Rushmore State News

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.); Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, today urged U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Miguel Cardona to abandon the agency’s costly student loan forgiveness efforts and instead focus on preparing borrowers and loan servicers to resume student loan repayments.

Rounds, Manchin, Graham and Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Transfer Illicit Assets to Aid Ukraine

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Transferring Illicit Assets to Ukraine Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer more forfeited Russian assets to Ukraine.

Gov. Noem Declares Disaster for Counties Impacted by Spring Flooding

On June 2, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2023-08, which declares a disaster in counties impacted by spring flooding that occurred April 9 through May 5, 2023.

Graduation Held For 186th Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course Students

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley congratulated the 46 students who graduated Friday from the state Basic Law Enforcement Certification Course as they completed a 13-week training program and became fully qualified law enforcement officers in the state.

Thune: South Dakotans Expect More From President Biden

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how, under President Biden’s leadership, Democrats’ failed policies and reckless spending have helped create significant economic and security challenges that are impacting South Dakotans.

Rounds Seeking Fall 2023 Internship Applications

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from college students to serve as interns during the fall semester. Positions are available in his Washington, D.C. office and his state offices in Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls. Fall internships typically run from August to December, but dates can be tailored to specific schedules. Interns will receive a stipend, and the office works closely with all universities to meet the criteria necessary for interns to receive college credit.

Governor Noem Appoints Chris Schilken as Commissioner of GOED

On June 1, Governor Krisi Noem announced that Chris Schilken will be the new Commissioner of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

Sioux Falls Man Receives 30-Year Prison Sentence For First-Degree Rape

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that a Sioux Falls man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for first degree rape.

Attorney General’s Office, DCI to Review Officer Involved Shooting in Rapid City

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 6, 2023

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley confirms that the Division of Criminal investigation (DCI), at the request of the Rapid City Police Department, is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred around noon Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Governor Noem Announces National Guard Deployment to Southern Border

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 6, 2023

On June 1, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will be deploying at least 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border later this summer.

Gov. Noem and Colleagues Oppose Changes to the Loan Level Pricing Adjustment

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 6, 2023

On May 31, Governor Kristi Noem and 17 of her fellow Republican governors sent a letter to President Biden and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra Thompson opposing the mandated changes to the loan level pricing adjustment (LLPA). You can read the letter here.

Thune: It’s Time to End Biden’s Costly Student Loan Bailout

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 2, 2023

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed President Biden’s reckless and costly student loan bailout and noted that the Senate will soon consider a resolution to block the government handout. Earlier this year, Thune introduced legislation that would prevent taxpayers and working families from paying for the cancellation of student loans and the ongoing suspension of federal student loan repayments.

Thune on Fox News: Republicans Forced President Biden to Cut Spending

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 1, 2023

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News to discuss the Fiscal Responsibility Act, legislation that would cut non-defense discretionary spending for the first time in a decade, rescind more unspent federal funds than any bill in the history of Congress, and raise the debt ceiling without raising taxes or creating any new federal programs.

ACRU’s Lori Roman: 'We applaud' South Dakota policymakers who 'fight to preserve and maintain constitutional rights like permitless carry'

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 1, 2023

The head of the American Constitutional Rights Union (ACRU) has called South Dakota's policy of allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit an affirmation of citizens' rights to keep and bear arms.

Rounds, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Improve Training for VA Personnel Overseeing PTSD Claims

By Rushmore State News Report | Jun 1, 2023

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) reintroduced legislation to improve training for personnel handling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). By improving training for VA personnel who are responsible for processing disability claims, this bipartisan legislation would help make certain benefits are being correctly determined so veterans experiencing PTSD are able to access the health care, treatment and compensation they need.

Thune: Responsible Budget Reforms Help Rein in Out-of-Control Democrat Spending

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the Fiscal Responsibility Act, legislation that would strengthen work requirements in federal programs, limit discretionary spending, end the costly student loan payment moratorium, and temporarily raise the debt ceiling to avoid default – all without raising taxes.

Rounds, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Provide Veterans with More Health Care Options

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. This legislation would allow veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system to receive care through a local community provider.

Attorney General Jackley Says U.S. Supreme Court WOTUS Ruling Protects South Dakotans From Undue Federal Burden

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley praised Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that limits the federal Government’s authority regarding the Clean Water Act. South Dakota was part of the lawsuit, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that led to the court’s ruling.

AG Jackley Joins Letter Urging Congressional Passage of Illicit Xylazine Act