Category: Uncategorized

In the middle of legislative proceedings, again, Senators Pischke and Frye-Mueller attempted a nutty motion to convene a committee on discipline and expulsion to attack Senator Lee Schoenbeck for “Disparaging comments,” again, as part of the investigation of JFM for her creepy comments to a legislative employee.

Predictably, it died for lack of a second. Again.

I have the feeling those two chuckleheads are not going to be invited back to caucus anytime soon.

After a short in-state work period back home in South Dakota, we hit the ground running in Washington as we prepared for our next five weeks in session. Now that our Capitol and Senate office buildings are back open, we’re seeing pre-pandemic levels of visitors in DC. And let me tell you – it is good to have regular South Dakotans here advocating on behalf of issues that affect South Dakota. I had lots of South Dakotans in my office this week, talking about everything from veterans to rural energy to radio and TV broadcasting. We also snuck in a couple hearings, classified briefings and speaking engagements, as well. Here’s my Weekly Round[s] Up:

South Dakota groups I visited with: Members of the South Dakota American Legion, Missouri River Energy Services, South Dakota’s Disabled American Veterans chapter, South Dakota’s NASA Space Grant Consortium and NASA EPSCoR Program, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Ryman LeBeau, South Dakota Broadcasters Association, South Dakota Department of Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt and the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol.

Meetings this past week: Gen. Paul Nakasone, Commander of US Cyber Command. I also spoke at the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals Convention, as well as the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Task Force.

I attended our weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast. Former South Dakota Senator Larry Pressler was our speaker this week. While our prayer breakfast is mainly comprised of current members of the United States Senate, we also keep the door open for former members of the upper chamber as well.

Met with South Dakotans from: Aberdeen, Beresford, Blackhawk, Brookings, Chamberlain, Chester, Dell Rapids, Eagle Butte, Garretson, Gregory, Milbank, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Vermillion, Watertown and Yankton.

Topics discussed: Opportunities for partnership between tribes in South Dakota and the federal government, artificial intelligence’s impact on the broadcast journalism industry and the ways Congress can help South Dakota’s veterans.

Legislation introduced: A bipartisan group of my colleagues and I introduced the DAIRY PRIDE Act this past week, a piece of legislation that would combat the unfair practice of misleading labeling of non-dairy products using dairy names. You can read more about that here.

I also introduced bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to assisted living services. The Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act would create a pilot program for eligible veterans to receive assisted living care paid for by the VA. You can read more about that here.

Votes taken: 15 – most notably was our vote on Wednesday to eliminate a rule that would encourage fiduciaries of retirement investment plans to consider environmental, social and governance factors when making investment decisions. I voted to repeal this rule.

Hearings: I had four hearings: One was in the Banking committee, titled “Advancing National Security and Foreign Policy Through Sanctions, Export Controls, and Other Economic Tools.” I had the opportunity to ask the witnesses about the threat of foreign ownership of American farmland and the need for my bipartisan legislation the PASS Act. You can watch a clip of that here.

I also had a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Ukraine, as well as two hearings in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Classified briefings: I had two classified briefings: Our bi-weekly cyber education briefing and a Senate Armed Services Committee briefing.

My staff in South Dakota visited: Aberdeen, Fort Pierre, Kadoka, Mitchell, Piedmont, Rapid City and Wall.

Steps taken this week: 56,891 steps or 25.87 miles.

In their last weeks’ newsletter, the South Dakota Republican Party announced 2 upcoming trainings from the Leadership Institute to identify, train and mentor conservative women who want to learn leadership skills, or are considering running for public office:

Are you a Republican woman who has an interest in campaigns or in running for office in your community at some point in the future? The SDGOP is here to develop future leaders, whether you want to run for School Board or be the next Governor Kristi Noem!

Coming up in 2 weeks and hosted by the South Dakota Republican Party, The Women Leaders Series (WLS) is a forum designed to identify, train, mentor, and connect conservative women who are: already community leaders; want to learn leadership skills; or running for public office; or considering running for public office.

We will learn from experts: 

• How to develop a Winning Message
• Keys to effective Fundraising
• Expanding your reach on Social Media.

