Thune: Senate Will Vote Today to Overturn Biden’s Toddler Mask Mandate

“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity to go on the record on whether or not toddlers, toddlers under the age of five, even when they’re outside on the playground, ought to be required to wear masks.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced at a press conference that the Senate will vote today on his resolution to repeal the Biden administration’s toddler mask mandate.

Thune’s remarks below:

“Last week, the president of the United States made a fairly revealing comment when he said that children are not their parents’ children when they’re in the classroom.

“And it’s revealing in a lot of ways, because I think it emphasizes the Democrats’ view when it comes to kids and the teachers’ unions use when it comes to our kids.

“And I think that was probably put on full display when the administration adopted a rule that requires toddlers to wear masks if they are in a Head Start facility, even if they are outside on the playground.

“It was a very sweeping rule, and it’s one that I think is completely inconsistent with what we understand to be the role of parents when it comes to making decisions that are in the best interest of their kids.

“So we’re gonna vote today on a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval that would disapprove of this rule.

“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity to go on the record on whether or not toddlers, toddlers under the age of five, even when they’re outside on the playground, ought to be required to wear masks.

“And I would point out that even the World Health Organization has concluded that toddlers shouldn’t have to wear masks, that that’s not necessary, and that there isn’t a public health or safety benefit associated with that.

“We think this is a great example of government overreach, of government putting themselves in the role that should be reserved for parents making decisions that are in the best interest of their children.

“So that vote is going to happen later today, and I certainly hope that we not only have every Republican, which I believe we will, but that will have some wise Democrats who want to make sure that our parents are in charge of their children and not the government.”

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Rounds Issues Statement on Leaked Supreme Court Draft Decision

WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the leak of a draft decision authored by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:

“Our Framers intended for the Supreme Court to be an independent judiciary, separate and distinct from the executive and legislative branches. The information being reported on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case was wrongfully leaked from the Court. The Court should investigate and hold accountable whoever is responsible for this breach.

“I am pro-life and firmly believe abortion is wrong. However, I recognize that if this case is decided as reported, individuals across the country will be faced with difficult, emotional decisions. Our job as policymakers should be to make it easier for individuals to choose life, whether that be making certain they have the proper means to raise a child or the confidence to know adoption is a viable option.

“I remain focused on promoting policies that protect life from conception to natural death.”

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REPUBLICAN KEVIN CRISP ANNOUNCES RUN FOR DISTRICT 25 STATE SENATE

Dell Rapids, SD…Kevin R. Crisp of Dell Rapids has announced his candidacy for South Dakota State Senator of District 25. Crisp will run in the Republican primary on June 7.

Crisp served two terms in the S.D. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001. He has farmed since 1980 and had a successful career in business and sales. Crisp is also a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of South Dakota State University.

“It’s been said that what’s good for farmers is good for South Dakota, and I agree with this statement,” said Crisp. “As a lifelong resident of the Dell Rapids area and a farmer for 40 years, I truly understand agriculture and our farming communities.”

As a Christian conservative, Crisp emphasizes the importance of fair taxation, accountability and keeping rural communities strong, viable and safe. He follows politics closely and believes state government can be more efficient and effective.

“South Dakota faces many challenges,” Crisp said. “District 25 needs mature and experienced leadership to ensure that voters’ concerns and values are heard in Pierre.”

“If elected, I pledge to be available to answer questions and explain what I’m doing to represent voters. I live here in Dell Rapids year-round, and have no ties with lobbyists or special interest groups—I will answer only to voters.”

Crisp is a longtime community leader, serving as township treasurer, clerk and supervisor, Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm Board President, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council President and Minnehaha County Planning Commissioner. He has served on the South Dakota Extension Board, Minnehaha County Extension Board, U.S. Grains Council
and as part of many other organizations.

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Recalling former Republican Legislator Tom Holmes entrance into the Minnehaha County Commission race as a Democrat, I had a rumor passed my way last evening that former Democrat Party Executive Director and City Council candidate Pam Cole is supposedly going to be assisting him with his race.

