WASHINGTON, April 20 -- 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, Tax Day was last week, and I'd like to read a brief excerpt from a Washington Post article.

"The title of this article?

"'Tax refunds shoot up as Americans take advantage of new deductions'

"And here's the excerpt, and I'll quote:

"'Karen Richardson, 68, has had a predictable tax return since she retired from her job administering government benefits four years ago. She lives on a fixed income and usually owes some money at tax time, so she was surprised to get a $1,000 refund this year due to the sen...