Mad Dash to November
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
September 30, 2022
Congress had a pretty busy week in Washington, D.C. – here’s a recap.
Today, the House voted on the Continuing Resolution to fund the government for the next several weeks. While permitting restrictions and funding for monkeypox and COVID were stripped out – there was too much pork in this bill – I voted no.
My bill, the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act passed the House 296-127. This bill would give South Dakota the opportunity to purchase the land at the Gilt Edge Mine so cleanup can continue. The current ownership consists of a patchwork of local, state, and federal governments, making it difficult to complete a cleanup. You can watch my floor remarks here.
This week, I introduced a bill to improve safety and increase law enforcement resources on reservations across America. The Tribal Capital for Operations Promoting Safety (COPS) Act would increase capabilities of tribal law enforcement agencies through recruitment and retention incentives, additional trainings, and equipment procurement.
A shocking 77% of teen overdose deaths in 2021 were caused by fentanyl. On Wednesday, I cosponsored the Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act, led by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), to allow schools flexibility to use remaining COVID relief dollars to purchase overdose prevention drugs and resources for life-saving trainings for faculty, staff, and students.
Additionally, I joined 50 of my colleagues in asking the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to review how China’s purchase of land near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota could be a national security threat. I am leading legislation to prohibit China’s purchase of America’s agricultural land and ag businesses. Food security is national security.
In between all of this, I met with organizations, tribes, and constituents, led a capitol tour for guests, and voted on close to 50 bills in just three days. It is common for people to think we don’t do much in Washington, D.C., but it is usually busier than it seems, especially since House members are heading back to their districts until November.
I was disappointed – but not surprised – when House leadership punted a vote on a congressional stock trading ban once again. Members have no business trading stocks and our constituents agree. If Democrat leadership can’t get this done, I’m dedicated to working with Republican leadership and members on both sides to pass the Trust in Congress Act in January.
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Well, it looks like Dusty is actually using common sense by voting NO on the continuation bill… thank you for saying No to the madness, Dusty. As for the bill banning China from purchasing our land, businesses, and ANY PROPERTY IN THE US, I commend you for making this is a PRIORITY. Please remove the component in the bill that allows the President to override the ban- have any of you noticed who owns the current pResident in the WH? China. So remove the option for a President to make exceptions for China and ban the purchase of any business, property or land in the US from any person with citizenship in China or dual citizenship (China supposedly doesn’t allow dual citizenship but they do when it benefits them), as well as any 3rd party connected to China- Thai includes business that are controlled by China and simply use a shell company to hide who they are. Lastly, you must include eminent domain for all land, property & businesses currently owned by China. Just because Congress failed to protect US citizens from China doesn’t mean you have to continue failing us and allow them to keep what they already purchased. It is a National Security Threat so, please, do your job and close ALL the loopholes and take back our sovereignty by removing China’s ownership, direct or indirect, within our country. Please do this stat. It’s time for Republicans to be leaders, not pushovers, and get things done on behalf of Americans. Thank you, Dusty, for making this a priority. We look forward to hearing about the completion of the actions above. Walk the walk, stand up for America and STOP SPENDING AND STOP FOREIGN AID- ALL OF IT. Thank you.