Rounds, Budd Demand that DOD Rescind Abortion Travel Policy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and 26 Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin denouncing the Department of Defense’s policy of paying the travel expenses of those service members and dependents seeking abortions.

“You have broken your promise to the American people not to politicize the military, and your actions have harmed and threaten to further harm institutional norms within our democracy.” wrote the senators. “Rather than respect the Supreme Court’s decision, you decided to engage the Department, and our men and women in uniform, in a policy debate properly reserved for the legislature.”

The senators’ letter concludes by calling on Secretary Austin to, “Do the right thing. Rescind the Policy now.”

In addition to Rounds and Budd, the letter was signed by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).

Read the full letter HERE or below.

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Secretary Austin:

You have broken your promise to the American people not to politicize the military, and your actions have harmed and threaten to further harm institutional norms within our democracy. On June 28, 2022, four days after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, you issued a memorandum to senior leaders in the Department of Defense (“Department”) stating that the Department is authorized to pay for government funded, official travel for active duty personnel to receive abortions outside of the state in which they are stationed.

On October 20, 2022, you issued the memorandum Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services, properly referred to as the Department’s abortion travel policy (“Policy”), which directed the Department to pay travel expenses not only for active duty personnel to receive abortions, but for their dependents to receive abortions as well. Importantly, on July 19, 2023, at a hearing on the Department’s abortion travel policy, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness confirmed that this policy extends to late term abortions.

All legislative power is vested in Congress, and the Executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the law. While the Department may issue regulations, it can only do so under the laws authorized and enacted by Congress. But, Congress never authorized the Department to expend funds to facilitate abortions and, until the Policy was issued, the military never facilitated abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother would be endangered if the unborn child were carried to term. Now taxpayers—many of whom have deeply-held religious and moral objections to abortions—are on the hook to facilitate the very abortions they fundamentally oppose. Indeed, a Marist poll in January 2023 found that 60% of Americans strongly oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for an abortion, consistent with polls taken throughout recent years.

Rather than respect the Supreme Court’s decision, you decided to engage the Department, and our men and women in uniform, in a policy debate properly reserved for the legislature. You did so by claiming that Dobbs had “readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the Force.” By your own officials’ admissions, however, the Department has no data to support that claim, and few servicemembers or dependents have utilized the Policy.

After multiple inquiries from Congress on this question, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness finally confirmed that “The Department does not have any data on women being deterred from joining the military for fear of being stationed at an installation or base in a state or nation that has restrictive abortion laws.” Finally, a recent letter from the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee revealed that only 12 women have taken advantage of the Policy since its inception, which undercuts your argument that Dobbs has significant recruiting and retention implications.

Our men and women in uniform deserve Senate-confirmed leadership but the current situation began with your original sin of promulgating the Policy. Much has been made in the press about one Senator’s decision to try and stop your egregious wrongs, without acknowledging the Senate Majority Leader’s refusal to bring general and flag officer nominations to the floor until forced to by Republicans. Seeking to circumvent the Senate prerogative of the informal “hold” practice without addressing the underlying causes—the novel Policy and the subsequent refusal of the Majority to bring these nominees to the floor—will not ultimately reconcile this matter. It could create a toxic precedent with lasting negative effects on future military nominations.

Your decision to issue the Policy politicized the military and placed the wants of a few over the needs of the entire nation.

Do the right thing. Rescind the Policy now.

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Governor Noem to Launch Freedom Works Here, Phase Two

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development announced that the second phase of the Freedom Works Here nationwide workforce recruitment campaign will be launching very soon.

“Businesses love the Freedom Works Here campaign and have asked us how they can partner to keep it going – so we’re bringing it back by popular demand!” said Governor Noem. “We are continuing to recruit Freedom-loving Americans from across the country to come live and work right here in South Dakota. I can’t wait for everyone to see the new Freedom Works Here ads!”

The Freedom Works Here campaign has been successfully telling South Dakota’s story to the entire nation. After seeing the Freedom Works Here ads, Jason moved from California to Britton, South Dakota to work at Horton, Inc. Rocky moved to Pierre with his wife to work as an accountant/auditor with our Department of Social Services. Colin moved to Madison from Minnesota to work and attend Dakota State University. And Chad, a Marine veteran, not only moved his family to Rapid City, but is also moving the headquarters for his nonprofit organization, the Forgotten Fifteen Foundation, to South Dakota as well. You can read more about these success stories from phase one of the campaign here and here.

“This week, I welcomed a major east coast investor to Sioux Falls who shared the only reason he was visiting was because of the advertisements he saw from the ‘Freedom Works Here’ campaign,” said Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken. “He was intrigued enough by the ads that he and his team decided they needed to learn more about investment opportunities in our state. Even without my extensive marketing background, interactions like the one I had this week demonstrate the impact of South Dakota’s national campaign efforts.”

