Category: Uncategorized

Lowering Health Care Costs
By Sen. John Thune

Whether it’s a trip to the pharmacy or a hospital stay, accessing health care can be complicated and costly. And that is especially true for rural South Dakota, where even getting to a health care provider can be challenging. Republicans are committed to making health care more affordable and accessible, which is why we’ve taken up a number of measures to lower costs and increase access to care, especially in rural communities.

Republicans kicked off this year by taking concrete action to drive down costs at the pharmacy counter, which complements efforts by the Trump administration to lower the cost of prescriptions. We passed a new law removing incentives for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to promote higher-priced medications and to ensure that if a PBM gets a discount or rebate from a drugmaker, those savings are incorporated into the health plans that Americans rely on. These reforms not only benefit patients, they protect South Dakota’s independent and community pharmacies by providing greater transparency, standardizing contract terms, and prohibiting PBMs from charging health plans more for a prescription drug than they reimburse the pharmacy.

We’ve also taken action to support access to health care at home. In the same bill, we extended telehealth waivers that are a critical lifeline for patients living far from health care providers, and we made it easier for patients to get in-home care, including by supporting family members who act as caregivers.

In our Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, Republicans made a generational investment in rural health care. The Rural Health Transformation Program gives states the resources and freedom to find solutions to their individual rural health challenges and to find sustainable ways of ensuring access to health care in rural communities going forward. South Dakota is receiving a significant amount of funding through this program, which will go toward a number of priorities, from strengthening the rural health care workforce to bolstering maternal care and emergency services in rural South Dakota.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also took aim at a Biden-era rule that would have imposed a one-size-fits-all staffing mandate that threatened the viability of nursing homes in rural communities. This rule was unworkable for many nursing homes in our state that simply could not find or afford to hire the number of health care professionals needed to meet the rule’s unfunded mandate. Some nursing homes would have had to shut their doors if Republicans had not blocked this regulation. With this mandate repealed and support from the Rural Health Transformation Program, Republicans have put rural health care on a better footing going forward.

It’s important that South Dakotans not only have access to quality care, but that they be able to afford that care as well. And thanks to Republicans’ efforts, folks in rural areas will have more dependable access to care, and costs will be more manageable.

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Security to Weather the Storm
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
March 6, 2026

About a week ago, I went to sleep on Friday night as a peacetime Governor, then woke up Saturday morning as Governor at a time of war. While we slept, President Donald J. Trump’s Operation Epic Fury struck a decisive blow against state-sponsored terrorism in Iran. This mission decimated the Iranian government and killed the Ayatollah – his reign of terror and tyranny finally came to an end.

When actions like this happen on the international level, they impact us here at home. South Dakota’s own Ellsworth Air Force Base played a key role in Operation Epic Fury, and we thank the brave men and women who spent long hours flying our military ordnance to deliver a crippling blow to our adversary.

This moment carries a great deal of gravity, and it deserves careful thought and discernment. It is the honor of my life to serve as Commander in Chief of our National Guard. When the nation enters a conflict, therein lies the potential that our Guardsmen will be called up to active duty. So, I received a briefing from the Adjutant General of our South Dakota National Guard on the situation in Iran and how it could potentially impact our Guard.

This situation also brings emerging threats. There’s a heightened risk of cyber attacks or other nefarious activity from malicious actors. Keeping South Dakotans safe is my number one priority, so I am working with my Department of Public Safety and our National Guard to coordinate with our military, law enforcement, and intelligence partners to identify and monitor any emerging threats.

Last year, I established the Governor’s Resilient Infrastructure Task Force (GRIT) to protect against potential threats to our infrastructure, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities. And GRIT got a bill to enhance our state’s cybersecurity support to my desk – I was proud to sign it.

National Security should be something that each of us takes seriously. Earlier this year in my State of the State Address, I declared that National Security would be South Dakota’s “Next Big Industry,” and we’re delivering on that commitment. From the new B-21 Raider that is soon coming to Ellsworth to our emerging cybersecurity program at Dakota State University, we have a lot to hang our hat on in national security. We’re an ag state, meaning we grow the world’s food — and food security is a matter of national security. Our energy industry continues to grow, and continuing to support that growth is a matter of national security.

By coordinating between all of these strengths and advancing them where necessary, we will expand South Dakota’s role in our nation’s security and guarantee that our state – and the 49 others – remain strong, safe, and free.

Every day, I am honored to serve as your Governor. That honor carries extra significance and weight at a time such as this, and I pledge to live up to the responsibility at all times – especially during this conflict. God bless America.

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American Protection
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
March 6, 2026 

BIG Update

This week, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, with a bipartisan 34-17 vote. I’ve met with ag producers across South Dakota and they all agree – we need a Farm Bill.

