{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"SD\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-applauds-tiktok-ban-government-devices", "Johnson Applauds TikTok Ban on Government Devices", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the final passage of the No TikTok on Government Devices Actled byU.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). This bill bans the download and use of TikTok on federal government devices.\n\nIn September, Johnson has introduced a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to block TikTok on federal government devices and on military bases and installations. Johnson\u2019s Block the Tok Act would also prohibit China from accessing Americans\u2019 user data from within China.\n\n\u201cTikTok is one of China\u2019s Trojan horses,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThis app poses a national security threat and has safety implications for everyday Americans. I\u2019m encouraged to see progress at both the federal and state level to prohibit TikTok on government devices, but there is still work to be done. I\u2019m going to continue the effort to prohibit China\u2019s access to Americans\u2019 user data in the new Congress.\u201d\n\n19 states have banned the use and download of TikTok on state government devices.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-ohalleran-rounds-respect-heads-presidents-desk", "Johnson, O\u2019Halleran, Rounds RESPECT Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act passed the U.S. House by 349-80. This bill repeals discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans and was led by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Tom O\u2019Halleran (D-AZ), and Tom Cole (R-OK) in the U.S. House and sponsored by Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\u201cRepealing these laws is a step in the right direction to right the wrongs against Native Americans,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThere is no reason these archaic and discriminatory laws remain on the books. Senator Rounds\u2019 leadership on this bill was key to getting it passed in the Senate, and I am proud to help usher the RESPECT Act across the finish line in the House.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe RESPECT Act repeals eleven federal laws, found here, that discriminate against Native Americans. One of which is the \u201cIndian Reform Schools\u201d that forcibly removed Native American children from their family and placed them in boarding schools.\n\nThe RESPECT Act is supported by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen\u2019s Association (GPTCA) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/south-dakota-prioritized-annual-defense-bill", "South Dakota Prioritized in Annual Defense Bill", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which bolsters B-21 priorities and repeals the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military servicemembers.\n\n\u201cRepublicans fought for our nation\u2019s military, and ultimately, we secured the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and a pay increase for servicemembers,\u201dsaid Johnson. \u201cThe annual defense bill also includes oversight of funding to combat Russia\u2019s attack on Ukraine and funding for the B-21. For sixty-two years, Congress has passed the annual defense bill, this year will be no different.\u201d\n\nIn July, Johnson urged U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Austin to reconsider the Department\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine mandate and issue uniform guidance that considers natural immunity. Johnson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3860, which prohibits forced COVID-19 vaccination or adverse action for refusal for members of the Armed Forces.\n\nThe National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 7776):", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-mayorkas-end-devastating-drug-trafficking", "Johnson to Mayorkas: End Devastating Drug Trafficking", "2022-12-06", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged President Biden and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas to take all necessary actions to secure the southern border following a traffic stop on the Lake Traverse Reservation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 12.4 pounds of fentanyl pills and 3.6 pounds of fentanyl powder, enough to kill every South Dakotan four times.\n\n\u201cWhile fentanyl busts of this magnitude sadly may be more common in some urban areas, this is rare for a South Dakota community \u2013 this is likely the largest drug bust in South Dakota\u2019s history,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI ask your administration to immediately take all legal and necessary actions at your disposal to secure the southern border, rectify the dangerous policies this administration has put in motion over the past year, and put an end to this devastating drug trafficking that is wreaking havoc on American families.\u201d\n\nIn October, Johnson met with Pennington County Sheriff-elect Brian Mueller to discuss crime in the area. Mueller relayed that the influx of drugs in the county are primarily coming from sources south of the United States and have caused an increase in violent crime. According to Mueller, the number one thing Congress can do to combat crime is secure the southern border.\n\nClick here to read the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-attends-b-21-raider-unveiling-ceremony", "Johnson Attends B-21 Raider Unveiling Ceremony", "2022-12-05", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) attended the B-21 Raider Unveiling ceremony in Palmdale, California. The ceremony was hosted by the United States Air Force and Northrup Grumman and revealed the next generation of stealth bomber technology.\n\n\u201cThe unveiling of the B-21 was a proud moment for our country, our defense community, and South Dakota,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cIt won\u2019t be long until Ellsworth Air Force Base is the \u2018Home of the Raider\u2019 \u2013 it took a lot of hard work from the delegation to get to this point, and I\u2019m confident it will be an asset to the West River community and our military. I\u2019m grateful I got to witness this moment.\u201d\n\nImage", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bill-protect-tribal-members-second-amendment-rights", "Johnson Introduces Bill to Protect Tribal Members Second Amendment Rights", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Tribal Firearm Access Actto clarify that tribal governments are eligible entities to issue identification documents for the purposes of obtaining a firearm.\n\n\u201cUnder current law, foreign passports are acceptable identification documents for individuals to purchase firearms, but tribal IDs are not, Congress should right this wrong.\u201d said Johnson. \u201cA tribal ID is just as valid as a driver\u2019s license \u2013 tribal members deserve equal access to their Second Amendment rights \u2013 the Tribal Firearm Access Act ensures that.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fundamental right to keep and bear arms is dependent on the ability to lawfully acquire firearms. The Tribal Firearms Access Act would ensure Native Americans can use identification issued by federally recognized tribal governments to transfer a firearm under federal law. On behalf of our millions of members and supporters across the country, we thank Rep. Dusty Johnson for defending the rights of law-abiding Native American gun owners and offering this important legislation,\u201d said Jason Ouimet, Executive Director of NRA-ILA.\n\n\u201cThe NAIV, Inc. supports what Rep. Johnson\u2019s bill would do and that is to put Indian tribal governments on an equal footing with other governments when it comes to issuing identification papers for purposes of firearms transactions,\u201d said Don Loudner, enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, Inc.\n\n\u201cNSSF supports this no-nonsense measure that will ensure fair and accurate background checks for the purchase of a firearm at the point-of-sale,\u201d said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, National Shooting Sports Foundation. \u201cThe Firearm Industry Trade Association consistently advocates for improvements to the FBI\u2019s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to confirm that only those who can be trusted to possess a firearm are able to purchase one from a firearm retailer. Our members rely on that system to be accurate and providing a means for tribal members to use their tribal identification cards will safeguard their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights while ensuring firearms remain out of the hands of those that cannot be trusted to possess them.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA) supports the commonsense approach to allow Photo Tribal Identification/Membership Cards to be utilized to purchase firearms. Many of Indian Country Tribal Members lack easy access to other forms of government approved identification. NNALEA realizes the importance of properly identifying purchasers of firearms. NNALEA believes the government approved Photo Tribal Identification/Membership Cards of Federally Recognized Tribes would be an important tool to achieve the lawful purchase of firearms. On behalf of our membership, we would like to thank you for your commitment to Indian Country issues,\u201d said Gary L. Edwards, CEO, NNALEA.\n\nU.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Don Bacon (R-NE), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) are original cosponsors of the legislation.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Tribal Firearms Access Act would declare that identification documents issued by tribal governments are generally accorded the same treatment under federal criminal law as identification documents issued by the Federal Government or by a state or local government.\n\nThis bill amends Section 1028(d) of Title 18 to include tribal governments as eligible entities to issue an identification document, highlighted below:\n\n(3) the term \u201cidentification document\u201d means a document made or issued by or under the authority of the United States Government, a State, political subdivision of a State, a tribal government, a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance, a foreign government, political subdivision of a foreign government, an international governmental or an international quasi-governmental organization which, when completed with information concerning a particular individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identification of individuals;\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-lummis-stanton-introduce-bipartisan-bicameral-highway-permitting", "Johnson, Lummis, Stanton Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Highway Permitting Reform Legislation", "2022-11-18", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ), along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Interactive Federal Review Act. The legislation would direct the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to select a minimum of ten federal highway projects to demonstrate the use of interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms in carrying out the environmental analysis and community engagement processes required in FHWA projects.\n\n\u201cEnvironmental reviews are stuck in the 90s and continue to delay critical infrastructure projects for years at a time,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe Interactive Federal Review Act brings NEPA reviews into the 21st century by prioritizing updated technologies and processes between agencies. This commonsense legislation ensures infrastructure projects stay on-time and on-task while also protecting the environment.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-garamendi-fmc-get-osra-right-or-risk-further-abuse-foreign-flagged", "Johnson & Garamendi to FMC: Get OSRA Right or Risk Further Abuse by Foreign-Flagged Ocean Carriers", "2022-11-04", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. House leaders of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-14), Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA-03), urged the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to uphold congressional intent as implementation of the law continues. The Congressmen\u2019s bipartisan letter was cosigned by Representatives David G. Valado (R-CA-21), Jim Costa (D-CA-16), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Mike Thompson (D-CA-05), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), cosponsors of the 2022 law.\n\nJohnson and Garamendi oppose the FMC\u2019s recent broad definition of \u201cunreasonable\u201d applied to vessel space accommodation, nor do they believe it will protect American shippers and exporters from unfair business practices of foreign ocean carriers. In January 2021, three in four containers offloaded at American ports returned to Asia empty, causing record losses for American exporters and manufacturers.\n\n\u201cThe FMC\u2019s currently definition of \u201cunreasonable\u201d refusal is so feckless it has us wondering: What was the point of passing OSRA in the first place? We all witnessed the havoc foreign-flagged ocean carriers wreaked on our ports in 2021, price gouging shippers and leaving American exporters high and dry. If this definition stands, they could easily do it again,\u201d said Johnson and Garamendi. \u201cThis proposed definition is not in line with congressional intent \u2013 it needs to be remedied for the sake of our farmers, exporters, and manufacturers who already faced extreme losses at the hands of foreign carriers.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe ten largest ocean carriers and three global alliances reportedly control more than 80 percent of the global market,\u201d wrote the Members of Congress. \u201cAs American exporters and other businesses navigate this anticompetitive marketplace, they must have an ally in our nation\u2019s only ocean carrier regulator: the Federal Maritime Commission.\u201d\n\nThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act was signed into law on June 16, 2022, and prohibits ocean carriers from discriminating against American exporters and unreasonably refusing cargo space accommodations. The bill provides authority to the FMC to investigate ocean carriers\u2019 business practices and apply enforcement measures as appropriate following the unreasonable refusal of American exports throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-urges-biden-prioritize-military-readiness-over-social-activism", "Johnson Urges Biden to Prioritize Military Readiness Over Social Activism", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) sent a letter urging President Biden to prioritize true military readiness following reports of the U.S. Air Force Academy\u2019s (USAFA) inclusive language training, instructing cadets to refer to \u201cMom and Dad\u201d as \u201cParents/Caregivers/Guardians\u201d and \u201cBoyfriend/Girlfriend\u201d as \u201cPartner.\u201d Following this instruction, a member of Johnson\u2019s Service Academy Nomination board and a USAFA alumnus resigned from the board because of the politically charged programming.\n\n\u201cOf course, we need to treat all people with respect, but your implementation of a politicized gender inclusivity agenda is moving our military in the wrong direction,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe United States has the finest military men and women in the world \u2013 their education and training should not be focused on social activism. I encourage you as Commander in Chief to rectify this issue and revoke this line of teaching at our military institutions.\u201d\n\nAs a Member of Congress, Johnson is responsible for nominating applicants to four of the five U.S. Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nOctober 4, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nI write to express my concern with recent reports that cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) have been instructed that diversity and inclusion training is an aspect of their military readiness.\n\nTeaching cadets that vernacular like \u201cmom,\u201d \u201cdad,\u201d \u201cboyfriend,\u201d and \u201cgirlfriend\u201d are offensive is a tremendous distraction from the true goal of our service academies: develop skilled and dedicated warfighters to protect America and American values from our enemies.\n\nNot surprisingly, in recent days I\u2019ve heard concerns from academy graduates, family members, and prospective cadets about these policies. Regrettably, I have had at least one member of my Service Academy Nomination board, who was a USAFA alumnus and retired officer, resign because of USAFA\u2019s politically charged programming. Of course, we need to treat all people with respect, but your implementation of a politicized gender inclusivity agenda is moving our military in the wrong direction.\n\nThe United States has the finest military men and women in the world \u2013 their education and training should not be focused on social activism. I encourage you as Commander in Chief to rectify this issue and revoke this line of teaching at our military institutions.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-questions-gao-foreign-investment-us-farmland", "Johnson Questions GAO on Foreign Investment in U.S. Farmland", "2022-10-03", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and 129 colleagues questioned Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on foreign investment in U.S. farmland and its impact on national security, trade, and food security.\n\n\u201cSeeing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land increase over the past decade is concerning, especially ownership by our adversaries like China,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cAllowing increased ownership could pose a threat to our food security and national security. Congress is sounding the alarm, and it\u2019s time we understand how to best protect America\u2019s food and national security.\u201d\n\nSince 2010, foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land has nearly doubled. In the wake of rising input costs for farmers, supply chain delays, geopolitical pressure, and high food prices, it is critical to understand the impact foreign ownership and investment can have on food security, national security, and the economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-ohalleran-introduce-tribal-policing-bill", "Johnson, O\u2019Halleran Introduce Tribal Policing Bill", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Tom O\u2019Halleran (D-AZ-01) introduced the Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Actto improve tribal law enforcement agencies and operations through additional training, compensation, and equipment procurement.\n\n\u201cIndian Country does not have the resources needed to combat crime \u2013 currently, there is one officer to every 1,333 persons on the Pine Ridge Reservation,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cOur tribal communities struggle with slow emergency response times \u2013 as long as thirty minutes \u2013 as well as officer retainment. The Tribal COPS Act will provide these law enforcement agencies with resources to improve the safety and security of their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, tribal police departments across Indian Country have dealt with staffing shortages and a lack of appropriate resources to address public safety concerns,\u201d said Representative Tom O\u2019Halleran (D-AZ-01). \u201cIn Arizona\u2019s First District, the Navajo Nation alone is larger than the state of West Virginia and has only a few hundred officers. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce the Tribal COPS Act with Representative Johnson, my colleague across the aisle, to increase funding for tribal police departments to recruit, hire, and train skilled officers.\u201d\n\nThe Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Act would:\n\nEstablish a grant program to increase capabilities of tribal law enforcement agencies\n\nThe grant formula will take the following into account:\n\nSize of tribal lands\n\nPopulation of tribal lands\n\nAverage response time of the law enforcement agency to an emergency call\n\nGrants may be used to:\n\nCompensate officers, including retention bonuses\n\nProvide training\n\nProvide housing stipends to officers principally residing within tribal lands\n\nProcure equipment\n\nProcure, operate, maintain facilities for use by officers", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-gilt-edge-mine-conveyance-act-passes-house", "Johnson\u2019s Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act Passes the House", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson\u2019s (R-S.D.) legislation to transfer to the State of South Dakota a portion of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The bill passed the House 296-127.\n\n\u201cFor years this site has been owned and managed by a patchwork quilt of state and federal governments. My bill will make it easier for the State and EPA to remediate the site by getting the Forest Service out of the middle,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThis land is no longer a forest or natural habitat, nor can it be used for recreation. Allowing South Dakota to purchase and own this land is an important step in finishing the cleanup.\u201d\n\nYou can watch Johnson\u2019s floor remarks here.\n\nThe Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act authorizes the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County. The land transfer authorized by this legislation allows the state to conduct a clean-up effort within the boundary of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its clean-up actions.