It would be an understatement to say it’s been a rough year for South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers. Yes, the broader economy is doing well – very well, in fact – but today’s agriculture economy is lagging too far behind, and the effects are real, they are painful, and they... Continue Reading
After the Senate recently passed my TRACED Act, bipartisan legislation that targets people who are behind illegal and abusive robocalls, I joked that if a Packers fan and a Patriots fan can work together (I teamed up with Sen. Ed Markey from Massachusetts), there’s hope for the country. Tongue in... Continue Reading
During his 1980 debate with then-President Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans whether they were better off than they’d been four years earlier. That question has been a measuring stick for elected officials ever since. Republicans in Congress are committed to making life better for Americans. We’ve made great... Continue Reading
May is National Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize, honor, and thank all of the men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our state and nation. When I reflect on their service and sacrifice, it’s hard not to think about my dad and personal hero, Harold, and all... Continue Reading
There’s only one way to describe today’s economy: hot. Wages are growing at the fastest pace in a decade. Economic growth crushed expectations in the first four months of the year. Productivity reached its highest level since 2010. Business investment is up. Personal income is up. Median household income is... Continue Reading
There’s little doubt that technological advancements have, in many ways, made life easier and more efficient for the American people. We have better and safer modes of transportation, faster ways to communicate and purchase items for ourselves and our families, and more effective tools to monitor and deliver health care.... Continue Reading
It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks in South Dakota. On a personal note, the highlight for me and Kimberley was welcoming our fourth grandchild just before Easter. We’re so blessed, and I’m so proud of both of our daughters. They’re strong, amazing women, and they exemplify what it... Continue Reading
Believe it or not, there’s a bill in Washington that’s sponsored by a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat; cosponsored by more than half of the Senate; supported by every single state attorney general in the nation, including South Dakota’s; and embraced by all commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission... Continue Reading
Find me one person who enjoys paying taxes, and I’ll find 10 million other people who’d rather not. While few taxpayers, if any, are doing cartwheels over giving Uncle Sam part of their hard-earned paycheck, almost everyone recognizes that it’s important to pay a share of our nation’s tax burden.... Continue Reading
When I’m home in South Dakota, I always hear from a wide range of people about how they view what’s happening in Washington, D.C. For example, if I’m at a local event, I might hear from one person who thinks I’m doing too much about something, then I turn around... Continue Reading
When the Air Force recently announced that Ellsworth Air Force Base would be the nation’s first home to the new B-21 training and operational squadrons, South Dakota received what is nothing short of amazing news. It cannot be overstated what this means for the region, for the state, and for... Continue Reading
There are nearly 900,000 people who call South Dakota home, so when I’m not in Washington, either after the Senate wraps up its work for the week or during an extended state work period, like the one we just had, I do my best to crisscross the state to see... Continue Reading
