In a country as affluent as America, no child should go without health care because their parents can’t afford health insurance. In 1997, as a member of the House of Representatives, I supported the creation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, commonly known as SCHIP. The program currently provides... Continue Reading
One of South Dakota’s greatest natural resources is the beautiful and vast forests that draw visitors from all over the nation. However, this natural resource is constantly threatened by the devastating effects of dry conditions and wildfires. Already this summer we have seen the destructive results of the Alabaugh Canyon... Continue Reading
Discovery has been part of the Homestake Mine from the very beginning. With the recent choice of the mine as the sight of a Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory, it will now be a place to make ground-breaking scientific discoveries. This is a huge victory for the Lead area... Continue Reading
The high cost of healthcare, including long-term care, is consistently one of the most important concerns I hear about from individuals, families and businesses. In South Dakota, the average annual cost of a one-year nursing home stay is over $50,000 and growing ($70,000 nationally). As we begin to tackle the... Continue Reading
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