\n\nThe abandoned gold mine contaminates water with heavy metals and acidity, and the clean-up efforts thus far have treated the contaminated water, covering the area with plastic to prevent water from leaching into the area, and recovering it with grass. To move forward, the state must first have primary authority to continue the clean-up. Currently, the federal government owns the land, and states cannot manage or control federal property.\n\nThe Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act is supported by Lawrence County, Governor Noem, City of Lead, and City of Deadwood.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-secures-fairness-tribal-law-enforcement", "Johnson Secures Fairness for Tribal Law Enforcement", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, legislation co-led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), to bolster funding for tribal and rural law enforcement, passed out of the U.S. House 360-64. The Invest to Protect Act (H.R. 6448) provides grants to small, rural, and tribal departments to improve the recruitment and retention of local law enforcement and provides mental health training to officers. Johnson was instrumental in ensuring tribal law enforcements were eligible in the bill.\n\n\u201cTribal communities will be safer because of the Invest to Protect Act,\u201dsaid Representative and former SheriffJohn Rutherford (R-FL-04). \u201cThank you to Congressman Johnson for his leadership ensuring that small tribal law enforcement agencies have equal access to this critically important funding.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, the far-left has called to defund the police \u2013 today the House sent a clear message: that\u2019s not happening,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cOur nation has chronically underinvested in mental health resources, and our cities, and specifically our tribal reservations, have seen a dramatic increase in violent crime. The Invest to Protect Act provides critical resources for training focused on de-escalation, substance abuse, and mental health care, targeting smaller departments that need support the most. Our bill also provides resources to increase recruitment to ensure local and tribal communities police departments are appropriately staffed.\u201d\n\nThe Invest to Protect Act:\n\nCreates a grant program at the Department of Justice focused on improving the recruitment and retention of local law enforcement and providing training and access to mental health resources.\n\nGrants may be used to fund \u201celigible activities\u201d including de-escalation training, law enforcement officer signing and retention bonuses, training for handling situations involving domestic violence and responding to calls for service involving persons with substance use disorders, and improved access to mental health care services for law enforcement officers.\n\nTo be eligible, law enforcement agencies must employ fewer than 125 officers, a threshold which will cover more than 95 percent of police departments in the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-thune-rounds-introduce-bill-reform-indian-health-service-increase", "Johnson, Thune, Rounds Introduce Bill to Reform Indian Health Service, Increase Accountability and Transparency", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2022. A lack of oversight, financial integrity, unmet staffing needs, and employee accountability at the Indian Health Service (IHS) has led to the delivery of substandard health care for patients, families, and communities. This bicameral legislation would increase transparency and accountability at the IHS to ensure Native Americans have access to reliable, quality health care.\n\n\u201cOur tribal communities deserve access to efficient, safe, and high-quality care through the IHS,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act modernizes the IHS credentialing system and allows IHS to more quickly remove employees who have a history of misconduct. I am proud to advocate and support South Dakota\u2019s tribes along with my Senate colleagues to ensure that shortcomings of the IHS are addressed and remedied.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur bill would make several critical improvements to the delivery of care at IHS facilities in South Dakota and around the country, and it would hold IHS accountable to Congress and, more importantly, the tribal members they serve,\u201d said Thune. \u201cI look forward to continuing to work with members of the South Dakota tribes and my colleagues in Congress to do everything we can to fix the severely broken IHS system once and for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor far too long, the Indian Health Service has failed to provide adequate and reliable health care to tribal members,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cThis legislation would work to reform IHS to increase accountability and transparency at the agency. Real change needs to happen so IHS can deliver the care the federal government has a trust and treaty obligation to provide to tribal members.\u201d\n\nThe bill was led by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and was co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).\n\nA section-by-section summary of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-spanberger-introduce-bipartisan-bill-requiring-members-congress", "Johnson, Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan Bill Requiring Members of Congress to Electronically File Public Financial Disclosures", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would require Members of Congress to file their public financial disclosures electronically.\n\nCurrently, U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators have the option of completing their public financial disclosures\u2014including annual required reporting and periodic transaction reports\u2014 either by hand or electronically. However, recent reporting has shed light on how the current disclosure system leads to nearly or completely illegible paperwork filing of Members of Congress\u2019s financial disclosures.\n\nThe Spanberger-Johnson legislation\u2014the Easy to Read Electronic and Accessible Disclosures (READ) Act\u2014would modernize this system, increase transparency, and allow the American people to more easily hold their elected officials accountable. Specifically, this legislation would amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require the electronic filing of all public financial disclosure forms.\n\n\u201cThis bill is commonsense,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cRequiring these disclosures to be made electronically will not only modernize Congress but increase transparency and accountability of Members to the American people. Congress has a public trust problem, and we should do all we can to ensure our constituents have faith in their elected officials. I am glad to work with Congresswoman Spanberger on yet another effort to ensure Members are held to the highest ethical standard during their time in office.\u201d\n\n\u201cPoor penmanship shouldn\u2019t be the enemy of transparency. As discussions about potential conflicts of interest in the halls of Congress continue, we need to take commonsense steps to make it easier for the general public to sort through the disclosures of their Representatives and Senators,\u201d said Spanberger. \u201cOur Easy to READ Act does just that: itwould allow the American people to search, sort, and download data for every Member of Congress\u2014not just those who chose to use a computer to submit these documents. By making this change, we can increase transparency, and help rebuild a degree of trust in our democracy. I want to thank my friend and colleague Congressman Johnson for his partnership on this important legislation.\u201d\n\nThe Easy to READ Act would also require that the interface for this new system be fully compliant with the Rehabilitation Act and the most recent Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, so that disclosures are accessible for Americans with disabilities.\n\n\u201cGovernment is only as effective as it is open and accessible,\u201d said Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Government Affairs Manager, Project On Government Oversight (POGO). \u201cThis means that government records, including financial disclosures filed by elected officials, must be easy to find and easy to understand. This is why Rep. Spanberger and Rep. Johnson should be applauded for introducing a bill that would require congressional financial disclosures to be filed in accordance with basic 21st Century digital and technological standards. These requirements will help bring critical transparency to the financial situation of members of Congress and more opportunity to spot potential conflicts of interest.\u201d\n\n\u201cPositions of public power and public service require a degree of transparency from the people elected to hold those positions, and when the law demands transparency it should be an easily accessible and readable format for all taxpayers. NTU applauds Congresswoman Spanberger and Congressman Johnson for their new legislation, the Easy to READ Act, which would require Members of Congress to electronically file financial disclosures and would make those disclosures searchable and downloadable. This is a common-sense transparency measure,\u201d said Andrew Lautz, Director of Federal Policy, National Taxpayers Union (NTU).\n\nClick here to read the full bill text.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-south-dakotas-angels-adoption-honorees", "Johnson Announces South Dakota\u2019s \u201cAngels in Adoption\u201d Honorees", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) congratulated John and Sarah Enos of Deadwood for being named the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute\u2019s South Dakota 2022 Angels in Adoption honorees.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to the Enos family for being named Angels in Adoption,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe Enos family is a perfect example of how fostering and adopting is a blessing to both children and families.\u201d\n\nIn 2020, then a family of three, the Enos family fostered and quickly adopted three young children in 2020. Soon after beginning the adoption process, the Enos family had two more children\u2014quickly growing into a family of eight.\n\nEach year, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) selects individuals, families or organizations across the nation who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving homes. Each family\u2019s tireless dedication to child welfare stands out in their community but has earns them recognition as an extraordinary family deserving of this award.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-teens-act-increase-youth-workforce-participation", "Johnson Introduces TEENS Act to Increase Youth Workforce Participation", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills (TEENS) Act, which loosens federal work hour limitations on 14- and 15-year-olds. Currently, teenagers are not permitted to work past 7p.m. during months when school is in session and are limited to 18 hours of work per week.\n\nAccording to the Pew Research Center, nearly 60% of American teens had summer jobs in the 1980s and 90s. In recent years, that number is closer to 30%.\n\n\u201cIf a high school student can play in a football game until 9p.m., or play video games late into the evening, they should also be allowed to hold a job if they wish to,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe TEENS Act provides a reasonable accommodation for hardworking young Americans. As our nation faces an unprecedented labor shortage, flexibility is needed more than ever.\u201d\n\nCurrently, 14- and 15-year-olds are limited to working 18 hours per week \u2013 less than two and a half traditional 8-hour shifts \u2013 and may not work past 7p.m. during the school year. The TEENS Act would permit 14- and 15-year-olds to work between the hours of 7a.m. and 9p.m. year-round and increases the number of workable hours during a school week to 24.\n\n\u201cAs the father of a teenager, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how work experiences build confidence, develop new skills, instill responsibility, and create a sense of pride in a job well done,\u201d said Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. \u201cMany mom-and-pop entrepreneurs across South Dakota started their own businesses because of jobs they held as teenagers, and we appreciate Rep. Johnson\u2019s efforts to create even more great opportunities for young people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Fireworks Association, an organization comprised of over 1000 members, believes that hard work, and the results from it, are what Americans believe in and what makes this country great,\u201d said the Board of theNational Fireworks Association.\u201cCongressman Johnson\u2019s TEENS Act is something that is grounded in the values we believe in.\u201d\n\nThe TEENS Act is endorsed by the South Dakota Retailers Association, the National Restaurant Association, and the National Fireworks Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-opposes-president-bidens-abortion-executive-order", "Johnson Opposes President Biden\u2019s Abortion Executive Order", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) to prevent funding for President Biden\u2019s Executive Order 14076 entitled \u201cProtecting Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s Executive Order to identify ways to expand access to abortion is an inappropriate use of his authority,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cExpanding access to abortion fails to recognize the valuable life in the womb. Life begins at conception, and even the tiniest of humans deserve the right to life guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-receives-rating-national-shooting-sports-foundation", "Johnson Receives A+ Rating from National Shooting Sports Foundation", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) received an A+ rating by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) for his work in Congress supporting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.\n\n\u201cI am honored to receive an A+ rating by the NSSF,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI am and will remain a strong proponent of the Second Amendment in Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-office-now-accepting-spring-2023-internship-applications", "Johnson\u2019s Office Now Accepting Spring 2023 Internship Applications", "2022-09-12", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) is seeking internship applicants for Spring 2023 in his Washington, D.C., Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls offices. The spring program will run from January through May.\n\nDuties include researching legislation, writing memos, attending briefings and community meetings, assisting the communications team, answering constituent phone calls, sorting mail, and providing support to the staff and the Member of Congress.\n\nInterns are given the opportunity to develop their research, writing, and communications skills while working closely alongside staff. They also gain an in-depth understanding of how the legislative branch of government operates while helping to serve South Dakota constituents.\n\n\u201cOur congressional office only has sixteen full-time staff to serve the entire state,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cInterns are an integral part of our team\u2019s success. As a part of the team, congressional interns will gain firsthand experience of the legislative process and innerworkings of Congress.\u201d\n\nInterested applicants should complete the online internship application and submit a resume online no later than November 1, 2022. More information about the internship program, along with the application, can be found online at dustyjohnson.house.gov/services/internships.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-legislation-block-tok", "Johnson Introduces Legislation to \u201cBlock the Tok\u201d", "2022-09-06", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Block the Tok Act, a bill that would prohibit TikTok from accessing U.S. citizens\u2019 user data from within China and block the installation of TikTok on government devices. Earlier this year, reports indicated the Chinese parent company of TikTok was freely accessing sensitive user data such as passwords, keystrokes, browser history, and voice and facial recognition.\n\n\u201cAccording to TikTok\u2019s own employees, \u2018everything is seen in China,\u2019\u201d said Johnson. \u201cIt might seem trivial to go after an app known for viral dance videos, but TikTok is a national security concern. TikTok has more than one billion users, and China is using Americans\u2019 information to advance its communist agenda. It\u2019s no secret China\u2019s goal is to replace the U.S. as the world\u2019s superpower \u2013 Americans shouldn\u2019t help China advance its agenda. Block the Tok keeps China\u2019s hands off your personal information.\u201d\n\nTikTok has circumvented privacy safeguards since 2020 and has paid nearly $100 million in fines for improper data collection, including that of children under the age of 13. Currently, several government agencies recommend employees do not download TikTok on government devices.\n\nThe Block the Tok Act would put safeguards in place to ensure better user privacy, pursue transparency, and protect our national security. The bill would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-opposed-bidens-cancelation-student-debt", "Johnson Opposed to Biden\u2019s Cancelation of Student Debt", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the Biden Administration\u2019s announcement to cancel $10,000 of student loan debt for individuals making $125,000 a year or families earning up to $250,000. This action is estimated to cost U.S. taxpayers up to $300 billion.\n\n\u201cThis decision is a slap in the face to the millions of Americans who did the right thing and paid off the student debt they willingly took on,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWhere is their $10,000 free pass? The administration\u2019s willingness to spend, spend, spend is baffling \u2013 President Biden is making inflation worse with every stroke of his pen.\n\n\u201cCongress should focus on long-term solutions to the high cost of education. This is nothing more than a political giveaway as Democrats look down the barrel of a Republican majority come November.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-mount-rushmore-protection-act-amid-calls-retire-mount", "Johnson Introduces Mount Rushmore Protection Act Amid Calls to \u201cRetire\u201d Mount Rushmore", "2022-08-22", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Friday, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Mount Rushmore Protection Actin response to former NBA player Jalen Rose\u2019s call to \u201cretire\u201d Mount Rushmore, claiming it is \u201coffensive.\u201d\n\nThe Mount Rushmore Protection Act prohibits the use of federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove the likeness, the name of, or any of the faces on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.\n\n\u201cThe four presidents on Mount Rushmore championed the cause of freedom,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cOur nation has an imperfect past, but the calls to cancel Mount Rushmore will not move our nation forward. My legislation ensures the protection and beauty of Mount Rushmore for generations to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-partisan-reconciliation-bill", "Johnson Statement on Partisan Reconciliation Bill", "2022-08-12", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the U.S. House passed the Democrats\u2019 $739 billion Inflation Reduction Act on a party-line vote:\n\n\u201cThis week\u2019s 8.5% inflation report is a resounding alarm the Left continues to ignore,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cAmericans are facing record-high inflation \u2013 more spending is not the answer. In the last two years alone, I\u2019ve opposed nearly $10 trillion in government spending. This bill further risks increasing prices of goods across the board.\n\n\u201cCongress should turn its focus to solutions that will solve the supply chain crisis, increase domestic energy production, and get workforce participation back to pre-pandemic levels. The majority of South Dakotans are feeling the pressure of inflation every time they have to take out their wallet. The alarm bells have been going off for a long time \u2013 it\u2019s time to listen.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bill-ease-railway-supply-chain-delays", "Johnson Introduces Bill to Ease Railway Supply Chain Delays", "2022-08-04", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Last week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Freights First Act to ease the supply chain-related gridlock and delays by prioritizing the movement of goods by freight rail.\n\nCurrently, Amtrak has a statutory right of track preference over freight railroads when it comes to use of a rail. Unfortunately, Amtrak\u2019s right of track preference has the potential to slow down the movement of freight railroads, worsening the supply chain crunch.\n\n\u201cThe supply chain backlogs that began at our ports has trickled down to our freight rail networks,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cAn efficient and effective supply chain is necessary to bolster our economy. Recent economic reports show that our demand has outpaced supply for too long. This bill will get us on the right track to fix our supply chain crisis.\u201d\n\nDelays have disrupted our country\u2019s freight rail networks, adding newcomplications for shippers and retailers and creating a domino effect on the supply chain.