Dusty Johnson
House passes aviation bill, including Johnson amendment, that boosts smaller airports
The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for five years, including a big increase in subsidies for airlines providing flights to smaller markets. The chamber voted 351-67 to approve the bill, which would authorize $104 billion for the agency through 2028, increase authorized spending levels for rural […]
Congressional Roundup: Foreign ownership, culture wars in the military, child tax credit, and more
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, is supporting another effort to limit foreign ownership of U.S. land. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party recently introduced the Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites From Foreign Adversaries Act, with the support of Johnson, who’s a member of the committee. The bill would expand the jurisdiction […]
Park Service opposes Johnson’s Mount Rushmore Protection Act, calling it ‘unnecessary’
The National Park Service, which manages the preservation and upkeep of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, testified in opposition to South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson’s “Mount Rushmore Protection Act” on Thursday — not because the agency disagrees with the bill’s intent, but because the agency views the bill as “unnecessary.” NPS Deputy Director for […]
Congressional Roundup: Rounds advocates for defense and AM radios
A congressional defense spending bill includes about $400 million for South Dakota construction projects, according to Sen. Mike Rounds. Rounds, a Republican, is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Earlier this week, the committee sent the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2024 fiscal year to the full Senate. “The NDAA is […]
Leaning into pay and diversity, manufacturer expands amid workforce shortage
MADISON — A manufacturer conducting a $60 million expansion in South Dakota says it’s attacking a workforce shortage by raising pay and embracing diversity. Manitou is a manufacturer of construction equipment based out of France. It is expanding its operations in Madison and Yankton and will add about 125 jobs between the two sites. Currently, 510 […]
Congressional Roundup: Johnson aims for national consistency in pesticide labeling
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, and Jim Costa, D-California, have introduced a bill that would prevent states such as California from putting their own labels on pesticides and herbicides. In a news release, Johnson said “political agendas” in certain states, such as California, have driven labeling decisions that are unsupported by scientific evidence. Johnson […]
Farming carbon: Farm bill presents opportunity to unite farmers, climate activists
IDEAL — On the rolling plains southwest of Chamberlain lies a 30-square-mile farm and ranch that serves as a testament to the power of soil health practices. Bryan Jorgensen has devoted his life to nurturing the soil and maintaining the ecological balance on his family’s land. Jorgensen said the practices not only improve his yields […]
When it comes to classified docs, Trump and the DOJ, Rounds wants it both ways
The federal indictment of former President Donald Trump has elicited a variety of responses from members of the Republican Party. Sen. Mike Rounds has decided to straddle the fence on this one. If he straddles it much harder, he’ll get splinters. After Trump’s indictment, Rounds put out a statement, the gist of which is that […]
Congressional delegation active on rural airports, pistol braces, drug prices
Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, said his amendments to pending legislation could protect three South Dakota cities from about $4 million in air-service fees. The cities are Pierre, Aberdeen and Watertown. The bill’s original language would have charged the cities’ airports new fees for the next decade to participate in the Essential Air Service program, […]
Congressional Roundup: Rounds targets Russian assets for Ukraine
The U.S. Department of Justice could transfer more forfeited Russian assets to Ukraine if a bill introduced by South Dakota’s Mike Rounds and other senators becomes law. Rounds introduced the bill Friday with a fellow Republican and two Democrats. “It is critical Ukraine is able to protect their country against Russia’s unjustified and illegal invasion,” […]
Congressional Roundup: SD delegation unanimous in support for debt limit deal
South Dakota’s three members of Congress expressed varying levels of enthusiasm for the deal to avert a default on the national debt, which all three voted for this week. Rep. Dusty Johnson was featured in an NPR story Thursday that credited “low-key lawmakers” like him for getting the bill through the House of Representatives. Johnson […]
New work requirements for some SNAP recipients included in debt limit deal
WASHINGTON — The holiday weekend debt ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preserves in part new work requirements for some food stamp recipients but now with exceptions for certain populations, including veterans. The agreement released late Saturday night showed concessions from both sides — from GOP members, who wanted […]