EAGLE PASS, T.X. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem went to the warzone at the southern border. She conducted a boat tour with the Texas Department of Public Safety, met with the Texas National Guard and state troopers, and received a briefing from Border Patrol agents. Governor Noem conveyed to the Texas officials that South Dakota stands with them and that the nation is with them.
“Every time that I come to the southern border, it is clear that the situation has deteriorated more and more. Texas has carved out a small zone of security in the middle of this warzone,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Now, the Biden Administration is undermining them. Not only is Joe Biden failing to secure the border – he is actively trying to stop Governor Abbott and Texas from the work that they are doing to secure the border. South Dakota stands with them, and we will continue to do everything we can to help secure the border.”
The warzone at the border deteriorates more and more every time I come down here. Texas is doing what they can, but they need Biden to stand WITH them, not get in their way. pic.twitter.com/CI7LVCf8D7
You can find photos and videos of the boat tour here.
Yesterday, Governor Noem joined 24 Republican governors in supporting Governor Abbott’s efforts to secure the Southern Border.
“If we lose this country, where will we go? What other nation in the world is better or Freer? We must do all that we to defend the United States of America so that we can keep it safe for our kids and our grandkids,” continued Governor Noem.
Governor Noem was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to help defend the Southern Border nearly three years ago. Last summer, she once again sent 50 South Dakota National Guard soldiers to Texas to help them secure the border.
This past August, Governor Noem also participated in a press conference at the Southern Border and viewed the warzone from the air in a helicopter. A video can be found here.
A Solution in Search of a Problem BySen. John Thune
An internet connection is something we increasingly depend on in just about every area of our life these days. There remains work to be done to get a reliable connection to more Americans, especially in rural areas like South Dakota. But thanks in large part to the light-tough regulatory approach we have taken in the past, the internet in the United States continues to advance, delivering greater benefits for Americans online.
Given the success of this light-tough approach, one has to wonder why the Biden Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now pushing for a return to heavy-handed net neutrality rules last attempted under the Obama administration. The basic premise of net neutrality – that internet service providers shouldn’t prioritize certain internet traffic at the expense of other traffic – has strong bipartisan support. The issue is that the Biden FCC aims to go much further and, under the guise of net neutrality, assert broad new government powers over the internet using rules designed for telephone monopolies during the Great Depression. Like the Obama-era rules before it, the latest net neutrality proposal threatens to decrease investment in broadband and subject the internet to more government interference, like regulating prices.
In 2017, a new Republican majority on the FCC repealed the Obama-era net neutrality rules. The prospect was met with near-hysteria as Democrats warned that the internet as we knew it would disappear, that speeds would slow to a crawl, and that we would get the internet one word at a time. But anyone who’s been online in the last seven years knows none of this came to pass. In fact, the internet hasn’t just survived, it’s thrived since then. Innovation has flourished. Competition has increased. And internet speeds have gotten faster and faster.
It’s unclear what the Biden FCC’s so-called net neutrality proposal is trying to achieve besides more government control. As FCC Commissioner Carr has pointed out, there’s reason to fear this proposal could drive up Americans’ internet costs and open the door to new taxes and fees on your internet bill. This proposal could also decrease investment in broadband expansion, which would be devastating for rural areas like South Dakota where investment is critically needed.
More red tape is not the solution to bridging the digital divide. Reducing the burdensome regulations that stifle broadband expansion has long been a priority of mine. The permitting process is just one example of this. While my MOBILE NOW Act helped move the federal government in the right direction, there continues to be unnecessary delays and costs associated with permitting that get in the way of expanding internet access. I will continue to work for accountability and efficiency in federal broadband programs to ensure more South Dakotans have access to a reliable internet connection.
Plans for increased government interference, like the FCC’s net neutrality proposal, are often a solution in search of a problem. America has played a leading role in the digital age in large part because we’ve adopted a light-tough approach to internet regulation. There is absolutely no reason for heavy-handed interference in a free, open, and thriving sector of our economy, and I will continue my work to remove unnecessary regulations that cause Americans to lose out on the benefits of internet innovation.
Keeping and Bearing Arms for Generations By: Governor Kristi Noem January 26, 2024
Growing up in rural South Dakota, shooting sports and hunting were a big part of how I was raised. Some of my favorite memories with my family are of our time hunting and shooting guns. And one of my earliest memories is pheasant hunting with my Grandma Dorris.
Many South Dakotans have the same kind of experiences with their own families and had similar upbringings. We are all very proud of our small-town way of life and our rural values – and that has led us to become the most Second Amendment-friendly state in the nation.
In South Dakota, we encourage our people to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Constitutional Carry was the very first bill that I signed into law as Governor. Two years ago, we became the first state in America to waive all fees for concealed carry permits. We even pay for people’s federal background checks. So it doesn’t cost South Dakotans a penny to exercise their Second Amendment rights. And last year, I signed an Executive Order which says that the state will not do business with any financial institution that infringes on people’s Second Amendment Rights.
