Memorable Moments: Going to Bat for South Dakotans

As I reflect on my time in Congress, I’m reminded of the accomplishments and moments that have made these last eight years so meaningful. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the work I’m most proud of from my time serving South Dakota and the people who make our state such a special place.

Constituent service has always been an important responsibility of my office. Whether navigating a federal agency or planning a trip to D.C., my team works hard to ensure South Dakotans have someone in their corner.

In 2023, my team and I earned an award for Outstanding Constituent Service by the Congressional Management Foundation for going above and beyond to help South Dakotans navigate complex government agencies. Casework is a vital part of serving in Congress, and together, we have helped more than 5,800 people.

Those cases cover a wide range of issues. We have helped folks receive delayed tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, helped veterans resolve issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs, assisted South Dakotans with expedited passports for urgent international travel, and helped others navigate a variety of federal programs and agencies.

My team also won an award for providing South Dakotans the best constituent experience in D.C. We have welcomed more than 5,000 visitors to the Capitol and given more than 950 tours – in just the past four years. I had the honor of giving 53 private evening tours to some of our guests, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at our incredible Capitol building.

I am incredibly proud of the work my team has done and the thousands of South Dakotans we have had the privilege of helping over the past eight years. Behind every request was a South Dakotan looking for answers, and our team took that responsibility seriously. It has been an honor to serve the people of South Dakota, and I am grateful for the trust they placed in our office.