THUNE, JOHN (a Senator from South Dakota)

Amendments

Appropriations: making supplemental appropriations for ongoing military operations and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, war on terror, and hurricane relief and recovery (H.R. 4939), S3740 [27AP], S3818 [1MY], S3873 [2MY]

Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2006-2011 (S. Con. Res. 83), S2047 [13MR], S2062 [14MR]

Congress: provide greater transparency in the legislative process (S. 2349), S2314 [16MR]

Courts: provide fair and efficient judicial consideration of personal injury and wrongful death claims due to asbestos exposure and ensure fair compensation for harm caused by asbestos exposure (S. 852), S1022 [9FE], S1307 [14FE]

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 2766), S5817 [13JN], S5858, S5891 [14JN], S5972 [15JN], S6020 [16JN], S6122 [20JN], S6285 [21JN], S6336, S6366, S6422 [22JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: making appropriations (H.R. 5441), S7384, S7436, S7437 [12JY]

Immigration: reform (S. 2454), S2732 [3AP], S2922 [5AP], S3290 [6AP]

———reform (S. 2611), S4564 [15MY], S4618 [16MY], S4697 [17MY]

Appointments

Committee To Escort the President, S141 [25JA]

Conferee: H.R. 5122, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military activities and prescribing personnel strengths, S6405 [22JN]

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors, S7360 [11JY]

Articles and editorials

Taking Lumps—As Utilities Seek More Coal, Railroads Struggle To Deliver, Rebecca Smith and Daniel Machalaba, Wall Street Journal, S2304 [16MR]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Agriculture: provide disaster assistance to agricultural producers for crop and livestock losses (see S. 2438), S2313 [16MR]

Appropriations: constitutional amendment on line-item veto (see S.J. Res. 25), S728 [6FE]

———line-item veto (see S. 2381), S1834 [7MR]

Bentsen, Lloyd: tribute (see S. Res. 489), S4967 [23MY]

Budget: establish a biennial budget process and a biennial appropriations process and enhance oversight and the performance of the Federal Government (see S. 877), S3379 [7AP]

———establish a new process to create a comprehensive plan to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and regain control of the Federal budget process (see S. 3521), S5950 [15JN]

Clean Air Act: require all gasoline sold for use in motor vehicles to contain a certain percentage of renewable fuel (see S. 3553), S6283 [21JN]

Crime: enhance protection of children from sexual exploitation by requiring producers of sexually explicit material to keep and permit inspection of records regarding the age of performers (see S. 2140), S5875 [14JN]

———prohibit the unauthorized sale or acquisition of confidential telephone records (see S. 2389), S1893 [8MR]

Dalai Lama: award a Congressional Gold Medal (see S. 2784), S4468 [11MY]

Dept. of the Interior: offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing (see S. 2253), S1894 [8MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish an Assistant Sec. for Rural Veterans and improve care provided to veterans living in rural areas (see S. 2433), S2312 [16MR]

Disasters: prohibit the confiscation of firearms during certain national emergencies (see S. 2599), S5661 [8JN]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make permanent enhanced educational savings provisions for qualified tuition programs (see S. 1112), S1505 [27FE]

FCC: make efforts to reduce telephone rates for Armed Forces personnel deployed overseas (see S. 2653), S4053 [4MY]

Firearms: allow State concealed handgun carrying licenses to be valid in all States and exempt current and former law enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns (see S. 3275), S5341 [26MY]

Foreign trade: enhance and improve U.S. trade relations by strengthening U.S. trade enforcement efforts and encouraging trading partners to adhere to the rules and norms of international trade (see S. 2467), S2690 [31MR]

Health: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see S. 22), S4107 [5MY]

———make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (see S. 2322), S2903 [5AP]

Immigration: extend termination date for the exemption of returning workers from the numerical limitations for temporary workers (see S. 2284), S2603 [30MR]

Indian Health Service: maintain current operating hours of the Wagner Service Unit until a report is submitted that evaluates the impact of reduction of emergency room services (see S. Res. 358), S329 [30JA]

