Weekly Column
On Monday, I sat down with the South Dakota Corn & South Dakota Soybean Associations in Valley Springs. For over an hour, I heard directly from producers on concerns they have, the challenges of the last four years, as well as the emerging opportunities. From workforce to trade to farm programs, there was a common goal amongst both groups: greater predictability.
June is National Dairy Month, and in South Dakota we have a lot to celebrate.
Over the last three years, milk production has grown 35% in South Dakota. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, total cheese production in South Dakota increased 16% in a year when many states were not as fortunate.
As COVID-19 cases are on the decline and more countries open up for summer travel, Americans are starting to pack their bags and get on the road.
According to TSA, nearly two million people went through airport security on May 23rd – that's the highest number of air travelers TSA has seen since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
Before you hit the road – or the tarmac – don't forget a few of the essentials: money, your ID, sunscreen, and if you're going abroad, your up-to-date passport.
On the last Monday of every May, our nation pays special tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Our celebration of Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War, when fellow Americans began honoring the countless soldiers who lost their lives in battle. Memorial Day is often filled with picnics and parades, but its important to take a moment to truly reflect on the solemnity of the day.
More than 36% of all Americans are fully vaccinated. Our nation is on track to get back to "normal."
But if we really want to get back to normal, that means getting back to work. If you walk down Main Street in most towns across America, you'll spot "Help Wanted" signs in most windows. There are more than eight million job openings in our country right now, but nearly ten million Americans aren't working.
Each year congressional offices across the country interview potential candidates for our nation's military and service academies.
It's one of the best parts of my job. South Dakota is home to some of the best and brightest students, many of them hoping they'll go on to serve our country at one of our nation's esteemed military institutions.
Nearly 100 days ago, President Biden stood before America and promised unity and a path forward. He told us that path forward would include Republicans – it hasn't yet. I'm an optimist though, and during my first two years in Washington, when faced with a global pandemic, Congress stepped up to the plate and passed bipartisan legislation to help all Americans. I believe we can get back to that place.
"Fighting Escalates in Eastern Ukraine, Signaling the End to Another Cease-Fire."
"Russia seems to be preparing to invade Ukraine but it's not clear whether Putin will go through with it."
Those were two major headlines splashed across U.S. newspapers this week. It's easy to skip past them – after all, Russia is 5,010 miles from South Dakota. So why do these headlines matter? First, Russia is not our friend. Putin is a power-hungry egomaniac – and his attempts to influence American politics is unacceptable.
At the start of the 117th Congress when control of the Senate and White House changed, I had concerns regarding legislation coming down the pipeline. I saw politically-motivated changes to the Supreme Court coming from a mile away – that's why the first bill I introduced this year was to safeguard the Supreme Court by capping the number of justices at nine. We've had nine justices since 1869 – nine justices are the right number for deliberation – and in recent years both Justice Breyer and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have agreed.
South Dakota is lucky to call home to seven of our nation's National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas. As we celebrate National Parks Week in the month of April, I can't help but reminisce on the beauty of places like the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and the Missouri River.