Two opportunities will be available for women across South Dakota to attend. The first event will be held on Friday, March 17th at the Alex Johnson Hotel in Rapid City from 9:00 AM to Noon. The second in the series will be held on Saturday, March 18th at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance building at 1600 W. Russell St. in Sioux Falls. (9-Noon) There will be a $10 fee for each. Pre-registration is encouraged

Classes will be taught by Emily Kertz Lampkin, a seasoned campaign professional and public affairs specialist focusing on strategic communications and issue management. With more than 15 years of experience providing strategic guidance to executives at the highest levels of government and private industry, Lampkin brings a wealth of experience in issue advocacy, grassroots and national politics, project management and communications.

Pre-registration links are available on the party’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SDGOP 

I’d encourage anyone interested to click on the appropriate link (Rapid City or Sioux Falls), and sign up. Leadership Institute does a nice overview of what it takes to run, and provides a background if you’re thinking of being involved in a campaign.

 PIERRE, S.D. – Yesterday, Governor Noem signed the following 19 bills into law:

• SB 20 authorizes the awarding of deobligated grants in accordance with policies of the Board of Water and Natural Resources;
• SB 46 enhances the penalty for petition circulation perjury;
• SB 48 enhances the penalty for attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer;
• SB 52 updates certain provisions regarding the Department of Corrections and the authority of the Secretary of Corrections;
• SB 62 amends provisions regarding delivery of electronic insurance documents;
• SB 102 requires the continued maintenance of the official list of candidates prior to an election;
• SB 143 raises the revenue threshold for a required audit of a water development district;
• SB 147 changes provisions regarding the appointment of legislators to represent South Dakota in the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement;
• SB 179 revises provisions related to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority;
• SB 188 adds a provision related to the use of a designated refrigerant;
• SB 200 authorizes participation in contracts by certain board members and employees of water districts;
• HB 1029 revises certain provisions regarding the county zoning and appeals process;
• HB 1112 modifies provisions for a statewide runoff election;
• HB 1121 expands the definition of a pesticide dealer;
• HB 1132 revises provisions regarding the duties of the medical marijuana oversight committee;
• HB 1147 provides for the organization of townships or fractions of townships;
• HB 1150 provides a medical cannabis patient a registry identification card fee waiver in certain circumstances;
• HB 1158 bans counterfeit airbags; and,
• HB 1210 modifies the use of conservation district special revenue fund monies and provides an appropriation therefor.

Governor Noem has signed 97 bills into law and vetoed 1 this legislative session.

###

Senate Bill 168 to keep convicted violent rapist offenders out of the classroom sailed through both the State House and Senate this session, despite the objections of a couple of legislators who apparently were challenged in keeping rapists away from a pool of potential victims:

The bill was inspired by a situation in Newell, South Dakota. Sen. Ryan Maher, R-Isabel, who represents the area, told lawmakers that a 19-year-old who had been twice convicted of second-degree forcible rape was sitting in a classroom at Newell High School.

and..

The student is in the classroom now,” said Jason Glodt, a lobbyist representing South Dakotans Protecting Students.

and..

Some parents had already pulled their students from the school district, and Johnson had to counsel his two daughters ages 14 and 17 that if they were ever confronted by a sexual predator that they “should fight like hell.”

“A violent rapist should not be in our schools,” he said.

Read the story here at Dakota Scout.

In Senate Education Committee, Senator Tom Pischke cast the only vote against the bill and in favor of rapist rights, expressing concern over the constitutionality of the measure. However, when the bill reached the Senate Floor, Pischke flip/flopped and cast a no vote.

Yesterday on the House floor, the bill almost passed unanimously for those present.. except for Freedumb Caucus Vice-Chairman Tony Randolph, who cast a lone No vote on the House Floor on taking a 19-year-old man who had been twice convicted of second-degree forcible rape out of a school building with 14 year olds girls.

It is shocking that 2 Republican legislators would ignore several planks in the Republican platform with regards to providing a wholesome educational setting (4.2), protecting the public (7.1), and providing citizens with a crime-free environment (7.2).

Not to mention that they would vote to keep a violent rapist in a classroom with kids.

Today in the Senate, Senators Pischke and Frye-Mueller attempted a nutty motion to convene a committee on discipline and expulsion to attack Senator Lee Schoenbeck for “Disparaging comments,” probably referring back to the whole investigation of JFM for her creepy comments to a legislative employee.

