John Thune
Senator for South Dakota · Republican · United States
“Around this time last year, during Democrats' record-long government shutdown, Senate Democrats were working to end this program. I am curious if the Democrat leader would like to claw back the $212 million that rural healthcare providers in New York are going to receive from this program this year.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“Well, perhaps the Democrat leader should check in with his State's Governor, who said of a recent $76 million investment from this program: These investments will bring rural hospitals, health centers and community providers together to strengthen regional health care networks and make it easier for New Yorkers to get the care they need c…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“This funding will help expand crisis services and build out our State's workforce in behavioral healthcare, and it comes after another announcement in August of funding to modernize technology and strengthen cyber security at rural healthcare providers in South Dakota, an initiative that will not only modernize care in my State but also s…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, we are coming to the end of the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. This multiyear initiative created in Republicans' Working Families Tax Cut legislation will invest $50 billion in all 50 States to put rural healthcare providers on a more sustainable footing for the future.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“In the words of South Dakota Secretary of Health Melissa Magstadt, ``the initiatives that we've developed came strictly from the assessments we had, the expert input we garnered, and what citizens themselves said they needed in the community.'' That is exactly how the Rural Health Transformation Program is supposed to work, and it is not…”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 922, S. Res. 923, S. Res. 924, S. Res. 925, S. Res. 926, S. Res. 927, and S. Res. 928. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc. Mr.”
Senate29 September 2026Source ↗
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“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30; 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 H.J. Res. 42 if the motion to proceed has been agreed to; further, that at 11:30 a.m., all debate time on H.J. Res.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 184, S. Res. 185, S. Res. 186, and S. Res. 187. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc. Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 307 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 60.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“I have to say it is a reminder that had President Biden actually cared about border security, he could have secured the border at any time during his administration. President Trump has managed to do it in mere weeks. I should also note that not only has President Trump drastically reduced attempted illegal entries, but he has also focused on rounding up dangerous illegal aliens who are resident in our country: gang members, individuals charged with murder, rape, theft, sexual crimes against children, and the list goes on and on. The President has also taken steps, along with Congress, to stop the deadly cross-border trade in fentanyl, which affects communities around our country. I know those efforts are going to continue.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“President Trump promised that he would put an end to the Biden border crisis and restore order and respect for the rule of law, and in just 100 days--100 days--he has delivered to an incredible degree. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported just 11,709 encounters at our southern border in February and just 11,017 in March--nothing short of a dizzying drop. To put those February and March numbers into perspective, during February 2024 and March 2024, under the Biden administration, encounters at our southern border numbered 189,913 in February and 189,359 in March. Think about that--189,000 down to 11,000 in a year. What a difference leadership makes--a 94-percent decrease in illegal crossings at our southern border. That is an incredible achievement, and America is safer because of it.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“We took a big step forward in that process with congressional passage of a budget resolution in April, and we are moving toward a final bill--a bill that will not only make tax relief permanent but will also deliver on other President Trump and Republican priorities. That includes investment in our military and restoring our national defense, securing our border, and reforming the way we spend taxpayer dollars. Speaking of the border, at the top of any list of President Trump's accomplishments is the incredible progress the President has made when it comes to securing our border. I don't need to tell anyone what things were like at our southern border in the last administration. It flat-out was chaos. President Biden presided over 4 years of recordbreaking illegal immigration at our southern border, with all the dangers that represents.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“He has ended President Biden's electric vehicle mandate, which was guaranteed to place vast new burdens on our already shaky electric grid, opened up oil and gas production, rescinded burdensome energy regulations, and a whole lot more. His administration has restored common sense to Washington after the Biden administration's attempt to impose far-left, woke ideologies on the American people. Notably, President Trump issued an Executive order to prevent biological males from hijacking sports for women and girls. Of course, the President has been working closely with the House and Senate on legislation to permanently extend the tax relief he signed into law during his first administration--tax relief to put more money in hard-working Americans' pockets.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, it has been 100 days of the new Trump administration, and President Trump is delivering. Run down elements of the Republican agenda: securing our border, restoring American strength, extending tax relief for hard-working Americans, unleashing American energy, saving taxpayer dollars, and restoring common sense after an administration obsessed with imposing far-left, woke ideology--and President Trump has made progress on them all. After 4 years of increasing energy instability under the Biden administration, on day one, President Trump declared a national emergency on energy and started moving to unleash American energy production.