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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“The switch to electric vehicles that the Biden administration envisioned was unwelcome, unworkable, and unaffordable for a lot of Americans and, as I said, threatened to put an incredible new strain on our already creaky electric grid. I know South Dakotans were concerned about the loss of choice and about being forced into electric vehicles that aren't suitable for the long distances and bitter cold of life on the Great Plains. So the elimination of this mandate is welcome news in South Dakota, as I am sure it is for a lot of Americans around the country. Here in Congress, we are joining the President in his deregulatory efforts, and Republican majorities in the House and Senate have spent the last several weeks working to rescind burdensome energy regulations using the Congressional Review Act.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Farmers, ranchers, and other landowners can also breathe more easily knowing that the Obama-era waters of the United States rule, which the Biden administration attempted to resurrect, is being revised. The so- called WOTUS rule would have given the Federal Government sweeping jurisdiction over most water features on private property, including things like irrigation ditches, ephemeral streams, and even prairie potholes. I know farmers and ranchers in my State of South Dakota would have appreciated a seat at the table before the Biden administration resurrected this harmful policy, and I am pleased that the Trump administration is committed to consulting with stakeholders for their input on an alternative clean water rule. The EPA is also now working to terminate the Biden electric vehicle mandate.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“The American people called for a new direction this past November, and the Trump administration and the Republican majorities in Congress have wasted no time in getting to work to provide relief from burdensome regulations, especially when it comes to energy. Last month, the EPA announced 31 significant deregulatory actions. Among these are actions addressing the Biden administration's good neighbor rule and Clean Power Plan 2.0. Both of these regulations were designed to effectively force fossil fuel-powered powerplants to close--a dangerous goal at a time when we are already running low on the electricity we need to meet demand. And preventing these Biden-era rules from going into effect removes a significant threat to our energy supply.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate8 April 2025Source ↗
“Federal spending in 2024 was 54 percent higher than in 2019--54 percent. So Republicans are going to take a good, hard look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent and work to return us to a more sustainable spending and fiscal trajectory. As I said, the resolution we passed this weekend--I might say, over the objections of my Democratic colleagues, who are apparently perfectly OK with allowing taxes to rise for working families--was a major step forward on delivering on our agenda, and I am looking forward to arriving at a final bill. Discussions on that will continue off the floor. Meanwhile, on the floor, we will continue to deliver on other priorities, including building out the President's administration and lifting burdensome Biden regulations through Congressional Review Act resolutions.”
Senate7 April 2025Source ↗
“But the administration needs additional resources from Congress if this progress is going to continue, and we need a serious investment in our military to restore readiness and ensure that our men and women in uniform are equipped to deter and to defeat threats. We also need to take action to unleash American energy production. The Biden administration put us on a dangerous trajectory by seeking to stifle domestic conventional energy production, and we need to recommit to domestic production to protect our Nation and ensure that the American people have a reliable and affordable energy supply both now and in the future. And finally, we are here to take a hard look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent. We saw an incredible growth in government spending under the Biden administration.”
Senate7 April 2025Source ↗
“If we don't act, American families making less than $400,000 a year will see a $2.6 trillion tax hike next year. Tax rates will rise. The standard deduction will shrink. And the child tax credit will--will--be cut in half. That is not acceptable, so we are here to prevent tax hikes on American families and permanently extend the 2017 tax relief. Second, we are here to address the remains of the Biden border crisis, bolster our military readiness, and unleash American energy production. After 4 years of chaos at our southern border under President Biden, President Trump has taken action to secure the border and take criminal illegal immigrants off America's streets.”
Senate7 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, on Saturday morning, we took a major step forward on the Republican agenda by passing a budget resolution to lay the groundwork for a permanent extension of tax relief for American families and a transformational investment in our border, energy, and national security. And while I think Republicans' goals are obvious, for the sake of my Democratic colleagues who still seem to be operating under the delusion that we are here to hand out tax cuts to billionaires, let me review what we are doing and why we are here. First, we are here to ensure that hard-working Americans don't see their tax bills rise next year. In 2017, Republicans delivered tax relief to the American people, but that relief is expiring this year.”