Obviously, the Senate saw through the stupidity more quickly than it took to write the motion.

Lt. Governor Rhoden asked for a second on the motion..  And asked again.  To utter silence.

And faster than it arrived, the motion died for lack of a second.

Are we done now?

From Twitter:

Last week, Greg Belfrage’s callers were clear: they want to eliminate the grocery tax.

Today, Greg and I talked about how legislators can make it happen. https://t.co/qn1P5uJ60N

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) March 6, 2023

I think I am dumber for having read the latest release from the three or four House members who make up the House Freedumb Caucus. Because it is a rant that has keeps relying on points that have already been rebutted by the Hughes County State’s Attorney, and the Attorney General himself as not holding any sway over the legislature:

Contact: Rep. Tina Mulally
Telephone: 605-415-9796
E-mail: media@sdfreedomcaucus.com

Freedom Caucus Issues Statement on Expulsion of Sen. Tom Pischke from Republican Caucus

Pierre, S.D. (March 6, 2023) – Two weeks ago on Friday, February 24, Senator Tom Pischke of Dell Rapids was removed from the Senate Republican Caucus after holding a press conference that Thursday and the next day submitting affidavits to the Hughes County Court to press criminal charges against fellow Senators for preventing Senator Frye-Mueller from meeting, a class 4 felony under SDCL § 2-4-6, and her ability to vote, a class 1 misdemeanor under SDCL § 2-4-7.

Today, in response to these events, the South Dakota Freedom Caucus issued the following statement:

The South Dakota Freedom Caucus denounces the recent efforts by the Senate Republican Caucus to silence and intimidate Republican Senator Pischke by expelling him from the Republican Caucus for exercising his freedom of speech and his right to file criminal charges.

We believe that Senator Pischke has an inherent and explicit right to “freely speak, write and publish on all subjects,” as is stated in our sacred South Dakota Constitution, under Article 6 § 5. The Legislature, and our government as a whole, is here to protect such rights, not to impede the exercise of them, as SD Const. Art. 6 § 1 states, “to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Further, it is not for the Legislature, or any of its members or bodies, to interfere in the judicial process in determining the legal validity or invalidity of such criminal charges, or to make such determinations themselves, as such “judicial power of the state is vested in a unified judicial system,” or our courts, as stated in SD Const. Art. 5 § 1. Any such argument that such judicial power would extend beyond the judgment of the “qualifications of its own members” is a perversion of SD Const. Art. 3 § 9, and would in effect render the legislative branch to be immune from its own laws and the influence of the judicial branch, thereby rendering such checks and balances without meaning or effect.

These principles are embodied in both our national and state Republican Party Platforms, and should be respected and adhered to.

Such interference as is seen is akin to criminals intimidating their victims to stay silent after they’ve been abused and is unbecoming of the esteemed and honored body of the South Dakota Senate.

The decision to pursue criminal prosecution or not is solely within the hands of the judicial branch, and such interference in this process is a clear violation of the separation of powers that our forefathers that founded our great state and country wisely prohibited, in order to prevent the influence popular passions at the time may have over such impartial and unbiased decisions that must be made for the sake of justice to be served.

That is why we, as the South Dakota Freedom Caucus, implore the Senate Republican Caucus to cease and desist in such actions.

###

What’s this “we” part when they refer to themselves? Does Tina have a mouse in her pocket?  … Er, I probably shouldn’t assume she doesn’t.

And the part where they claim that Sen. Pischke being asked to not have lunch with the people he’s accusing is  “akin to criminals intimidating their victims to stay silent after they’ve been abused.”  Give me a break, trying to portray Tom Pischke a victim.

Because isn’t “intimidating their victims to stay silent after they’ve been abused” the very thing that the Freedumb Caucus is doing by disputing the Frye-Mueller scandal? Isn’t that trying to intimidate the legislative employee that Frye-Mueller harassed?  33 people in the Senate confirmed the harassment happened and voted to censure the bad lactation mentor, Senator Frye-Mueller.  They don’t get to make it evaporated milk because they don’t want to acknowledge it. 

