Rushmore State News

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor to mark National Police Week. In his remarks, Thune commended law enforcement officers for their service and honored officers who were killed in the line of duty. Thune noted that police departments across the country continue to face challenges from increasing crime, vilification of officers, and recruitment issues, and he called on Congress and the president to support law enforcement with adequate resources and effective policies.

Rounds, Baldwin and Risch Slam FDA Rule that Allows Plant-Based Products to Use Dairy’s Name, Hurting Consumers and Producers

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) led a bipartisan group of colleagues to call out the Biden administration’s misguided draft guidance that allows non-dairy product imitators to use dairy names, like milk, when labeling their products.

Cherishing South Dakota Moms

I still remember the first time I was invited to my mother-in-law’s home for dinner when I was dating Bryon.

Attorney General Knudsen Announces Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest Winner

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Madisyn Allard, of Superior, as the winner of the second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest, during National Police Week.

Rounds, Coons, Murkowski and Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Support Military Families Affected by ALS

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) reintroduced the Justice for ALS Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation would guarantee that surviving spouses of veterans who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive the benefits they have earned.

Thune, Johnson Lead Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Agriculture Exports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in introducing the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act, legislation to protect American food products from unfair trade practices by foreign countries.

Statement Regarding Montana Supreme Court Decision Lowering Standard Of Care For Women Seeking Abortions

Statement from Montana Department of Justice regarding the state Supreme Court decision in Weems v. State of Montana:

Gov. Noem Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week

On May 10, Governor Kristi Noem celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week.

Rounds Questions Former SVB CEO on Second-Largest Bank Failure in U.S. History

By Rushmore State News Report | May 17, 2023

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today questioned Gregory Becker, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). The collapse of SVB was the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history and the largest since the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

Thune: Reckless, Out-of-Control Government Spending Must End

By Rushmore State News Report | May 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the need to reform federal spending and the risk of the growing national debt. Thune noted that the interest on the debt will exceed spending on key programs like national defense, Medicare, and Social Security in the next few decades. He also outlined how the debt ceiling has historically provided an opportunity to agree to spending reforms and urged President Biden to get serious about negotiating with Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans.

Thune: Biden’s Border Crisis Turns Into Full-Blown Catastrophe

By Rushmore State News Report | May 17, 2023

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the Biden administration’s decision to end the use of pandemic-era Title 42 authorities without any meaningful replacement. Thune noted that President Biden has the authority to address the crisis at the southern border, but he has simply chosen not to act. Title 42 has played an essential role in preventing the crisis at the border from becoming a full-blown catastrophe, and once it is lifted, the administration is expecting up to 13,000 illegal crossings per day – nearly doubling the recent average.

South Dakota deaths did not exceed death expectancy during week ending April 29

South Dakota's death count did not exceed death expectancy during the week ending April 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Attorney General Marty Jackley Says No Foul Play, No Threat to Public After Discovery of Body In Lincoln County

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that no foul play is suspected and that there is no threat to the public after a male body was found Tuesday in rural Lincoln County.

Thune Discusses Dangers of Supersized Tax Enforcement Agency

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, today discussed the Democrats’ plan to supersize the Internal Revenue Service’s enforcement arm while disproportionately funding customer service-related functions at the agency.

57 people age 85 and older in South Dakota are estimated to have died during week ending April 29

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 57 individuals age 85 and older died during the week ending April 29.

South Dakota legislature passes historic tax cuts aiding small businesses

South Dakota's 2023 legislative session brought significant changes for small business owners, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

South Dakota sessions lead to tax cuts, workforce incentives for small businesses

South Dakota's 2023 legislative session witnessed several developments favoring small business owners.

Thune, Risch Reintroduce Bill to Release Afghanistan Dissent Cable

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today reintroduced a bill to require the U.S. State Department to release a public, unclassified version of the July 13, 2021, internal dissent channel cable that reportedly warned of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s ability to capture Kabul.

Rounds, Cornyn and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Reform Security Classification System