Weekly Column

A big snowstorm came across the state this week, canceling school and closing offices for many people. While remote working and learning has made snow days a thing of the past, being inside day and night makes it easy to get bored in the evenings. When this much snow comes down, it’s time to think up some fun activities to do at home.

I’ve compiled a list of ideas to get you started:

On Thursday, the House voted with bipartisan support to pass the annual defense bill—the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill has been passed on time for 62 consecutive years. This is a pillar of defense policy and funding, a critical way to protect national security.

Fifty-four tons. That’s how much each American requires of goods shipped by freight each year.

This week as we approached the end of yet another extension to avert a strike by rail workers, the threat of canceled shipments was staring our nation in the face.

November is a month associated with many things—the last of our beautiful fall foliage, winter weather sets in, honoring our veterans, and celebrating Thanksgiving. At Thanksgiving, we gather around the table and celebrate things we’re grateful for like our home, safety, freedoms, and our loved ones.

I am grateful and honored to serve as South Dakota’s only voice in the U.S. House of Representatives for another two years. Since coming to the U.S. House in 2019, Republicans have been the minority party. Despite that, I’ve stayed focused on effectiveness and led more than a dozen bills across the finish line. I plan to bring that same attitude to the 118^th Congress—working hard and getting things done for South Dakotans.

Throughout our nation’s history, more than 41 million servicemen and women have vowed to make the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom and mine. Veterans Day is a day to stop and remember those who have chosen service and sacrifice to protect their families, towns, states, and our country.

It’s easy to focus on what isn’t getting done in Washington—don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to do—but I was recently reminded of a big win from earlier this year. Once a bill crosses that finish line and is signed into law or implemented, sometimes we forget to highlight the impact it’s had on our economy and businesses.

It’s Halloween weekend—we see jack-o-lanterns, bats, skeletons, and zombies in many front yards of our streets. It gets us in the spooky spirit of Halloween, but there's one thing that spooks me year-round—American energy insecurity.