Johnson IHS Reform Bill Advances out of Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.).

Johnson introduced the bill in March to reform the Indian Health Service (IHS) and protect Native Americans’ credit. In April, he testified in the Natural Resources Committee on behalf of the bill.

“Tribal members are often left to foot the bill on a health care charge that isn’t theirs to pay,” said Johnson. “My bill would right this error and ensure the Indian Health Service pays the bills it owes. I’m glad the Committee agrees with this commonsense legislation and advanced my bill today. IHS must do better.”

“Representative Johnson’s bill will help tackle longstanding issues arising from the untimely reimbursement of claims by IHS for services purchased from and referred to providers outside the IHS. Under no circumstance should a Native person ever pay for approved Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) or be penalized for IHS’s lack of payment. By ensuring the IHS, and not Tribal citizens, are liable for PRC payments and any associated medical debt, this bill will meaningfully improve the patient experience at IHS. We appreciate that his Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act establishes a timeframe for reimbursing patients who paid out of pocket for authorized PRC services. We thank Representative Johnson for his dedicated leadership on these issues and for listening to the concerns of Tribes and tribal health care advocates. We look forward to working with Representative Johnson to enact this bill,” said Frank Star Comes Out, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe.

The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2024 would:

• Ensure that IHS – not the tribal citizen – is liable for payments for PRC services that are or were authorized by IHS.
• Direct the Secretary to notify PRC providers and patients that the patients are not liable to any provider or debt collector for charges associated with authorized PRC services.
• Permit IHS to establish and implement procedures to allow patients that paid out-of-pocket for IHS-authorized PRC services to be reimbursed by IHS no later than 30 days after a patient submits the necessary documentation.

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Thune: The Days of the Biden Border Crisis Are Numbered

 “Securing our border and removing those who have entered our country illegally are at the top of President Trump’s priority list. And the Republican Congress is committed to doing everything it can to help him.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the historic national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border created by the Biden-Harris administration’s reckless policies. Thune noted that President Trump and the Senate Republican majority will work together to end the lawlessness and inhumanity at the southern border.

Shhh.. Don’t tell anyone.

The confederate group of break-away county Republican party organizations led by Bon Homme GOP County Chair Stu Cvrk are hosting their super-secret candidate forum where they trying to winnow down their select and pre-vetted candidates to be the next State GOP Chair, from a list that was publicized earlier today featuring “honest” Lee Qualm (Lost last 2 elections) , Ethanol opponent Jim Eschenbaum (Won County race), and Ezra Hays, who wants to use the party to exact their values from candidates, (and has never run for office).

Why am I not confident this would represent anything other than the bottom of a bell curve.

Their zoom forum is being held tonight, and is a super-secret private meeting limited exclusively to active SD GOP state central committee members who are members of county delegations (chairman, vice chairman, state committeeman, state committeewoman).  Notice this cabal does not want to hear from elected officials, precinct people, or the hundreds of people who make the Republican Party work, so you’re not allowed to participate in the confederacy’s candidate vetting. So, don’t participate in the meeting being held tonight via zoom at 7PM CST / 6PM MST.  And I’m sure they don’t want any outsiders to participate. So, unless you’re on their special list,  you should absolutely NOT join the zoom meeting with the following codes: 

Join Zoom Meeting. – https://zoom.us/j/92189292425?pwd=QCQP6ELHUQQu1ltxAyWCKWRy2mvZB4.1
Meeting ID: 921 8929 2425
Passcode: 149826

And they really don’t want you to know their agenda, which includes having the candidates answer such questions as

Putting back together what they just spent much of 2024 burning down..

1. **Party Unification**

   – How do you plan to address divisions within the party and foster unity among members with differing viewpoints?
– What specific initiatives would you implement to ensure all factions of the party feel represented and respected? How would state central committee members participate directly in those initiatives?
– Can you share a time when you successfully unified a diverse group to achieve a common goal?

