Weekly Column
With all eyes focused on the pandemic, whether or not kids will head back to school in August, and concerns about unemployment, it's easy to miss the wins of the week.
Prescription drug pricing has been an on-going conversation since I stepped foot in the halls of Congress last year, and this week the administration took positive action towards securing lower costs for Americans on prescription medication.
Politicians are people, too. Unfortunately, in today's highly partisan environment that can be hard to remember. Cable news fosters the idea that officeholders, especially those in the other party, are worthy of our derision, rather than our respect or empathy.
Two incidents of the last week have reminded me of the fragility of the human experience. These tragedies have impacted human beings, human beings who happen to be involved in politics.
In March, when things went from 0 to 100 at the beginning of the pandemic, our health care system was forced to adapt quickly on so many levels. With patients no longer allowed to visit hospitals in-person for regular appointments, we needed a solution – and fast.
Telehealth was the answer. The administration quickly expanded Medicare's telehealth coverage during the pandemic, ensuring our seniors had access to their providers from the safety of their own home.
August is just around the corner – can you believe it? It is almost hard to process. For more than five months, most of the country has had their K-12 aged kids at home, full-time. Five months.
The Fourth of July is a big deal in our house. More often than not, you can find Jacquelyn, our boys and myself out in the Black Hills around a campfire, toasting marshmallows in honor of our nation's birthday. And plus – I'm not one to turn down some good fireworks. But more importantly, July 4 is an annual reminder of the bravery and unbelievable determination it took for our Founding Fathers to create a more perfect union.
In the wake of George Floyd's death, I've spent hours listening and learning from community leaders, as well as law enforcement officials, about how we can bring about a more-just nation. These conversations have been productive and insightful as I prepared to return to Washington this week for police reform debate.
I knew becoming a parent would be an incredible moment, but I'm not sure one can ever be fully prepared to become a father. There are responsibilities not only to help with homework and make sure kids get to their ball games, but the more important responsibilities – like raising great men and women.
Many may not know that Members of Congress are able to nominate students to our nation's military academies. It's a real opportunity to ensure South Dakota values help shape military decisions – and it's also a real opportunity to make sure the military looks like the American people it's responsible to defend.
George Floyd's murder was unacceptable. Racism is unacceptable. Violence is unacceptable. Trampling on the rights of journalists, protestors, property owners and others is unacceptable. Using language that divides, rather than unites, is unacceptable. Ignoring the problem is unacceptable.
Much of our attention in recent days has understandably been focused on George Floyd's death and the violence that followed. It's easy to understand why. The images are jarring and have deeply troubled the hearts of all decent people.
Last I heard, 20 million Americans had not received their stimulus checks.
In the three months since the CARES Act passed Congress, I've been patient. South Dakotans have been patient – all while waiting for the help some of them desperately need.
My patience has run low. My office has heard from hundreds of South Dakotans who are not only waiting on stimulus checks but are also waiting months for their tax returns. This is unacceptable.