Senate7 April 2025Source ↗
“I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate7 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 38, H. Con. Res. 14.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Government revenue goes up, not down, which is exactly what we experienced when we passed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 8 years ago now. As I said earlier, it was working families, not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit from that Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and it is working families, not the wealthy, who will see the greatest proportional benefit for making this tax relief permanent. We are here to make sure that hard-working Americans have more breathing room, to make sure that our economy is providing them with jobs and opportunities and that they are not facing lower paychecks next year. I was proud to help draft the 2017 tax relief and put more money in American families' pockets, and I look forward to permanently extending it in the near future. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“I am quite sure they have better uses for that money than sending it to Uncle Sam. I said ``make this tax relief permanent,'' and I do mean permanent. Senate Republicans are united with the President in viewing a temporary extension as unacceptable. Americans should not have to live in fear of a tax hike every few years. And small businesses, including family farms and ranches, like those in my home State of South Dakota, need certainty about the tax outlook so they can plan for the future. Making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent will ensure that Americans' take- home pay does not go down, and it will have significant economic benefits.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“When you think that government knows best and when your enthusiasm for new government programs is virtually unlimited, it is no surprise you would prefer to maximize the flow of taxpayer dollars to the government. But Republicans believe, fundamentally, that Americans know best what to do with their money. And so no matter how many times Democrats attempt to distort or outright lie about what we are trying to do here, Republicans intend to deliver a permanent extension of the tax relief that we passed in 2017. Failing to extend this tax relief would result in a $2.6 trillion tax increase on those making less than $400,000 a year, as well as a $600 billion tax increase on small businesses. A typical family of four making $80,000 a year would end up sending an additional $1,700 to the government next year--$1,700.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“I should also note, of course, that the Senate Parliamentarian has deemed the Senate budget resolution, which uses the current policy baseline, in order and ready for floor consideration. Democrats' sudden concern for saving money and protecting the character of the Senate is touching. Who would have guessed that the party that was so eager to tear down a fundamental Senate institution, mere months ago, by killing the Senate filibuster would suddenly develop such a passionate interest in defending the character of the Senate? But their hysteria is misplaced. I do understand that Democrats are uncomfortable with the idea of tax relief.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“The Democrats' latest hysteria is centered around the application of budget rules we will use for this week's budget resolution. They claim that using current policy baseline is somehow destroying Senate rules, even though the 1974 Congressional Budget Act, which governs this budget resolution, clearly states that it is the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee who determines the budget baseline used for budget resolutions. The senior Senator from Vermont, who caucuses with the Democrats, confirmed that it is the chairman's role in a 2022 report when he was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. And, of course, Democrats themselves have previously advocated for the use of a current policy baseline. They basically invented it back in 1977, shortly after the Budget Act was enacted.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“In fact, the Washington Post Fact Checker has repeatedly issued three- and four-Pinocchio responses to Democrats' claims, which center around the falsehood that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was about handouts to corporations and billionaires. The truth, of course, is not only did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut taxes for every income group, but it was working families--working families--not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit. Let me just repeat that: The truth is that not only did the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act cut tax rates for every income group, but it was working families, and not the wealthy, who received the greatest proportional benefit. Those are the facts. But, of course, the facts have not gotten in the way of Democrats continuing to claim that extending this tax relief is about handouts to billionaires.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“I move to proceed to H.J. Res. 24.”
Senate2 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, following the rollcall vote on the motion to proceed to H.J. Res. 24.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 3; 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, and morning business be closed; that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate resume consideration of H.J. Res. 24, that all time be expired on the joint resolution at 11 a.m.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, with respect to S.J. Res. 37, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“And last week, the FBI Director warned the House Intelligence Committee that our enemies will adapt to security measures at the southern border by shifting resources to the northern border. If we are serious about ending the fentanyl crisis in America, we need to address the entirety of the crisis. We are not going to solve the problem by going after just part of it. Ending this emergency declaration will tell the cartels that they should shift their focus to the northern border. So I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution and ensure that President Trump has the tools that he needs to combat the flow of fentanyl from all directions. This is the second resolution seeking to end an emergency that the Senate has considered in the last few weeks. Last time, it was ending the national energy emergency.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Canadian law enforcement has raided drug ``super labs''--sophisticated fentanyl production facilities that may have links to the cartels. For now, most fentanyl from Canada enters the United States in small amounts--often through the mail. But as one cartel member told ``60 Minutes'' last month, cartels are already smuggling fentanyl across our northern border. So what will happen if we focus on fentanyl coming across the southern border and from China but fail to address the northern border component of this crisis? Will the cartels simply shift tactics and expand their operations to the north? I think we can be confident the answer to that question is yes. We have already seen some illegal immigrants attempt that shift when faced with stricter security measures at the southern border.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“And I am glad that President Trump has taken swift action to secure the border with Mexico and address the flow of drugs across that border. But we would be wrong to view this as solely a southern border problem. The reality is that fentanyl production is growing in Canada. One 30-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police specializing in transnational crime said: Canada is a significant platform for transnational networks and one of the most concerning threats for synthetic narcotic production and exportation to our allies, including the U.S. Canada's financial intelligence agency has identified about 100 organized crime groups involved in fentanyl production in the country. That is four times--four times--as many as there were in 2022.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, just over 2 weeks ago, the Senate passed the HALT Fentanyl Act with bipartisan support. As I said at the time, this bill joins other efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis that is taking so many lives in our country. But now Democrats seem to want to take a step backward in that fight. They want to end the emergency that President Trump declared that addresses the flow of fentanyl across the northern border from Canada. Fentanyl moves in a sophisticated supply chain. Precursor chemicals are shipped from China to North America--landing in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Those chemicals are then used to produce fentanyl, which is smuggled into the United States across borders or sent through the mail. Now, much of the fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from the southern border from Mexico.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that confirmation of the Sauer and Dhillon nominations be at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic Leader, during Thursday's session of the Senate.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate2 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam 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 9:19 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10 a.m. ____________________”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 2; 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 resume consideration of Calendar No.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam 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.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 53.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that with respect to the Whitaker nomination, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 47.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 46.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“It is past time to address the deficiencies in our military readiness and to ensure that the good work President Trump is doing to secure the border and remove criminals from our streets can continue. I am looking forward to taking up our budget resolution in the very near future so that we can deliver permanent tax relief for Americans, provide certainty to the economy, and make a transformational investment in border, energy, and national security. It is going to be a great bill. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate31 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 40.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I move to proceed to legislative session.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“This afternoon, the Commerce Committee is holding a hearing with Arielle Roth, a staffer for the Commerce Committee and President Trump's nominee to lead the NTIA. Ms. Roth is very familiar with the burdens that have weighed down the BEAD Program, and I am looking forward to working with them to remove these barriers to broadband deployment after she is confirmed. Many parts of our country have waited a long time for broadband deployment, and the unnecessary and extraneous rules the Biden administration imposed on the BEAD Program have only prolonged that wait. It is time--it is high time--to remove these barriers and start getting households connected to the internet. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.”
Senate27 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate27 March 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 9:12 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. ____________________”
Senate26 March 2025Source ↗