Well, that doesn’t bode well.

For Tom, I mean. That doesn’t bode well for Tom.

So apparently a new billboard went up in Watertown today.

Spotted this evening in Watertown. State legislative battles heating up. pic.twitter.com/ZLKlUfbmTY

— Austin Goss (@AustinGossSD) May 3, 2022

The political action committee sponsoring it is being fronted by Dusty Johnson’s 2020 primary conquest, Liz May. But I can’t help but have a inkling of where it came from.

Misspelled words.. an out of context quote.. that seems to smell like the usual suspects. I mean, It’s just not “anbody” who would cock up a couple thousand dollar billboard like that.

The Minnehaha County GOP is hosting a duo of candidate forums this week and next week to introduce State & County Candidates to the public, according to a flyer put out by the Minnehaha County GOP this last weekend:

Check it out, and add it to your calendar.

In a story this morning at the Argus Leader website, Bethany Soye found herself standing alone as the only Legislative candidate in all of District 9 who opposed impeachment.

As noted in the Argus, Soye based her opinion on the standards set by the House committee:

As an attorney, I agree with the clear and convincing standard of proof the committee determined was necessary for articles of impeachment to issue. I do not believe the facts that were presented meet this standard. Despite over a year of investigation, there was insufficient evidence to charge more than two traffic misdemeanors. Neither of these offenses was committed “in office or by virtue of the office.”

Read it here.

Is this going to set her apart in the House Primary?

And will siding with what many view as a flawed committee process – one rejected by a majority of House members – affect her ability to be re-elected?

When Democrats control the federal government, they consistently have three main priorities: grow government, spend more money, and raise taxes. Look no further than the last 16 months of Democrat control in Washington. America is facing record-high inflation, energy prices are soaring, and the southern border has turned into a full-blown humanitarian and security crisis. Meanwhile, rather than focusing on these issues that continue to affect families and small businesses across the nation, the Democrats, who control the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, remain focused on their far-left agenda and continue to pursue policies that would dump trillions of more unnecessary dollars into the economy. Out of touch is an understatement.

The textbook definition of inflation is too many dollars chasing too few goods. When President Biden took office, inflation was at 1.4 percent. In March 2022, a little more than one year later, inflation hit 8.5 percent, a 40-year high. The president likes to tout job creation and economic growth, even as the economy shrank for the first time since the pandemic began, but his claims mean little to families who are wondering how they’ll be able to pay their soaring grocery bills or whether they can afford the gas they need for the rest of the month. From Sioux Falls to Rapid City, and everywhere in between, folks tell me about the tremendous toll these high costs have on their household budgets.

Farmers and ranchers are also feeling the pain at the pump as they plant their fields this spring, which is why I have been calling on the Biden administration – for more than a year – to leverage American biofuels as one way to offer consumers a lower-price option at the pump. The administration finally listened to my repeated requests and will extend E15 sales this summer, and I will continue to advocate for the permanent return of year-round E15.

We are also facing a massive, unprecedented crisis at our southern border. From the day the president took office, we’ve seen a huge surge in the number of individuals attempting to illegally make their way into our country. In the first quarter of 2022, more than half a million individuals were apprehended while trying to get across our southern border. The administration can no longer ignore this catastrophe. Just this week, the secretary of Homeland Security testified to Congress that nearly 400,000 migrants evaded border agents in fiscal year 2021.

Instead of addressing the humanitarian crisis unfolding at the border, President Biden is on track to make it much worse by lifting Title 42 restrictions that have provided for the immediate deportation of individuals who have crossed the border illegally. Without Title 42 border restrictions, we could be seeing more than half a million attempted crossings each month. The bottom line is that Title 42 should not be lifted until the president has a robust plan in place for stopping illegal immigration, securing our border and preventing human trafficking and drug trafficking, and quickly deporting those who seek to illegally enter our country.