Bringing in more Democrats to the Republican Party, as well as DEI efforts…

4. **Party Building**

  – What strategies do you have to attract independents and conservative Democrats to the Republican Party?
– How would you tailor your messaging to appeal to voters who are not currently registered Republicans?
– What initiatives would you promote to build a more inclusive and welcoming party environment?

How they will enforce the party’s will on elected officials, and how will they punish people for platform violations…

6. **Accountability to the US and State Constitutions and GOP Platform**
– How will you ensure that the party remains accountable to both the US and State Constitutions, as well as the GOP platform?
   – In what ways would you promote adherence to constitutional principles and the state GOP platform among elected officials and party members?
   – How would you address situations where party members or officials act in ways that contradict the party’s principles?

And at the very end, they bring up that pesky thing about how they intend to pay for their grandiose plans after these groups have spent the last year NOT donating to support the state Republican Party. 

11. **Budgeting and Execution
   – What are your top-level budgeting plans?   

You would think as opposed to asking about their DEI efforts, and controlling what candidates say and do, the State GOP’s primary role – fundraising and candidate recruitment – would garner a primary focus as opposed to it being the final item. Or in the case of candidate recruitment not be mentioned at all.

So, candidates, elected officials, activists, precinct committee people, make sure you don’t join the super-secret zoom meeting at 7PM CST / 6PM MST by using the following links..

Join Zoom Meeting. – https://zoom.us/j/92189292425?pwd=QCQP6ELHUQQu1ltxAyWCKWRy2mvZB4.1
Meeting ID: 921 8929 2425
Passcode: 149826

Because they don’t want you to hear what they plan to do to control you, at the same time they can’t raise any money to get you elected.

From facebook, after this morning’s text message announcing his resignation from the State Legislature, Representative-elect Chris Reder is now walking his statement back:

This might be indicative of how close the vote in the House is as much as anything, as Reder is considered a member of the hard-right and was an attendee of the October rally in Sioux Falls with Mark Robinson.

Stay tuned.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Senator John Thune led action in the Senate to put the brakes on plans by Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer to load the Senate’s remaining schedule for the year with Democrat judicial nominees

Senate Republicans opted to delay votes and draw out floor action on Monday night after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sought to stack additional judicial confirmation votes on the calendar ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Two sources familiar told Fox News Digital that the plan to slow down the Senate was spearheaded by Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who was recently elected as the next Republican Senate leader.

“If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong,” Thune told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.

Read it all here.

Building Pathways for South Dakota’s Future: Summit Carbon Solutions Advances with Statewide Permit Application
Company Celebrates Collaborative Efforts with Landowners as Permit Application Begins Formal Review Process

Ames, Iowa [November 19, 2024] – Summit Carbon Solutions announced today the submission of its permit application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), marking a major milestone in its effort to develop a transformative infrastructure project that benefits landowners, agriculture, and communities statewide. This filing reflects extensive engagement with South Dakotans to create a pipeline route shaped by direct stakeholder feedback, supporting agriculture and advancing energy innovation.

“This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen South Dakota’s agricultural future while advancing energy innovation,” said Lee Blank, CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions. “By working hand-in-hand with landowners and communities, we’ve developed a project that balances progress with respect for those directly involved. Together, we’re creating a pathway to new markets and lasting economic growth for generations to come.”

The 2,500-mile pipeline, including 700 miles in South Dakota, will transport CO2 from 57 ethanol plants across five states, including 14 in South Dakota and Gevo’s planned SAF plant near Lake Preston. The majority of CO2 volume will be safely and permanently stored in North Dakota via Class VI injection wells, but excess capacity will be available to support next-generation fuels like e-SAF and green methanol, along with uses in water treatment, food processing, and dry ice production, driving regional economic growth.

“To lead in domestic energy production and support local farmers, we should advance critical infrastructure like the Summit pipeline—driving economic growth and strengthening rural communities around Lake Preston,” said Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “This pipeline will help unleash homegrown energy solutions and benefit hardworking Americans.”

The application also highlights major reroutes in Spink, Brown, McPherson, and Lincoln Counties, along with numerous micro-adjustments, resulting from more than a year of one-on-one work with landowners to find mutually agreeable solutions.

