For much of the past month, the Senate has been considering a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The debate has been a contentious one, and this week the Senate decided that it would not move ahead with the bill in its current form by a bipartisan vote of 46-53. I opposed... Continue Reading
For some time, South Dakota has been setting a national example on the importance of exploring alternatives to foreign sources of energy to power our vehicles, homes, and businesses. As a top corn-producing state with 13 ethanol plants in existence and four more under construction, South Dakota is leading the... Continue Reading
As the son of a decorated World War II veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am deeply proud of the sacrifices our military personnel and their families have made both on and off the battlefield. We have monuments across our land and in our town... Continue Reading
Most Americans realize that our nation must move toward energy independence. South Dakota can play a major role in reaching this goal by using its natural energy resources, including wind. Energy experts have concluded that, in theory, South Dakota’s wind resources, if fully developed, could provide over half of the... Continue Reading
On a day in October 1951, in the vicinity of Kumsong, North Korea, U.S. forces were engaged in a pitched battle. All of the officers of G Company were either wounded or killed during intense fighting against a well entrenched enemy. Under extreme conditions, one of South Dakota’s native sons... Continue Reading
South Dakota is leading the way in reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil through the production of homegrown ethanol. With 12 ethanol plants already in existence and five more under construction or expansion, South Dakota’s corn-based ethanol industry is growing at a record rate. Because corn is also used as... Continue Reading
As America’s energy demands continue to skyrocket, our dangerous dependence on foreign sources of energy leaves our country more vulnerable than ever. Thankfully, much is already being done in South Dakota and across the country to develop and produce alternatives to foreign oil, like ethanol, biodiesel and natural gas. But... Continue Reading
They’re the small, buzzing pests who are not afraid to sting you if you upset their homes or invade their territory. They have a matriarchal society, where the queen rules the roost. They’re also the producers of a sweet, syrup-like substance that makes a great addition to a peanut-butter and... Continue Reading
With the summer travel season around the corner, we have plenty to look forward to-spending time with our families, a long-awaited vacation, or visiting old friends across the country. But along with the fun of summer travel comes one headache we could certainly do without: airline delays. Unfortunately, delayed and... Continue Reading
Countries such as Venezuela currently make a hefty profit from American consumers by forcing us to pay close to $70 a barrel or more for oil. The excessive oil profits enjoyed by these countries constitute a tax which all too often ends up fueling terrorist activities of radical extremists who... Continue Reading
The Bush administration’s recent plan to promote Brazilian ethanol production should cause American farmers and others vested in the American ethanol industry a great deal of concern. Given the growth of the Brazilian ethanol industry and its intentions to penetrate the American market, I believe the administration’s plan to promote... Continue Reading
The 2007 Farm Bill is important to every South Dakotan. How important? The 2007 Farm Bill has the potential to propel South Dakota into a more profitable era of food, fiber, energy production, and outdoor recreation. This is why I take my seat on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,... Continue Reading