This Farm Bill invests in rural America and provides needed certainty for producers by building on the work completed in the Working Families Tax Cuts. These investments in American agriculture strengthen communities, secure our food supply chains, and put our producers first.

I’m proud that many of my priorities to strengthen American agriculture were included in this legislation to help out producers in South Dakota and across America.

Click here or the image above to watch Johnson’s remarks

BIG Idea

The Chinese Communist Party has been flooding the United States with illegal and unregulated e-cigarettes and vapes marketed to children using candy flavored cartridges, toy-like designs, and packaging styled after fashion accessories. These products pose serious health and national security risks for our country. In the final months of 2025, these illegal exports from China continued to increase to the U.S., surpassing $10 billion in value.

I’ve been bringing these vapes to the attention of the Administration and this week, I joined 71 House members asking the appropriate agencies to urge China to stop these vape exports in their trade discussions. I’m grateful for the work of Customs and Border Patrol, who intercept these shipments, but there is more work to do.

Click here or the image above to read more

BIG News

For decades, the Iranian regime has bullied America and our allies, killing thousands of innocent people and Americans. Iran’s nuclear ambitions are extremely concerning and President Trump gave Iran multiple opportunities to stop those ambitions and terror. Iran refused.

I was briefed on Operation Epic Fury this week and look forward to continued updates from the Administration. I’m praying for the safety of our men and women in uniform across the globe, and I’m especially proud of South Dakota’s own B-1 bombers who played an important role in the operation.

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I bought this giant 6 inch pin for the South Dakota Delegation for the 1984 GOP National Convention the other day, not because I needed it (I already have one or two running around), but when I saw it on eBay, it was #1, cheap, and #2 the only one I’ve ever seen that was signed by many of the delegates.  And I needed that early Lee Schoenbeck signature.

The signatures are a snapshot of the delegates attending who nominated Ronald Reagan to be our candidate, and there are a lot of names you might recognize.

As mentioned, Lee Schoenbeck signed, and the Unruh’s were there as well. So was Murdo’s Dave Geisler, Jim Bolin, Mike Assman, State Representative Walter Zabel, Senator Larry Pressler as well as State GOP Chair Dan Parish who wasn’t so much a Larry fan.

A number of other names I recognize, including long time carriers of water for the elephant Joanie Johnson & Bill Johnson. If you’re not familiar, you’ve probably heard of their grandson.

He might be our next Governor.

From x.com, (f.k.a. Twitter, of course)

Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and @SecWar are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and…

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 5, 2026

Full Post:

Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.  @SecRubio and @SecWar are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.

The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.

We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard.

From KELOland News, the former 32-year Democrat in charge of the SDGOP, Jim Eschenbaum, has managed to insert himself into the conversation around former Governor Noem’s departure from the Department of Homeland Security:

South Dakota GOP Chairman Jim Eschenbaum sent KELOLAND News a statement.

“I really don’t know for sure why President Trump removed Secretary Noem, but I fully trust his judgment. I’m sure President Trump will tell her where to go next,” Eschenbaum said in an email to KELOLAND News.

Read that here.

Um.. I’m not sure how that helped raise money or elect Republicans today.

Which means that the SDGOP is staying the course of doing neither.

Via Twitter:

Kristi is a dear friend and the toughest person I know. When she shut down the border in record time, others were shocked, but I wasn’t — I knew what she was capable of. She’ll deliver in her next role just as capably. I thank her for everything she’s done to keep South Dakota —…

— Governor Larry Rhoden (@GovLarryRhoden) March 5, 2026

From Twitter, the news appears to be that former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is out at Homeland Security:

More information on the story relating to Secretary Noem’s next steps are available at FoxNews.com.

Farm Bill Passes Ag Committee with Johnson’s Support

 Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the Farm Bill, with a bipartisan 34-17 vote. U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to pass the Farm Bill which contains dozens of Johnson’s priorities that support farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across America.

“I’ve met with ag producers across South Dakota and they all agree – we need a Farm Bill. I agree, and that’s why I’m proud to have worked with Chairman Thompson to finalize this legislation,” said Johnson. “This Farm Bill invests in rural America and provides needed certainty for producers by building on the work completed in the Working Families Tax Cuts. These investments in American agriculture strengthen communities, secure our food supply chains, and put our producers first.”