“With the submission of this application, we’re one step closer to realizing tremendous opportunities for South Dakota’s biofuels industry, as well as for our farmers and communities,” said Jeff Lautt, POET President and COO. “This milestone moves us forward in strengthening our agricultural economy, enhancing local markets, and positioning South Dakota as a leader in low-carbon energy solutions for years to come.”

This submittal comes on the heels of a North Dakota Route Permit from the NDPSC last week. Summit Carbon Solutions plans to begin construction in early 2026, with operations starting in 2027. The company remains committed to working collaboratively with South Dakota landowners and communities to develop a project that strengthens the state’s agricultural legacy while paving the way for energy innovation.

About Summit Carbon Solutions:

Summit Carbon Solutions is driving the future of agriculture by expanding economic opportunities for ethanol producers, strengthening the marketplace for Midwest-based farmers, and creating jobs. In developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, the company seeks to connect industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwest United States. For more information, visit www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.

The winds of change are sweeping through South Dakota politics, and with the changing weather will come lot of opportunities for advertisers to get their message out to “those in the know” of South Dakota politics and and community opinion leaders as we count the days until the next legislative session, and we begin the 2026 cycle with all of it’s potential races!

In the 2025 legislative session, there will be literally a third of the legislature who has never been there before, as well as a few who returning who have been absent for a few years, or a decade or more.  So they are going to be information hungry. Add to those the rest who regularly monitor the pulse of the process as readers – whether they love the website or hate it – and that’s a lot of legislators to get your message in front of. Not to mention the thousands who are clicking on this website daily for the latest in political news, gossip, and whatever else the state’s leaders are up to.

In February, South Dakota War College will celebrate an incredible 20 years of keeping an eye on political leaders, and offering commentary from a conservative Republican point of view. Whether people in the Republican Party like me or not at any given moment.  So, for those who love me, and those who hate me, either way you can trust that I’m. not. going. anywhere.

Advertisers – I have a number of spots open, and questions on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here. Lots of open space available at the moment, such as the #1 spot on the left available, as well as spots #2, 3 on the right, and spots on both sides lower on the page. Ads run in their position through the site, meaning they are not rotated.  Advertising is available on a first-come first-served basis, and discounts are provided for extended commitments.

Please don’t forget to check out our current advertisers including Summit Carbon Solutions promoting the healthy commerce of ethanol for years to come, Governor Kristi Noem, US Senator John Thune, Dusty Johnson for US Congress, and Senator Mike Rounds.

And drop me a note if I can hook you up with ad space!

Thune: The Senate Must Prioritize the NDAA

 “Each day’s news is a reminder that we live in a dangerous world – and that while we never invite conflict, we have to be prepared for it.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the video.

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on Majority Leader Schumer to prioritize the National Defense Authorization Act, which would strengthen national security, address concerns about U.S. military readiness, and ensure our armed forces are equipped to meet evolving threats.

Hot off of my phone, a text message supposedly from Representative-Elect Chris Reder is resonating out there, telling people that it is his intent to resign from the legislature before he is sworn into office:

The messages in reply were from Rep. Julie Auch and Logan Manhart’s cell numbers, so I think it’s safe to say that this should be considered pretty seriously.   I’m told that Sen-elect Carl Perry was also in the text chain spouting gibberish about getting the precinct people together, which illustrates his ignorance of the process (much like his ignorance of many other things).

Because at this juncture if Chris Reder fails to take office, it has nothing to do with the Republican organizational hierarchy but the Governor at the time. Party replacements are only during the election process for candidates. Once we’ve hit a certain point (called an election), Article III, Section 10 of the South Dakota Constitution says:

§ 10.   Filling legislative vacancies. The Governor shall make appointments to fill such vacancies as may occur in either house of the Legislature.

If it’s before Governor Noem takes her new job, it will be her appointment. If it’s after a new Governor is sworn in, it would be Larry Rhoden’s. So, either it will be Kristi’s last appointment, or Rhoden’s first.  And the process is run as the Governor deems fit. Period.