New Freedom Works Here ads have already been filmed to target four more professions that are in high demand in South Dakota. These ads will recruit more skilled workers to the state.

Since Governor Noem launched Freedom Works Here, the ads have been viewed over 800 million times. And more than 7,500 people have expressed interest in moving to South Dakota.

These numbers represent those working directly through the “Freedom Works Here” program. Even more people are finding jobs and moving to South Dakota of their own accord after seeing the ads.

The budget for phase two of the Freedom Works Here campaign is approximately $1.5 million. More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found here.

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From the press release on the park’s development:

Storyland Studios, the three-dimensional storytelling firm, has revealed details of LIBERTYLAND USA, a new family entertainment and residential destination in the Mount Rushmore area.

The development will be the biggest development of its kind in South Dakota when it opens to visitors in 2026, which coincides with the 250th anniversary of the US.

and..

Local officials have accepted the proposal unanimously, and it has been made possible by the formation of the Rapid City Destination District, a 302.1-acre planned development zone situated in a strategic location along I-90. The project’s scope and size will be expanded in the future with the addition of property offering views of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Read the entire story here.

In participating with Governor Noem’s previous request, the South Dakota State Legislature is examining whether there are more conflicts of interest out there, and intend to use them as examples in seeking guidance from the South Dakota Supreme Court.

In a meeting of the legislative Executive Board today, the panel went over the details as they attempt to answer the question of what legislators can or cannot do:

South Dakota lawmakers will receive a letter this week, asking them to list all possible conflicts of interest when it comes to their jobs outside of being legislators.

Those responses will then be used in a brief that the South Dakota Supreme Court will examine while they make a decision regarding the broad nature of a constitutional provision banning lawmakers from having a either a director or indirect conflict of interest in state contracts during their terms and up to a year after they exit office.

Read that in the Argus Leader.

At the same meeting, it came to light that the Auditor’s office would be an active participant in attempting to navigate the potential conflicts as well:

During a meeting Tuesday of the Executive Board, State Auditor Richard Sattgast explained his office would be bringing in a new accounting system that would track conflict of interest disclosures for grants.

The new system will request employers applying for state department and agency-specific grants disclose if a sitting lawmaker could benefit from the contract. State lawmakers would also have a chance to self-disclose as well if they’re a partner in the business.

Also read that here. 

What do you think?  Should someone be disqualified from serving if they participate in a spouse’s business? Or if a state employee on the job buys a shovel at a legislator’s store?

Some guidelines in this portion of law that dates back to 1889 would be helpful. 

State Representative Olson Announces Resignation, Noem Seeks Public Input on Replacement

PIERRE, S.D. – Representative Jess Olson announced that she has resigned her seat in the State House of Representatives, citing ongoing health issues. Governor Kristi Noem wishes her a quick recovery.

Representative Olson has represented District 34 in the State House of Representatives since 2019. Upon Olson’s resignation, Governor Kristi Noem requested public input on filling the District 34 vacancy.

Those wishing to be considered for the House of Representatives vacancy, or to offer nominations, should email Ben Koisti at [email protected]. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current physical address, resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. All nomination materials must be submitted by December 5^th, 2023.

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Representative Chris Kassin to seek re-election to District 17 House

VERMILLION, SD — Representative Chris Kassin has announced that he will seek re-election in 2024 to the South Dakota State House of Representatives from District 17.

Kassin was elected to his first term in the State House in November 2022. As a first-term member, Kassin was chosen to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees and sets the state’s budget.

“My commitment to public service is driven by the desire to safeguard the quality of life we are fortunate to experience in South Dakota. I am determined to ensure that the opportunities I have enjoyed are preserved for the benefit of my children and the future generations of South Dakotans,” said Kassin. “My first session in the State House was historic thanks to careful, commonsense conservative management of our state’s resources and strong economy. Our state’s leaders were able to prioritize efforts to continue to strengthen the state as well as take care of South Dakotans now. I’m looking forward to building on the successes of the past session to continue building a strong and secure future.”

“I want to continue to be a strong voice for my friends and neighbors in District 17, prioritizing a strong economy for our state, great schools for students, and quality healthcare for citizens. Together, we can build a great future for South Dakota,” said Kassin.

Kassin was recognized as one of the top first-term legislators in the United States by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and was invited to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia.

Kassin and his wife, Katie, and their two children, Collins and Kellen, live in Vermillion, where he works for the University of South Dakota Foundation as the Vice President of External Relations. Kassin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in public administration from the University of South Dakota.

DRURY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT 34 HOUSE

RAPID CITY, SD – Today, Representative Becky Drury announced her intention to seek election to the South Dakota House in District 34, where she hopes to continue her service to the Rapid City community. She has previously served on the Rapid City Council and currently serves in the South Dakota House in District 32. Drury brings experience, integrity, and a fighting spirit to continue to represent the Rapid City area community.