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“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 6:52 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. ____________________”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session and resume consideration of Calendar No.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 149 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“As he embarks on a well-earned retirement, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for his leadership, vision, and friendship. While he may be stepping away from the daily demands of leading Golden West, his impact will endure; his legacy is hardwired into the future of rural broadband. It has been a pleasure working with you, Denny, and I pray that God blesses you and your family in the days ahead. ____________________”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“He and his wife Bonnie have two wonderful sons Andrew and Nathan and make their home in Wall, SD. He earned his bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State University and later obtained a master's degree from the University of South Dakota. For the past three decades, Denny has been a driving force in the telecommunications industry. His expertise has proven quite valuable, and I am grateful for the many times--more times than I can count--that he has testified before Congress, highlighting South Dakota's needs in Washington. Under Denny's leadership, South Dakota has made remarkable progress in deploying broadband services. His deep personal commitment to South Dakotans has helped expand broadband access to even the most rural corners of the State.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, today I have the privilege of recognizing my good friend, Dennis ``Denny'' Law, who will soon retire from his position as chief executive officer of Golden West Telecommunications. Denny's outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to connecting South Dakota's communities with high-speed broadband have ensured that families, schools, farms, and businesses--no matter how remote--have access to the networks they need to thrive. Denny was born and raised in our great State of South Dakota.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“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.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“All three have suffered in recent years under the Biden administration, and Republicans are committed to securing our border, unleashing America's abundant energy resources, and ensuring that our military has the resources it needs to deter and defeat any threat. Finally, our legislation will also include substantial savings measures as we take a hard look at how we spend taxpayer dollars and work to get our country on a more sustainable fiscal path. Work on drafting this legislation continues. As we consider nominations, measures to repeal burdensome Biden administration regulations, and other legislation on the floor, off the floor, we are getting ever closer to a final bill. It is going to be great. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, there is a lot on the line here. The tax relief the Republicans passed in 2017, which puts more money in Americans' pockets, is set to expire at the end of this year. Without congressional action, in 2026, tax rates will increase, the child tax credit will be cut in half, and the standard deduction will be nearly halved. Americans making less than $400,000 a year would see a $2.6 trillion tax hike, and a typical family of four making $80,000 would be sending an additional $1,700 to Uncle Sam. Republicans do not intend to let that happen. Our final bill will not only extend the 2017 tax relief for hard-working Americans, it will make it permanent. In addition to permanent tax relief, our final legislation will invest in our border, energy, and national security.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, we are kicking off the week today with a vote on a former colleague of ours, David Perdue, to be Ambassador to China. We will be working through several other Ambassador nominations this week, including our Ambassador to our close friend and ally Great Britain. I don't need to tell anybody that it is important to have these individuals in place. We are going to continue to confirm the President's Ambassadors as expeditiously as possible. We are also going to continue to focus on filling out the rest of the President's administration. The President needs to have his team in place so that he can do the job he was elected to do. I intend to make sure that happens as quickly as possible. We have already set a brisk pace on nominations, confirming more than 50 to date.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“I trust that he is now at home with his Father in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with South Dakota Catholics and all those who are mourning this humble servant of God. ____________________”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, before I begin, I want to mention Pope Francis, who died last Monday. Since he became Pope in 2013, Pope Francis captured the world's attention with his simplicity. He had great compassion for the least among us, and he sought them out wherever he went. In his final homily on Easter Sunday, he reminded us not to remain stationary, but to go out seeking Jesus everywhere and in everyone. And that is how he lived, going out into the world seeking Jesus and bringing the Gospel to those that he met.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“I am not a Hoosier, but my favorite movie, at least top five, is ``Hoosiers,'' and I also had the opportunity to travel a couple of times with Senator Banks in his great State and had the opportunity to welcome him to ours for something he enjoys as passionately as I do, and that is pheasant hunting. But you have been a great addition already to the U.S. Senate. You are a great leader for Indiana, and we look forward to working with you. So welcome, and thanks so much for serving.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 74.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 75.