\n\nThe Freights First Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-polls-south-dakota-94-facing-inflationary-pressure", "Johnson Polls South Dakota, 94% Facing Inflationary Pressure", "2022-07-27", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged President Biden to reject unnecessary government spending following survey results where 94 percent of South Dakota respondents stated they were experiencing inflation. Read the full letter here.\n\nJohnson surveyed thousands of constituents asking if they are experiencing higher prices at the grocery store, gas station, restaurants, and department stores. 94 percent of participants responded yes; they are experiencing higher prices.\n\n\u201cI conducted a poll of thousands of South Dakotans, and the results were overwhelming \u2013 94 percent of survey participants responded they are experiencing higher prices at the grocery store, gas station, restaurants, and department stores,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThese prices are making it harder for individuals and families to make ends meet, and have created dilemmas for state construction projects, police departments, and school districts. Higher prices are affecting South Dakota across the board.\n\n\u201cSolutions like my bill, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, year-round E15, and increasing domestic energy production can counteract this pressure. I urge you to resist calls from my colleagues to spend our way out of this crisis and turn your focus to policies that will unleash American energy.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-roy-introduce-bill-alleviate-pilot-shortage-raising-mandatory", "Johnson, Roy Introduce Bill to Alleviate Pilot Shortage by Raising Mandatory Retirement Age", "2022-07-26", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced the \u201cLet Experienced Pilots Fly Act\u201d to alleviate the pilot shortage by raising the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 to 67.\n\n\u201cWe haven\u2019t even begun to see the worst of the pilot shortage,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cCOVID-19 forced a lot of early retirements, and pilot recruitment is tough. I\u2019ve heard horror stories of South Dakotans missing family weddings due to canceled flights \u2013 Americans need reliable travel options. Raising the mandatory retirement age by two years is a safe and effective way to mitigate this shortage.\u201d\n\nA recent study found the pilot shortage in North America is expected to reach over 12,000 pilots by 2023. Meanwhile, nearly 14,000 qualified U.S. pilots will be forced to retire over the next five years due to the federal mandatory pilot retirement age.\n\nThe mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots has not been raised since 2007. The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act does not change any other provision to current law governing pilot retirements.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-working-prohibit-chinese-purchases-american-farmland", "Johnson Working to Prohibit Chinese Purchases of American Farmland", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) joined the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People\u2019s Republic of China Act to prohibit purchases of American agricultural land by China.\n\n\u201cThe CCP\u2019s agenda to dramatically increase its ownership of American agricultural land is an immediate concern,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWe cannot allow our adversary to have control over our food supply and supply chain. This is a national security threat that cannot be ignored. America needs to wake up.\u201d\n\nRead full bill text here.\n\nThe Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People\u2019s Republic of China Act would:\n\nDirect the President of the United States to any necessary actions to prohibit public or private agricultural land in the United States by foreign nationals associated with the Government of the People\u2019s Republic of China.\n\nProhibit the same associations from participating in any Unites States Department of Agriculture programs except food safety inspections.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-2022-congressional-app-challenge", "Johnson Announces 2022 Congressional App Challenge", "2022-07-18", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced South Dakota\u2019s third annual Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an app competition for middle and high school students.\n\nThe CAC was established by Congress to encourage young people to learn coding and to inspire them to pursue a career in STEM. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to participate in the competition, no previous coding experience is required.\n\nThe App Challenge student submission portal is now open. Applications must be submitted by November 1st. The CAC accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language (C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, \u201cblock code,\u201d etc.), for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, etc.). Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four students.\n\nWinners will be selected by a panel of Computer Science teachers in South Dakota and honored by South Dakota\u2019s Congressional office. Winning apps will be featured on display in the U.S. Capitol and on the CAC website.\n\n\u201cThe Congressional App Challenge was created because Congress recognized the growing skills gap in the STEM field,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cSouth Dakota is home to so many young, bright minds \u2013 these same minds are critical to maintaining American competitiveness in the tech space. I\u2019m looking forward to recognizing talented young coders and developers in South Dakota.\u201d\n\nWinners will be announced in December. For more information about the CAC or to register for the competition, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-democrats-block-consideration-johnsons-keep-nine-constitutional", "House Democrats Block Consideration of Johnson\u2019s \u201cKeep the Nine\u201d Constitutional Amendment", "2022-07-13", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Republican House leadership brought to the floor U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson\u2019s (R-S.D.) constitutional amendment to limit the size of the U.S. Supreme Court to nine Justices (H.J. Res. 11). Johnson introduced the \u201cKeep the Nine\u201d amendment as his first bill in the 117th Congress in 2021.\n\nHouse Democrats blocked consideration of Johnson\u2019s amendment on the floor today. Johnson urged House Democrat leadership to immediately consider his amendment to insulate the Supreme Court from political attacks. The legislation has 179 cosponsors.\n\n\u201cWhen Washington changes the rules only to acquire power or only to maintain power, it undermines public trust in the institutions that bind Americans together. We don\u2019t need a further undermining of these institutions,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cFrankly, where does it end? Once this body establishes that the size of the Court can grow, only so we can secure the preferred judicial decisions of the House Majority, where does it end?\n\n\u201cMy [Keep the Nine] resolution puts into the Constitution what has already been the case since 1869 \u2013 nine Justices on the Supreme Court. If we can just put into the Constitution to \u201cKeep the Nine\u201d we will be able to somewhat insulate the Court from the most corrosive political maneuvering that this body is capable of.\u201d\n\nClick here to watch the full speech.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-stefanik-pass-act-prevents-china-purchasing-us-agriculture-businesses", "Johnson, Stefanik PASS Act Prevents China from Purchasing U.S. Agriculture Businesses", "2022-07-12", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. The PASS Act blacklists countries like China and Russia from purchasing U.S. agriculture companies and ensures the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is fully involved in reviewing any foreign acquisition of American companies that may affect our agriculture sector.\n\n\u201cChina\u2019s efforts to influence American agriculture threatens U.S. security \u2013 this bill is commonsense,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWe have experienced numerous black swan events in the past few years, and we can\u2019t risk allowing our adversaries closer access to our food and supply chains.\u201d\n\nRecent reports of China acquiring U.S. farmland and agriculture companies is a cause for concern on the foreign influence in American agriculture. Additionally, a Chinese-owned company recently purchased farmland near the Grand Forks, North Dakota Air Force Base \u2013 home to U.S. military drone technology. Members of Congress have raised national security concerns regarding the convenience for monitoring air traffic flows in and out of the base.\n\nThe Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act:\n\nBlacklists China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing U.S. agriculture companies,\n\nIncludes agriculture and biotechnology related to agriculture as critical infrastructure,\n\nAdds the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security, and\n\nRequires reporting from the Secretary of Agriculture on the risk of foreign purchases of agriculture companies to the American agriculture sector.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-issues-statement-end-va-air-commission", "Johnson Issues Statement on the End of the VA AIR Commission", "2022-06-28", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the Senate\u2019s announcement ending the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission.\n\n\u201cThis process hasn\u2019t been accurate or fair from the beginning,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI have opposed the VA AIR recommendations from day one. The VA of the past cannot look like the VA of the future, but the Commission was going about it the wrong way. While the VA AIR Commission nominees awaited the Senate confirmation process, I have been pushing in the House to make sure no funding is appropriated that would result in diminished services to veterans in South Dakota.\u201d\n\nThe public hearing process for closures and service reductions could not begin until nominees were confirmed by the Senate. With the announcement from a bipartisan group of Senators revoking their support of the Commission, the nominees will not be approved, and the VA AIR Commission will not move forward.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn March, Johnson joined U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) to send a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough to express their frustrations and concerns with the recommendations to close or downsize several VA health care facilities in South Dakota.\n\nJohnson previously spoke at a congressional roundtable to express opposition to the recent VA recommendations to the AIR Commission to close or downsize several VA health care facilities in South Dakota.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-issues-statement-scotus-roe-v-wade-decision", "Johnson Issues Statement on SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Decision", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization:\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve never believed the Roe v. Wade decision \u2013 which was ultimately a personal privacy case \u2013 was a justification to take a human life,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe unborn deserve protection.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-leads-bill-reduce-alcohol-related-offenses", "Johnson Leads Bill to Reduce Alcohol-Related Offenses", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility(SOBER) Act, legislation aimed at combating repeat alcohol-related criminal offenses and bolstering the 24/7 sobriety program across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use kills more than 140,000 individuals each year and costs the U.S. economy nearly $250 billion.\n\nThe SOBER Act provides funding to help sustain and expand existing 24/7 sobriety programs. 24/7 sobriety was implemented in South Dakota in 2005. An evaluation found a 12% reduction in DUI arrests, a 9% reduction in domestic violence arrests, and a 4.2% reduction in all-cause mortality in jurisdictions that adopted the program.\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota has been a strong leader on combatting alcohol-related offenses for years \u2013 it\u2019s time to take this successful program national \u2013 that\u2019s what the SOBER Act does. If we can invest in the root cause of the issue, our state, local, and federal government will not only save money in the long run, we will save lives,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to local law enforcement\u2019s for staying engaged and innovative on this important issue that plagues so many communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cEver since 2005 when the 24/7 Sobriety Program started in South Dakota, our Sheriff Offices have administered over 12.3 million breath test and over 625,000 drug tests,\u201d said Byron Nogelmeier, South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Program State Coordinator. \u201cThis program has made a positive impact on public safety. The goal of the program has always focused on keeping people sober so they are able to remain active within society, with their families, and with their employment. Through my personal experience when I was Sheriff of Turner County, I have met with people who were on the program. They have told me that the program had saved their life from addiction. You know then that the program does work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe SOBER Act will provide grants to help establish and maintain 24/7 sobriety programs. These programs offer another option for addressing drunk and impaired driving and can help free up resources that law enforcement agencies can redirect towards combating violent crime or responding to other serious offenses,\u201d saidJeri Williams, Chief, Phoenix Police Department and President, Major Cities Chiefs Association. \u201cThe MCCA thanks Rep. Johnson for introducing this piece of legislation.\u201d\n\nThe SOBER Act would:\n\nCreate a grant within the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice, and authorize the appropriation of $50 million each year for five years.\n\nProvide data from grantees and a report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) assessing the impact of 24/7 sobriety programs on violence, crime, recidivism, and incarceration rates.\n\nThe SOBER Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Bacon (R-NE), Owens (R-UT), Correa (D-CA), DelBene (D-WA), and Craig (D-MN) and endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs, the National Sheriffs\u2019 Association, and the Niskanen Center.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-military-service-academy-appointments-0", "Johnson Announces Military Service Academy Appointments", "2022-06-22", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) announced six Service Academy appointments of South Dakota students and residents. They will begin their military training at their respective schools this summer. Johnson nominated each of these students in December 2021 and they recently accepted their appointments.\n\n\u201cOne of the best parts of my job is nominating South Dakota\u2019s best and brightest, in hopes they\u2019ll go on to serve our country at one of our nation\u2019s esteemed military academies,\u201d saidJohnson. \u201cThese six students are choosing a different kind of college experience. Their willingness to dedicate their lives to defending America\u2019s freedom is honorable. I know they will all represent South Dakota well at their respective institutions.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Johnson\u2019s 2022 South Dakota Service Academy Appointees:\n\nImage\n\nDaniel Colby \u2013 United States Naval Academy\n\nDaniel Colby of Sioux Falls, S.D. will be attending the United States Naval Academy and hopes to commission as a Marine Corps Officer. He was a member of MCJROTC for two years, ran varsity cross country and track, and was elected Student Body President his senior year at Sioux Falls Christian. Daniel worked as a head lifeguard for the City of Sioux Falls, served on the Mayor's Youth Council, and started a charity fundraiser with his brother.\n\nDaniel feels honored to have been given an opportunity to serve and protect this country. He elaborated, \u201cI want to give my time and service to the citizens of America because my God calls me to live a life of selfless service. I will never take this opportunity to represent the state of South Dakota and the United States for granted.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nHalle Fjelland \u2013 United States Naval Academy\n\nHalle Fjelland of Spearfish, S.D. will be attending the United States Naval Academy. At Spearfish High School, she was class valedictorian and a three-sport athlete, including captain of her soccer team and runner for the cross country and track teams. Halle was also President of her National Honor Society chapter, on student council, and captain of the debate team. She took a number of dual-credit courses at local colleges and hopes to pursue an engineering career while serving her country.\n\nHalle is \u201clooking forward to the challenge of the Naval Academy, knowing that it will pave the way for a very rewarding career.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nGrace Kaiser \u2013 United States Military Academy\n\nGrace Kaiser of Aberdeen, S.D. will soon be fulfilling a dream she\u2019s had since she was eleven years old: to attend the United States Military Academy. Grace has accepted her appointment to West Point where she wants to be part of something to help others and where she is pushed to be her absolute best. At Aberdeen Christian School, Grace had a heavy math and science curriculum, took four years of Spanish, attended Girls State, and played the saxophone. She was also President of Student Council and captain of both the volleyball and basketball teams.\n\nWhen asked what she is most looking forward to at the Academy, Grace said, \u201cmeeting new people and seeing where I am led through the opportunities that accompany attending USMA.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nGunnar Kvistad \u2013 United States Air Force Academy\n\nGunnar Kvistad of Clark, S.D. will be attending the United States Air Force Academy. Throughout high school, Gunnar ran cross country and track, played baseball and golf, wrestled, played in the band, sang in the choir, and participated with his local Family Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter.\n\nGunnar seeks opportunities to challenge himself at the highest level possible, including in his schoolwork and extracurriculars. \u201cThe Air Force Academy is undoubtedly one of the top educational institutions in the world and can help me propel my future in the right direction,\u201d Gunnar wrote. He hopes to study engineering and aviation and is looking forward to exploring different career paths. His older sister in the National Guard is his source of inspiration to join the military.\n\nImage\n\nJayda McNabb \u2013 United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School\n\nJayda McNabb of Rapid City, S.D. has accepted an offer to attend and play basketball at the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. At Stevens High School, she was a star athlete in basketball, track, and volleyball, member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, earned academic honors and a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteered at several local non-profit organizations and worked at a nearby historic restaurant.\n\n\u201cLike in sports, teamwork is what I like about the Air Force. The Air Force Academy provides a world-class education while combining athletics, character, leadership development, and military training,\u201d Jayda described. She is looking forward to the personal growth as she begins her journey at the Prep School.\n\nImage\n\nBlake Stark \u2013 United States Air Force Academy\n\nBlake Stark of Sioux Falls, S.D. will be attending his first-choice school: the United States Air Force Academy. Blake comes from a military family and hopes to become a pilot; attending USAFA has been his dream since the sixth grade. At West Central High School, Blake was captain of the cross country team, drumline section leader, and participated in the military youth council. He is an Eagle Scout and attended Boys Nation as well.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-butcher-block-act-and-year-round-e15-passes-house", "Johnson\u2019s Butcher Block Act and Year-Round E15 Passes the House", "2022-06-16", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson\u2019s (R-S.D.) Butcher Block Act and year-round E15 provisions passed the U.S. House.\n\nThe Butcher Block Act establishes a loan program at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for new and expanding meat processors and finances producer investment to drive competition within the meat packing industry. Additionally, it would allocate grants to entities to increase hiring and processing capacity. In July 2021, USDA administratively implemented the Butcher Block Act, and in May 2022, Johnson\u2019s Butcher Block Actpassed out of House Ag Committee unanimously.\n\nAlso included in the package was a provision implementing the year-round sale of E15. Current biofuels regulations only allow for E10, a 10 percent ethanol fuel blend, to be sold in the summer months. Authorizing year-round sales of E15, a 15 percent ethanol fuel blend, will allow higher ethanol content blend to be sold at the pump throughout the year.