Northeast South Dakota News

The federal government shut down at midnight on Wednesday after Senate Democrats and Republicans failed to reach an agreement on funding. According to U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-Aberdeen), the shutdown is the result of Senate Democrats pushing for $1.5 trillion in additional spending, including health care subsidies for undocumented immigrants and individuals earning up to $110,000 a year.

"The American people expect the federal government to work for them. They expect federal programs and services to be there when they need them, and they expect Congress to make their tax dollars work for American citizens. Unfortunately, the government is not open, and it is not working as it should," Johnson said.

Johnson described the Republican proposal as a seven-week extension of current funding levels to allow time for passage of annual appropriations bills. "I voted to keep the government open so taxpaying South Dakotans receive the services they’re paying for," he stated.

He criticized shutdowns as unproductive: "Shutdowns are stupid and no one benefits from them." Johnson has introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act aimed at preventing future government closures. He also said he would decline his paycheck during this period: "Additionally, I believe Congress shouldn’t get paid when American workers like our men and women in uniform do without. I made sure I won’t receive a paycheck during this shutdown – it’s just not fair."

Johnson assured constituents that his office remains available during the shutdown: "I’m working every day to open the government, and my team and I will be available to serve South Dakotans who need help."

He provided updates about how essential services will be affected:

- Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, postal services, and VA medical centers will continue operating with minimal changes.

- SNAP benefits will continue but could be impacted if the shutdown persists; WIC funding may stop.

- National Parks may close; air traffic controllers and TSA staff will work without pay with possible delays.

- Passport processing times may increase beyond four-to-six weeks.

- The Farm Service Agency will provide emergency loans but local offices will be closed except for emergencies.

Dusty Johnson has represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district since 2019 after succeeding Kristi Noem (https://johnson.house.gov/about). He was born in Pierre in 1976 and currently resides in Mitchell (https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/06/dusty-johnson-biography-south-dakota-house-representative-election-results-kristi-noem/1904849002/). Johnson holds a BA from the University of South Dakota (https://www.usd.edu/news/2019/05/alumnus-dusty-johnson-to-deliver-usd-commencement-address).

Johnson encouraged anyone needing assistance or information about specific impacts of the shutdown on federal services to contact his office directly.