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“weapons shipments to Israel, as several Democrats did just last week. While the Democratic Party struggles to muster support for Israel, Republicans will continue to stand with our ally in the Middle East, especially in this time of war. I know that once he is confirmed, Ambassador Huckabee will be a strong and supportive voice for Israel and for America's interests from his post in Jerusalem. The Trump administration is working hard to advance America's interests and Senate Republicans are working to ensure the Trump administration's foreign policy team is put in place as swiftly as possible and we will continue to support the President and his administration as they work to advance America's interests and secure peace through strength. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Ambassador to Israel. The Trump administration has restored a much needed moral clarity when it comes to our ally Israel. More than 18 months after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas terrorists, Israel is still at war. Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza, including multiple Americans. Israel depends on U.S. support as it fights to eliminate the terrorist threats on its borders. President Trump has made it clear the United States stands squarely in Israel's corner. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our friends across the aisle. Democrats filibustered the ICC sanctions bill earlier this year after Leader Schumer refused to bring it up on the floor last year. A number of Democrat Senators continue to vote to disarm Israel in the middle of a war by blocking U.S.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“As China's military takes more aggressive actions in this part of the world, our relationship with Japan will only grow in importance. So I am glad we wasted no time in confirming an ambassador to Tokyo. Countering China also needs to be a focus in our own hemisphere. I am grateful President Trump has gone after China for its role in the fentanyl supply chain. The administration is also working to strengthen our partnerships in the Western Hemisphere and ensure the Chinese Communist Party does not secure a foothold in our own backyard. Having a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Panama, which we will later today, will help advance this goal and the administration's effort to ensure the Panama Canal, a critical artery for American trade, is not under undue Chinese influence. Later today, we will also be voting to confirm the U.S.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Over the last 4 years, the Biden administration too often demonstrated weakness on the world stage. The disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, for example, attempts to accommodate Iran, and I could go on. At times, it seemed the administration was more interested in exporting its progressive ideology than in advancing America's interests. On President Biden's watch, the world grew more unstable. So a foreign policy focused on American strength and security is much needed at a time like this. This week, the Senate is continuing our work to get the President's team in place by confirming a slate of nominees for Ambassador postings. Yesterday, we confirmed our new Ambassador to Japan. Japan is host to more U.S. troops than any other country, and it is one of our strongest allies when it comes to security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, President Trump has made it clear that his foreign policy is centered on advancing America's interests and keeping Americans safe. And in the first 3 months of the Trump administration, we have seen the President take action on these priorities. President Trump has gone after terrorists who target Americans. He secured the release of Americans held hostage abroad. And he has put America on a stronger footing with respect to adversaries like China and Iran. This is a welcome change in direction in our foreign policy.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I have 10 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Huckabee nomination.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previous order with respect to the scheduled recess be modified so that the Senate reconvene at 2 p.m.; further, that notwithstanding rule XXII, all postcloture time on the Glass nomination expire at 2 p.m. today and the Senate vote on confirmation of the Glass nomination.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 37.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“And whether it is through higher utility bills or higher costs at the grocery store or for other goods, it is the American people who ultimately bear the cost of these rules. That is why this is such an important issue for Republicans. It is why we are working hard to eliminate these and many other regulatory burdens, and we will continue working to deliver regulatory relief for the American people. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“manufacturing jobs. One manufacturer has said the rule could force a shutdown of its $70 million plant in Georgia. The resolution to repeal this burdensome rule received bipartisan support in the House, and I hope our Democrat colleagues will join Republicans in opposing this regulation. The impact of these regulations is felt across industries by American workers and American businesses. They are felt by Americans who work in the energy sector, by manufacturers, by small business owners, by farmers, by ranchers--and the list goes on. Regulatory burdens can be especially tough on smaller businesses, sometimes leading them to sell or shutter their operations. Those who stay in business often have to raise prices to stay afloat.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“President Trump has already signed two CRA resolutions into law--one eliminating the marine archeology rule that targeted offshore energy development and the other stopping the implementation of the Biden tax on natural gas. Last week, the Senate passed another CRA resolution to block a Biden- era regulation on walk-in freezers and coolers. This rule, part of the Biden administration's climate agenda, would have heaped additional costs on small businesses like restaurants, butchers, convenience stores, and others. And, later this week, I expect the Senate to vote on another energy- related CRA resolution--this one to block a Biden administration rule that would take certain gas water heaters off the market by 2029. This rule would not only increase the cost of water heaters for American homeowners, it would also imperil U.S.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