\n\n\u201cConsumers have been facing rising prices in the grocery store and at the pump for too long \u2013 this bill provides solutions to some of the problems America is facing,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cGetting the Butcher Block Act passed out of the House is the first step to increasing shackle space for ranchers to sell their products.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been fighting for year-round E15 since day one. E15 will unleash millions of gallons of fuel to the market and ease the pain at the pump that consumers are facing daily. Fair prices for producers and consumers will soften the burden of inflation.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nJohnson introduced the Butcher Block Act in June 2021 to expand processing capacity. Following the introduction of his legislation, in July 2021, USDA announced its intent to provide $500 million in grants to expand meat and poultry processing capacity.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/ocean-shipping-reform-act-signed-law", "Ocean Shipping Reform Act Signed into Law", "2022-06-16", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580/H.R. 4996) was signed into law by the president. U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the legislation in August 2021 following reports that foreign ocean carriers were leaving American agriculture export products behind at U.S. ports and heading back to Asia empty, further exacerbating supply chain issues. The Senate companion was introduced in February 2022 and passed the House this week 369-42.\n\nIn March 2021, a bipartisan coalition of House members requested the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) take appropriate enforcement actions to end unfair trade practices by foreign ocean shippers. Following this request, it was revealed the FMC did not obtain the enforcement tools necessary to crack down on carriers. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act was introduced to update the rules of the road for the first time since 1998 and ensure foreign ocean carriers are not unfairly rejecting American exports.\n\nIt is estimated the U.S. lost out on more than $25 billion in U.S. agriculture exports over the last six months, and U.S. dairy producers lost more than $1.3 billion in export revenue in the first three quarters of 2021.\n\n\u201cGetting the Ocean Shipping Reform Act across the finish line has been a team effort over the last year to address our supply chain issues,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cIf foreign ocean carriers want to utilize American ports, they will have to play by our rules. Agriculture producers lost a significant amount of revenue because of unfair practices by foreign ocean shippers \u2013 damaging the American economy and supply chain \u2013 our bill puts an end to that.\u201d\n\nThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act will:\n\nProhibit ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing cargo space accommodations for U.S. exports and from discriminating against U.S. exporters;\n\nPromote transparency by requiring ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import/export tonnage and twenty-foot equivalent units (loaded/empty) per vessel that makes port in the United States;\n\nAuthorize the FMC to self-initiate investigations of ocean common carrier\u2019s business practices and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; and\n\nEstablish new authority for the FMC to register shipping exchanges to improve the negotiation of service contracts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-rounds-johnson-urge-biden-grant-much-needed-disaster-relief-severe", "Thune, Rounds, Johnson Urge Biden to Grant Much-Needed Disaster Relief for Severe Storms", "2022-06-16", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today urged President Biden to promptly grant Gov. Kristi Noem\u2019s (R-S.D.) request for federal disaster assistance in portions of South Dakota. The request follows the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that devastated communities across eastern South Dakota on May 12, 2022.\n\n\u201cWidespread impacts resulted from this storm system, including uprooted or snapped trees, significant property damage, downed power-lines, overturned semi-trucks, as well as injuries and two tragic fatalities,\u201d the delegation wrote. \u201cThe high winds and ensuing weather also caused extensive damage to agriculture\u2014the lifeblood and economic engine of South Dakota.\n\n\u201cThe state, county, and local governments stepped up to meet the disaster with all available resources and authorities. However, the impact to public infrastructure across the 20 counties and two Indian reservations is severe,\u201d the delegation continued. \u201cWe respectfully request that you expeditiously review Governor Noem\u2019s request and declare a major disaster for relevant areas of our state.\u201d\n\nFull letter below:\n\nThe Honorable Joseph Biden\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write in strong support of Governor Kristi Noem\u2019s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred on May 12, 2022.\n\nAs Governor Noem\u2019s request indicates, eastern South Dakota was struck by a string of destructive storms on May 12, 2022, with 14 reported tornadoes and wind gusts of more than 100 miles per hour in some areas. Widespread impacts resulted from this storm system, including uprooted or snapped trees, significant property damage, downed power-lines, overturned semi-trucks, as well as injuries and two tragic fatalities. The high winds and ensuing weather also caused extensive damage to agriculture\u2014the lifeblood and economic engine of South Dakota. Fortunately, it was too early in the season to wipe out any crops, but farmers lost essential equipment and resources\u2014feed, grain bins, outbuildings, and more.\n\nThe state, county, and local governments stepped up to meet the disaster with all available resources and authorities. However, the impact to public infrastructure across the 20 counties and two Indian reservations is severe. As Governor Noem indicated in her request, this event was of \u201csuch severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments, and supplemental federal assistance is necessary.\u201d This determination was reached on the basis of a preliminary damage assessment completed by the state in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.\n\nWe respectfully request that you expeditiously review Governor Noem\u2019s request and declare a major disaster for relevant areas of our state. Along with our fellow South Dakotans, we appreciate your consideration of this request and stand ready to assist in any way possible.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/american-exporters-praise-ocean-shipping-reform-act", "American Exporters Praise Ocean Shipping Reform Act", "2022-06-14", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Following the U.S. House passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580) introduced by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), John Garamendi (D-CA), Senators John Thune (R-S.D) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), industry groups issued statements in the support of the legislation. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is the first major overhaul of federal regulations for the global shipping industry in nearly 30 years and passed the House 369-42.\n\n\u201cAFBF appreciates lawmakers for working together to pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act,\u201d said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. \u201cRecord-high shipping costs and delayed access to containers have worsened supply chain issues and limited exports at a time when the world is calling on America\u2019s farmers to meet growing demand. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to meet the needs of families in America and overseas.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe commend Congressmen Dusty Johnson and John Garamendi and Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Thune for their bipartisan leadership on this important legislation. Making OSRA federal law will help retailers and thousands of other businesses that depend on the global maritime transportation system to move goods through the supply chain every day. The system has been severely impacted by COVID-19, and these improvements come at a critical time to help lower inflation and ease the pressure on American businesses and consumers,\u201d said National Retail Federation Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French said.\n\n\u201cAs a coalition representing over 80 companies and trade associations that are critical to ensure a well-function supply chain, we commend Congressmen Johnson and Garamendi for their leadership on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act,\u201d saidthe Shippers Coalition. \u201cTheir tireless efforts to help shippers move goods is a clear example of how bipartisanship should work in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud House approval of legislation that addresses the challenges agricultural exporters are facing at the ports and we appreciate Rep. Johnson\u2019s steadfast leadership on this issue,\u201d said Tyson\u2019s Food Inc. \u201cHe worked tirelessly with House and Senate colleagues to secure reforms that, once implemented, will ensure U.S. exporters like our company can ship our products in a more fair and timely manner.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen Valley Queen Cheese came to Rep. Johnson with the issues we were facing with ocean carriers \u2013 he took us seriously and acted,\u201d said Jason Mischel, Valley Queen Cheese VP of Sales and Milk Procurement. \u201cValley Queen exports more than $15 million dairy per year, the shipping delays risked South Dakota jobs and revenue our state can\u2019t afford to lose. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act remedies this problem, and Valley Queen is grateful for Dusty\u2019s leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe efforts of importers and exporters, agriculture and retailers led the way to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022,\u201d said Peter Friedmann, Executive Director of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition. \u201cWe are grateful to Representatives Garamendi, Johnson, Costa, Schrier and to Senators Klobuchar, Thune and Cantwell and to your well-informed and highly motivated professional staff. You have truly moved the ball forward, towards shipping practices that will help keep US agriculture viable in global markets and an industry that employs so many here in the US.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe problems at our ports include delays of shipments of American-made goods to overseas trading partners due to the unreasonable practices of foreign-owned ocean carriers,\u201d said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. \u201cThese delays are a huge cost to meat and poultry companies as their perishable products await transport.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis day has been a long time coming,\u201d saidATA President and CEO Chris Spear. \u201cThis bill provides important tools to address unjustified and illegal fees collected from American truckers by the ocean shipping cartel \u2013 fees that have contributed to the shipping lines raking in $150 billion in profits just last year. Those fees hurt American motor carriers and consumers \u2013 helping to drive record inflation. We thank Congress for passing this bipartisan solution and urge President Biden to quickly sign it into law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-leads-bill-prevent-future-formula-shortages", "Johnson Leads Bill to Prevent Future Formula Shortages", "2022-06-13", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Formula Shortage Reporting Act of 2022 to ensure the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) receives timely information from manufacturers about anticipated disruptions of infant formula supply. Reps. Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) are original cosponsors of the legislation.\n\n\u201cInfant formula is medically necessary. The FDA should be informed of any future delays \u2013 but currently, that\u2019s not the law of the land,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cSouth Dakota was hit hard during this formula shortage \u2013 my bill allows us to be better prepared should an issue at a formula plant ever happen again.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican families should never have to stare at empty shelves of formula and worry about how they will feed their baby ever again,\u201d said Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK). \u201cI\u2019m proud to support this critical legislation that would require full transparency and accountability from infant formula manufacturers and the FDA. It is imperative that the FDA effectively monitor potential supply chain disruptions and take steps to avoid shortages from happening in the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith proper warnings and oversight, this formula shortage could have been prevented. The FDA needs accurate and timely information about potential shortages of ingredients or supply chain disruptions \u2014 and the American people, particularly parents, deserve this information,\u201d said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). \u201cThis bipartisan bill would require American formula manufacturers to notify the FDA Commissioner about looming interruptions that could be coming down the road. In this way, we can make sure baby formula stays on the shelves, contingency plans are made, and families have renewed peace of mind. I want to thank my colleague and friend Congressman Johnson for his partnership on this commonsense measure.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt seems inconceivable that we could have a baby formula shortage in 2022. This is preventable. Most babies, even those who are primarily breastfed, rely on formula. Baby formula is a little bit different from food in that babies under six months are nearly entirely dependent on it. In some ways, it makes it more like medicine than food. We need an early warning system for when formula supplies may be getting low so we can take the necessary action to prevent such a shortage from happening again,\u201d said Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA).\n\nIn May, Johnson questioned the FDA about their knowledge of the looming shortage. While Abbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled their formula, there is currently no requirement the FDA must receive advance notice of the facility issues and the impact it would have on the market.\n\nThe bill outlines a reporting requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and would require:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-johnson-ocean-shipping-reform-act-heads-presidents-desk", "Thune-Johnson Ocean Shipping Reform Act Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2022-06-13", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today issued the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives passed their Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation, which unanimously passed the U.S. Senate in March, would strengthen the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) by providing it with new tools to help level the playing field for American exporters and counteract anticompetitive behavior. The bill would also help FMC more efficiently resolve disputes between ocean carriers and shippers, while also taking actions at the U.S. Department of Transportation to alleviate strain across the supply chain. Their bill now heads to the president\u2019s desk, where it\u2019s expected to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s vote proves that Congress can still do big things in a bipartisan way,\u201d said Thune. \u201cNow that we\u2019ve cleared this hurdle, I\u2019m glad that my Ocean Shipping Reform Act will soon be the law of the land. The common-sense improvements made by this bill will provide the FMC with the tools necessary to address unreasonable practices by ocean carriers and hold them accountable for any bad-faith efforts that disenfranchise American producers, including those throughout South Dakota, who feed the world. Especially as Americans continue to grapple with record-high inflation, this legislation would also benefit consumers by promoting the efficiency of the supply chain.\u201d\n\n\u201cForeign flagged ocean carriers are playing games with American agriculture exports and our bill puts an end to it,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act is the strongest fix to our maritime laws in a generation. Americans are facing record inflation, our bill isn\u2019t a silver bullet, but help is on the way. I am proud to have worked on this issue for the last year with Congressman Garamendi, and I am grateful that the House and Senate came to an agreement on these important reforms to our nation\u2019s shipping laws.\u201d\n\nThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act will:\n\nProhibit ocean carriers from unreasonably refusing cargo space accommodations for U.S. exports and from discriminating against U.S. exporters;\n\nPromote transparency by requiring ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import/export tonnage and twenty-foot equivalent units (loaded/empty) per vessel that makes port in the United States;\n\nAuthorize the FMC to self-initiate investigations of ocean common carrier\u2019s business practices and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate; and\n\nEstablish new authority for the FMC to register shipping exchanges to improve the negotiation of service contracts.\n\nThe FMC is the independent federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers. The FMC is primarily responsible for ensuring that ocean carriers and marine terminal operators engage in fair and competitive practices with respect to the movement of goods, while upholding the integrity of service contracts to guard against detrimental effects to shipping. Additionally, the FMC monitors rates, charges, and rules of government-owned or controlled carriers to ensure they are just and reasonable, which promotes fluidity and competition in U.S. international trade.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:39:01Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-butcher-block-act-passes-unanimously-house-ag", "Johnson\u2019s Butcher Block Act Passes Unanimously in House Ag", "2022-05-18", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) passed unanimously out of the committee.\n\nThe Butcher Block Act is a bipartisan bill which would establish a loan program at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for new and expanding meat processors and finance producer investment to drive competition within the meat packing industry. Additionally, it would allocate grants to entities to increase hiring and processing capacity.\n\n\u201cRanchers need more shackle space,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe market is too concentrated and South Dakota cattle producers deserve more options on where to sell their product. I\u2019m grateful USDA has begun implementing my bill already and I look forward to seeing the details of the program codified.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-student-winners-congressional-art-competition-0", "JOHNSON ANNOUNCES STUDENT WINNERS OF CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION", "2022-05-17", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson announced Isabelle Hastings, from Sioux Falls, as the winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for South Dakota. Hastings\u2019 acrylic painting, \u201cBlushing\u201d received the top ranking from the South Dakota Arts Council. Hastings is a freshman at Jefferson High School, and her art teacher is Brittany Carmany. The artwork will be on exhibit in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol along with the winning artwork from other congressional districts for the next year.\n\nSecond-place was awarded to Vick Becker, a senior at Riggs High School in Pierre. His art teacher is Jill Kokesh. Becker\u2019s artwork, \u201cWhat the Light Sees,\u201d will be displayed in Rep. Johnson\u2019s Washington, D.C. office for the next year.\n\n\u201cI am always impressed by the immense talent of South Dakota\u2019s young artists, and this year is no different,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI want to thank every student who submitted artwork for consideration as well as the art teachers and parents who helped them. Congratulations to Isabelle and Vick. I am proud that your art will represent South Dakota here in congress.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by Rep. Johnson\u2019s office in partnership with the South Dakota Arts Council. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982, providing members of Congress with an opportunity to recognize talent in their home districts.\n\nThe South Dakota Arts Council, an office of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, is a state agency serving South Dakotans and their communities through the arts with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of South Dakota.\n\nThe artwork can be viewed at https://artscouncil.sd.gov/CAC/index.aspx.\n\nImage\n\n\u201cBlushing\u201d by Isabelle Hastings\n\nImage", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bill-address-cracks-supply-chain", "Johnson Introduces Bill to Address Cracks in the Supply Chain", "2022-05-12", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the bipartisan Strengthening the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Act, which would create a dedicated task force at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to evaluate the reliability of the American food supply chain and provide recommendations to Congress to prevent future supply chain issues.