One of the worst-kept secrets in Washington is that federal regulators rarely encounter an issue to which more red tape can’t be applied. While anecdotally it’s duct tape that can fix anything that’s broken, Washington bureaucrats seem to believe red tape can fix anything – whether it’s broken or not.... Continue Reading
Every mile I travel in South Dakota is another reminder that I’m lucky to call this great state home and even luckier to have the opportunity to represent the hard-working people that help make South Dakota the best place to live, work, and raise a family. It doesn’t matter what... Continue Reading
It’s no secret that athletes don’t become Olympians overnight. For many of the competitors who’ve been fortunate enough to earn a spot on an Olympic or Paralympic podium, it’s a lifetime’s worth of work that has come with years of blood, sweat and tears. It’s a patriotic endeavor that often... Continue Reading
It was in late August 11 years ago that I stood beside then-Gov. Mike Rounds at a podium and announced that the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission had removed Ellsworth Air Force Base from the Department of Defense’s closure list. I fought hard to save Ellsworth. It was one... Continue Reading
It doesn’t matter if you’re the farmer in the field who harvests the crops, the manufacturer in the factory who makes the goods, or the consumer at home who relies on the food and energy that’s produced, everyone in the United States benefits from efficient and reliable freight rail. It’s... Continue Reading
August 7-13 is National Health Center Week in America, and it’s a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate the health care professionals who make small community health centers across the country a reality. These physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, doctors, dentists, and others play a pivotal role in creating rural... Continue Reading
In just a few short days, athletes from around the world, including South Dakota’s own Paige McPherson, will meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Olympic Games, followed shortly thereafter by the Paralympic Games. Ask any of these competitors and they will tell you that representing the red,... Continue Reading
South Dakota is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, and if you mentioned Wall Drug to nearly any stranger from New York to Los Angeles, they would know the place made famous by free ice water and 5... Continue Reading
Each week the Senate is in session, I travel back and forth from my home in Sioux Falls to Washington, D.C., for hearings, votes, and other meetings. While I love representing South Dakotans in Washington, it’s no secret that I’m happiest when I’m home in South Dakota, hearing directly from... Continue Reading
On June 28, terrorists entered Istanbul’s airport and opened fire on travelers, before detonating explosives that killed 45 people and left more than 200 injured. The attack came just three months after a similar attack on Brussels Airport in Belgium, which also resulted in numerous injuries and a number of... Continue Reading
By now, most Americans have seen in chilling detail what happened late last month in Istanbul, Turkey. A group of terrorists casually walked into one of Ataturk Airport’s public terminals and proceeded to open fire before detonating suicide vests among fleeing travelers. In the wake of this attack, 45 people... Continue Reading
Needless patient suffering, fatal delays in medical treatment and retaliation against whistle blowers. These are among the well-publicized failures investigators found at hospitals run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Yet they are also the shameful hallmarks of another federal health-care system: the Indian Health Service. Part of the Department... Continue Reading