Interstate Highway System: anniversary (see S. Res. 427), S2902 [5AP]

Japan: impose retaliatory economic measures if U.S. beef imports do not resume immediately (see S. 3548), S6283 [21JN]

King, Coretta Scott: tribute (see S. Res. 362), S370 [31JA]

LIHEAP: funding (see S. 2273), S1071 [10FE]

Lincoln, Abraham: mint coins in commemoration of bicentennial of birth (see S. 811), S5491 [6JN]

Medicare: protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (see S. 3500), S5779 [13JN]

———require prompt payment to pharmacies, restrict pharmacy co-branding on prescription drug cards, and provide guidelines for Medication Therapy Management Services programs under prescription drug program (see S. 2563), S5231 [25MY]

Middle East: promote the development of democratic institutions in areas under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority (see S. 2370), S1790 [6MR]

National Day of the American Cowboy: designate (see S. Res. 371), S1415 [16FE]

National Guard: commend members, fully fund equipment needs, and request consultation by the Dept. of Defense with Congress and the States prior to proposing force structure changes (see S. Res. 355), S211 [26JA]

National Small Business Week: observance (see S. Res. 435), S3212 [6AP]

News media: maintain free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by persons connected with the news media (see S. 1419), S447 [1FE]

Power resources: increase cooperation on energy issues between the U.S. and foreign governments and entities in order to secure the strategic and economic interests of the U.S. (see S. 2435), S7285 [10JY]

———permit U.S. companies to participate in exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon resources from a foreign maritime exclusive economic zone contiguous to U.S. exclusive economic zone (see S. 2787), S4469 [11MY]

———reduce dependence on foreign oil through use of alternative fuels and new technology (see S. 2446), S3213 [6AP]

———support the ``25 x 25 Initiative'' which envisions that farm, forestry, and ranch lands will provide at least 25 percent of the energy consumed in the U.S. by the year 2025 (see S. Con. Res. 97), S5599 [7JN]

SBA: reform the Small Business Investment Companies program relative to companies licensed to issue participating debentures (see S. 1923), S728 [6FE]

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: reauthorize (see S. 267), S1414 [16FE]

South Dakota: reauthorize the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Supply Project (see S. 3404), S5489 [6JN]

Taxation: simplify taxation of business activity (see S. 2721), S4050 [4MY]

U.N.: withhold U.S. contributions pending certification that the U.N. is not engaged in global taxation schemes (see S. 3633), S7331 [11JY]

Veterans: establish a financial assistance program to facilitate provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing (see S. 1991), S1176 [14FE]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (see S. 23), S4156 [8MY]

Bills and resolutions introduced

GAO: submit a report to Congress on the compliance of the Postal Service with procedural requirements in the closing of the postal sorting facility in Aberdeen, SD (see S. 3481), S5659 [8JN]

Middle East: withhold U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats calls for the destruction of Israel (see S. Con. Res. 79), S446 [1FE]

Missouri River: permit the use of certain funds for recovery and mitigation activities in the upper basin (see S. 2371), S1790 [6MR]

Petroleum: influence oil-producing nations to increase production and require Dept. of Energy to submit report detailing estimated production levels and capacity of all major oil-producing countries (see S. Res. 467), S4051 [4MY]

Power resources: establish a program to provide reimbursement for the installation of alternative energy refueling systems (see S. 2613, 2614), S3378 [7AP]

South Dakota: convey certain lands acquired for the Blunt Reservoir and Pierre Canal features of the Oahe Irrigation Project to certain State agencies for wildlife habitat mitigation and provide conditional purchase options (see S. 2205), S211 [26JA]

Taxation: reduce Federal fuel tax through suspension of royalty relief for oil production and certain energy production tax incentives (see S. 2673), S3704 [27AP]

Veterans: provide annual cost-of-living adjustments in rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see S. 3068), S5227 [25MY]

Cloture motions

Civil liberties: clarify disclosure requirements for individuals who receive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act orders and national security letters, and for library records (S. 2271), S1379 [16FE], S1522 [28FE]