During her time in the legislature serving District 32, Drury delivered several solutions for Rapid City. She brought legislation to protect child victims of abuse, expand transparency in local government, alleviate workforce shortages, and support teachers. With a reputation for honesty and integrity, Drury goes to great lengths to bring meaningful change to the Rapid City community.

“The Rapid City community isn’t just made up of Wards and Districts – it’s families, schools, and a vibrant community. When I represent you in Pierre, I am always thinking about the community as a whole. During my first campaign 7 years ago I consistently said ‘I Love Rapid City!’. That’s still true, and I’m still saying it. I look forward to earning the support of District 34, and bringing that same love of our great community back to Pierre once again” Drury said in a statement.

Matt Wagner Announces Candidacy for District 8 House of Representatives

Volga, SD – Matt Wagner of rural Volga announces his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives, District 8, serving rural Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, and Miner Counties.

“As a conservative Republican my values are rooted in faith, family, and freedom,” said Wagner. “I am running for District 8 House to be an ambassador for less government and more liberty. I stand for life, family, the second amendment, quality education, free market, and less taxes.”

Wagner formerly served as a School Board Member for Volga Christian School and a School Board Member for Sioux Valley Public Schools, and currently serves on the Oslo Township Board as Clerk.

Wagner has strong agricultural ties to the district, growing up on a farm south of Volga. He attended Sioux Valley Schools in Volga and graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in Agriculture. As a business owner and operator, Wagner has demonstrated decades of proven proficiency in the concrete construction and trucking industry. “Agriculture and small businesses are the foundation of our economy and I will work hard to keep taxes low and preserve our SD way of life.” Wagner said.

Wagner and his wife, Kerri, have been married for 25 years and reside on the family farm. They have three grown children who also live within the district. Wagner and his wife are active members of Peace Lutheran Church in Brookings, where he serves as an Elder.

“I am eager to earn your vote and be your voice in Pierre. Join me in building a stronger future for South Dakota.”

To learn more, see https://www.mattwagner4sd.com

Anyone looking for housing during the upcoming session?

Drop me a note, as a friend just told me that has a 4 bedroom place available with 2 car garage within walking distance – only 3 blocks – from the State Capitol Building that they recently finished remodeling.  Wi-Fi, trash, utilities, etc. included.

A Secure America Starts at the Border
By Sen. John Thune

For the third year in a row, attempted illegal border crossings set a new record. In total, 8 million illegal immigrants have crossed into the United States since President Biden took office – one-fifth being “gotaways” that were seen by Customs and Border Protection, but evaded apprehension. Presumably, more made it through without any detection at all. The border crisis has gotten worse and worse for three years, and it’s long past time for a serious course correction from the Biden administration.

The kind of unchecked illegal immigration we’re seeing represents a serious security threat. The Department of Homeland Security recently warned that, “Terrorists and criminal actors may exploit the elevated flow [of migration] and increasingly complex security environment to enter the United States.” The Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border has serious implications for our national security and public safety in our country.

By all indications, bad actors are in fact taking advantage of the chaos at the southern border. The Border Patrol chief recently said his agency is arresting an average of more than 47 people per day with “serious criminal histories.” In the last 12 months, 169 individuals on the terrorist watch list were caught trying to illegally enter the country. This is just the individuals who are being caught. How many of the individuals that Border Patrol fails to apprehend threaten security or safety?

The current crisis is, unfortunately, the predictable result of decisions made early on in the Biden administration. Before the president took office, his team was warned of the possibility of a migrant surge. Nevertheless, the president immediately went about dismantling his predecessor’s immigration policies and weakened our border security. He then ended pandemic-era policies that enabled expedited deportation. While the president has finally, half-heartedly acknowledged this crisis, the policy changes he has put in place are far too little and far too late. And now, the White House’s request for additional funding that would provide more resources to sanctuary cities gives Americans little confidence that the administration is actually interested in solving the crisis at the southern border.

The reality is that the solution to the border crisis is not solely a matter of money, it’s a matter of policy. Senate Republicans recently put forward a set of proposals to stem the flow of illegal immigrants. The plan would require border wall construction to proceed. It would close loopholes in our asylum system that are often abused. And it would prevent the Biden administration’s catch-and-release policies from sending illegal immigrants into the United States with court dates years into the future. It’s time we fix this problem, and Republicans are offering solutions. The question is whether our Democrat colleagues will join us in finally addressing this crisis.

Recent events should serve as a wake-up call that it’s time to protect our national security and secure the southern border. Lax enforcement and policies like catch-and-release only encourage more people to attempt to enter the United States illegally. A porous border invites the threat of terrorists and criminals. My Senate Republican colleagues and I will continue to advance these kinds of serious solutions to the border crisis.

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