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March 6, 2026
Weekly Column

BIG Update

This week, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, with a bipartisan 34-17 vote. I’ve met with ag producers across South Dakota and they all agree – we need a Farm Bill. 

Issues:AgricultureChina

March 5, 2026

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) introduced the Parity for Tribal Educators Act to address teacher shortages in Indian country. The legislation would provide teachers at tribally controlled schools the same federal retirement benefits that teachers at Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools receive, ensuring tribal students have equal access to educational opportunity. 


March 5, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, with a bipartisan 34-17 vote. U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the Farm Bill which contains dozens of Johnson’s priorities that support farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across America.

Issues:Agriculture

March 4, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) passed the House with a 384-40 vote. Johnson’s bill advocates for homeownership and streamlines the approval process for mortgages on tribal trust land.


February 26, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced legislation that strengthens firearm access for Indian country. The Tribal Firearm Access Act clarifies existing law to include tribal governments as eligible entities to issue identification documents for the purposes of obtaining a firearm.


February 24, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced that Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley will join him for President Trump’s State of the Union address.


February 24, 2026

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -Congressman Dusty Johnson has tapped Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley to be his guest for President Trump’s state of the union address. 

Sheriff Marty Mechaley has been in law enforcement since 1993 as the chief of Bison South Dakota’s police force. He then went on to work as a detective in Aberdeen. 

Mechaley’s post as sheriff of Custer county began in 2017 when he was appointed to the position. He would go on to be elected the following year. 


February 20, 2026
Weekly Column

BIG Update 

This week, I held a roundtable with producers to talk about issues facing South Dakota agriculture. We covered topics including the upcoming House committee activity on the Farm Bill, my efforts to secure year-round E-15, trade deals impacting South Dakota agriculture, and overall price concerns.

Decisions made in Washington shouldn’t be guess work. It was great to connect with these producers who are in the fields every day to hear their concerns and ideas. 

Issues:AgricultureEconomyEducation

February 13, 2026
Weekly Column

BIG Idea 

Housing supply in the United States has not kept up with demand. There’s currently a 5.5 million housing unit shortage in America. Rising construction costs, unnecessary regulations, regulatory delays, and outdated zoning have exacerbated this housing shortage and have made homes unaffordable for many families.

Issues:EconomyCongress