Courts: provide fair and efficient judicial consideration of personal injury and wrongful death claims due to asbestos exposure and ensure fair compensation for harm caused by asbestos exposure (S. 852), S1122 [13FE]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make repeal of estate taxes permanent (H.R. 8), motion to proceed, S5509 [6JN], S5628 [8JN]

Edelman, Eric S.: nomination to be Under Sec. of Defense for Policy, S872 [8FE]

England, Gordon R.: nomination to be Deputy Sec. of Defense, S2897 [5AP]

Families and domestic relations: constitutional amendment relative to definition of marriage (S.J. Res. 1), motion to proceed, S5424 [5JN], S5534 [7JN]

Flory, Peter C.W.: nomination to be Assistant Sec. of Defense for International Security Policy, S2898 [5AP], S3366 [7AP]

Health: expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (S. 1955), S4326 [10MY], S4459 [11MY]

———expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (S. 1955), motion to proceed, S4095 [5MY], S4165 [9MY]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (S. 22), motion to proceed, S4095 [5MY], S4146 [8MY]

Immigration: reform (S. 2454), S2896 [5AP], S3358 [7AP]

Kempthorne, Dirk: nomination to be Sec. of the Interior, S5128 [24MY]

LIHEAP: funding (S. 2320), S1666 [3MR], S1815 [7MR]

———funding (S. 2320), motion to proceed, S1522 [28FE]

Powell, Benjamin A.: nomination to be Office of the Director of National Intelligence General Counsel, S2897 [5AP]

Smith, J. Dorrance: nomination to be Assistant Sec. of Defense for Public Affairs, S2898 [5AP]

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act: reauthorize and improve (H.R. 3199), conference report, S1561 [1MR]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 23), motion to proceed, S4095 [5MY], S4146 [8MY]

Lists

Eagle Scout award recipients, S324 [30JA]

Privilege of the floor

Howard, Kevin, S3759 [27AP]

Remarks

Alito, Samuel A., Jr.: nomination to be Supreme Court Justice, S203 [26JA]

Appropriations: making supplemental appropriations for ongoing military operations and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, war on terror, and hurricane relief and recovery (H.R. 4939), S3487 [25AP], S3874 [2MY], S4013 [4MY]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: oil and gas exploration, S3487 [25AP]

Baltic, SD: anniversary, S6059 [19JN]

Bath, SD: anniversary, S6417 [22JN]

Brentford, SD: anniversary, S6059 [19JN]

Budget: reconciliation of the tax relief provisions of the concurrent resolution (H.R. 4297), conference report, S4421 [11MY]

Chelsea, SD: anniversary, S6059 [19JN]

Congress: joint session for the State of the Union Message (S. Con. Res. 77), S141 [25JA]

Courts: establish medical criteria for asbestos exposure victims seeking compensation, S954 [9FE]

———provide fair and efficient judicial consideration of personal injury and wrongful death claims due to asbestos exposure and ensure fair compensation for harm caused by asbestos exposure (S. 852), S954 [9FE]

Cresbard, SD: anniversary, S6059 [19JN]

Crocker, SD: anniversary, S6416 [22JN]

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 2766), S6227, S6249, S6251 [21JN], S6341 [22JN]

———F-22A aircraft and F-119 engine program funding, S6341 [22JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: making appropriations (H.R. 5441), S7385 [12JY]

Draper, SD: anniversary, S5949 [15JN]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make repeal of estate taxes permanent (H.R. 8), motion to proceed, S5547 [7JN]

Economy: impact of tax cuts, S4421 [11MY]

Families and domestic relations: constitutional amendment relative to definition of marriage (S.J. Res. 1), motion to proceed, S5458 [6JN]

Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (S.J. Res. 12), S6534 [27JN]

Foreign policy: assess status of the war on terrorism, S6605 [28JN]

Groton, SD: anniversary, S6416 [22JN]

Hayden, Michael V.: nomination to be CIA Director, S5313 [26MY]

Health: expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (S. 1955), S4261, S4262 [10MY]

———expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (S. 1955), motion to proceed, S4137 [8MY], S4187 [9MY]

———improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (S. 22), motion to proceed, S4137 [8MY]

———set caps on noneconomic damages in medical liability lawsuits, S4138 [8MY]

Howard, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Immigration: prohibit granting of legal status, or adjustment of status for individuals who entered the U.S. illegally until border security measures have been fully implemented, S4583 [16MY]

———reform (S. 2454), S2893 [5AP]

———reform (S. 2611), S4583 [16MY]

Iona, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Iraq: assessment of war and reconstruction efforts, S6606 [28JN]

———develop and implement a plan for withdrawal of Armed Forces, S6605 [28JN]

———spur political solution and encourage the people to provide for their own security through the redeployment of U.S. forces, S6227, S6249, S6251 [21JN]

Kadoka, SD: anniversary of Hogan's Hardware (business), S3417 [24AP]

Kavanaugh, Brett M.: nomination to be circuit judge, S5313 [26MY]

Kempthorne, Dirk: nomination to be Sec. of the Interior, S5313 [26MY]

Lemmon, SD: anniversary, S5658 [8JN]

Madison, SD: tribute to Madison Central High School girls' gymnastic team, S2796 [4AP]

Medicare: protect and preserve access of beneficiaries in rural areas to health care providers (S. 3500), S5868 [14JN]

Miller, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Mobridge, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Mount Vernon, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

OPM: administer a national health program to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees (S. 2510), S4187-S4189 [9MY]

Parker, SD: South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development Small Community of the Year award recipient, S3417 [24AP]

Pennington County, SD: tribute to Juvenile Diversion Project Truancy Court Project, S4616 [16MY]

Petroleum: dependence on foreign sources, S1860 [8MR]

———gasoline price levels, S3487 [25AP], S3637 [27AP]

Plankinton, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Power resources: establish a program to provide reimbursement for the installation of alternative energy refueling systems, S7385 [12JY]

———establish a program to provide reimbursement for the installation of alternative energy refueling systems (S. 2613), S3489 [25AP], S3637 [27AP]

———establish a program to provide reimbursement for the installation of alternative energy refueling systems (S. 2614), S3387 [7AP]

———increase the production and use of ethanol, S1860 [8MR]

———national energy policy, S3637, S3638 [27AP]

Railroads: improve rail capacity, S2303 [16MR]

Senate: legislative program, S143 [25JA]

Sioux Falls, SD: anniversary, S6416 [22JN]

South Dakota State University: anniversary, S5948 [15JN]

Stratford, SD: anniversary, S6059 [19JN]

Taxation: provide relief from the alternative minimum tax, S4421 [11MY]

———repeal sunset on reduction of capital gains rates for individuals and on taxation of dividends of individuals at capital gain rates, S4421 [11MY]

Tea, SD: anniversary, S5872 [14JN]

Telecommunications: increase penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane material (S. 193), S5772 [13JN]

University of Texas: tribute to football team (S. Res. 352), S141 [25JA]

Veterans: health care funding through reductions in National Civilian Community Corps funding, S3874 [2MY], S4013 [4MY]

Vivian, SD: anniversary, S6058 [19JN]

Wentworth, SD: anniversary, S6416 [22JN]

Women: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services (S. 23), motion to proceed, S4138 [8MY]

Remarks in Senate relative to

Tribute, S7360 [11JY]

Tributes

Adams, Dustin, S7283 [10JY]

Beck, Russell and Betty, S6781 [29JN]

Brewster, Aimee, S6781 [29JN]

Christensen, Kristen, S6781 [29JN]

Cota, Tom, S7281 [10JY]

Murdo, SD: anniversary, S5776 [13JN]

Parke, Stephen M., S6416 [22JN]

Sagen, Peg, S6631 [28JN]

Tallman, William, S767 [7FE]

Thompson, Robert K., S5208 [25MY]

Timmerman, Chris, S6781 [29JN]

Tschetter, Martha, S443 [1FE]

Wagner, Gregory, S5208 [25MY]

Whitepipe, Charles, Sr., S7283 [10JY]

Ziolkowski, Ruth, S6416 [22JN]