We have marketed our state as a Second Amendment haven. Last year, California became the first state in the nation to levy a special tax on guns and ammunition. I immediately invited California gun manufacturers to move here to South Dakota, and my Office of Economic Development is continuing to recruit firearms business from state that infringe on the Second Amendment. Freedom Works Here for gun sellers and manufacturers, and we are welcoming businesses that are looking for a state that supports their industry.
I am determined to uphold South Dakota’s reputation as the most Second Amendment-friendly state in America for generations to come. That is where the South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex comes in. The Department of Game, Fish & Parks (GFP) has already started to move dirt on this world-class shooting range in the Black Hills.
Originally, this was going to be a federally funded project, but the Biden Administration is undermining it by changing the rules after they had already signed off. The good news is South Dakota has never relied on the federal government. I We do things better on our own, anyways. That’s why we’re just going to raise the money and build this shooting range ourselves.
I am working with GFP to continue to build this range which will host world class events and positively impact our economy in the long term. We went to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Shot Show to fundraise for this range. We met with leading firearms businesses from around the country who pledged their support – and some of them may even be interested in moving their companies to South Dakota.
This will be the premier firearms range in the Midwest. It will give our residents and our visitors access to quality shooting ranges where they can learn safe and responsible use of firearms. The South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex will provide opportunities so that generations to come can learn to love shooting sports just as I did.
To learn more about the South Dakota Shooting Sports Complex, and to donate to help us complete the project, visit GunRange.SD.Gov.
He’s not up for election for another 2 years, but former gubernatorial candidate and current Attorney General Marty Jackley has a healthy bank balance that he’s building in anticipation of another run for office.
Starting the campaign period with $341,224.03, Attorney General Jackley raised an additional $88,345 against $31,516 spent, leaving him a bank balance of just under $400k at $398,052.68. No big surprises, but not a bad amount of seed money for the next race, either.
See you soon, Stock Show! By Rep. Dusty Johnson January 26, 2024
This weekend marks the start of the 65th annual Black Hills Stock Show. The Stock Show is one of my favorite events each year, giving me the opportunity to connect with producers from across our state and region. This year’s event runs from January 26 to February 3 and has events for everyone to enjoy like the rodeo, concerts, vendors and more.
As I walk around and talk with folks, they share the challenges they face and the opportunities they see as they provide food and goods for our nation. Supporting these producers has been a top priority for me since I took office. I want to ensure South Dakotans are heard and I want legislation to support their efforts, especially in the upcoming Farm Bill.
I’ve heard concerns from our farmers and ranchers about our adversaries like China buying up American farmland. As a member of the Ag Committee and the Select Committee on China, I’ve supported bills aimed at preventing the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing our valuable ag land. Our producers know the importance of our land better than anyone else. Protecting this land, our food supply, and our national security is crucial.
A couple months ago, I was honored to be presented with the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Golden Plow Award. This award is only given to one House Republican each year and recognizes members who exemplify agricultural policy leadership. It is the highest honor AFBF bestows to sitting members of Congress. I am glad our team’s hard work delivers real results to agriculture, and we don’t plan on stopping.
I am proud to be a leader in agricultural policy, and I am proud to represent our ag producers across South Dakota. If you’re headed out to the Stock Show this weekend, be sure to say hi!
Rounds, Hagerty and Colleagues Introduce Legislation to End Counting of Illegal Immigrants in Determining Electoral College Votes and Congressional District Apportionment
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) introduced the Equal Representation Act,which would work to make certain that only legal citizens are factored into the count for congressional districts and the Electoral College map that determines presidential elections. The current method of counting illegal immigrants for purposes of representation serves as a perverse incentive for open borders to boost the relative political power of the states.
“There is a crisis at our southern border, and major cities in the United States are overwhelmed with migrants who have come here illegally,” said Rounds. “The liberal politicians running these cities are welcoming illegal migrants with open arms. They want to count non-U.S. citizens towards Congressional apportionment to help them gain more seats in Congress. We should not be rewarding this behavior by allowing the practice of counting illegal immigrants for apportionment purposes.”
“It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map,” said Hagerty. “While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats are back-filling the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes for the presidency, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans’ votes. I’m pleased to introduce this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting.”
The Equal Representation Act would:
Require that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question on any future census to provide a greater understanding of the U.S. population and delineate between citizens and non-citizens for apportionment purposes.
Prohibit non-citizens from being counted for purposes of congressional district and Electoral College apportionment.
Require that the Census Bureau publicly report on certain demographic data.
Rounds and Hagerty were joined by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
Promoting the Values of Work by Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree
MADISON–Greetings from the State Capitol and Week 3 of the State Legislature. This past week we were hard at work focused on health care, education, public safety and the economy.
On Monday, the Senate approved my plan to incentivize gas stations to offer consumers a choice to fuel up with E15. By encouraging gas stations to carry E15 at their pumps we can keep our homegrown fuels closer to home and closer to consumers which will increase profits for corn growers and reduce fuel costs for consumers. It now moves to the House where we have heard a lot of support in that chamber as well.
