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Press Releases 01/3/2017
Thune Reintroduces MOBILE NOW Act on First Day of 115th Congress
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, reintroduced S. 19, the MOBILE NOW Act, which proposes reforms to boost the development of next-generation 5G wireless broadband by ensuring more spectrum is made available for commercial use and by reducing the red tape associated with building wireless networks.
Press Releases 01/3/2017
Thune Announces Republican Members on Commerce Committee
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced the Republican members who will serve on the committee in the 115th Congress.
Press Releases 12/16/2016
One Last 2016 Senate Commerce Bill Heads to White House
The bill encourages scientific entrepreneurship, maximizes research opportunities, reduces administrative burdens for researchers, and promotes oversight of taxpayer-funded research. It also enhances diversity in STEM fields, private-sector innovation, and manufacturing.
Press Releases 12/15/2016
Thune and Wicker on FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s Announced Departure
“I wish Chairman Wheeler well in his future endeavors,” said Thune. “No one who worked with him can doubt his tenacity and passion for telecommunications policy. His public departure announcement follows longstanding precedent and helps the incoming administration transition the FCC to reflect the outcome of the November election.”
Press Releases 12/12/2016
Thune and Nelson on Senate Approval of Bipartisan Science and Technology Bill
The bill encourages scientific entrepreneurship, maximizes research opportunities, reduces administrative burdens for researchers, and promotes oversight of taxpayer-funded research. It would also enhance diversity in STEM fields, private-sector innovation, and manufacturing.
Press Releases 12/10/2016
Surface Transportation Board Member Ann Begeman Reconfirmed by Senate
The Senate acted to reconfirm Ann Begeman, a native of Humboldt, S.D., to a term expiring December 31, 2020, on the Surface Transportation Board.
Press Releases 12/8/2016
Commerce Committee’s Sexual Assault Prevention Reforms for NOAA, Merchant Marine Academy Head to President’s Desk
The U.S. Senate today approved reforms adopted by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to protect midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees and contractors from sexual assault.
Press Releases 12/6/2016
Thune Talks Business with Designated Secretary of Commerce Nominee Wilbur Ross
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement following a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s designated nominee for Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross.
Press Releases 12/6/2016
Infrastructure, Innovation Top Thune Discussion with Designated Secretary of Transportation Nominee Elaine Chao
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement following a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s designated nominee for Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao.
Press Releases 12/2/2016
Senate Approves Bicameral Weather Forecasting Reforms
The bill as amended, which leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Science Committee negotiated, adds other weather forecasting and research reform provisions from three bills (S. 1331, S. 1573, and H.R. 34), including reforms championed by Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

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