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s opening remarks

Johnson’s bills included in the Farm Bill:

• The SAFETY Act to safeguard American exports from unfair trade practices.
• The Butcher Block Act to assist with new and expanding livestock and meat processors.
• The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act to provide funding and technical support for water infrastructure in rural communities.
• The Healthy Dog Importation Act to ensure dogs imported into the U.S. are in good health and have received proper vaccines and medical treatment.
• The A-Plus Act to increase investments in small meat packers.
• The ACES Act to add agricultural cooperatives with fewer than 2,500 employees as qualified entities under the Rural Energy for America Program.
• The Increased TSP (Technical Service Providers) Access Act to improve and expand the certification and participation process for Technical Service Providers under United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.
• Transfer Food for Peace from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to USDA, as seen in H.R. 1207.
• The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act to improve nutrition and increase access to dairy products for low-income populations.
• The CAREERS Act to strengthen workforce development and career education programs.
• The Save Our Bacon Act to block California’s Proposition 12 requirements on producers.

Johnson’s crop and conservation priorities included in the Farm Bill:

• Provides long-term investments in working lands conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
• Johnson’s amendment to clarify that tech-neutral modernization is eligible for fencing repair or replacement under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

 

Johnson’s rural development priorities included in the Farm Bill:

• Updates and modernizes USDA broadband programs, providing faster buildout speeds and strengthening connectivity to rural communities.
• Codifies the Circuit Rider Program, which provides technical assistance for rural water systems.
• Broadens the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program to support new investments in food infrastructure for a more resilient and diverse U.S. food supply chain.
• Reauthorizes the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program and permits awardees to provide other forms of collateral to secure loans.

Johnson’s other agricultural priorities included in the Farm Bill:

• Johnson’s amendment to strengthen Tribal 1994 Land Grant Institutions by expanding their ability to acquire land, modernize facilities, and invest in equipment to support ag research and extension.
• Reauthorizes the New Beginnings for Tribal Students Program and removes the cap on funding each state can receive.
• Reauthorizes the Sun Grant Program, expands the scope to include bioproducts, and allows universities to better utilize grant funding.
• Reauthorizes the Wood Innovation Grant Program, reduces the non-Federal match, and authorizes grants for hauling materials to locations that can utilize it.
• Directs additional resources toward livestock and poultry disease preparedness, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.
• More than doubles authorization funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, enabling better market access and trade promotion.
• Reforms reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to ensure accuracy and transparency of data on farmland owned by foreign persons.
• Allows the Secretary to enter into self-determination contracts with Tribes to operate SNAP, consistent with the SNAP Tribal Food Sovereignty Act.

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WEEKLY ROUND[S] UP: February 23-March 1, 2026

Welcome back to the Weekly Round[s] Up. This past week, I attended President Trump’s State of the Union address. The president gave a great message to the American people. I look forward to working with him and my Senate colleagues to continue providing Americans with real results. Our nation is safer, our economy is stronger and our military is the most powerful in the world. We will continue to build on these successes for an even brighter future for America.

In addition, this past weekend, President Trump took decisive action in Iran following weeks of unproductive conversations surrounding their nuclear program, as well as their short and mid-range ballistic missiles. President Trump has taken the right course of action in beginning to eliminate the Iranian regime’s defensive and offensive capabilities. We should be thankful for our men and women in uniform and their ability to project power that keeps our borders safe. We will do everything we can to make sure they are the best led, the best trained and the best equipped fighting force on earth. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers, especially the families of the brave soldiers who have lost their lives in this operation.  More on this and the rest of my week in the Weekly Round[s] Up:

South Dakota groups I visited with: Leaders from Heartland Energy; South Dakotans from Northern Plains Joint Venture Partnership; Marty Pennock, Adjutant DAV Department of South Dakota / Disabled American Veterans; South Dakota State Medical Association; South Dakota State University’s National Institutes for Water Resources and Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching; Michael and Wanda Irwin with M&W Towing; South Dakotans with the Wounded Warrior Project; South Dakota members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; the South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; and South Dakota Grasslands Initiative.

Met with South Dakotans from: Madison, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Wentworth, and Winner.

Other meetings: Sahrawi Negotiating Team; Mike Gitlin, CEO of Capital Group; Blake Lawit, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at LinkedIn; Michelle Bowman, Vice Chair of Supervision of the Federal Reserve;  Doug Worman, CEO of CAN Financial Corporation; Robin Vince, CEO of BNY; and Bruce Van Saun, CEO of Citizens Bank.

Hearings: On Thursday I went to a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, you can watch that here. I also attended a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing which you can watch here.

Briefings: I attended two classified briefings: one with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the other with the Strategic Forces subcommittee.

Votes taken: 5 – This week I voted yea on five items including Ryan McCormack, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy and John DeLeeuw, of Texas, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for the remainder of the term. As well as the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill which failed. 

My Staff in South Dakota visited: Onida and Platte.

Steps taken: 60,785 steps or 28.38 miles.

Video of the Week: On Sunday afternoon I went on Fox News to discuss the strikes in Iran over the weekend. Click here to watch.