Weekly Column
When I was a teenager, I was eager to start my first job. When I wasn’t doing homework or running track, I wanted something else to do – I didn’t like to sit around. A part-time job was a great option for me. Plus, I really needed the extra cash if I wanted to go on dates or have gas money.
This month, my office was awarded the Democracy Award for Outstanding Constituent Service by the Congressional Management Foundation. Only one Republican and one Democrat office is selected for each award category. This award honors congressional offices for their non-legislative achievement and performance. My office has excelled at helping South Dakotans with their requests and inquiries, and this award recognizes my team’s hard work.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, and MSCI, a top stock-market-index compiler, have been investing American retirement dollars in Chinese companies that strengthen China’s military and pose security threats to America. Not just that, but more than 60 of these companies have been flagged by U.S.
Cryptocurrencies are confusing. Is it real money? Is it digital money? Is it worth the investment? Is it risky?
Most of us feel a bit of dread when going to the airport. From the time we leave our front door until we reach our final destination, a lot can go wrong. Maybe it’s the crowds, long lines, flight cancelations, delays, or missing baggage, we’ve all had our fair share of air travel problems.
Our nation’s military is our first line of defense. They protect us in ways we don’t know and can’t see. Their round-the-clock monitoring of our adversaries such as China and Russia, boots-on-the-ground fighting, and cyber warfare protection deserve our utmost gratitude so we can live freely. This week, House Republicans secured major wins in the House-passed NDAA to give our military the resources necessary to do their jobs.
At the start of my first day as the Ben Reifel intern for Congressman Dusty Johnson, I was convinced the biggest takeaway would be the experience. I did not imagine I would be swayed into the world of politics. The intern experience has been amazing, and I’m even more thankful Congressman Johnson has given me the opportunity to have policy exposure I would not have had otherwise.
This week, six proud South Dakotans began military training at their respective service academies. These young men are some of the most motivated and determined I've had the honor of nominating to the academies. |
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is spying on ports across the globe. I suppose it isn’t much of a shock, given their track record with spying through apps like TikTok, their spy base in Cuba, and CCP “police stations” around the world.