Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Thune is hoping to attract more Native votes but opponent Sen. Tom Daschle (D) says his record on Indian issues is non-existent.

Thune served six years in the House but sponsored or co-sponsored just three Indian-related bills during that time. One of them, to create the Sioux Nation Supreme Court, passed after being attached to an omnibus bill signed by former President Bill Clinton. Another provided $58.8 million for a rural reservation water project. The third, to award Congressional Gold Medals to the Lakota Code Talkers, passed the House but not the Senate.

Thune said four votes during his term shows his support for Indian issues. All the votes were for appropriations or omnibus bills that contained Indian projects in addition to other projects.

Get the Story:
Thune's record on Indians at issue in debates (The Rapid City Journal 10/19)

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