Weekly Column
Both in South Dakota and in Washington, I repeatedly hear the same thing – support free trade but hold bad actors accountable. As Americans, our innovation and ambition has allowed us to compete and succeed in a global market – but the playing field should be even. South Dakota has benefited greatly from market access, particularly for agricultural products.
For families throughout the country, the Fourth of July is a time to relax with loved ones, enjoy fireworks shows, and grill some good old-fashioned burgers. The holiday also serves as a reminder of those who've guaranteed our freedoms, the sacrifices our founders made to ensure our independence, and the progress we have seen as a nation ever since.
It's Not Perfect – There was a circus in town this week, and it took up residence on the House floor. With 84 votes, the Senate passed a much-needed bipartisan humanitarian border bill that the President agreed to sign.
Our national debt is higher than ever at $22 trillion. I am a conservative for a few reasons, which include keeping the government small and taxes low. If those reasons are to ring true, then we must limit our spending and ensure our tax dollars are being spent wisely. Neglecting our values gave us the deficit we have today.
When I sat down with a group of farmers and ranchers a few weeks back in Parker, they all told me the same thing: forage stocks are running low because of our wet spring. South Dakotans are well-aware our planting season has been delayed because of continuous flooding and rain. This has gotten national attention.
There Needs to Be Common Ground - This week was a split ticket with some bipartisan wins and some bipartisan failures. The first vote of the week was on disaster funding. States like South Dakota need this funding to move forward from the unprecedented and ongoing flooding, so I was grateful to see the House pass that bill with more than 300 votes.
Agriculture producers need relief. For months, South Dakota and our neighboring states faced record flooding and now we're seeing continued wet conditions from rainfall. For those of us who didn't grow up in Ag, rainstorms are equated with things like blankets, movies, and cancelled ball games. For South Dakota producers, more rain means delay.
In my ongoing effort to make myself and my office as open and accessible as possible, I wanted to give you an update of my work in D.C. and in South Dakota. I hope you'll take the time to give me feedback on this new format by reaching out to one of my offices (/) or by finding me on social media @RepDustyJohnson!
I got your letter and I wanted to thank you for the invite to your high school grad party. I'm going to try my best to make it.
When Professor Sean Flynn, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, released his book Without Reservation: Benjamin Reifel & American Indian Acculturation, I was quick to snag a copy. I was fascinated by the story of the first Congressman of Lakota Sioux descent, Ben Reifel.