\n\n\u201cOver the past few years Americans have faced supply chain shortages of all kinds \u2013 from meat to baby formula to toilet paper \u2013 the lack of stability is unacceptable,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThere are cracks in our supply chain \u2013 our bill will get to the bottom of these issues and put a plan in place to fix the problems. Food security is national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight now, Americans are justifiably frustrated by the higher prices they\u2019re experiencing \u2013 whether that\u2019s families checking out at the grocery store or farmers and business owners struggling with higher input costs,\u201d said Representative Angie Craig (D-MN). \u201cIn Congress, we must take immediate action to get products from ships to shelves faster \u2013 and to rebuild and strengthen our supply chains for future generations. I\u2019m proud to lead my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing this commonsense legislation to stabilize and strengthen America\u2019s supply chains.\u201d\n\nThe task force would be responsible for identifying specific recommendations to improve the security and safety of the supply chain. The task force would be required to submit a report detailing its work and recommendations to Congress no later than 270 days after the enactment of the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-continues-support-pro-life-policies", "Johnson Continues to Support Pro-Life Policies", "2022-05-11", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored several pro-life policies in the U.S. House.\n\nJohnson joined over 70 colleagues to cosponsor the Heartbeat Protection Actintroduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). The Heartbeat Protection Act prohibits abortion in cases where a fetal heartbeat is detectable and would prohibit abortion without a heartbeat check.\n\nJohnson has also cosponsored U.S. Rep. Chris Smith\u2019s (R-N.J.) legislation, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This bill will protect unborn children from abortion by 15 weeks\u2019 gestation, with exceptions in cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother.\n\nAdditionally, Johnson signed onto an amicus brief regarding Kerr v. Planned Parenthood. The brief supports South Carolina\u2019s determination that Planned Parenthood does not qualify to receive Medicaid funding.\n\n\u201cI believe in the sanctity of life and have been a strong pro-life advocate during my tenure in Congress. One of my first actions this Congress was to cosponsor the Life at Conception Act. Life begins at conception, and even the tiniest of humans deserve the right to life guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution,\u201d said Johnson.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-questions-fda-baby-formula-shortage", "Johnson Questions FDA on Baby Formula Shortage", "2022-05-11", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questioning its lack of action on the ongoing baby formula shortage. South Dakota has an out-of-stock rate of over 50%. FDA became aware of contamination at Abbott Nutrition as early as September 2021 and found an increased level of bacteria in January 2022.\n\nAbbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled powdered infant formula in February 2022. According to reports, Abbott Nutrition accounts for 43% of the market.\n\n\u201cI believe FDA dropped the ball given these concerns date back to 2021. This possible negligence has directly put infants in harm\u2019s way. Twenty-six states, including my home state of South Dakota which has an out-of-stock rate of over 50%, are struggling with supply,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cBy comparison, the out-of-stock rate for infant formula was between 2% and 8% in the first half of 2021 \u2013 as of April 2022 it is up to 40% nationwide, according to Datasembly. The FDA needs a robust contingency plan in place to prevent these shortages from happening.\n\n\u201cBetween September 24, 2021, through December 18, 2021, FDA received three additional consumer complaints. But a follow-up facility inspection did not begin until January 31, 2022. Why was there a 44-delay to initiate this inspection?\u201d asked Johnson.\n\nJohnson requested answers on FDA\u2019s role in working with Abbott Nutrition to bring safe baby formula to market in a timely manner as well a contingency plan for this national emergency. Abbott Nutrition is the sole-source WIC contractor for 23 states and the District of Columbia.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-supports-resolution-designate-national-day-awareness-missing-and", "Johnson Supports Resolution to Designate National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls", "2022-05-05", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) along with his colleagues introduced a House Resolution designating today as the \u201cNational Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.\u201d American Indian women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average and homicide was the sixth leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women under 44 years old in 2017. The resolution highlights the disparity and calls for more work to be done for the victims.\n\n\u201cOf the 105 missing persons in South Dakota right now \u2013 73 of them are Native American. This is extremely disproportional and deserves more attention,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI hope our resolution shines a light on the tragedy of the missing and murdered native women who have not received the justice they deserve.\u201d\n\nIn 2020, the Johnson-supported Savanna\u2019s Act and the Not Invisible Act were signed into law by President Trump to develop protocols to address cases for missing or murdered indigenous people and increase intergovernmental coordination between tribal, local, and state police to identify and combat violent crimes against Indians and on Indian lands.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-questions-dhs-secretary-suitability-office", "Johnson Questions DHS Secretary Suitability for Office", "2022-05-03", "2022", "2022-05", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) along with 130 of his Republican colleagues questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suitability for office.\n\nIn March, there were more than 221,000 migrant encounters at the border. Should Title 42 be lifted, DHS estimates up to 18,000 migrant apprehensions each day. Johnson urged Secretary Mayorkas to rectify the shortcomings and properly reimplement the \u201cRemain in Mexico\u201d policy established under the Trump Administration. Additionally, Johnson cosponsored the Public Health and Border Security Act which prohibits the President from lifting Title 42 until 60 days after it has formally ended the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.\n\nThe lawmakers write that Mayorkas has \u201cwillfully ignored laws passed by Congress requiring construction of physical barriers along the southern border.\u201d Read the full letter here.\n\n\u201cIgnoring laws passed by Congress has led DHS to spend $72 million on canceled contracts to avoid building a border wall. This is an egregious use of taxpayer dollars and Secretary Mayorkas\u2019s actions\u2014or inaction\u2014are putting the American people at risk,\u201d said Johnson.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:29:07Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-questions-packers-processing-concentration", "Johnson Questions Packers on Processing Concentration", "2022-04-27", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) participated in an Agriculture Committee hearing on \u201cPrice Discrepancies, Transparency, and Alleged Unfair Practices in Cattle Markets.\u201d Johnson\u2019s Butcher Block Actand Cattle Contract Library Act were highlighted throughout the hearing as strong solutions to the processing capacity and transparency issues producers face today.\n\nJohnson questioned witnesses on areas of consensus amongst cattle groups and called for the full release of the investigation into the potential violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The witness echoed that request.\n\n\u201cThe laws are in the books; we just need to make sure enforcement is occurring,\u201d said National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association President Don Schiefelbein. \u201cKnowledge is also power \u2013 if we knew what was occurring and why it occurred it would be so helpful to my membership. Our lives depend on fair markets, how come we can\u2019t get answers on what has transpired and where we are today?\n\n\u201cSilence is not good for the producer,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cLet\u2019s set this information free.\u201d\n\nJohnson also questioned the CEOs of the four largest meat packing companies on concentration within the market and whether or not packers were prepared for the next black swan event, following disruption in the market due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tyson Holcomb fire.\n\n\u201cBetween 85 and 90% of the beef processing in this country is done at just 30 plants \u2013 in fact, 12 plants do more than half of all the beef processing,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThat seems like a lot of vulnerability. We don\u2019t know when, but we know another black swan event is coming. Tightness keeps us exposed to unforeseen disruption and that creates a lot of vulnerability to the American cattle producer. What do we do about it?\u201d\n\nJohnson highlighted that the concentration in the cattle market poses a significant risk to food security in our nation.\n\nClick here to watch Johnson\u2019s questioning.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/students-get-chance-send-art-washington-0", "Students Get Chance to Send Art to Washington", "2022-04-19", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, which puts the artwork of South Dakota students in the U.S. Capitol building. The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) is now accepting entries on behalf of Rep. Johnson\u2019s office.\n\nThe contest is open to all South Dakota high school students, and the first-place winning entry will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol for one year. The second-place winning entry will be displayed in Johnson\u2019s Washington, D.C., office.\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota is lucky to have so many promising young artists and it is great to have the chance to show our appreciation and support of their artwork,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI am excited to share the artistry and talent of South Dakota\u2019s young people by displaying your work in the halls of the United States Capitol. Please reach out to the South Dakota Arts Council if you need any help, and get your artwork submitted by the deadline.\u201d\n\nThe Arts Council will accept only digital submissions on behalf of Rep. Johnson. Students should send one email including a high-resolution JPEG image, along with a completed, typed PDF of the student release form to rebecca.cruse@state.sd.us. Submissions must be received by noon on Friday, May 6, 2022. Winners will be notified by May 9, and will be responsible for shipping their artwork and student release forms to the SDAC offices. The South Dakota Arts Council will have the artwork framed and will ship it to Washington, D.C., for the student.\n\nPlease review the artwork specifications and guidelines before submitting and download the student release form at https://artscouncil.sd.gov/CAC/index.aspx.\n\nThe Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. It\u2019s an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district. The South Dakota Arts Council partners with Johnson's office to carry out this initiative.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-opposes-dhs-decision-rescind-expedited-removal", "Johnson Opposes DHS Decision to Rescind Expedited Removal", "2022-04-13", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) along with 77 of his House Republican colleagues urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to reverse its decision to rescind the Designating Aliens for Expedited Removal or \u201cexpedited removal\u201d policy.\n\nThere were 164,973 migrant encounters at the southern border in February, a 7% increase from January and 63% increase from the previous year. This decision comes on the heels of the administration\u2019s announcement it would not renew the Title 42 public health order that currently broadens DHS\u2019 authority to deport an illegal immigrant as part of the pandemic response.\n\n\u201cBy withdrawing expedited removal, you are continuing the Biden Administration\u2019s soft stance on law and order and are encouraging citizens of other countries to illegally enter the United States,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWe strongly recommend maintaining the expanded scope of expedited removal initiated by President Trump and adopting policies that deter illegal migrant crossings rather than promote them.\u201d\n\nSection 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows DHS to remove aliens (1) caught at the border entering the United States illegally, or (2) who apply for admission at a port of entry with fraudulent documents or no documents at all, without placing those aliens into formal removal proceedings before an immigration judge (IJ) -- i.e., in a expedited manner.\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-rounds-thune-introduce-travelers-gun-rights-act", "Johnson, Rounds, Thune Introduce Traveler\u2019s Gun Rights Act", "2022-04-12", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the bicameral Traveler\u2019s Gun Rights Act. This bill would update federal law to account for various residency-related issues facing full-time Recreational Vehicle (RV) travelers, individuals with multiple physical residences, active duty military personnel and military spouses.\n\n\u201cAn address is an address \u2013 individuals who rely on a P.O. Box as their primary mailing address shouldn\u2019t have their right to possess a firearm compromised,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cOur bill fixes that problem.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Traveler\u2019s Gun Rights Act removes an unfair prohibition facing Americans with unique living situations,\u201d said Rounds. \u201cThis legislation will make certain that law-abiding citizens do not face a burdensome roadblock when trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.\u201d\n\nCurrently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requires firearm buyers to fill out paperwork listing an address. However, the ATF prohibits buyers from listing a P.O. Box or Private Mailbox (PMB) on this form. This prohibition unfairly hurts full-time travelers, many of whom live in their RV year round and utilize a P.O. Box or PMB in order to receive mail. These alternate addresses are able to be listed on driver\u2019s licenses, but they cannot be used on the ATF paperwork.\n\nJohnson\u2019s legislation is cosponsored by 28 Members of Congress, including Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Jake LaTurner (R-Kan.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Thomas Tiffany (R-Wis.) and Austin Scott (R-Ga.).\n\nRounds led a group of 17 senators in introducing this bill, including Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).\n\nYou can read the full bill HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-va-air-commission-does-commitment-cabinet-secretary-hold-weight", "Johnson to VA AIR Commission: Does a Commitment from a Cabinet Secretary Hold Weight?", "2022-04-06", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) spoke at a congressional roundtable to express opposition to the recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to close or downsize several VA health care facilities in South Dakota.\n\n\u201cA number of recommendations related to South Dakota are particularly problematic. Secretary Wilkie rescinded an earlier record of decision and promised the community and the veterans that there would be no reduction of services in Hot Springs. Where I come from when a cabinet Secretary makes a commitment that generally means something. Do you think Secretary Wilkie\u2019s promise would be persuasive to the Commission?\u201d \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.)\n\nWatch the full video here or click the photo above.\n\nPanelists of the roundtable agreed that the Commission should look carefully at the promise made in 2020 by Secretary Wilkie and to closely examine the recommendations and capacity of private care in the areas. The panelists also agreed with Johnson that the recommendation to close the Wagner, South Dakota, community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) facility must be carefully weighed, and the VA AIR Commission will have to prove that care for veterans will be equal or better if changes are adopted.\n\nPanel attendees included former Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Chair of the 2005 Military Base Realignment and Closure Commission Anthony Principi, Senior Advisor for Concerned Veterans for America and former Veterans Affairs Advisor for the White House Domestic Policy Council and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during the Trump Administration Darin Selnick, and Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs Mike Bost (R-IL).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-biofuels-caucus-pressure-biden-administration-prioritize-homegrown", "Johnson, Biofuels Caucus Pressure Biden Administration to Prioritize Homegrown Biofuels as a Replacement for Foreign Oil and Gas", "2022-04-01", "2022", "2022-04", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The Bipartisan group of 29 Members argued that biofuels increase U.S. energy independence and decrease inflationary pressures at the pump\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and the Congressional Biofuels Caucus pressured President Joe Biden to prioritize homegrown, renewable biofuels instead of Russian energy sources. The letter comes after Congress banned the importation of Russian oil earlier this month. In their letter, the Members applauded the decision to ban imports of Russian oil and natural gas into the United States and argued that a renewed emphasis on renewable fuels would lower fuel prices for American consumers by more than $12 billion annually, generate substantial economic growth in rural communities, and significantly decrease American dependence on foreign oil producers like Russia.\n\nThe letter urges the President to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the summer sales of E15 this year and to reverse course on proposed retroactive reductions to 2020 and 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). Currently \u2013 and barring any action by Congress or the President \u2013 the summer sales of E15 in South Dakota and other states will be prohibited beginning on June 1, 2022 due to a D.C. Circuit Court decision on the Clean Air Act in July of 2021.\n\n\u201cTo ensure that this ban \u2013 and future actions that the U.S. may need to take to defeat Russian aggression \u2013 is economically sustainable for the American economy and American people, we urge you to consider the following actions that would prioritize homegrown and renewable biofuels,\u201d the Members wrote. \u201cTaken together, these actions would significantly increase U.S. energy independence, lower prices at the pump and ensure the continued success of our sanctions on the Russian economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe thank these House members for encouraging President Biden to embrace domestic renewable fuels as a lower-cost, lower-carbon alternative to Russian oil imports,\u201d said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. \u201cE15 is typically selling for 20-30 cents per gallon less than regular gasoline right now; and as revealed by a new nationwide survey, three out of four voters support increasing the availability of E15 as a strategy for reducing pump prices and providing relief to American families. If the Biden administration fails to act on the straightforward request made by these Representatives, the lowest-cost fuel available at the pump today will disappear on June 1 and drivers will face another unnecessary price hike.\u201d\n\n\u201cCorn farmers appreciate the bipartisan leadership of the House Biofuels Caucus and the 29 House Members who joined this letter asking President Biden to prioritize renewable fuels, like ethanol, when it comes to lowering prices for drivers and increasing our domestic energy supply,\u201d said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Chris Edgington. \u201cThroughout this month, E15 has been priced around 10 to 40 cents less per gallon than regular, or E10, making ethanol the low-cost and low-emission solution the country needs now. However, unless the Biden administration or Congress act soon, drivers will lose retail access to lower-cost E15 on June 1. We urge continued bipartisan cooperation to keep this money-saving choice available.\u201d\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter here and below.\n\nMarch 31, 2022\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nRussia\u2019s unjustified and brutal attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and Ukrainian citizens demands the type of unified domestic and international response that the United States has led over the past month. Given the Russian economy\u2019s reliance on petroleum exports, banning the importation of Russian oil and natural gas into the United States was the right decision.