As we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month and pay tribute to the American Indian culture sewn deep into the fabric of American history, it’s important to look toward the future and identify ways we can increase opportunity and strengthen the quality of life for every American Indian, and specifically,... Continue Reading
As South Dakota farmers continue their harvest and families across the state prepare for the winter months, I am deeply concerned about high fuel costs. Gasoline costs in the wake of several catastrophic hurricanes pose a considerable burden for South Dakotans and all Americans. But as rebuilding and recovery efforts... Continue Reading
Recently, the people of Iraq overwhelmingly denounced violence by exercising a newfound freedom – their right to vote for a draft constitution. It may take a few days or even weeks until we know the official outcome of the vote, but what we do know is that Iraqis turned out... Continue Reading
Firearms are a valued part of the culture and fabric of South Dakota. Each year, South Dakota issues well over 120,000 resident hunting licenses, and nearly 100,000 nonresident hunters visit our state each year to support our tourism and hunting industry. Unfortunately, the centuries-old firearms industry has come under attack... Continue Reading
The rising cost of health care and prescription drugs is of great concern, but for South Dakota seniors, help is on the way. Starting November 15, seniors across South Dakota will have an opportunity to start signing up for the new prescription drug coverage under Medicare. This new benefit is... Continue Reading
The high cost of health care weighs heavily on many families and small business owners across South Dakota. We need to create more cost-effective and efficient health care, and I expect the Senate to tackle this issue head-on this fall. Ensuring access to quality affordable health care in rural areas... Continue Reading
While criss-crossing the state during the Senate’s August recess, it was good to hear the variety of issues that concern South Dakotans. Some issues tend to be more regionalized, with Ellsworth Air Force Base dominating the discussion in West River, and Missouri River water issues at the forefront in the... Continue Reading
Our 2002 Senate race was certainly one of the most contentious in our state’s history, as most folks reading this will remember. However, we both have come to the conclusion that – in order to effectively represent the state that we both deeply love and care about – we need... Continue Reading
The members of the BRAC Commission will gather next week to determine Ellsworth’s fate. Unless five of the nine commissioners agree to disagree with the Pentagon’s recommendation to close Ellsworth, the base will close. With that fact in mind, we have worked tirelessly to save Ellsworth since the Pentagon made... Continue Reading
On issues critical to South Dakota – from better highways to cheaper energy – the new Senate is delivering. Since we began our work in January, the new Senate has overcome the obstruction that stopped critical bills stalled for years. By working together, we have finally passed a highway bill,... Continue Reading
Our Founding Fathers, who fought a war for the principles of self-government, were understandably concerned about overzealous and tyrannical governments. The founders believed that a central component of self-government was the protection of citizens’ property rights. In colonial days, oppressive monarchs would take land from hard-working and industrious settlers for... Continue Reading
With the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the U.S. Senate is preparing to fulfill its Constitutional responsibility to give “advice and consent” after President Bush nominates a new individual to the nation’s highest court. It’s been 11 years since the last Supreme Court opening. This is an... Continue Reading