A highlight for me this week was moving SJR 501 out of committee and out of the full Senate with the only opposition coming from Democrats who want more people on welfare and fewer people on payrolls. This resolution will ask voters in the November General Election if the State’s Medicaid program should have the option to consider a work requirement to receive those benefits. We should not encourage able-bodied adults to live off of welfare programs. Instead, we should incentive work and encourage adding value back to the economy and community. I believe the Legislature agrees and so will the voters in November.
The Senate also passed SJR 502 which would give legislative approval for a future use water permit application by the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. This project is critical to the sustainability and vitality of our region, especially here in Madison where construction is coming close to conclusion.
It was also an important week in the Capitol for two of South Dakota’s best institutions–Dakota State University and South Dakota State University. Both presented their annual budget requests to the Appropriations Committee that sets the state’s budget. DSU also earned an early victory with unanimous committee approval of its new Quantum Computing program.
Along with SDSU and DSU, visitors to Pierre included the credit union’s association including Dakotaland as well as veterans from the VFW and American Legion. Department Commander Courtney Steffen from Chester led the American Legion visit. Thanks for visiting your state Capitol!
Stay in touch in the weeks ahead as the Legislature works through the bill load and let me know if you’re visiting Pierre during the session.
Rounds, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Fake Meat Products from School Lunches
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced legislation that would ban fake meat products from being served in school lunches. The School Lunch Integrity Act of 2024 would prohibit the use of cell-cultivated meat under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Since the development of the first cell-cultivated protein product in 2013, companies across the world have begun to develop fake meat products. These products are being developed with the intention of eliminating the need to raise livestock. With the support of environmental activists, dozens of companies across the United States have started to research and produce cell cultivated protein. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) moved to issue grants of inspection for cell-cultured meat production, allowing for two companies to produce cell-cultivated chicken products. These recent actions undermine the important work of American livestock producers.
To date, USDA has not issued any guidance on cell-cultivated protein in the NSLP and the SPB. A lack of demonstrated research on cell-cultivated protein raises a number of questions about the safety of these products.
“Our students should not be test subjects for cell-cultivated ‘meat’ experiments,” said Rounds. “South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to produce high quality beef products. These products are often sold to South Dakota schools, where they provide necessary nutrition to our students. With high quality, local beef readily available for our students, there’s no reason to be serving fake, lab-grown meat products in the cafeteria. I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation that benefits South Dakota producers and protects students from the unknown effects of cell-cultivated ‘meat’ products.”
“Montana ranchers grow the best meat in the world, that’s a fact – and our students ought to be getting the best in their school breakfasts and lunches every day,” said Tester. “This commonsense bill will make sure our schools can serve real meat from our ranchers, not a fake substitute that’s grown in a lab.”
This legislation is endorsed by the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, R-CALF USA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and South Dakota Pork Producers.
“Science experiments belong in the classroom, not the cafeteria,” said Justin Tupper, President of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. “The long-term health effects of consuming foods produced using cell-cultured technology has not been established. These products are too new and untested to be considered safe for our nation’s children. We appreciate the proactive leadership of Senator Rounds in drafting this important legislation.”
“The claim that cell-cultivated meat grown in a laboratory is as safe and healthful as real, natural meat has not yet been definitively determined,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. “So, subjecting children to this nascent, scientific experiment is bad public policy. We applaud Senator Rounds’ bill that will ensure our children and grandchildren will not be encouraged to consume this controversial and unnatural product while at school.”
“The federal government should not allow lab grown protein in school lunch and breakfast programs without knowing the long-term health effects on children,” said Ethan Lane,Vice President of Government Affairs atNational Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “The lack of nutrition and allergen research related to lab grown proteins creates unnecessary risks for children, while traditional beef provides essential nutrients that provide health benefits to children. School cafeterias are not test labs, and we appreciate Senator Rounds and Senator Tester for standing up for our children and our cattle producers.”
The headline isn’t really sensationalized if you read the bill that just hit the House of Representatives yesterday.
Democrat State Representative Linda Duba has offered House Bill 1174 which seeks to jail gun owners with unlocked firearms up to 1 year, and same for retailers who don’t provide notice of her proposed law to gun purchasers at the point of sale. Her proposed House Bill 1174 is to create a new crime under the unlawful use of weapons statute – a class one misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail if you do it more than once – that you’ve committed a crime if you do not store a weapon according to the guidelines she’s written in her law.
And even worse, if a gun retailer doesn’t provide a government notice to you about her law when you buy a gun – he can go to jail for up to a year the first time he does it. A class one misdemeanor is equal with the penalty for a DUI. Up to a year in jail if you don’t follow Linda’s law.
Yep. If you live alone, and have that unloaded pistol that your grandpa owned stored in a shoebox on your closet shelf that nobody but you knows about? Linda’s law would have you sent to the county jail for the offense. Up to a year in jail if you do it twice.
At what point are we supposed to let her install cameras in our home so she can monitor what we do, and whether they comply with how she thinks we should be conducting ourselves?
Whenever Democrats whine and argue that there needs to be “balance” in the legislature – this is the type of balance they mean.