\n\nTo ensure that this ban \u2013 and future actions that the U.S. may need to take to defeat Russian aggression \u2013 is economically sustainable for the American economy and American people, we urge you to consider the following actions that would prioritize homegrown and renewable biofuels. Taken together, these actions would significantly increase U.S. energy independence, lower prices at the pump and ensure the continued success of our sanctions on the Russian economy.\n\nPermanently reinstate the year-round availability of E15 by directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its authority pursuant to Section 211(c)(4)(C)(ii) of the Clean Air Act or by taking executive action to respond to a potential energy crisis triggered by Russian aggression on the international stage.\n\nSupport ethanol and biodiesel by directing the EPA to reverse its course on the proposed retroactive reduction to 2020 and 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) and adhere to the Renewable Fuel Standard\u2019s (RFS) statutory obligations.\n\nUpholding the RFS and permanently reinstating the year-round availability of E-15 would lower fuel prices for hardworking Americans. Ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel add to the nation\u2019s fuel supply, lowering prices at the pump for nearly every consumer good that moves along the supply chain. Over the last decade, wholesale ethanol has saved consumers 17% when compared to wholesale gasoline. A recent report indicated that a nationwide shift to E15 could collectively save U.S. consumers more than $12 billion annually. And according to a recent World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) study, availability of biodiesel and renewable diesel has saved consumers an average of 31 cents per gallon at the pump over the last ten years.\n\nThese actions would generate economic growth in rural communities that would reduce the impact of inflation on Americans\u2019 pocketbooks. For example, ensuring the year-round availability of E15 would support an additional 182,600 jobs and generate an additional $17.8 billion in economic activity. Because ethanol production involves U.S. farmers and processing plants located in rural communities, these benefits would be most directly felt in rural America.\n\nFinally, these actions would significantly increase U.S. energy independence and lessen the domestic impact of our ban on Russian energy imports by replacing them with U.S. biofuels. For example, about 8% of U.S. imports of oil and refined petroleum products come from Russia. Ensuring the year-round sale of E15 would potentially replace up to 5% of the liquid petroleum-based gasoline in the U.S. transportation sector with homegrown biofuels. Protecting the RFS from retroactive reductions will ensure that biodiesel can fill liquid energy deficiencies created by trade and market instability.\n\nThe American people and this Congress stand united in our resolve to support the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression and imperialism. We will take the actions necessary to ensure democracy in Ukraine endures. Increasing domestic energy production is an important part of our effort to sustain sanctions on the Russian economy, and we urge you to increase U.S. energy independence and decrease inflationary pressures at the pump by directing the EPA to ensure the uninterrupted year-round sales of E15 and to protect the integrity of the RFS.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:19:30Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-garamendi-lets-get-ocean-shipping-reform-act-across-finish-line", "Johnson & Garamendi: Let\u2019s Get the Ocean Shipping Reform Act Across the Finish Line", "2022-03-31", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cSenate passage gets us one step closer to seeing the Garamendi-Johnson Ocean Shipping Reform Act signed into law\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) commended passage of the Senate companion to the House-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act. The Garamendi-Johnson Ocean Shipping Reform Act passed the U.S. House in December by 364-60, again in February, and for a third time this week.\n\nThe Garamendi-Johnson \u201cOcean Shipping Reform Act\u201d (H.R.4996) is the first major overhaul of federal regulations for the international shipping industry in over 20 years and addresses the ongoing supply chain crisis facing American consumers and exporters. The companion legislation passed today by the Senate was introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) in February 2022.\n\n\u201cSenate passage gets us one step closer to seeing the Garamendi-Johnson Ocean Shipping Reform Act signed into law,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cOur bills will provide relief to American agriculture producers and exporters at a time where ports are backed up, inflation is skyrocketing, and American businesses are hurting from seeing their goods stuck at loading docks. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act safeguards American products \u2013 let\u2019s get this across the finish line.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-panetta-lead-bipartisan-group-urging-biden-admin-prioritize", "Johnson, Panetta Lead Bipartisan Group Urging Biden Admin to Prioritize Agriculture in Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Discussions", "2022-03-30", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Jim Costa (D-CA), Ron Kind (D-WI), and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) led a bipartisan group of 87 Members of Congress in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging them to make agriculture a priority in the upcoming Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (Framework). The Indo-Pacific region offers ample opportunity for our farmers and ranchers, and the Framework has the potential to reduce barriers and increase access for our producers in these markets.\n\nThe letter to Secretary Vilsack and Ambassador Tai can be viewed here.\n\n\u201cAmerican ag producers feed the world. Solidifying a strong agriculture trade agreement with the Indo-Pacific region would create more American jobs, add real dollars to our economy, and combat China\u2019s influence in the region. Agriculture needs to have a seat at the table during these negotiations,\u201d said Rep. Dusty Johnson.\n\n\u201cAmerican agriculture producers lead the world in sustainable production and labor standards. As the Biden Administration formulates the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework with key trade partners, I urge them to prioritize agriculture by setting high standards for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, and by reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers wherever they can,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cOur farmers and ranchers are ready to feed the world, and we cannot not let discriminatory regulations or a lack of cooperation stand in their way.\u201d\n\n\u201cRussia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine is a strong reminder of the importance of having a diverse and abundant food supply. As food prices climb, it is critical that this Administration prioritizes our agriculture producers as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework discussions move forward. It is imperative that we aggressively pursue additional global markets and increase engagement with countries that rely on nefarious actors like Russia and China in order to maintain a strong and stable global food system,\u201d saidRep. Jodey C. Arrington.\n\n\u201cIowa\u2019s agricultural industry is the backbone of our local and national economy,\u201d said Rep. Randy Feenstra. \u201cAs the Biden Administration negotiates the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, it is critical that we open foreign markets to Iowa agricultural products and enforce free and fair trade deals across the globe. Our farmers and producers deserve nothing less than a level playing field to sell their quality goods to the world.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica's farmers are some of the world's most productive, helping to feed and fuel communities around the globe. As discussions on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework continue, I urge the Administration to make agriculture a priority in order to expand opportunities for our producers, create jobs here at home, and improve our competitiveness in the region. I look forward to continuing to work with Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack on this issue to support our outstanding family farmers and producers across Wisconsin and the nation,\u201d said Rep. Ron Kind.\n\n\u201cThe Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a strong approach to improving economic relationships in this vital region for U.S. agricultural exports. Our focus is on removing trade barriers to agricultural products and expanding access to American goods in the region,\u201d said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.\n\n\u201cExpanding export market access opportunities for American-made dairy products is vitally important to dairy farmers and processors. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Panetta and Arrington in urging the Administration to use the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework discussions to deliver meaningful gains for America\u2019s farmers and food manufacturers by tackling both tariff and nontariff barriers to U.S. agricultural exports,\u201d said Jaime Castaneda, Executive Vice President of Policy Development & Strategy for the National Milk Producers Federation & the U.S. Dairy Export Council. \u201cOur members are eager to ensure that the U.S. government makes full use of the currently envisioned trade tools to meaningfully improve dairy export opportunities while also continuing to evaluate additional ways to remove barriers to exports.\u201d\n\n\u201cBIO thanks Representatives Panetta, Arrington, Costa, Johnson, Kind, and Feenstra for leading this effort and calling on the Administration to make agriculture a priority in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, including the need to address barriers to agricultural biotechnology,\u201d said BIO\u2019s Vice President of Agriculture and Environment Sarah Gallo. \u201cCutting-edge innovations in agriculture will be critical to reducing emissions and helping domestic producers adapt to a changing environment while sustainably bolstering productivity. To facilitate agricultural trade and innovation, the U.S. government must collaborate with key international partners to implement a transparent and science-based risk assessment process for agricultural biotechnology.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Indo-Pacific region is an extremely desirable market for our fresh products, and there is a lot of untapped opportunity to unlock or expand access to these overseas consumers. Western Growers supports the efforts of Reps. Panetta and Johnson to ensure the needs of agriculture are reflected in the Administration\u2019s trade policies and engagement,\u201d said Western Growers.\n\nThe letter is supported by: American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Soybean Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, California Citrus Mutual, California Fam Bureau Federation, California Walnut Commission, Corn Refiners Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., International Fresh Produce Association, Leather and Hide Council of America, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Meat Institute, Northwest Horticultural Council, Texas Association of Dairymen, U.S. Apple Association, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Western Growers Association, Wine Institute.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-american-businesses-need-ocean-shipping-reform-act", "Johnson: American Businesses Need the Ocean Shipping Reform Act", "2022-03-17", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act establishes rules of the road and puts Americans on an equal playing field\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Jim Costa (D-CA-16), and David Valadao (R-CA-21) hosted a roundtable discussion with American manufacturing and agriculture experts on solutions to strengthen the supply chain. You can watch the roundtable here.\n\nIn December, Johnson\u2019s Ocean Shipping Reform Act, legislation to overhaul the global shipping industry and safeguard American exporters from unfair trade practices, passed the U.S. House by 364-60.\n\n\u201cExperts in American manufacturing and agriculture made it clear at today\u2019s roundtable: America\u2019s economy and businesses need the Ocean Shipping Reform Act signed into law,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThere are solutions to some of the problems we\u2019re seeing with our supply chain and foreign flagged ocean shippers \u2013 the Ocean Shipping Reform Act establishes rules of the road and puts Americans on an equal playing field.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is more urgent than ever that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle put partisan differences aside to address supply chain issues. It affects us all,\u201d said Costa. The American people are sadly seeing essential everyday goods drastically increase in price because of foreign shipping companies taking advantage of their control on the ocean shipping market. The House has already passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act which ensures American exporters are treated fairly when moving their goods out of the country in our ports. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to build on this momentum to continue to confront the supply chain crisis. Taking quick action is a major step in bringing down prices for the American consumer.\u201d\n\n\u201cI represent farmers that feed the world, and our agriculture economy has been hit hard by the ongoing supply chain crisis,\u201d said Valadao. \u201cWe need solutions like the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to ease the bottlenecks that have resulted in lost revenue for our farmers and increased food prices across the country. I was glad to join the Problem Solvers Caucus today to discuss bipartisan ways to strengthen supply chain security.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Agriculture Transportation Coalition, known as \u2018The principal voice of U.S. agriculture exporters in U.S. transportation policy\u2019, applauds the bipartisan leadership of Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus, who are driving long overdue changes in our ocean transportation laws and policies, essential to keep US agriculture competitive in the global markets. The recent AgTC Ag Exporter-Carrier Service Impact Survey, reveals that in 2021, U.S. ag exporters lost 21% of confirmed foreign sales, often due to unreasonable ocean carrier practices. By drafting and championing Congressmen Johnson and Garamendi\u2019s Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and gaining expedited passage by overwhelming margins in the House of Representatives, members of the Problem Solvers Caucus are addressing these challenges, advancing solutions that will benefit the entire US economy, and specifically our nation\u2019s largest export \u2013 agriculture.\u201d \u2013 The Agriculture Transportation Coalition\n\n\u201cCongressman Johnson has been working tirelessly to untangle the knots in our nation\u2019s export supply chain. When we can't get our products to market, it hurts farmers, workers, and agricultural businesses in South Dakota and across the nation. You've got to respect his unrivaled leadership, his passionate advocacy and his serious problem-solving skills, and we cannot thank him enough for his efforts.\u201d \u2013 The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council\n\n\u201cThe cartel of foreign-owned shipping companies have reaped hundred-billion dollar profits from American truckers and consumers with unfair, punitive business practices in our nation\u2019s ports and inland facilities,\u201d said Jon Eisen, director of ATA\u2019s Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference. \u201cThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act is a badly-needed step to modernize the law governing ocean freight and help restore a fair marketplace for motor carriers servicing our ports.\u201d\n\n\u201cNRF strongly supports the Ocean Shipping Reform Act and thanks Representative Johnson and the Problem Solvers Caucus for their leadership to address long-standing service problems and unfair business practices in the maritime shipping industry. Many of these issues existed well before COVID-19, and have been further exacerbated by the pandemic. As the demand for goods and materials is expected to continue to outpace the availability of supply, we encourage the Senate to pass this legislation that will help mitigate ongoing supply chain disruptions.\u201d \u2013 NRF Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold\n\n\u201cThe NAM was proud to join the Problem Solvers Caucus for today\u2019s dialogue about a vitally important issue and to seek solutions for the challenges impacting our national shipping supply chain. Manufacturers experience the impacts of shipping delays and container backlogs on a daily basis. In fact, in a survey of manufacturers released just today, 88% of respondents listed \u2018supply chain challenges' as the number one issue affecting their business outlook. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) will remedy many of the challenges present in our domestic shipping network and specifically address the extraneous demurrage and detention fees that have skyrocketed during the pandemic. We look forward to continuing our support of OSRA and its final passage and working with the Problem Solvers Caucus as they pursue sensible policy solutions to the challenges facing our national supply chain.\u201d \u2013 The National Association of Manufacturers\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-usda-provide-certainty-producers", "Johnson to USDA: Provide Certainty to Producers", "2022-03-16", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) along with his colleagues urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to mirror the Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program included in the fiscal year 2022 Omnibus off of Johnson\u2019s House-passed bill\u2014the Cattle Contract Library Act. This bill overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House in December 2021.\n\n\u201cAs you implement the recently passed appropriations bill, we write to urge you to prioritize the implementation of the cattle contract library pilot program based off the provisions included in our legislation, the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021,\u201d said the members. \u201cBy quickly implementing the provisions in our legislation, you can help provide certainty to producers across the country who put food on American\u2019s tables.\u201d\n\nH.R. 5609 creates a library for cattle contracts within the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA\u2019s) Agriculture Marketing Service Department. Currently, beef packers are not required to report the details of contract terms to USDA, which leaves cattlemen in the dark, inhibiting a transparent, fair, and competitive market.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nThe Honorable Tom Vilsack\n\nU.S. Department of Agriculture\n\n1400 Independence Avenue SW\n\nWashington, DC 20250\n\nDear Secretary Vilsack,\n\nOur nation\u2019s cattle ranchers are a vital part of the agriculture industry, helping supply Americans and consumers around the world with safe, healthy beef. They have done so all while facing Mother Nature, a pandemic, supply chain issues, and volatile markets. To make sure our farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to operate their businesses, they need a transparent and competitive market. One area of improvement is greater price discovery and reporting of alternative marketing arrangements. Right now, beef packers are not required to report the details of these arrangements to USDA, leaving cattlemen in the dark as to the contract terms being offered by packers through these extensively used agreements.\n\nThis Congress, the House overwhelmingly passed legislation to address this challenge by directing USDA\u2019s Agriculture Marketing Service to establish a contract library for cattle contracts that would be reported and published along with other ongoing livestock reporting. We also successfully worked to secure funding for this purpose in the FY2022 omnibus appropriations package. As you implement the recently passed appropriations bill, we write to urge you to prioritize the implementation of the cattle contract library pilot program based off the provisions included in our legislation, the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021.\n\nOur legislation would establish a publicly available, user-friendly cattle contract library that would publish information pertaining to the type of contract; the duration of the contract; provisions in the contract that may affect the base price of the cattle; schedules of premiums or discounts; and transportation arrangements. Further, it would publish information regarding the total number of cattle solely committed to the packer each week within the 6-month and 12-month periods following the date of the contract, or an indication that that the contract is an open commitment. These provisions would equip cattle producers with the market data they need to make more informed business decisions and exert greater leverage in negotiations with major meatpackers.\n\nWe look forward to working with you to support cattle ranchers. By quickly implementing the provisions in our legislation, you can help provide certainty to producers across the country who put food on American\u2019s tables. Thank you for your consideration of this request.