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Coronavirus - COVID-19

South Dakotans,

I have added a coronavirus resource page to my website to keep South Dakotans updated on the latest coronavirus developments. Information will be added regularly, and you can also follow me on Twitter at @RepDustyJohnson or on Facebook at Representative Dusty Johnson for updated information.


October 29, 2021

Seeking to provide state and local officials greater leeway with spending remaining pandemic relief dollars, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) on Tuesday proposed bipartisan legislation to allow those unspent funds to be directed toward infrastructure projects.

“State governments need flexibility, and this bill is good policy,” Rep. Johnson said.


October 29, 2021

This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.

South Dakota's lone congressman wants more flexibility for states spending COVID-19 relief money.

Republican Dusty Johnson is working with Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux from Georgia. They are sponsoring the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act.


October 26, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA-07) introduced the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act, to make various infrastructure investments eligible for payment with unspent COVID-19 relief funds. The legislation recently passed the U.S. Senate unanimously.


August 12, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) along with 30 bicameral members of Congress called for President Biden to end the unconstitutional eviction moratorium.


July 26, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) introduced the Supporting Underserved Populations by Placing Our Resources in Trusts (SUPPORT) for Mental Health Act. The bipartisan bill would allow states to utilize remaining COVID-19 relief funds to create a trust fund dedicated to mental and behavioral health.


May 28, 2021
Weekly Column

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.

Issues:Coronavirus - COVID-19

May 14, 2021

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson released a video that may reflect how a lot of us feel.

The video shows the congressman giving advice on what we can do with masks when they are longer needed. The video shows Johnson using his old mask as a drink cuzzi, a cleaning cloth and a pocket square to name a few uses. All set to Taylor Swift's "Shake it off."

Johnson hasn't always been so nonchalant about mask wearing, for instance this video from November of last year, during the height of the pandemic.


April 30, 2021
Weekly Column

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.

Issues:Coronavirus - COVID-19EconomyCongress

April 6, 2021

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson received a shot for the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota as part of an effort to promote widespread vaccinations in order to extinguish the pandemic.

"This is how we get back to normal," Johnson, a Republican, said shortly after receiving the shot at a Sanford Health facility.