I’ve worn numerous hats, held a lot of jobs, and had many titles throughout my life. And while being your U.S. senator is one of the most humbling and fulfilling of those experiences, it pales in comparison to being a dad. It’s the most amazing blessing I’ve ever received, and... Continue Reading
The wide open spaces that make South Dakota such a unique place to live, work, and raise a family define our landscape, provide habitat for pheasants and other wildlife, and help make agriculture our state’s top industry. While the open air and vast plains certainly have their benefits, they can... Continue Reading
Particularly to locals, “South Dakota” and “pheasant hunting” are nearly synonymous. And for hunting enthusiasts around the country and the world, spending the third weekend in October in the pheasant capital of the world can be something dreams are made of. As important as pheasant hunting is to South Dakota’s... Continue Reading
Memorial Day has long marked the unofficial start to summer, and with it, a busy travel season quickly ensues. Whether you and your family are hopping in the car this summer for a trip across the state or boarding a plane for an adventure around the country or overseas, safety... Continue Reading
The crisis plaguing the Indian Health Service (IHS) and its facilities throughout the Great Plains area isn’t new. In fact, if you ask Native Americans in South Dakota to share their personal experiences dealing with the agency, you’d be hard-pressed to find any positive reviews. The stories they’ve shared with... Continue Reading
Late last month, the federal government released preliminary numbers on economic growth in the first quarter of 2016, and let me tell you, the news wasn’t good. The U.S. economy grew at a dismal rate of 0.5 percent during the first three months of the year, which essentially means it... Continue Reading
Every May, we recognize tourism in the United States and celebrate the many unique opportunities that are available for travelers from coast to coast. While my job sometimes requires me to spend time in Washington, D.C., away from the beauty of South Dakota, it does give me the chance to... Continue Reading
One of the most noteworthy qualities about President Reagan was his unmatched ability to capture the feelings of the American people when he communicated with them. He connected with his audience in the moment, and the messages he delivered were often so timeless they will transcend generations. Of mothers, President... Continue Reading
Passing bills through the U.S. Senate is not an easy task, especially bills that include sweeping reforms that would impact a large portion of the American people. That’s why I was particularly pleased that 95 of my colleagues – nearly every U.S. senator – recently voted to approve my bipartisan... Continue Reading
Oh, the IRS. Everyone’s least favorite federal government agency, bulging at the seams with D.C. bureaucrats. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of good people working in federal government agencies throughout Washington, but the IRS is laden with tax collectors whose sole mission is to collect your hard-earned... Continue Reading
It comes as no surprise to those who know me that I have an abiding interest in competitive athletics. With a dad who was a basketball star in the Big Ten, it was sort of expected that we would like sports. My mom, who was less than enthusiastic about this... Continue Reading
Ellsworth Air Force Base is well-known to all South Dakotans, especially those who live in West River. It’s not only home to two B-1B Lancer combat squadrons and MQ-9 Reaper ground control stations, but it’s a staple of the community and is something in which our state takes great pride.... Continue Reading
