It was 1997 and I was a freshman member of the U.S. House of Representatives. My Republican colleagues on the other side of the Capitol in the U.S. Senate were busy forming a coalition to move a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution through Congress. I was a cosponsor of... Continue Reading
This past week, the Senate was in what is commonly referred to as a “constituent work week.” Work weeks provide an opportunity for members to travel across their home states more extensively to meet with constituents and attend community events. I make it back to my home in Sioux Falls... Continue Reading
March 23rd marks one year since President Obama signed the new health spending bill into law. In spite of the staggering costs associated with the bill, the president and Congressional Democrats promised again and again over the past year that if they could only explain the law a little better... Continue Reading
In a rural state like South Dakota, many residents live long distances away from specialized medical care. This distance can cause financial burdens on families who are forced to commute to and from their nearest health care provider. Worse yet, many senior citizens are forced to compromise living in the... Continue Reading
The regular season of South Dakota high school basketball has wrapped up and district and regional games have commenced across the state. Over the next few weeks, the girls and boys state basketball tournaments will begin for the teams who earn those few coveted spots on the bracket. In high... Continue Reading
President Obama recently released his Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal to Congress. This spending blueprint begins the budget process and sets the tone for the debate that will ensue in the halls of Congress. With our national debt now over $14 trillion, many of us were looking for the president... Continue Reading
Over the last few weeks we have witnessed turbulence in various parts of the world, most notably in Egypt. As we watch these events unfold, we are reminded of how blessed we are as Americans to live in a free and vibrant nation, thanks to generations of sacrifice made by... Continue Reading
On February 6, 2011, America will celebrate the 100th birthday of President Ronald Wilson Reagan. The centennial of our 40th president’s birthday will undoubtedly be celebrated by people of all generations across the country. President Reagan had a significant impact on many Americans’ outlook on life-I know he did on... Continue Reading
This past week, I received my committee assignments for the 112th session of Congress (2011-2012). In addition to remaining on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, I will also be serving on the Finance Committee and the Budget Committee. With our state and... Continue Reading
Over the past two weeks while the U.S. Senate has been in recess, I have had the opportunity to travel across South Dakota and meet with business and community leaders. Between my trips to Yankton, Aberdeen, Rapid City, Pierre and several towns in between, I was even able to stop... Continue Reading
While holding a public event on January 8, 2011, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, along with a number of her constituents and staff, was shot by a deranged man. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy, as well as their families and friends. At this difficult time,... Continue Reading
After failing to receive Congressional approval for the controversial cap-and-trade tax in the last session of Congress, the Obama administration has decided to move forward unilaterally with climate regulations. On January 2, 2011, the administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began enforcing expensive carbon emission regulations, despite bipartisan Congressional opposition to... Continue Reading
