Weekly Column
Guest Columnby David Forsythe, Wounded Warrior Fellow with Rep. Dusty Johnson's Office
Last week, the National Defense Authorization (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 passed the House with a 363-70 vote. This week it passed the Senate. The annual NDAA includes strong policies for our military and wins for South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base and the future of the B-21 bomber mission.
There's a classic narrative that nothing gets accomplished in Washington. I'll admit there's a lot of disfunction in government, but this week that wasn't the case.
I'm sure most of you have noticed the rising costs of just about everything—gas, groceries, restaurants, coffee, home appliances, electricity, etc. Prices have risen steadily since January and we are all feeling the effects of inflation on our wallets and bank accounts. Gallup reported that 45% of Americans have experienced financial hardship triggered by these increased prices.
This Thanksgiving, like so many South Dakotans, I'm looking forward to spending time with my wife and three boys at home. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not only because of the roasted turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, but because it brings people together in a spirit of thankfulness and allows me to reflect on what I am truly grateful for.
November is National Adoption Month which is why on behalf of the state of South Dakota, I would like to congratulate Sarah and Terry Reyelts for being selected as 2021 Angels in Adoption honorees.
Last Sunday, you probably woke up one of two ways: rested because of the extra hour of sleep or bright and early because your kids didn't get the memo on Daylight Saving Time (DST).
It is Groundhog Day again on Capitol Hill. Every week, for the past seven weeks, House Democrats have claimed we will vote on their massive spending bill. Not surprisingly, it's 5pm on Friday and a vote in the U.S. House was open for over eight hours. This bill is so large, and so partisan, even Democrats cannot come to an agreement within their own party.
The supply chain's breakin' down
and its making consumers' frown.
It's a problem I'm hoping to snuff
‘cause the season's spooky enough.
The time has come for the cheaters to pay
More than 10,000 bills get introduced in Congress each year. Most of them, even good ones, don't see legislative action. It's even more challenging to pass a bill when you aren't the political party in power. Despite the long odds, I was able to pass an important cattle industry bill out of committee this week.