Economy

BIG Update 

This week, I held a roundtable with producers to talk about issues facing South Dakota agriculture. We covered topics including the upcoming House committee activity on the Farm Bill, my efforts to secure year-round E-15, trade deals impacting South Dakota agriculture, and overall price concerns.

Decisions made in Washington shouldn’t be guess work. It was great to connect with these producers who are in the fields every day to hear their concerns and ideas. 

BIG Idea 

Housing supply in the United States has not kept up with demand. There’s currently a 5.5 million housing unit shortage in America. Rising construction costs, unnecessary regulations, regulatory delays, and outdated zoning have exacerbated this housing shortage and have made homes unaffordable for many families.

BIG Update

Free, fair, and accountable elections are vital to the survival of our democracy. Without common sense guardrails, our election system is severely compromised. I’ve been supportive of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to protect our elections. It requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote in federal elections. It also requires states to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls. 

BIG Update

My bill to protect the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre was signed into law. I’m thankful for the work of tribal leaders from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to preserve this land for generations to come and for the leadership of Senators Rounds and Thune who helped get this bill across the finish line.

BIG Update

Unnecessary federal regulations drive up costs for consumers. I’ve been working to undo burdensome red tape and make life more affordable for American families. It’s estimated that American households pay an average of $16,016 per year in hidden regulatory costs. Those federal rules affect many aspects of day-to-day life including auto emissions, energy efficiency standards on appliances, building code, health and food requirements, and more. 

BIG Update 

This week, the application opened for states to apply for assistance from the Rural Health Transformation Fund. These dollars are the largest single investment in rural health care in history. It provides $50 billion for workforce development, incentives for innovative care and technology, and ensures sustainable health care access for rural South Dakotans.  

BIG Idea