From the Hill:
The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), putting her at the center of an administration focused heavily on immigration.
The 59-34 vote to confirm Noem capped off a relatively smooth process even as other nominees face more intense scrutiny.
The Sanctity of Life
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
January 24, 2025
BIG Update
Every year, thousands of babies are born alive after a failed attempted abortion, however, they don’t all receive care they need to survive. It’s truly tragic. This week, I voted to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to require health care practitioners who are present preserve the life and health of the child born. Every child deserves a chance at life.
I recently earned an A+ rating by Susan B. Anthony’s Pro-Life Scorecard for my votes and actions last Congress.
BIG Idea
For nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has consisted of nine justices, but in recent years, the left has pushed for packing the court to add liberal justices under a Democrat president. I reintroduced my bill, “Keep the Nine,” which would amend the Constitution to state that only nine justices are to serve on the Supreme Court.
I’ve introduced this bill every Congress, and I hope that with a GOP trifecta we can get it done to protect the Supreme Court from being used as a tool in political fights. The Supreme Court is an essential part of America’s checks and balances. It must not be abused.
Click here or the image above for Johnson’s interview on Newsmax for Keep the Nine
BIG News
My bill, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the House. This is a big deal. More than 10,000 bills are introduced each Congress, and only a few hundred receive a vote on the House floor. This is an incredible accomplishment. My bill passed with unanimous support.
I’m grateful for the help of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to craft this legislation. The bill would preserve a section of the land where hundreds of Lakota Indians were massacred by the U.S. Army. America isn’t perfect, and I’ll admit we’ve made some mistakes. The Wounded Knee bill seeks to right one of those wrongs by protecting the sanctity of this land to remember the lives lost.
I’m hopeful the Senate will consider this legislation soon.
Click here or the image above for Johnson’s remarks
South Dakota’s Grit and Hospitality
By: Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden
January 24, 2025
In 1925, a group of leaders had a vision. They wanted to create something in South Dakota so grand it would draw visitors from all over the world. And they were successful! This year, we celebrate 100 years of the establishment of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, an attraction so grand it brings millions of visitors to our state each year
But people don’t just visit South Dakota for our Shrine of Democracy. They come back because of our people. Our South Dakota spirit helps them make a connection with our people, and our natural beauty satisfies their want for adventure and exploration.
South Dakota’s tourism industry is a big reason why we have been so successful, and 2024 was a big year for tourism! We once again broke the record for most new visitors to our state: 14.9 million. In fact, we broke this record every year but one since Kristi Noem has been our governor, which is a testament to her leadership and ability to tell South Dakota’s story.
Those visitors spread out to all corners of our great state. 8.7 million people hiked, biked, camped, and enjoyed our great parks system, 11% more than the year before. And 3.8 million travelers explored a National Park.
These visitors help make life just a little bit better for us here in South Dakota. Thanks to tourism, South Dakota households pay $1,100 less in taxes! When you add it all up, South Dakota’s efforts in 2024 resulted in visitor spending of more than five billion dollars. This is also a new record! And one out of every 11 jobs in South Dakota is supported by the tourism industry, which keeps South Dakota families strong.
So how is a state with less than one million people finding such great success? Simple – the South Dakotans who work in the tourism industry are always thinking up new and innovative ways to attract visitors. And when they come, we give travelers a one-of-a-kind experience to keep them coming back.
We appreciate the wonder of our great outdoors and take steps to maintain it. Travel South Dakota created the Forever 605 code to help folks “Explore all points on the map, and not overcrowd just a few of them. To travel far, but shop local. To embrace the moment, but respect the past. To let the wild be wild – and keep nature in nature. To give just as much to the 605 state as this place will give to you.”
Our people’s grit and South Dakota’s hospitality make us an incredible place to visit. We are blessed to live here and fortunate that we get to share our state with others. And to all the South Dakotans working in the tourism industry, keep up the great work!
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Thune Speaks at National March for Life Rally
“I want you to look around, look around you today, at the tens of thousands of Americans who will march up Capitol Hill with you today, and I want you to remember, you are not alone.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at the 52nd annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.
Click here or the picture above to watch the video.
This week South Dakota District 4 State Representative Dylan Jordan was front and center as the new prime sponsor of School Voucher measure, House Bill 1009 backed by the Young Americans for Liberty/American Action Fund and their lobbyist Anthony Mirzayants.
