The U.S. Senate passed a banking bailout plan, but only one Senator from South Dakota helped make it happen.

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson and Republican Sen. John Thune split their votes. Johnson voted against it while Thune voted in favor of it.

"It would have been easy to do the 'politically popular' thing and vote against this bill, but for me it would not have been the responsible thing to do," said Thune in a statement sent to KSFY Action News. In an interview with KSFY Tuesday, Thune said the bill is not about helping "fat cats" on Wall Street. Instead, he said it's about protecting South Dakotans from further economic damage.

"If we are to ask the American people to shoulder such a large and enduring burden because of the irresponsible and greedy actions of Wall Street then it is important that we get it right," said Johnson in a written statement. Johnson said this bill is closer to helping protect everyday South Dakotans, but not enough to get his support.

In Minnesota, both Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar both voted for the so-called Economic Rescue Package, as did Iowa's Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley and Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

The new proposal has added tax breaks and an increase in deposit insurance. Those are big changes from the previous $700 billion bailout defeated by the House earlier this week, which Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Tim Walz (D-MN), and Steve King (R-IA) all voted against.

From here, the bailout plan goes to the House once again. They're expected to vote on it on Friday.

What are your thoughts on the Economic Rescue Package?
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