WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 -- Sen. John Thune issued the following press release:
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
Thune's remarks below (as delivered):
"Mr. President, as someone who grew up in rural South Dakota - in the town of Murdo, which has a population of roughly 500, and that would be rounding up - I know firsthand the joys of living in a rural community.
"I also know some of the challenges.
"Everything from package delivery to internet reliability can be more difficult when you live far outside a major city.
"And access to health care can sometimes be a real challenge.
"More than 100 rural hospitals have closed over the past two decades, and doctors can be fe...