Author: @SoDakCampaigns

Thune: Bipartisan COVID Relief Package is a Win for the American People  

“It’s been a very difficult year for our country. And this winter is likely to be very challenging. But the light at the end of the tunnel is coming. And we  are going to make it through. I look forward to sending additional relief to the American people later today.”

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s speech.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the recent bipartisan agreement on a new targeted COVID-19 relief package, for which he has been advocating for months. This legislation will include a second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding for the hardest-hit small businesses and additional money to help schools reopen and safely operate, support vaccine distribution, and prioritize coronavirus treatment and other frontline medical needs. Thune also noted that the agreement will include his Paycheck Protection for Producers Act, which will help more farmers and ranchers benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program, and an extension of his Employer Participation in Repayment Act, which was originally included in a previous COVID relief package. The Senate is expected to consider the agreement as soon as today.

Via Austin Goss at Dakota News now..

Governor Noem was asked this weekend at a TPUSA event about a run for President in 2024. Answer? “I’m not going to answer that question.” pic.twitter.com/dYP9eFko2a

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) December 20, 2020

On Saturday, the Pennington County GOP elected their new slate of officers for the 2021-2022 election cycle:

American Ingenuity at its Finest
By Sen. John Thune

There is no way around it – this has been a tough year. Painful but necessary social distance, economic hardship, and – of course – unimaginable loss of American lives. It has also been a year of unmistakable American spirit. This spirit of ingenuity and perseverance is highly evident in the impressive push for a COVID-19 vaccine. The first coronavirus vaccine was recently authorized for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and distribution efforts began immediately. This means that a safe COVID vaccine was developed, tested, manufactured, and authorized five times faster than any vaccine in history.

Essentially, our government bet on American ingenuity, and it paid off. The effort to get this vaccine authorized and distributed is a remarkable example of what can be done when we work together toward a single, life-saving goal.

All of the experts, scientists, soldiers, trial volunteers, and public servants who worked on this effort deserve the highest praise. I am proud of them and all they accomplished for our country. There is no doubt that their efforts will save American lives, and I don’t think I am alone in looking forward to the day that our lives settle back into their normal patterns.

Developing a COVID-19 vaccine with impressive speed has produced one unfortunate side-effect: skepticism. Was this process fast? Yes. But was it rushed? No. This was an around-the-clock effort, and methods to speed and streamline the process have not jeopardized safety. This vaccine has gone through the same important steps and review process as any other. To ensure the ability to start distribution as soon as a vaccine was authorized, we started manufacturing them before we even knew if they would be viable.

The start of vaccinations for our health care workers marks the beginning of what will hopefully be a decisive victory in our COVID battle. We owe that to the hard work and persistence of medical researchers. But we owe it also to the vaccine trial volunteers, who enabled researchers to complete the process of developing a safe and effective vaccine. It’s no exaggeration to say that the bravery of vaccine volunteers could end up saving hundreds of thousands or even millions of lives. A lot of courageous people stepped forward when we needed them, and we would not have a COVID vaccine today without their willingness to help. I doubt we’ll ever know most of the volunteers’ names, but they are heroes of this battle just the same.

When it’s my turn in line, I will get the COVID vaccine. I will get it for my own health and for the health of my family, friends, and the many great South Dakotans with whom I work. As I said, this year has been tough. But times of challenge also present times of incredible achievement – these vaccines certainly represent that.

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The Christmas Tree’s Promise
By Governor Kristi Noem 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. As I write this, it’s the last day of Hanukkah, Christmas is right around the corner, and the New Year comes shortly thereafter. I know my family is excited to celebrate Christmas and spend some time together.

Across South Dakota and around the world, families are celebrating beautiful traditions to ring in the holiday season. As we celebrate these traditions, it’s important for us to take a step back and remember why we practice them in the first place.

Christmas trees are one of my favorite holiday celebrations. Every year in millions of homes across the country and around the world, we decorate evergreen trees to celebrate Christmas. It’s easy to take for-granted that this is just something that we do, but there’s a purpose for this tradition.

Christmas trees are a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Every winter, the cold comes, the snow falls, and the sun shows its face less and less. But these beautiful Christmas trees stand tall, beautiful, and green, promising us that spring is not far off. The weather will warm; the green will return to our landscape; our future is bright.

Just like Christmas itself, these trees remind us that life and beauty are still present even during the coldest and darkest times. I’m reminded of A Charlie Brown Christmas, when Charlie Brown famously asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” His best friend Linus reminds him of Jesus’ birth. And then the kids decorate a tiny little Christmas tree, and they manage to make it so beautiful.

Linus’ reminder to Charlie Brown is perhaps the most beautiful symbol of rebirth and renewal for our world. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to a world that was cold and dark. A little baby was born to save us all, and his birth brought the promise of everything that he would do for us.

That’s an important reminder in every season of life. But it rings especially true this year. We’ve faced new, unique challenges this year in South Dakota and around the world, and COVID-19 has been the toughest. People have lost their livelihoods. Many folks, especially in the vulnerable population, have had to drastically change their day-to-day lives. And – most heartbreaking of all – so many families have lost loved-ones.

But even during difficult times like this – especially during difficult times – we must remember that we will get through this together. No matter how cold and dark the season, we can look at the green branches of the Christmas tree and remember that spring is on its way.

I hope that you and yours have a truly Merry Christmas. If you’re celebrating another holiday, then happy holidays to you as well. Let’s remember the Christmas tree’s promise of rebirth and renewal. I’m so excited for what the future has in store for all of us.

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Hanging out in Pierre tonight to take in the trees with the wife and kids. Christmas at the Capitol is always one of our state’s centerpieces during the holiday season.

Minnehaha County GOP held elections tonight, and selected their leadership for the 2021-2022 election cycle. Selected were:

Chair- Maggie Sutton
Vice Chair- Cole Heisey
Secretary- Jacqueline Zachariahs
Treasurer-Spencer Wrightsman
State Committeeman- Jim Stalzer
State Committeeman- Catherine Barranco

Congratulations to all of the officers!

Thune: Thankful for Bravery of Vaccine Volunteers  

“There have been a lot of quiet heroes this year, Mr. President. And the people who volunteered for vaccine trials should be high on the list.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the ongoing negotiations in Congress on an additional COVID-19 relief package and expressed the urgent need for relief for the American people. Thune also thanked the COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers who have bravely put themselves on the line for the sake of this country and recognized the many other quiet heroes who have kept the country running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican Representative-elect Taylor Rehfeldt was live on facebook today at Sanford Medical receiving her first COVID-19 vaccination, and broadcast it to show that it’s no big deal, and perfectly safe when the vaccinations become available to the general public.

(In case you’re wondering, Taylor is a Nurse Anesthetist, so she’s on the front-line of health care in South Dakota). From Facebook: