Category: Uncategorized

Johnson Issues Statement on Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement as the government shut down.

“I’ve said it thousands of times – shutdowns are stupid. The House has done its work to avoid a shutdown, and I voted to keep the government open. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats voted to shut the government down, putting the American worker’s paychecks at risk. Instead, Democrats want $1.5 trillion of new, unnecessary spending to continue COVID-era health care subsidies for illegal immigrants and rich Americans.

I will not receive a paycheck during a shutdown, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop working to find a solution. I’ve even introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act to prevent shutdowns from ever happening again. Shutdowns are costly and do not serve the American people.”

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Toby Doeden is on Facebook tonight declaring his need to be a cancel queen to remove anyone from higher education he disagrees with.

MEET PROFESSOR TIMOTHY SCHORN.

Last week, I announced that under my administration, South Dakota DOGE would begin the process of auditing our higher education institutions that are receiving state funds. I refuse to allow government dollars to be spent on the indoctrination and radicalization of our young people.

and..

Why are the wonderful and amazing taxpayers of South Dakota having their hard earned money taken from them and given to someone who so openly hates them and the values they hold dear? It is wrong!

Freedom of Speech is a wonderful thing. I am a constitutional conservative and freedom absolutist. I will not, however, stand by and watch our tax dollars be spent paying exorbitant salaries to people who hate our country, insight violence on our leaders, and promote radicalized ideas to our impressionable young people.

and..

Under my leadership, people like Professor Scorn will have no place in the classroom!
-Toby

Read Toby’s latest screed here.

Regarding Toby’s attack on Dr. Schorn; I know the professor says many things I disagree with. But demanding that he be purged from employment is dangerous territory, as Representative Jon Hansen recently found out in the case of the art professor being returned to employment after a hearing in Federal Court.  You’d think that ‘Dumpster Fire‘ Doeden might have read the news last week before making his declaration?  And we have the part where Toby declares himself a “freedom absolutist?”   That’s a new one. What exactly has Toby Doeden done for the cause of freedom?

Of course, in Doeden’s rant, he goes out on a limb and declares Schorn as among “people who hate our country, insight (sic) violence on our leaders, and promote radicalized ideas to our impressionable young people.”    Aside from his inability to distinguish ‘insight’ from ‘incite’ and other grammatical crimes,  I’m guessing that the ‘freedom absolutist‘ also missed that the professor he claims hates our country is a military veteran:

Dr. Timothy Schorn urged young people attending Vermillion’s Veterans Day service to use the veterans living in the community as an example of the right way to build their characters and help others.

1SG Dr. Timothy Schorn, U.S. Army, retired, is a political science professor at the University of South Dakota.

“I identified with, especially, the veterans of my mom and dad’s generation and those who had come before. They were the people who led the community in service, the village, the township board, the school, the library board, the community club, the parish councils,” he said. “It was these men and women who kept the town and so for those of you who are students, remember this, and look to the veterans who are sitting here in front of you.

“Remember what you can learn from them, as I learned from the veterans when I was growing up,” Schorn said.

and..

“To all of the veterans, to the fellow veterans in front of me, for your service in the military, for your continued service to our community, for your inspiration, for your guidance, for role modeling,” he said, “not just for the students, but for your fellow community members, I say, thank you.”

Read that entire story here.

‘Freedom absolutist’ Toby Doeden wants to fire a military veteran from his job because he doesn’t like what he says on Facebook?  As I said, I know the professor holds views that I don’t agree with. But, especially considering his service to our country, I think he’s earned the right to his opinion.

Otherwise, do we really want to venture on to that slippery slope and start actively purging universities?

Because it appears that Toby Doeden thinks so.

Gov. Rhoden and America First Governors Urge Congress to Put American People First

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden and the Governors Council of the America First Policy Institute wrote Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, urging them to prioritize the American people over Washington politics by passing a clean, short-term funding extension immediately. You can find the letter here.

“When Washington gridlocks, America suffers. Our troops, first responders, and firefighters should never have their paychecks put at risk. Seniors and veterans should never wonder if their benefits will be disrupted. Families should never face uncertainty about food assistance because Congress refuses to do its job,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “These consequences are real, immediate, and entirely avoidable.”

The America First Governors recognize that putting the American people first is of utmost importance. Without a clean short-term funding extension, which would extend the current funding deadline of September 30^th, a government shutdown is inevitable. This extension previously passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and awaits Senate approval.

“The American people deserve leaders who put America First over politics,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “We urge the Senate to do the right thing and take immediate action to keep the government open by passing a clean funding extension. It protects our service members and veterans, ensures continuity for essential programs, and prevents unnecessary disruption to our state’s economies and communities.”

Governor Rhoden was joined in signing the letter by former Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Idaho Governor Brad Little, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, Nebraska Governor James Pillen, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

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Thune: The Senate Is on Schumer Shutdown Watch

“Democrats are so committed to shutting down the government, they’re rejecting a clean – clean, clean – nonpartisan, short-term funding extension – the very same kind of extension that, as I mentioned, they supported 13 times during the Biden administration.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

 

From facebook, State Senator Amber Hulse is on social media today joining the call from Congressman Dusty Johnson for the VA Secretary to come to Hot Springs to see the good work that the local facility does in serving veteran’s needs:

Seth Tupper at SD Searchlight has a new opinion piece roasting 2% Gubernatorial wannabe Jon Hansen’s sudden revelation of years-old information in his failed attempt to derail the prison project:

“I have confirmed,” the press release said, “that the South Dakota Department of Corrections has been using your tax dollars to provide transgender cross-sex hormones to convicted criminals in prison.”

The release went on to accuse the department of “hiding” a policy that includes a treatment committee and payments to an “East Coast college professor” for gender dysphoria services.

and..

The late onset of Hansen’s sudden interest in prison health care was peculiar, to say the least. He could’ve dug up his information and shared his claims at any time during the last several years while he was participating in prison debates.

and..

The shock is in the revelation that a legislative leader seeking the state’s top elected office tried, at the 11th hour, to derail an important public policy debate by drumming up fear about transgender people.

Read the entire roasting here.

Not a shocker that no one is buying what Hansen was trying to sell in his failed attempt to politicize his prison vote for campaign purposes.

At this point, he might want to peel the “Hansen for Governor” wrap off of the camper, and cancel the Pizza Ranch tour.

Because it’s clear to everyone at this point that his campaign isn’t going anywhere.

Rounds Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Second Degree Murder on Federal Lands

Kamisha’s Law is named for a toddler murdered in Sisseton in 1992

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced “Kamisha’s Law,” legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations (SOL) for certain murder charges on federal and tribal lands. The bill is named for Kamisha, a toddler who was murdered in Sisseton in 1992. Her case went unsolved for over 30 years until new evidence was entered into the record.

“Prosecution for murder should not have an expiration date,” said Rounds. “In the case of Jay Adams Jr., new evidence was not brought forward until over three decades after Kamisha was murdered. While he was prosecuted under a plea deal, this legislation rights a wrong by eliminating the statute of limitations for second degree murder on federal lands. I appreciate Kamisha’s mother Christine and her husband Roger for working with us on this legislation, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to honor Kamisha’s memory and get it across the finish line.”

“We sincerely appreciate Senator Mike Rounds, and his staff, for working diligently to affect change,” said Kamisha’s mother Christine and her husband Roger Irwin. “We would also like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of FBI Special Agent Daniel Orr and Assistant US Attorney Troy Morley. They are now truly a part of our extended family. Without their recommendations, guidance, and friendship, we would not be celebrating such a monumental change in federal law. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Kamisha made to get us to where we are today. We believe Kamisha’s Law will positively impact unresolved cases of other families waiting for justice. It is also our hope that Kamisha’s Law will assist law enforcement and prosecutors with the time needed to properly investigate and prosecute similar crimes. Kamisha’s Law is an important step forward and our hope is for it to be a catalyst for positive change in other federal laws and regulations that are antiquated, insufficient, and/or deficient.”

Specifically, Kamisha’s Law will remove the statute of limitations for non-capital homicide offenses on federal or tribal land. This will include second-degree murder, as well as murder of federal officials. Congress has previously recognized the seriousness of such crimes, abolishing statutes of limitations for first-degree murder as well as child sexual abuse and abduction offenses in 2003 and 2006. Technological advancements in forensics make it increasingly possible to solve murder cases decades later.

BACKGROUND

In 1992, in Roberts County, South Dakota, a 23-month-old was found brutally murdered at home in her bed. For more than three decades, this crime remained unresolved until new witness testimony in 2023 led to a long-overdue prosecution of Jay Adams Jr.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota hoped to pursue charges under the Major Crimes Act, which mandates federal jurisdiction over violent felonies committed in Indian Country. However, the applicable SOL for second-degree murder on federal lands had expired.

Adams elected to waive the SOL as part of a plea deal and in turn pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter. In June 2024, Adams was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Read more about this case HERE.

Click HERE for full bill text.

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Attorney General Jackley Joins AG Letter Urging U.S Senate to Pass Funding Extension 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined a coalition of 26 Attorneys Generals in urging the U.S. Senate to pass the clean, short-term funding extension that has already been approved by the U.S. House.

In their letter to the Senate leadership, the Attorneys General said the continuing resolution keeps the government functioning at current levels and give the parties time to negotiate a more permanent agreement.

“We need to make sure that those who keep us safe are paid and that there are still funds available for grants used by state and local law enforcement and first responders,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Congress, especially the Senate Democrats who have pledged to oppose this resolution, needs to do its job and keep our government open. We can’t play games with our security.”

Other Attorneys General who have signed the letter are from: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Gov. Rhoden and Colleagues Urge Congress to Prevent Government Shutdown

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden and 24 fellow governors wrote Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, urging them to prevent a government shutdown by passing a clean short-term funding extension. You can find the letter here.

“A shutdown is neither sustainable nor a responsible way to govern, and the American people understand that. That is why we are calling on Senate Democrats to fulfill their duties, put their politicking behind, and do what’s best for the country: keep the government open,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “The proposed budget extension is a straightforward, bipartisan solution. There are no gimmicks or partisan poison pills; it’s a clean, short-term funding measure that both parties have historically supported.”

This clean short-term funding extension, which would extend the current funding deadline of September 30^th, passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and awaits Senate approval.

“Holding the federal government funding hostage is not just a Washington D.C. debate for political points, it has real and immediate consequences in every state across America that cannot be overlooked,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden and his colleagues. “From impacting pay for our troops, first responders, and firefighters, to affecting critical services for seniors and veterans and disrupting food assistance for families in need, a government shutdown would inflict severe consequences on the American people that are completely avoidable. We urge the Senate to do the right thing and act swiftly to pass a clean funding extension.”

Governor Rhoden was joined in signing the letter by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

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A Win for District 19 — and for South Dakota’s Future

The South Dakota Legislature convened on Tuesday for a Special Session to address one of the persistent challenges facing the state the past couple of years: overcrowding and unsafe conditions in the Sioux Falls penitentiary building. After months of studying, hearings, and debate, and a task force, lawmakers approved the construction of a new state prison that will replace the century-old State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. For your District 19 Legislators, this decision is more than a policy vote; it is a victory for public safety, correctional officers, inmates, and South Dakota taxpayers. It is a generational investment in public safety.

Why a New Prison Is Needed

The State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls was built 144 years ago, during a time when the region was still known as Dakota Territory. Today, it holds nearly double the number of inmates it was designed for, pushing the system beyond its breaking point. Overcrowding has made it challenging to manage violent offenders safely, strained correctional staff, and sidelined the rehabilitation programs that give inmates a chance to turn their lives around. This affects District 19 because offenders who should not be placed in a facility like Mike Durfee get sent there due to overcrowding, putting the correction officers and other inmates at risk. Every day of delay risked further violence, understaffing, and deteriorating conditions.

What This Means for Springfield and District 19

While the new prison will be built to replace the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls, its impact will be felt directly in Springfield. The Mike Durfee State Prison has faced its own overcrowding pressures as inmates have been shifted around the system. By building a larger, safer, more modern facility to house high-risk offenders, the state will relieve the burden on Springfield and ensure that Mike Durfee can operate more effectively. It will also allow for renovations to our facility that were not possible due to overcrowding.

For correctional officers in Springfield, this means safer conditions and less strain from overcrowding. For inmates, it means a better chance at rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and re-entry services. For the community, it ensures that Springfield continues to play a vital role in South Dakota corrections while also safeguarding the well-being of local families.

A Responsible, Balanced Investment

This project represents the most significant investment in public safety in South Dakota’s history — with a guaranteed maximum price of $650 million. And yes, it will cost money. But it is a wise investment for the safety of our people, communities, and state. The total cost is capped at $650 million, and unlike many large-scale projects, South Dakota will pay the entire amount in cash. For the past four years, the legislature has deliberately set aside funds for this moment, even creating the Incarceration Construction Fund to accrue interest and strengthen the state’s financial position, reducing the state’s overall cost. That foresight means there will be no borrowing, no debt, and no long-term burden on taxpayers.

Just as importantly, the project includes strong safeguards: the construction manager at risk assumes responsibility for any cost overruns, and every subcontract will be competitively rebid to ensure fair pricing. In short, this investment will not exceed $650 million, and it will deliver a safer, more effective correctional system that respects taxpayer dollars.

District 19 Leadership

As your District 19 legislators, we know that this vote is not just about bricks, mortar, and concrete. It’s about protecting families, respecting taxpayers, and ensuring that law enforcement, correctional officers, and inmates alike have the tools and environment needed for safety and rehabilitation.

For Springfield and District 19, the new prison means relief, safety, and stability. It is a generational investment into public safety and backing our local law enforcement agencies who said it’s time to move forward with a new prison system.

We BACK THE BLUE, and WE VOTED GREEN.

Respectfully Submitted,

Representative Jessica Bahmuller
Representative Drew Peterson
Senator Kyle Schoenfish