John Thune

It seemed to me at least this ought to be something we could fix.

I would appreciate if you would do that.

I would like to get your commitment today that this policy of donating vegetative cover... can be donated to livestock producers.

I fully support S. 3183, The Better On-line Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, and I commend the bipartisan approach by the bill's sponsors.

We appreciate his leadership in passing of the SRB reauthorization bill.

We appreciate his leadership in passing of the STB reauthorization bill.

Chairman Thune, you have been instrumental in addressing the rail concerns of our industry including the service related issues in 2014 and now with enactment of STB reform.

Chairman Thune, as you know, we in South Dakota experienced terrible rail service several years ago that impacted our industry as well as almost every rail shipper in the Northern Plains.

Chairman Thune, you've been instrumental in addressing the rail concerns of our industry including the service related issues in 2014 and now with enactment of STB reform.

We particularly thank you, Senator Thune, for the March 31 letter that was sent to all three members of the STB welcoming the Board's steps to complete rulemaking for data collection.

We understand that there needs to be a balance between the financial health of the railroads so that they are able to maintain the current system and invest in the facilities and at the same time protect consumers from excessive costs.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Coats), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Cochran), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr…

Would you support repealing IPAB to protect providers and beneficiaries who would be faced with these arbitrary cuts?

Being from a rural state, I am always contemplating how changes to reimbursement are going to impact rural providers.

The FTC has referred to aspects of the NPRM as, 'not optimal.'

The lack of consultation with stakeholders is striking, and it further indicates not only the flawed nature of this demonstration.

Thune to seek restoration of funding for a FULL FLEDGED EMERGENCY ROOM AT THE WAGNER UNIT, TO PREVENT FURTHER UNTIMELY DEATHS.

Chairman Barrasso, one quick follow-up on that point. And I fully appreciate the fact, Secretary Wakefield, that you followed the protocols and whatever the bidding requirements to award that contract, but, my gosh, there has got to be…

Work with us on getting that coordinated.

Unfortunately, IHS has not been transparent and they have not been forthcoming about these issues.

There's got to be whistleblower protection so when things go wrong and people report it, they aren't retaliated against.

Significant and structural changes are needed and this bill boldly steps into that arena as a first attempt to open the dialogue of change.

Investing more taxpayer money in a dysfunctional system will only compound the problem.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing in South Dakota, and I want to speak out to the commission and those who are affected most by the Indian Health Services and those are who are part of the communities.

The services provided by the Indian Health Service as malpractice, and I stand by those words.