My only other thoughts in the matter are “is there something coming we need to watch for when it comes to Rep-Elect Reder?”  Because people usually don’t quit before they take office without an outside reason.

Guest Column: Bedtime for Bolsheviks (Movie Review) by Thomas E. Simmons

My first memories of Ronald Reagan are tethered to memories of my father. My dad and I shared an impression: inklings of a Reagan as a man with guts, determination, and a clarity of vision; a vision about what was right and what was wrong. We liked his leadership, my dad and me. We liked that Reagan operated under a moral framework.

That’s no easy thing, developing a morality that can guide one’s actions. In fact, for most men and women, it’s a very difficult thing. But the best of us learn to practice it, sensing that therein reside the secrets of a worthwhile life. The efforts to hone a personal moral vision to guide one’s family, one’s community, and the world are efforts well-spent.

That is what both my dad and I perceived in Reagan’s 1979 campaign, his third presidential bid. And that’s my first memory of Reagan.

The film Reagan (2024) condenses the life of a man (who lived to the age of ninety-three) into two hours twenty-one minutes. We shouldn’t expect an exhaustive exploration, At most, a film presents a theme linked to conflict and resolution. We’ve only got a bit over two hours to work with. But critics have seen the film as flawed because it omits sizable chunks of Reagan’s life.

Here are a few such comments: “Reagan the movie has a strained relationship with reality.”

“The new biopic leans into this nostalgia with ahistorical bravado and selective story-telling.”

“Reagan can’t even trace the broad outlines of your stock biopic.”

“Reagan is an insubstantive [sic] Greatest Hits compendium.”

“Reagan’s dedication to narrow themes proves limiting.”

It’s fair to note that the film does not explore Ronald Reagan’s life in the same depth as a book. The film cannot, for example, compete with Bob Spitz’s Reagan: An American Journey (2018), though Spitz allows himself 880 pages to explore the rich, nuanced life of the 40th president (the equivalent of a 20-hour book-on-tape).

So, yes, the film is selective; its theme, focused – yet important. The primary lens through which the film presents a drama is Ronald Reagan’s anti-communism. Reagan saw communism as a totalitarian threat as serious as the German Nazis, the Italian Fascists, or the Imperialist Japanese. This same theme is considered in The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism (2006) by Paul Kengor.

Kengor, who also wrote God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life (2004)) penned the script for Reagan. (Tellingly, Chauncy K. Robinson’s review of Reagan for “People’s World” (a/k/a “The Daily Worker”) refers to Kengor’s second book by omitting the first two words of said title (i.e., God and – and I doubt that the omission was accidental.)

Kengor’s assessment of Ronald Reagan in term of Reagan’s anti-communism (and, to a lesser extent, Reagan’s spiritualism), permeates the film, Reagan. The film offers an abridged Reagan biography told by a KGB agent named Petrovich (a composite of actual KGB operatives who observed Ronald Reagan’s routines over several decades). Through this lens it presents a coherent narrative, somewhat inspirational, though admittedly not the greatest movie of all time.

My biggest nails-on-the-chalkboard complaint of Reagan is the CGI. Filmed in Oklahoma, the film digitally reconfigures the Oklahoma City Capitol Building as the U.S. Capitol and a masonic lodge as the White House. It’s a fakery that incorrectly insinuates that the film’s story is similarly contrived. The film’s truths should not be shrouded in computerized flimflam.

The film’s score is similarly unnerving. Repeatedly, President Reagan (played by the excellent Dennis Quaid) will offer a quip and the orchestra will endorse it in swelling strings. The instrumental emphasis is overdone, cheap, and preachy. It reminded me of Gandhi (1982). Ronald Reagan’s words, actions, and moral vision do not need clunky underscoring to hit home.

See the film. But also devote some effort to the study of the moral vision of Ronald Reagan without all the Hollywood limitations – and the schmaltz.

Thomas E. Simmons
University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law
Vermilion, SD