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-spartz-introduce-congressional-gold-medal-bill-recognizing-defenders", "Johnson, Spartz Introduce Congressional Gold Medal Bill Recognizing the Defenders of Ukraine", "2022-03-15", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN), along with 16 bipartisan colleagues introduced the \u2018Defenders of Ukraine Congressional Gold Medal Act\u2019. The bill will collectively award the distinguished Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) to the defenders or people of Ukraine, in recognition of their crucial role in the defense of democratic values and against Putin\u2019s aggression.\n\n\u201cThe Ukrainian people are truly resilient,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cDespite looking down the barrel of the Russian military, thousands of Ukrainians answered the call to defend their homeland and volunteered to protect their republic. The United States stands behind Ukraine and is opposed to Putin\u2019s act of war \u2013 our House Resolution makes that clear.\"\n\n\u201cThose fighting for democracy in Ukraine, and for regional security in Europe, deserve this medal,\u201d said Rep. Spartz. \u201cPutin, his generals, and his cronies must know the United States Congress stands firm behind all those fighting against his illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine.\u201d\n\nThe medal would be presented to the democratically elected government of Ukraine on behalf of the Ukrainian people.\n\nThe CGM is an award bestowed by Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States. The decoration is awarded to an individual, or group of individuals, who perform an outstanding deed or act of service for the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States.\n\nFor legislative text, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-rounds-and-johnson-fight-keep-va-medical-facilities-open-despite-biden", "Thune, Rounds, and Johnson Fight to Keep VA Medical Facilities Open Despite Biden Administration\u2019s Plans to Close or Downsize", "2022-03-15", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cRemoving services from the Hot Springs and Fort Meade facilities, and consolidating health care services in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, would substantially reduce high-quality care options for those veterans who have benefited from access to rural VA services in South Dakota.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today expressed their frustration and concern with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to close or downsize several VA health care facilities in South Dakota.\n\n\u201cThe VA\u2019s recommendations to the AIR Commission should seek to expand and improve access to health care. Instead, the VA has issued proposals that would reduce access to health care and impose serious hardships on rural and tribal veterans,\u201d the delegation wrote. \u201cRemoving services from the Hot Springs and Fort Meade facilities, and consolidating health care services in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, would substantially reduce high-quality care options for those veterans who have benefited from access to rural VA services in South Dakota.\u201d\n\nThe delegation also issued statements after the Biden administration notified the VA facilities in Hot Springs, Fort Meade, and Wagner that its proposed recommendations, which are part of a multi-year nationwide review of VA health care infrastructure, include plans for them to close or be downsized. The delegation\u2019s decade-long fight to save the Hot Springs VA culminated in October 2020 when then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie notified them that the VA had formally rescinded its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center.\n\nFull letter below:\n\nThe Honorable Denis McDonough\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\n\n810 Vermont Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20420\n\nDear Secretary McDonough:\n\nWe write concerning the adverse impact that the March 14, 2022, Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission would have on the VA Black Hills and VA Sioux Falls Health Care Systems. The AIR recommendations call for a realignment of the VA Black Hills Health Care System, transitioning the full-service VA hospitals in Hot Springs and Fort Meade into community-based outpatient clinics, and relocating many of those services to a new VA medical center in Rapid City. The VA medical center in Sioux Falls would lose its inpatient medical and surgical services, and the outpatient services site in Wagner would close.\n\nThe VA\u2019s recommendations to the AIR Commission should seek to expand and improve access to health care. Instead, the VA has issued proposals that would reduce access to health care and impose serious hardships on rural and tribal veterans. Removing services from the Hot Springs and Fort Meade facilities, and consolidating health care services in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, would substantially reduce high-quality care options for those veterans who have benefited from access to rural VA services in South Dakota.\n\nWhile vital to rural South Dakota communities, the Hot Springs and Fort Meade VA hospitals serve more than just South Dakota. Our neighbors in Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and North Dakota have benefitted from the high-quality care and unique healing environment in these VA hospitals for years. Removing services from Hot Springs and Fort Meade would put accessible care out of reach for many veterans, regardless of whether a new VA medical center is established in Rapid City.\n\nJust two years ago, then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie announced that the Hot Springs VA would remain open and increase services to veterans, rescinding a 2017 record of decision to close the facility. You can imagine our surprise following the release of the AIR report to find that the VA is now recommending services be reduced at the Hot Springs VA. One of the reasons why the VA rescinded the earlier decision to close the Hot Springs VA is due to the first-class rehabilitation programs for veterans, including the residential rehabilitation treatment program that provides work therapy programs and recreational and retreat opportunities for veterans receiving treatment for PTSD and substance abuse. Abandoning these services would be a total reversal of the VA\u2019s previous commitment.\n\nFor nearly a decade, we fought tooth and nail to defend the Hot Springs VA and the surrounding communities. We stood side-by-side with veterans, health care professionals, and community leaders as we made our case to previous administrations about the significant benefits that these facilities provide to veterans throughout the multi-state area they serve. We can assure you that we will continue that fight to defend them and make our case to the AIR Commission that the VA\u2019s misguided recommendations to close and downsize several VA facilities in South Dakota are a mistake and should not be implemented.\n\nThank you for your continued attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-ohalleran-herrell-kuster-introduce-legislation-expand-access-rural", "Johnson, O\u2019Halleran, Herrell, Kuster Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Rural Broadband", "2022-03-11", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Tom O\u2019Halleran (D-AZ), Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.), and Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) introduced the Connect Unserved Americans Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure funding allocated to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for broadband is targeted to rural areas most in need of reliable service.\n\nThe bill would increase the unserved household threshold for the USDA ReConnect Program from 50% to 80%, preventing the overbuilding of existing broadband networks at taxpayers\u2019 expense. In South Dakota, 25% of rural residents lack access to broadband. Over 2 million Americans lack access to broadband speeds nationwide.\n\n\u201cThe pandemic exposed the cracks in our communities from the supply chain to internet access,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cThe Connect Unserved Americans Act prioritizes areas that need connectivity and broadband the most. The ReConnect Program is a strong tool to ensure rural areas receive the services they need \u2013 our bill makes it even stronger.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the need for high-speed, affordable internet for every family\u2014kids completing homework, parents teleworking, small businesses adapting to our changing economy, and doctors reaching their patients through telehealth,\u201d said O\u2019Halleran. \u201cHowever, far too many families in Arizona\u2019s First District lack access to any broadband connection. I\u2019m proud to join this bipartisan group to introduce a commonsense bill that will work to ensure federal broadband funding reaches the communities most in need, preventing waste of taxpayer dollars by directing resources to the rural areas at the highest disadvantage.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to support a bill that will connect the hard-working families of New Mexico,\u201d said Herrell. \u201cMore than 33% of our citizens don\u2019t have access to the minimum standard for broadband and approximately 122,000 people don\u2019t have access to any broadband at all. This legislation is a critical step towards closing the digital divide while also preventing wasteful use of taxpayer dollars by overbuilding our broadband networks.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to expand access to broadband in New Hampshire and across the country,\u201d said Kuster, a member of the House Rural Broadband Task Force. \u201cGranite Staters working from home, local small businesses, and patients accessing important care through telehealth appointments all need sufficient access to high-speed internet. I\u2019m proud to join this group of my Republican and Democratic colleagues in introducing this legislation to ensure federal funding to expand broadband access is reaching our rural communities and those most in need. I will continue working to expand access to broadband across New Hampshire.\u201d\n\nU.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Senate companion in February.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-supports-american-energy-independence-russia-act", "Johnson Supports \u201cAmerican Energy Independence from Russia Act\u201d", "2022-03-04", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored the American Energy Independence from Russia Act which immediately approves the Keystone XL Pipeline, resumes permitting of energy and mineral development on Federal lands and waters, and boosts natural gas production in the U.S. The bill would also require President Biden to develop an energy security plan within 30 days to offset any disruption of Russian imports.\n\n\"President Biden has the opportunity to right wrongs and undo the damage his administration has done to America's energy independence,\" said Johnson. \"On the first day of his term, President Biden cancelled the Keystone XL Pipeline \u2013 the American Energy Independence from Russia Act will bring this back. The events happening in Ukraine and Russia's unwarranted aggression is a reminder to us all: America shouldn't rely on foreign adversaries for oil and gas.\"\n\n\"Putin and Russia's economy are dependent upon dominating energy production and exporting to other nations. He gains power by doing so, and it's what funds his military and aggressive behavior,\" said Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers. \"To counter Putin, our bill flips the switch to promote American energy jobs, production, and exports. America must shut down Putin's war chest and stop bloodshed in Ukraine, and this legislation is a vital step in achieving those goals.\"\n\nThe Keystone XL Pipeline would have imported 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Canada into the United States, compared to the 595,000 barrels of crude oil the United States subsequently began to import daily from Russia at the end of 2020. Additionally, Johnson cosponsored H.Res. 940 which calls on President Biden to take immediate action to provide allies of the United States with an affordable and secure supply of energy to strengthen global energy security.\n\nIn February 2021, following President Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, Johnson hosted a roundtable in Philip with more than 20 South Dakota business owners and community members impacted by the Executive Order.\n\nThe American Energy Independence from Russia Act was introduced by Energy & Commerce Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thune-rounds-and-johnson-oppose-biden-administrations-recommendation-realign", "Thune, Rounds, and Johnson Oppose the Biden Administration\u2019s Recommendation to Realign VA Medical Facilities in South Dakota", "2022-03-04", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after the Biden administration's Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed the VA medical facilities in Hot Springs, Wagner, and Fort Meade that proposed recommendations as part of a multi-year nationwide review of VA health care infrastructure suggest they would be closing.\n\n\"For nearly a decade, I've fought tooth and nail to defend the Hot Springs VA and the surrounding communities,\" said Thune. \"I've stood side by side with veterans, health care professionals, and community leaders as we made our case to previous administrations about the significant benefits these facilities provide to America's veterans throughout the multi-state area they serve. That's why I'm extremely disappointed by the Biden administration's proposal to close these facilities. I'm frustrated, and I'm angry, and I know these communities are too. Let me put this as plainly as I can: The VA is wrong, period. This is a massive mistake, and I will do everything within my power to show the administration, by working with the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission, why it would be in everyone's best interest, especially South Dakota's veterans', to immediately change course.\"\n\n\"The concerns I warned against in 2018 when I voted against the VA MISSION Act have come to fruition,\" said Rounds. \"Veterans were told they could receive care in the community, and that's proven not to be the case. The VA MISSION Act also included provisions to include this BRAC-style process, which we learned today will negatively impact much of rural SD. The VA MISSION Act was bad public policy then and it's gotten no better with age. While the provisions of this BRAC will not be released publicly until March 14th \u2013 the threat has become clear to our local veterans. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I'll fight like hell to make sure veterans in South Dakota receive the care they've earned. I call upon all veterans organizations to help us defend these services in rural South Dakota.\"\n\n\"Nearly two years ago to the day, former VA Secretary Robert Wilkie came to the Hot Springs VA and announced that the VA would remain open and there would be no reduction in services for veterans,\" said Johnson. \"In South Dakota, promises mean something. This is a betrayal to the Hot Springs community and its veterans. If the commission is going to move forward with reducing services, they should face the people of Hot Springs, Wagner, Fort Meade, and Sioux Falls and explain why they believe these services should be scaled back. We've worked together to fight harmful VA decisions in the past, and we are ready do so again.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2018, Congress passed the Asset and Infrastructure Review Act as part of the VA MISSION Act.\n\nThe VA MISSION Act established a new process for the development, review, approval and implementation of a list of recommendations for the modernization and realignment of VHA medical facilities.\n\nThe VA MISSION Act requires the VA secretary to develop an initial list of recommendations, including the acquisition of new space, the modernization of existing space and the disposal of unneeded space. The secretary was required to publish these recommendations in the Federal Register by January 31, 2022.\n\nIn January, VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced he had pushed this action to mid-March 2022. He said that this delay was due to staffing issues caused by a surge in COVID-19 cases.\n\nThe VA MISSION Act also established an AIR Commission, a panel comprised of nine members nominated by the president and approved by the Senate, which is meant to review the recommendations submitted by the VA secretary.\n\nHowever, the panel does not yet exist as all of the nominees have yet to be submitted to the Senate for consideration and approval.\n\nOnce it is stood up and receives the department's recommendations, the commission will conduct its own hearings and investigations, make its own recommendations and send the recommendations to the White House.\n\nThe AIR commission is required to submit a final list of recommendations to the president by January 31, 2023.\n\nThe president is to notify the commission and Congress if he approves or disapproves the list by February 15, 2023.\n\nIf disapproved, the commission may revise the recommendations and submit a new list by March 15, 2023.\n\nThe president has until March 30, 2023, to approve the commission's initial or revised recommendations in their entirety and submit them to Congress, or the modernization and realignment process terminates.\n\nIf the president approves the recommendations, Congress has 45 days from the date of approval to terminate the process by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval. If Congress does not enact a joint resolution of disapproval, the VA is required to implement the recommendations.\n\nThe delegation's decade-long fight to save the Hot Springs VA culminated in October 2020 when then-VA Secretary Robert Wilkie notifiedthem that the VA had formally rescinded its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA medical center.\n\nClick here for an op-ed Thune wrote about his involvement with helping to save the Hot Springs facility.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-office-now-accepting-summer-2022-internship-applications", "Johnson\u2019s Office Now Accepting Summer 2022 Internship Applications", "2022-02-28", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) is seeking internship applications for the summer in his Washington, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls offices.\n\nDuties will include researching legislation, writing memos, attending committee hearings and briefings, answering constituent phone calls, sorting mail, and providing support to the staff and the Member of Congress.\n\nInterns will be given the opportunity to develop their research, writing, and communications skills while working closely alongside staff. They will also gain an in-depth understanding of how the legislative branch of government operates while helping to serve South Dakota constituents.\n\n\"Our interns play an integral role in ensuring our office is firing on all cylinders,\" said Johnson. \"We make sure that each intern receives hands-on experience in the operation of their government, both in Washington and in the state. It is our goal that every intern will leave this office prepared to enter the workforce and find success.\"\n\nInterested applicants should complete the online internship application and submit a resume online no later than March 31, 2022. More information about the internship program, along with the application, can be found online at dustyjohnson.house.gov/services/internships.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-supports-bill-prevent-creation-government-funded-pro-choice-task-force", "Johnson Supports Bill to Prevent Creation of Government Funded Pro-Choice Task Force", "2022-02-25", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored the No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act. This bill will prohibit federal funds from being used to support the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 (HHS) recently formed, Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force.\n\n\u201cThis task force is openly anti-life,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cWhen HHS announced the creation of this task force, the word \u2018abortion\u2019 was mentioned twice as often as the word \u2018birth.\u2019 That tells you exactly where the Biden Administration\u2019s priorities are. The federal government shouldn\u2019t be in the business of exploring ways to expand abortion.\u201d\n\nThe No Pro-Abortion Task Force Actis led by U.S. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/fred-assam-elementary-students-awarded-strength-south-dakota", "Fred Assam Elementary Students Awarded \u201cStrength of South Dakota\u201d", "2022-02-24", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced the students of Fred Assam Elementary of Sioux Falls for the Strength of South Dakota Award. The Strength of South Dakota Award was created to celebrate and honor South Dakotans that display unusual perseverance, compassion, and innovation, and are beloved by their community.\n\nThe Student Council at Fred Assam Elementary engaged in a service project for the month of January with the character focus of kindness. They chose a \"penny war\" fundraiser that would benefit the Midwest Honor Flight with a goal to support three local veterans' transportation to Washington D.C. The student body took on the challenge with excitement and surpassed their goal by raising enough money to support the travel costs of six veterans on the Midwest Honor Flight.