Democrat control has created an inflation crisis that is driving up costs for American families, an energy crisis with sky-high gas prices fueling pain at the pump, and a security and humanitarian crisis at our border. With no signs of taking steps to address these crises, President Biden has a lot of explaining to do to hardworking families all across the country. As the American people pay the price for the Democrats’ radical policies, I will continue to do everything in my power to hold President Biden accountable and put a stop to his reckless and out-of-touch agenda.

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Between 85-90% of the beef processing in this country is done at just 30 plants – in fact, 12 plants do more than half of all the beef processing. Having such a large percentage of meat packing done at such a small number of plants is a vulnerability in our markets. We’ve experienced many “black swan” events in the past couple years—from the Holcomb fire, COVID-19, and weather, among others. This market concentration poses a significant risk to food security in our nation. This can mean shortages at the grocery store, skyrocketing prices for meat, nowhere for producers to sell their cattle, and further complications with the supply chain.

On Wednesday, I participated in the House Agriculture Committee hearing entitled “Price Discrepancies, Transparency, and Alleged Unfair Practices in Cattle Markets.” The hearing focused on market share and practices of the “Big Four” meat packers — Cargill, JBS, National Beef Packing Company, and Tyson.

We were joined by two panels. The first panel consisted of three producers who expressed frustrations with the current state of the meat packing industry. The second panel was made up of the CEOs of each of the Big Four meat packers. We heard each panel talk about their role in the industry, where they think the problems lie, and what steps should be taken to improve cattle markets.

It was great to hear other Members and witnesses point to legislation I have introduced as solutions to address cattle markets. The Cattle Contract Library Act passed the House overwhelmingly in December 2021 and would increase price transparency for sellers. A lack of transparency is not good for the producer. Increasing our transparency will decrease our market vulnerability. The Butcher Block Act would assist small meat processors who are looking to expand operations or add shackle space. It is imperative to diversify the meat and poultry industry to allow smaller, independent processors more of the market share.

While we have been lucky to have not experienced a black swan event in about a year, we cannot be naïve that we won’t have another. We may not know what the event will be, but we need to take steps to decrease vulnerabilities in our food security and supply chain. I’ve been urging Members and leadership for months to get my legislation signed into law. These bills are not just going to benefit producers, but will benefit consumers, packers, and grocers. Increasing food security is not just in America’s best interests, but the world’s.

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Yesterday in Pierre, several of the alternative statewide Republican candidates held a rally in the side street off the back of the State Capital between Broadway Avenue and Church Avenue.

And according to this story by KELOland, they gave us a full throated viewing of why they are not going to get elected. Because they tended to sound completely bat-shit crazy.

“We’re discovering that there was a plan-demic, that there was eugenics going on around the world, that we did have a stolen election,” said Whalen, wearing a Trump 2024 hat with the slogan ‘Make Votes Count Again.’

Read that actual quote here.

Wow! There “was a plan-demic, that there was eugenics going on around the world?!?” Someone needs to get a hook and yank Bruce off the stage. Because at this point, he’s hurting the GOP brand.

Unfortunately, Congressional challenger Taffy Howard wasn’t sounding any more grounded in reality..

“Our kids are being told to fill out grids to figure out where they fall on the oppressor and oppressed scale. And yeah, you guessed it, probably — the top on the oppressor is the white, English-speaking, Christian male,” Howard said.

Read that crazy talk here.

Really? Can Taffy point to any oppressor-grids being used in any South Dakota schools?

Or better yet, did she consider bringing any oppressor-grid legislation during the 2022 legislative session if it was such a concern? Probably not, because that might’ve required her to show up. (Not that she could’ve passed it.)

Seriously. Taffy skips voting on impeachment, but she’s front and center to talk about oppressor grids? Ugh.

Instead of issues that actually affect the everyday lives of South Dakota families, and business owners, the rally participants just decided to be a live performance of your crazy aunt’s Facebook feed.

And an embarrassment to those who are concerned about actually making lives better. Not to mention winning elections.