WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today spoke at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works’ hearing on his Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, which the committee is considering. Thune also welcomed Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation and vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, who testified about the importance of Thune’s bill.

Agriculture is the lifeblood and economic engine of South Dakota. That’s why I believe it’s critical that we have a seat at the table when it comes to negotiating and crafting policies that directly affect our state’s economy and our hardworking farmers and ranchers. I’m proud to be a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee where I advocate for South Dakota agriculture as we craft farm bills and other important legislation. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve fought to grow South Dakota’s agriculture economy and to protect its farming families by actively pursuing sound agriculture and land stewardship policies, and I’m thankful to have had the advice and support of South Dakota’s agriculture community along the way.