In the News
As part of an investigation into labor trafficking in South Dakota, the Argus Leader asked our state's congressional delegation about the extent of illegal labor practices in the area and possible solutions.
We also asked their thoughts on the H-2B visa, which allows employers to hire foreign workers to perform temporary non-agricultural services on a seasonal basis, a source of potential abuse if an employer takes the worker's immigration papers or has them overstay their visa.
An average summer day in South Dakota is 82 degrees. While I am in the state for the August work period, I want to make sure I get face time with as many of you as possible. To help beat the heat and hear from South Dakotans at the same time, I'm making stops at ice cream shops throughout the state to get the "Inside Scoop." I am always looking for more opportunities to sit down with constituents and have a conversation. What better way than over ice cream?
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson was in Aberdeen for a town hall-style event at the Twist Cone.
His event, called "Inside Scoop with Dusty" drew a crowd of about 40.
Earlier in the day Johnson met with a group of constituents at Aberdeen Development Corp. and toured Avera St. Luke's Hospital.
Residents asked Johnson a variety of questions. The following is a sample of the answers he gave.
Spaghetti with meat sauce, hot hamburger with mashed potatoes, beef and noodles and cheeseburgers — these are the tasty menu items enjoyed by students at Wall School in Wall, S.D., all prepared by head cook Lynn Dunker using locally-raised beef.
A newly introduced bill could help alleviate feed shortages.
"Across the state of South Dakota and really nationwide have experienced a spring in which excess moisture has been a problem," vice president of South Dakota Corn Growers Association, farms in McCook County, Scott Stahl said.
Representatives Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Angie Craig of Minnesota have introduced the Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters or FEEDD Act. The legislation gives farmers and ranchers additional flexibility to help alleviate feed shortages during planting seasons due to drought or with high levels of prevent plant due to extreme moisture. Johnson says the bill would force the Risk Management Agency to make the policy change.
NCBA Policy Division Vice Chairman Todd Wilkinson says the bill is badly needed with excessive rain and flooding in the Midwest this spring.
McCOOK COUNTY, S.D. (KELO) - From a wet, muddy calving season to soggy fields, this spring has been anything but easy for farmers and ranchers. Now a new bill could hopefully relieve some of their stress.
U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson and Angie Craig introduced the bipartisan FEEDD Act, which stands for Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters Act.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid overdoses kill an average of 130 Americans each day.
As someone who didn't grow up around technology, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said he doesn't envy the youth of today because he recognizes the extra challenges that social media bring.
Johnson, South Dakota's lone representative in the U.S. House, was at Central High School Thursday morning fielding questions from students in government class.
It was one of three stops he made in Aberdeen prior to the Brown County Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner. The others were at the Agtegra Innovation Center and Northern State University.
South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson is back in KELOLAND after what he calls an "educational" trip to the southern border. Johnson and fellow members of Congress spent time in southwest Arizona earlier this week.
After spending time down south, Johnson says the hands-on experience at the U.S.-Mexico border is something every member of Congress should take part in.
"We do have a crisis at the southern border. We had twice as many people apprehended in March as we had in January. We need to fix this problem," Johnson said.