Weekly Column

Too many Americans view the Chinese Communist Party as a threat over there, when in reality it is a threat here.

I grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and stayed around to study Government and Philosophy at Augustana University. After graduating, I knew I needed to gain experience in politics to apply my field of study, so I applied to intern in Congressman Johnson’s office.

It only took a few days for the internship to exceed my expectations.

Specialist Marcus Rothlisberger was wounded in action during his deployment to Afghanistan. He sustained traumatic brain injuries from enemy attack when he was guarding a helicopter landing zone. Those injuries still impact him today.

Our country failed to honor him with a Purple Heart in the immediate aftermath – our team was proud to right that wrong this week.

We learned this week that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) lied to America and the rest of the international community about the route and purpose of their balloon. The House voted yesterday to criticize their actions. I can’t say that I am surprised by the lie—in reality, the balloon is just one incident of surveillance that likely didn’t gain them much more data.

Transportation and infrastructure are used by everyone – people traveling to work or vacation, grains and parts transported by train, cargo by plane, or goods driven across the country by a semi-truck.

The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated delays and gaps in our supply chain system. Suddenly, Americans couldn’t get their goods in a timely manner. Christmas presents were delayed for weeks, Amazon packages weren’t delivered on time, store shelves were empty for more reasons than one.

I‘m heading to the 65^th Annual Black Hills Stock Show this weekend. It’s one of my favorite events of the year – a midwestern city becomes a “slice of the Old West” – when cowboys and ranchers come from across the country. As I shake hands and greet folks, year after year, I’m reminded of the uphill battles our ranchers face every day. The next generation of ranchers needs positive change, and that’s what I’m working on in Congress.

This week, Republican Members of Congress were assigned to their Committees. I am proud to serve on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 118^th Congress.

In week one of our House Republican Majority, we brought a number of bills to the House Floor to counter the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party.