Photo Release: New South Dakota Delegation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) joined for the first photo in the 114th Congress of the new South Dakota delegation this morning in Washington, D.C. This Congress marks the first time since 1962 that South Dakota is represented by an all-Republican delegation.
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Noem is first to represent South Dakota on the Committee
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem was confirmed today as a member of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax, trade, and economic growth policies. Noem is the first South Dakota Member of Congress to serve on the Committee and will be one of only a few rural voices on Ways & Means this Congress.
“My family farm was impacted by the death tax, so I understand – in no uncertain terms – the heavy toll bad tax policies can take on hardworking South Dakotans,” said Noem. “As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I look forward to working on solutions that save South Dakota families from the burdensome taxes that have made it more difficult for many to live the American Dream.”
The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to begin tackling a number of issues this Congress, including tax simplification, expanding trade, patient-centered reforms to the healthcare system, and IRS accountability measures. Rep. Noem will serve on two of the Committee’s Subcommittees: Human Resources and Oversight.
“I’m confident that I can have the greatest impact for South Dakota by serving on the Ways and Means Committee this Congress,” said Noem. “We have an aggressive Committee agenda slated for the next two years, which includes critical South Dakota priorities, such as simplifying the tax code, expanding trade opportunities, and holding the IRS accountable. I’m optimistic that folks are ready to govern and prepared to take the tough votes necessary to move our country forward.”
The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the U.S. Congress and serves as the chief tax-writing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Committee also has jurisdiction over trade agreements and legislation, Social Security, Medicare, foster care programs, and unemployment compensation programs, among other things. For more information on committee jurisdiction, please click here.
“The Ways and Means Committee will take on numerous challenges during the 114th Congress, and Kristi Noem will play an important role as the Committee addresses important issues like reforming our broken tax code, implementing patient-centered health care reforms, and strengthening safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security,” said Rep. Paul Ryan, Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. “Kristi does an exceptional job representing the people of South Dakota and I know she’ll be an outstanding addition to the Ways and Means Committee in the next session of Congress.”
Noem was first elected to Congress in 2010. She previously served on the House Committees of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Education and Workforce, and Armed Services.
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The Mitchell newspaper had an interesting story on prostitution in the Bakken Oil Fields today, and specifically noted how many of these people were finding their short term companionship on backpage.com, an on-line website similar to craigslist, where people buy and sell things, and apparently each other.
In doing a google search about backpage, One of the first links was a web site devoted to ways to beat the law while using backpage.com, and it specifically cited the work that Congresswoman Noem is doing to combat “websites that knowingly run ads for sex with minors or coerced subjects to be charged with a federal crime.”
This info is to help you beat the police, not to scare you from using Backpage or escorts. Beating a police sting is easy, don’t believe the hype. I’ve added this update to show you how easy it is. Number 1 rule: once you find the girl that interest you, simply scroll back a few days… If she has an ad up for more than three days, she’s a real escort.
and…
A bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives which the Senate still must approve — allows websites that knowingly run ads for sex with minors or coerced subjects to be charged with a federal crime punishable by a fine and/or 5 years in prison.
The legislation is specifically intended to target the major classifieds website Backpage.com, a press release from South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem, a co-sponsor, said.
Read it here (Warning: It’s not something you want to open at work, and there’s a lot here you don’t want your kids reading. I did remove most of the links in the story excerpt.)
Congresswoman Noem’s legislation holding the websites hosting prostitution activity responsible for the ads certainly got the attention of the web site devoted to ‘beating backpage.com prostitution police stings.’
And that’s a good thing.
Because when you’re getting the bad guys’ attention, you must be doing something right.
A Typical Day
By Rep. Kristi Noem
January 2, 2015
One of the questions I get most often is: “What does a typical day look like for you?” It’s a good question, but one that I sometimes struggle to answer concisely, as every day is a little different.
When Congress is in session, I stay out in Washington, D.C. Like a handful of other Members of Congress, I have a pullout bed in my office so I don’t have to waste time getting through city traffic every day.
Throughout each day in session, we vote on a series of bills. Sometimes those bills will impact millions of people; other times, they impact only certain communities. Either way, I cast my vote in the way I believe best represents South Dakota’s values and interests. At the end of each vote, the vote tally will be displayed in the House chamber on equipment manufactured by Daktronics in Brookings, South Dakota, to let Members of Congress know if the bill passed or failed.
Placing votes only accounts for a small portion of my day, however. Most of my time is spent preparing for such decisions, educating myself on the issues I’ll be weighing in on, and helping write the legislation that we vote on.
During the early morning hours, I usually try to catch up on any news that happened overnight and prepare for the meetings I’ll have that day. Some mornings, I’ll join my colleagues to meet with House leadership so we can weigh in on what policy areas we believe should be pursued in the weeks to come. We’ll also discuss reservations folks have about pending legislation and how those concerns can be addressed.
Throughout the week, congressional hearings or briefings are scheduled where I can collect information to help inform future legislative action or oversee the implementation of previously passed bills. We will bring in witnesses – who may be members of the administration, private stakeholders, or experts in the area – to give testimony and answer any questions Members of Congress may have. This is always a good time for me to hold the administration accountable for their actions and assess what changes should be made to ensure government programs work better for hardworking Americans.
For me, the best part of every day is the meetings I hold with South Dakotans. Most weeks, I meet one-on-one with dozens of constituents to listen to their concerns and calls to action. These meetings – along with the perspectives shared with my office over the phone and in writing – play a tremendous role in the decisions I make.
About once a week, I spend time with reporters, offering them updates on my work and allowing them to question me on the actions I’ve taken. I firmly believe it’s my responsibility to share with you what I work on from week-to-week and this is one way that I accomplish that.
In the evenings, I finish up letters and emails to South Dakotans who write in with questions or feedback. It’s also my time to reflect on what ideas I can bring to the table and the kind of fixes needed to address the problems our nation faces.
When Congress isn’t in session, I head back to South Dakota where I hold meetings with constituents, visit local businesses and schools, and try to make it to at least a few of my kids’ basketball games.
I understand that I’ve been placed in this position to serve the people of South Dakota and I have never forgotten that. This week, I will take an oath of office to launch a third term as South Dakota’s representative in the House. It’s a responsibility I do not take lightly and one that I spend every day trying to fulfill.
It’s been an honor and privilege serving you the last four years and I wholeheartedly look forward to serving you again this year.
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From my mailbox comes Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s New Years’ Message to constituents:
Less than 24 hours before we close the curtain on 2014 — another great year!
This year, we celebrated many important victories and milestones together: the Farm Bill was passed, my Black Hills Cemetery Act became law, spending was rolled back to 2005 levels, and a November victory set us on an even brighter path for 2015. I’m so touched by your friendship, your support, and all your encouragement and kind words along the way. It’s an honor to serve you in Congress, and I look forward to continuing my service in the New Year!
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank you for making 2014 such a great year for us.
Have a safe and happy New Year!
-Kristi