And in a case of “you shake my hand, I’ll shake yours,” in a mailing that’s blasting far and wide across South Dakota Representative Jordan and Lobbyist Miryzants are snuggling up again in a mailing to raise money for his “friend Anthony Miryzants” on the back of pipeline fight rhetoric:
Mirzayants_LandGrab by Pat Powers on Scribd
What the game seems to be is to get letter recipients all lathered up to separate them from their money, and to send the organization a check..
The letter blares “Stop the Socialist Land Grab in South Dakota!” Of course, only on the envelope do they touch on the fact that this money is intended to go out of state to Colorado (for the benefit of a Texas based group).
In other words, the intent is to get people all ginned up on an issue to get them to send a check over a South Dakota issue that I suspect is going to have a lot of overhead costs that don’t make it anywhere near the Rushmore State.
Thune: Weekend Work Ahead in the Senate
“I will continue to ensure that the Senate works as quickly as possible to get all of President Trump’s nominees in place.”
Click here to watch the video.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):
“Mr. President, over the next couple of days the Senate will consider two more of the president’s nominees – Kristi Noem to be secretary of homeland security, and Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense.
“A former House member and current governor of the great state of South Dakota, Kristi brings both experience and commitment to her new role.
“Mr. President, one of the biggest challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security right now is securing our nation’s border.
“Four years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border has left our country vulnerable to a whole host of security concerns, from terrorist entries to cross-border criminal activity like drug trafficking.
“Fixing this crisis – and restoring respect for the rule of law – is one of President Trump and Republicans’ top priorities.
“And it’s going to require a decisive and committed leader at the Department of Homeland Security.
“I believe Kristi has everything it takes to undertake this task.
“Mr. President, we’re also considering the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense.
“A veteran of the Army National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Hegseth will bring a warrior’s perspective to the role of defense secretary and will provide much-needed fresh air at the Pentagon.
“Gone will be the days of woke distractions.
“The Pentagon’s focus will be on warfighting.
“Mr. Hegseth will concentrate on restoring American strength and repairing the deficiencies in our readiness.
“As our first president said more than 200 years ago, and I quote, ‘To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.’
“And in a world that has grown increasingly unstable over the past few years, our priority has to be ensuring that the United States military is prepared to meet and defeat any threat.
“I will continue to ensure that the Senate works as quickly as possible to get President Trump’s team in place.”
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It appears that Governor Kristi Noem is on track for her Senate Confirmation vote to become the next Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security coming after the Hegseth Vote:
The Senate is poised for a rare late-night Friday vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, as Republican leaders are making good on their promise to grind through President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees in the face of Democratic objections.
Hegseth, who lost two Republican votes during a Thursday cloture vote, will likely be confirmed during a 9 p.m. vote series. Senate Majority Leader John Thune will then move to a cloture vote on Kristi Noem’s nomination to lead DHS. If no time is yielded back, Noem’s confirmation vote would occur on Sunday morning.
Kristi’s vote seems all but assured, as her nomination has been non-controversial and generally well received.
By this time next week, we may be talking about Governor Rhoden’s swearing in, as well as what’s happening with his choice for Lt. Governor.
Johnson Continues to Chair Panel Overseeing Rural Broadband, Crypto
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) has been named Chair of the Congressional subcommittee overseeing rural broadband development efforts. Prior to joining the U.S. House, Johnson was the co-owner of a South Dakota engineering and consulting firm specializing in rural broadband.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us in the Ag Committee,” said Johnson. “We must pass a long overdue Farm Bill and establish regulations for the crypto industry. I’m looking forward to serving as a subcommittee Chairman again to improve lives in rural America and improve our economy.”
Johnson’s panel, the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, focuses on numerous policy areas, including:
“I’m thrilled to welcome both returning and new subcommittee leadership for the 119th Congress, who will lead with strength, expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing the interests of rural America,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). “Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities thrive during this pivotal moment. We must defend our food security, strengthen our nation’s agricultural economy, and most importantly pass a comprehensive farm bill that we will send to President Trump’s desk.”
Johnson was also named to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
On the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Johnson was named to the Subcommittees on Aviation; Highways and Transit; and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Read the Agriculture Committee’s full announcement and find other Subcommittee Chairs here.
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From Fox News comes Senate Majority Leader John Thune on the Senate’s efforts to enact the Trump Agenda: