Political Columns: Thune and Johnson

No Time to Waste: Let’s Get the Farm Bill Done and Done Right
By Sen. John Thune
    America needs farmers and ranchers. That’s a given in South Dakota, where agriculture is part of our way of life. South Dakotans know farming and ranching involve a lot of risk. For almost 100 years Congress has regularly passed a farm bill to back producers with programs and policies to mitigate that risk and to help them continue operating through tough times.
    With the 2018 farm bill expiring last year, I’m glad we passed an extension of farm bill programs through 2024. But this is no substitute for a full and updated farm bill that equips farmers and ranchers with the improved tools they will need in the coming years. So Congress needs to focus on this important task.
    One thing I consistently hear from farmers and ranchers around South Dakota is the importance of the farm safety net and the critical role that crop insurance, commodity, and livestock programs play in helping producers manage risk in their operations. As we consider the next farm bill, I’m working to improve safety net programs to make sure they meet the current needs of producers and provide adequate assistance in a timely manner.
    Since the last farm bill passed in 2018, farmers and ranchers have faced a number of serious challenges. Inflation has driven up farm production expenses by $100 billion. Last year we saw the largest decline in net cash farm income ever recorded, and farm input costs are projected to remain at a record high this year. The Biden administration’s failure to promote trade and market access opportunities will also negatively impact American agriculture, as the United States is on track to post a record agricultural trade deficit this year. And recent disruptions to shipping in the Middle East may also roil markets that impact American farms and ranches.
    With American agriculture set to face serious challenges in the coming years, passing a farm bill that supports farmers and ranchers can’t come a moment too soon. Unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues on the Agriculture Committee don’t seem to share this sense of urgency, as evidenced by their apparent focus on including their Green New Deal priorities and other unrelated measures in the farm bill. I disagree – we need more farm in the farm bill, and we need to get it done sooner rather than later.
    America’s farmers and ranchers can’t afford unnecessary delays or partisan exercises. It’s time to get the farm bill done, and get it done right. That means passing a bill that helps farmers and ranchers deal with the challenges they may face in the next few years. I will continue working to get a farm bill done in a timely manner that provides the support South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers need.

Supporting American Families
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
BIG Update
    The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are disrupting global shipping routes, threatening supply chains, and endangering human life. Twenty percent of all container shipping passes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, but due to the conflict they must be rerouted. The detour is costly, to the tune of an additional $1 million in fuel costs and an additional ten days of travel time. Shipping rates from Asia to Europe have nearly doubled and freight rates for U.S.-bound cargo have also spiked.
    This week, I urged the Biden Administration to secure the Red Sea and restore the safe passage of trade in the region. We may not be able to part the Red Sea like Moses, but if we can’t restore the normal flow of trade, Americans and consumers around the world will pay the cost.
BIG Idea
    School nurses are often the first in line to care for our kids when they are at school. Carrie has been a school nurse for 25 years and is well aware of the needs of students and staff. As the South Dakota Director for the National Association of School Nurses, she advocates for school nurses and works to equip them with the tools and skills to keep our students safe and healthy.
    We discussed fentanyl use among teens and the necessity to equip school nurses with Narcan to prevent overdose deaths. It’s unfortunate, but fentanyl is leading cause of death for teens. One pill can kill.
BIG News
    The House passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act this week to restore many Trump-era tax cuts. This pro-growth, pro-family, pro-small business tax policy will boost U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. Should the bill be signed into law, the Child Tax Credit will be increased to keep up with inflation and the penalty for large families would be eliminated to ensure child tax credit work incentives apply equally to all families. I was proud to support the bill to bring relief to American families and Main Street businesses who have struggled to keep up with inflation.