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July 16, 2021
Weekly Column

In Congress, hardly anything is perfect. But just because it's not perfect, doesn't mean there's not progress.

This past week we made progress for South Dakota.

The first comes following the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) decision to walk back plans to change the city status of Rapid City.

In January, OMB began toying with the idea to increase the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) qualification from 50,000 to 100,000 people. This set off the alarm bells in smaller cities across the country, including ours.

Issues:Agriculture

July 14, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Following a legislative push from U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will abandon efforts to reclassify Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) like Rapid City and 140 other cities.


July 9, 2021
Weekly Column

Crime is on the rise across America.

Since the beginning of 2021, cities have faced surging levels of violence. The most staggering statistics have emerged in Portland, where homicides and shootings have jumped by a disturbing 533% and 126% respectively, compared to 2020.

Rates are not likely to slow either, as summer is known to be the most violent time of year.

We all know 2020 was an unprecedented year given the COVID-19 pandemic and the protests that swept the nation last summer, but there are several factors contributing to rising crime rates in our nation.

Issues:Congress

July 9, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, issued a statement following President Biden's Executive Order and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) announcement of a significant investment for regional cattle processer expansion efforts and overtime processing fees accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issues:Agriculture

July 9, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) spoke on the House floor in support of the Hyde Amendment which prohibits federal funding of abortions.

Despite decades-long precedent, the Hyde Amendment was not included in President Biden's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2022.

"For 45 years, this body has been able to come together to accept the powerful message of the Hyde Amendment that taxpayer funding should never be used for abortion," said Johnson.

Issues:Pro-Life

July 9, 2021

On Friday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, issued a statement following President Biden's Executive Order and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) announcement of a significant investment for regional cattle processor expansion efforts and overtime processing fees accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. These announcements mirror two of Johnson's bills, the Butcher Block Act and the Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act.

Issues:Agriculture

July 9, 2021

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, and Representative Angie Craig (D-MN), applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision to allow producers to hay, graze, or chop cover crop on prevent plant acres year-round while remaining eligible for their full crop insurance indemnity.

Issues:Agriculture

July 9, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced three South Dakota student artist winners for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition.

Elora Gould, a rising sophomore from Faith High School is the first-place winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for South Dakota. Her pencil and charcoal artwork, "To Have Slept in a Hollow," will be on exhibit in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol, along with the winning artwork from other congressional districts for the next year.


July 7, 2021

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Representative Dusty Johnson visited the newly designated Ben Reifel Post Office in Rosebud on Wednesday.

Rep. Johnson introduced the legislation in May 2019 as a way to honor Ben Reifel's legacy in the state. The legislation was signed by former President Trump in 2020.


July 2, 2021
Weekly Column

Identifying bills to cosponsor, writing memos on proposed legislation, answering constituent calls, and compiling news stories – this is a day in the life of an intern in my Congressional office.

With only 15 full-time staffers among our four offices, it requires a full team effort to optimally serve over 880,000 constituents across South Dakota and our interns play an integral part in making that happen.

As much as the internship program helps our offices run efficiently, it also provides our interns with a valuable educational experience.

Issues:Congress