One Senator noted to me, caucus is a privilege, not a right.  So, if the Freedumb Caucus decided they wanted to expel their own members they could, just like the Republican Senate Caucus has that exact same ability to do so when one of their members acts like an idiot, holds a press conference, and demands that 27 of his colleagues be arrested.

It would be nice if we could get through the final week of the session without hearing any more about JFM or her defender(s).  But that would not appear to be the case.

President Biden and Democrats’ reckless spending knows no bounds. In August, President Biden announced his nearly trillion-dollar student loan bailout. His plan has two parts: canceling up to $10,000 in federal student debt ($20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) and revamping the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) program. These proposals do nothing to address the root cause of soaring college costs, but the price tag threatens to drive up inflation for all Americans and could lead to higher college costs.

The president claims mass debt forgiveness is warranted to make borrowers whole after the pandemic. The reality is that Americans with college degrees have fared well recently, experiencing employment and wage growth, and borrowers with federal student loans haven’t had to pay a nickel in three years. Now the president wants American taxpayers to foot the bill for a misguided bailout that simply transfers student debt from those who voluntarily took on the debt to the backs of taxpayers, including those who didn’t go to college, already paid off student loans, or scrimped and saved to put themselves or their kids through school. On top of that, he envisions transforming the IDR program from a program designed to help borrowers pay back their loans based on their income into another form of loan forgiveness with the average borrower paying back only 50 percent of their total loan.

No one disputes that a college education is valuable and a good investment for many Americans. But it’s an investment and it should be treated as one. While some Americans may choose to invest in a college degree, others may choose to seek another professional credential or learn a trade. These Americans shouldn’t be forced to pay for the decisions of others who choose higher education, take out student loans, and agree to pay those loans back.

Recognizing that college is costly and many young professionals have loans to pay back, there are things we can do to help pay off loans without putting taxpayers on the hook. My bipartisan Employer Participation in Repayment Act became law in 2020 and has been extended through 2025. It allows employers to make tax-free payments toward their employees’ student loans. It’s a win-win: Employees get help paying off their loans and employers have another option to attract and retain talented workers. It’s no silver bullet, but it helps ease the burden of student debt without transferring it to taxpayers.

President Biden’s student loan bailout is costly, unfair, and shortsighted. The president is putting taxpayers on the hook for a nearly trillion-dollar giveaway to college-educated Americans who are often better off than many of the Americans who would shoulder the burden of their debts under the president’s plan. There are actions we can take to ease the burden of college costs without needlessly spending taxpayer dollars. This is another disastrous economic plan from the Biden administration and American taxpayers will pay its true cost.

###

Too many Americans view the Chinese Communist Party as a threat over there, when in reality it is a threat here.

This week, the Select Committee on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held our first hearing on the CCP’s threat to America. Witnesses with a vast background of knowledge on China were invited to share their thoughts and concerns with the current political landscape and China’s techno-totalitarian regime imposed on its own people.

My line of questioning focused on the CCP’s interest in American agriculture but was rooted in drawing light to the CCP’s bigger strategy of growing its ownership of food production and processing across the globe. In recent years, the CCP has increased its holdings of farmland outside of China by one thousand percent. Their influence in the global economy is growing quickly enough that countries in Africa view the CCP as a global leader instead of America.

The CCP is looking to expand their power however and wherever necessary. It is clear buying farmland and ag processing facilities is one of those ways, but this is only one part of their grand strategy. One of the witnesses, Mr. Pottinger who served as the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor under President Trump, confirmed that.

Pottinger stated “Beijing is exporting all the tools that you would need to run a totalitarian system.” I participated in the Select Committee on the CCP’s press conference honoring the Hong Kong 47 who spoke out for free speech and free press in China. These individuals were charged by the CCP two years ago and many still sit in prison today. The Chinese people are the ones struggling the most under the CCP’s regime. They know the severity of the CCP better than anyone else. Both the press conference and the hearing featured witnesses that have lived in China and have experienced the oppression at the hand of their government.

The first hearing displayed a strong bipartisan interest in opposing the CCP’s influence over America and globally. I’m glad we have a strong united front in protecting our country from the very real and present threat posed by the CCP.

Click here or on the video above to watch Johnson’s full line of questioning

###