach. Plus, the Working Families Tax Cut provisions like immediate, 100 percent expensing for investments are also contributing to addressing housing shortages by making it easier for builders to--well--build. Our legislation gave a boost to affordable housing construction as well. As one realtor in Sioux Falls wrote last year: Developers now have stronger incentives--and fewer barriers--to build more affordable units. . . .”
“I am grateful for the work of Senators Rounds and Ricketts to support housing in rural areas, for Senators Moreno and Hagerty's contributions to the financial institutions component of this bill, and for Senators Kennedy and Crapo's efforts to support work at the local level to build more housing. Thanks to all of their hard work and that of many others, this bill is almost across the finish line. But no one has been more committed to the success of this legislation than Chairman Tim Scott, and I am especially grateful to Chairman Scott for his leadership in getting this landmark bill on a path to becoming law very soon. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a significant bill to make life more affordable for hard-working Americans, and it is just the latest item on Republicans' agenda to address the cost of living.”
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also takes meaningful steps to support financing the purchase of a new home. It lifts regulatory burdens on community banks and credit unions to ensure that these local lending institutions can be focused on people rather than paperwork, and it tailors regulations for smaller and new financial institutions, which will help increase competition that benefits the American people. This bill is the result of years of hard work by many of our colleagues, as well as months of negotiations with our colleagues in the House. They have worked tirelessly to produce a bill that addresses some of the barriers to homeownership in this country.”
“It rightsizes the NEPA process and exempts certain rural housing projects from these extensive and often burdensome reviews, and it directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the USDA to coordinate joint environmental reviews for housing projects funded by both Agencies. It should go without saying that if it is one project, there should be one review. And because Federal regulations are only one layer of the costs and burdens placed on new home construction, this bill also encourages local governments to reform zoning laws to encourage home construction. Lifting regulatory burdens will do a lot to bring down housing prices and encourage more construction, but it is not the only aspect of encouraging homeownership.”
“As much as 25 percent of the cost of building a new single-family home comes from regulations. That figure rises to 40 percent for multifamily construction. As you can imagine, that contributes quite a bit to the price that Americans pay for that home. So this bill cuts unnecessary redtape that is delaying construction and driving up prices. For example, it removes the outdated chassis requirement for manufactured housing, which will not only reduce the cost of manufactured homes but allow for more innovation in manufactured home design. [[Page S2914]] And then there are the costs and delays associated with the environmental review process. This bill enables State, local, and Tribal governments to streamline environmental reviews.”
“Mr. President, this week, the Senate takes a big step forward on an issue that is important to many Americans, and that is homeownership. Whether you read about it in the news or hear about it in conversation with friends and family members, most people know that the dream of homeownership is out of reach for too many people in our country. Limited housing supply and burdensome regulations have contributed to higher prices, and many Americans are simply being priced out of the housing market. That is a problem, and it is a problem we aim to address with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act tackles some of the causes of the higher prices that are preventing too many Americans from realizing the dream of homeownership.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026, AT 3 P.M. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 4:40 p.m., adjourned until Monday, June 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. ____________________”
“6644, postcloture; further, at 5:30 p.m., that the Senate vote on adoption of the motion to concur in the House amendment with the Scott amendment No. 5823; finally, if adopted, that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ORDERS FOR MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2026 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, June 22; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of the House message to accompany H.R.”
“86 be discharged from the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Senate proceed to its consideration; further, that there be 6 hours for debate only, with the time equally divided between the leaders or their designees on the concurrent resolution; and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote on adoption of the concurrent resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. ____________________”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2975] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT--H. CON. RES. 86 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in concurrence with the Democratic leader, no later than Thursday, June 25, H. Con. Res.”
“PN953 NAVY nomination of Frances S. Thomas, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN954 NAVY nominations (7) beginning DANIEL J. CLARK, and ending STEPHEN M. THOMAS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN955 NAVY nomination of Jami Lea G. Buckley, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. PN956 NAVY nomination of Jeffrey T. Chewning, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 30, 2026. ____________________”