\n\n\"The students at Assam Elementary took the desire of showing kindness seriously and surpassed their goal to honor our nation's heroes,\" said Johnson. \"Their patriotism, kindness, and love for our veterans is why I am honored to present the students with the Strength of South Dakota Award.\"\n\nImage\n\nJohnson presents the Strength of South Dakota Award to the Fred Assam Student Council\n\nImage\n\nFred Assam Student Council presents a $4300 check to the Honor Flight", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/south-dakota-wyoming-delegations-continue-urge-usda-prioritize-health-black", "South Dakota, Wyoming Delegations Continue to Urge USDA to Prioritize the Health of the Black Hills National Forest and its Timber Sale Program", "2022-02-16", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). and U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) today expressed their concern with the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS's) plans to reduce the timber sale program for the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF). The members are also urging the Forest Service to expedite treatment of the BHNF, which would help maintain the timber sale program that plays a critical role in keeping the forest healthy and supporting the local economy.\n\n\"We urge the Forest Service to immediately use all NEPA authorities available \u2013 including the fuel and fire break categorical exclusion and emergency actions authority recently passed by Congress \u2013 to expedite treatment on the BHNF in fiscal years 2022 through 2024, while planning additional work in subsequent years,\" the delegations wrote. \"Also, in light of additional funding recently provided by Congress to the Forest Service for wildfire reduction efforts, we urge the Forest Service to provide funding and staffing resources necessary to be successful in this task.\"\n\nFull letter below:\n\nThe Honorable Tom Vilsack\n\nSecretary\n\nU.S. Department of Agriculture\n\n1400 Independence Avenue, SW\n\nWashington, DC 20250\n\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\n\nWe write to express our deep concerns with the recently announced drastic reductions to the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) timber sale program over the next three years. Unless the Forest Service swiftly reverses course, its ability to care for the forest will be severely compromised, and the economically-vital forest products industry that supports families in small communities throughout the Black Hills will be decimated. Last year, a mill in Hill City, South Dakota, closed due to log shortages, even in the midst of a robust lumber market, and we are concerned that additional mill closures are imminent. Even if some smaller companies survive, the Forest Service's capacity to manage the BHNF will be greatly diminished. If the remaining mills are lost, the BHNF will ultimately turn into yet another overly dense national forest at risk of expansive insect mortality and wildfires.\n\nFor more than 100 years, the timber sale program on the BHNF has been the primary tool for successfully managing the forest and minimizing insect epidemics and catastrophic wildfires that continue to plague other western national forests. In recent years, the BHNF successfully defeated the mountain pine beetle epidemic because of its collaborative work with partners to target and coordinate forest treatments, thereby increasing the overall amount of management. While the forest products companies' limited annual capacity to treat acres was a primary bottleneck in those efforts, retaining and utilizing the forest products companies' sawmill infrastructure was central in the strategy to eradicate the pine beetle and protect the BHNF. This was further confirmed in lessons learned documents prepared by the BHNF and others through the collaborative process.\n\nThe recent Forest Service 10-year strategy to combat wildfires clearly states the need to drastically increase the number of acres treated on our national forests, and the corresponding need to build and retain an industry-driven infrastructure to complete the work. The 10-year strategy includes the BHNF, which, for now, does not yet need to undertake the long (and often unsuccessful) process of attempting to attract companies into an area to help manage the forest. In the Black Hills, timber sales have historically been the primary means to treat hazardous fuels, and the local forest products infrastructure has completed this important work. If the Forest Service moves forward with significant reductions in the timber sale program, the infrastructure that plays a critical role in implementing the strategy to confront the wildfire crisis will disappear, crippling the agency's ability to manage and protect the forest in perpetuity.\n\nIn recent correspondence, Forest Service Chief Moore stated that the vast majority of the BHNF suitable base for timber production has been analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at least once. Yet, as described by the state foresters of Wyoming and South Dakota and confirmed by the Forest Service's 10- year strategy, BHNF data shows areas currently at risk of high severity wildfires. We believe the amount of previous analysis, acres designated as insect and disease treatment areas, and the immediate need for management in ponderosa pine systems optimally positions the BHNF to use many NEPA authorities to reduce wildfire hazards.\n\nWe urge the Forest Service to immediately use all NEPA authorities available \u2013 including the fuel and fire break categorical exclusion and emergency actions authority recently passed by Congress \u2013 to expedite treatment on the BHNF in fiscal years 2022 through 2024, while planning additional work in subsequent years. Also, in light of additional funding recently provided by Congress to the Forest Service for wildfire reduction efforts, we urge the Forest Service to provide funding and staffing resources necessary to be successful in this task. Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/huron-resident-awarded-strength-south-dakota", "Huron Resident Awarded \u201cStrength of South Dakota\u201d", "2022-02-11", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced Gerald Schied of Huron for the Strength of South Dakota Award. The Strength of South Dakota Award was created to celebrate and honor South Dakotans that display unusual perseverance, compassion, and innovation, and are beloved by their community.\n\nMr. Schied has been collecting aluminum nearly his entire life. Over the years his collection grew immensely, so he bought a can crusher and large totes in which to store the crushed cans. After hearing many news stories about the Make-A-Wish Foundation he felt obligated to finally haul in his collection to the recycling plant. Mr. Schied recycled more than one million aluminum cans and was able to present over $100,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.\n\n\"Gerald Schied started out with a simple plan of collecting aluminum cans, but it evolved into an impressive contribution to a deserving organization,\" said Johnson. \"His dedication, resourcefulness and good-will is why I am honored to present him with the Strength of South Dakota Award.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-supports-protecting-parental-rights-act", "Johnson Supports \u201cProtecting Parental Rights Act\u201d", "2022-02-11", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) signed on as an original cosponsor of Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler's (R-WA-03) Protecting Parental Rights Act.\n\nThis legislation seeks to halt anti-parental rights legislation that has emerged in states like California that would allow children 12 years of age and older to obtain the vaccine without approval from a parent. Additionally, in multiple states across the U.S., (list HERE) minors can in certain cases receive the COVID-19 vaccine without approval or consent from a parent or guardian.\n\n\"I believe in the COVID-19 vaccine, but I also believe in parental rights,\" said Johnson. \"Parents should be involved in the medical decisions of their children \u2013 no doctor or state elected official should take that responsibility away from the family unit. Children have been left behind throughout this pandemic, and it needs to stop.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-cosponsors-cant-cancel-your-own-debt-act", "Johnson Cosponsors Can\u2019t Cancel Your Own Debt Act", "2022-02-10", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) signed on as an original cosponsor of U.S. Rep. Tom Cole's (R-OK-4) Can't Cancel Your Own Debt Act. This legislation would disqualify members of Congress from participating in federal programs enacted during their tenure to cancel student loans \u2013 whether established by executive order, agency action or an Act of Congress. It would also bar members of Congress from any service- or employment-based student loan cancellation for time served as a Member of Congress.\n\n\"Some Members calling for student loans to be cancelled have a combined loan debt of $1.8 million,\" said Johnson. \"That's a conflict of interest. I signed onto the Can't Cancel Your Own Debt Act to prevent Congress from implementing bills that let members off the hook for personal debts.\"\n\nOn January 25, 2022, a group of 80 House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting that he immediately cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt. Last Congress, progressive House members introduced legislation to cancel all student loans in their entirety. According to recent financial disclosures, 17 of these signers collectively reported personal student loan debt of up to $1,865,000, and 11 of these 17 would have their student loan debt fully cancelled using this $50,000 threshold \u2013 a clear financial windfall.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-trust-congress-act-holds-members-higher-standard", "Johnson: Trust in Congress Act Holds Members to Higher Standard", "2022-02-08", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) signed onto the Trust in Congress Act, a bipartisan bill that requires Members of Congress and their families to place investments, like individual stocks, in a blind trust during their time in Congress.\n\n\u201cMembers of Congress should not risk the conflict of interest that comes with selling individual stocks,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cCongress has a public trust problem \u2013 I\u2019m not sure this will move the needle, but we should do all we can to ensure our constituents have faith in their elected officials. Members should hold themselves to the highest ethical standard and this is the right thing to do. I\u2019m grateful to Congresswoman Spanberger for leading efforts to restore public trust in the U.S. House.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am glad to have my friend, colleague, and fellow Problem Solver Congressman Johnson cosponsoring our TRUST in Congress Act,\u201d said Spanberger. \u201cThe American people \u2014 whether they\u2019re in South Dakota, Virginia, or anywhere else \u2014 deserve to know that their elected officials are working on behalf of the public interest, not their personal financial interest. With this legislation, we can demonstrate how Democrats and Republicans can work together to reduce potential conflicts of interest, restore faith in our republic, and redouble our commitment to public service.\u201d\n\nA covered investment under this bill is defined as investment in a security, a commodity, or a future, or any comparable economic interest acquired through synthetic means such as the use of a derivative. Widely held investment funds, such as mutual funds, are not considered a covered investment under the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-garamendi-respond-senate-ocean-shipping-supply-chain-bill", "Johnson & Garamendi Respond to Senate Ocean Shipping Supply Chain Bill", "2022-02-03", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and John Garamendi (D-CA) issued a statement following the U.S. Senate introduction of the U.S. House-passedOcean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA). OSRA is the first major overhaul of federal regulations for the global shipping industry in 20 years and addresses the ongoing supply chain crisis.\n\n\"American producers and exporters are struggling because foreign ocean carriers aren't playing fair,\" said Johnson and Garamendi. \"The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is a bipartisan, effective solution to the problems facing our supply chain \u2013 it puts American consumers and producers first. OSRA passed the House with overwhelming support. We are confident it can pass the Senate swiftly and look forward to heading to conference to reconcile the two bills.\"\n\nThe Ocean Shipping Reform Actpassed the U.S. House in December by 364-60. OSRA is supported by more than 360 national groups and businesses and prohibits ocean carriers from unreasonably declining opportunities for U.S. exports. The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-receives-pro-life-rating-susan-b-anthony-list", "Johnson Receives A+ Pro-Life Rating from Susan B. Anthony List", "2022-01-21", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) was given an A+ Pro-Life rating from the Susan B. Anthony List Scorecard.\n\n\"I was proud to receive an A+ pro-life rating from the Susan B. Anthony List,\" said Johnson. \"Life is an inalienable right and deserves to be protected.\"\n\n\"Congressman Johnson has stood up against the pro-abortion agenda of the Biden-Harris administration and Pelosi Democrats who are actively working to expand abortion access and abortion funding. Rep. Johnson has voted consistently to defend the lives of the unborn and infants. This includes stopping hard-earned tax dollars from paying for abortion, whether domestically or internationally, and protecting health care provider rights for those who refuse to engage in brutal abortions.\" \u2013 Susan B. Anthony List\n\nEarlier this year, Johnson spoke on the House floor in support of the Hyde Amendment which prohibits federal funding of abortions. Since the beginning of the 117th Congress, Johnson has taken additional measures to protect the unborn including being an original cosponsor of the Life at Conception Act, recognizing that life begins at conception, and the Support and Value Expectant Moms and Babies Act, prohibiting the approval of new abortion drugs by the Food & Drug Administration.\n\nJohnson is a member of the Pro-Life Caucus.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-leads-bill-establish-congressional-charter-american-indian-veterans", "Johnson Leads Bill to Establish Congressional Charter for American Indian Veterans", "2022-01-13", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV). NAIV is a nonprofit organization on the Cheyenne River Reservation with a mission to advocate for tribal veterans. According to VA estimates, in 2021 there were more than 150,000 Native veterans in the United States.\n\nWhile Congressional Charters have been established for Polish American, Italian American, Jewish, and Black veterans' groups, currently, no Native veterans' organization has received a Congressional Charter.\n\n\"The NAIV has served the needs of tribal veterans across the nation for decades,\" said Johnson. \"When South Dakota's Native veterans came to me with a request for a Congressional Charter it was a no-brainer. Native Americans serve our armed forces at some of the highest rates in the country, it makes sense that they have this recognition and representation in Congress. I am grateful for the NAIV's dedication to tribal veterans benefits and for their input on tribal policy throughout the years.\"\n\n\"It is very important to pass this bill for American Indians. It would allow us to testify to Congress on the unique needs of our Native veterans,\" said Don Loudner, a Native veteran, enrolled member of the Hunkpati Sioux Tribe (Crow Creek Sioux Tribe), and National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, Inc. \"It doesn't ask for any money. It only asks that Congress recognize the sacrifices of generations of American Indians who have answered the nation's call and fought in every war since the American Revolution.\"\n\n\"Our Native Brothers and Sisters do not have any representation to be able to testify before Congress and have attempted to get a Federal Charter since 2004,\" said Ken Teunissen, Vice Chair of the South Dakota Veterans Council and the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Region III. \"This is a sad thing for those that have served our nation during times of peace and War and they still have not been able to get a Federal Charter.\"\n\n\"With Native Americans serving in our nation's military at five times the national average, it certainly makes sense to provide federal recognition to a Native American veterans organization that advocates for the needs and interests of this unique population across 14 regions in the United States,\" said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. \"I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation that grants a federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans Inc.\"\n\n\"Native people serve in the Armed Forces at five times the national average and have a higher percentage of women service members than all other populations. That rich history of service to our country is reflected in my own family\u2014my mom served in the Army for 20 years,\" said Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS). \"The National American Indian Veterans, Inc. is a crucial resource to promote and support all American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. I am proud to help introduce this legislation that designates NAIV as the first Native American veterans' organization to receive a Congressional Charter, and I will keep fighting for all Native individuals to be seen, heard, and supported on a National level.\"\n\n\"Native Americans have served in our armed forces in greater numbers per capita than any other demographic group,\" said Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ). \"Today I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill that will award a Congressional Charter to NAIV, an organization that solely represents the interests and needs of the more than 140,000 Native American veterans.\"\n\nA Congressional Charter recognizes the authority and purpose of an organization. A Senate companion bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D) in May 2021.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-statement-scotus-vaccine-mandate-ruling", "Johnson Statement on SCOTUS Vaccine Mandate Ruling", "2022-01-13", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to block President Biden's vaccine mandate for large employers in the United States.\n\n\"Today's decision is a win for federalism and individual freedoms,\" said Johnson. \"I believe in this vaccine, but I don't believe in sweeping federal mandates \u2013 the Supreme Court made the right call. With more than 95% of Americans over the age of 65 at least partially vaccinated, our nation cannot handle the fallout that would come from overreaching actions of the federal government.\"\n\nJohnson cosponsored H.J. Res. 65 which nullifies the OSHA rule to require employers with more than 100 employees to receive a vaccine. Additionally, Johnson urged Speaker Pelosi to bring S.J. Res. 29 up for a vote following Senate passage. In December, Johnson hosted a roundtable with South Dakota businesses, highlighting concerns regarding workforce participation following vaccination mandates.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"], ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-announces-student-app-challenge-winners-spearfish", "Johnson Announces Student App Challenge Winners from Spearfish", "2022-01-12", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) congratulated Congressional App Challenge winners, sisters Katelyn and Casie Dale, from Spearfish, South Dakota. Katelyn and Casie designed an app called the \"Bill List Discrepancy Locator.\"\n\n\"Technological literacy is quickly becoming a vital skill for success both in business and daily life,\" said Johnson. \"The goal of this competition is to get students excited about this important and growing field. I was especially impressed Katelyn and Casie developed an app that keeps local government accountable and ensures accuracy \u2013 the federal government needs an app for that, too.\"\n\nCasie and Katelyn created the \"Bill List Discrepancy Locator\" to locate discrepancies in the list of payments made to vendors by the local city government and city council. According to Katelyn and Casie, \"We were looking at the totals and making sure we hadn't made any mistakes in data entry when we discovered \u2026 a $324 inconsistency which we confirmed with the city. We found the needle in the haystack when it comes to errors, a 0.00029% error \u2026 We decided to automate this check, so we came up with the Bill List Discrepancy Locator.\"\n\nKatelyn and Casie were selected as the winner by a panel of Computer Science teachers in South Dakota.\n\nJohnson announced the Congressional App Challenge in July. For further information about the Congressional App Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 76, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "SD", "p2": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 76, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD&year=2022&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 76, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SD&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "SD", "label": "SD", "count": 76, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 76, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=SD", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 127.57732532918453, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}