Rep.
Herseth wants to hear from you!
As
a member of the House Agriculture Committee, over the coming weeks
and months, Rep. Herseth will be participating in a range of field
hearings to help shape the 2007 Farm Bill. Your Congresswoman
needs your input! Rep. Herseth is requesting all South Dakota
producers and their families to provide her with thoughts, ideas
and suggestions either by using the online form below or calling,
toll-free, (866) 371-8747.
Op-ed:
2007 Farm Bill Needs Input from South Dakotans
By Stephanie Herseth
Click
here to offer your input
Welcome to your
Congressional Web site! As South Dakota’s lone member of Congress,
I am committed to being an independent voice that represents
the entire state. I hope this Web site can be a great way
to communicate with you about the issues you care about. Please,
let me know what’s on your mind by
contacting my state or Washington, D.C. offices, and check
back often for important news and information.
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July
23, 2006 - Rep. Herseth visited
rural Miller and discussed the drought conditions
with local producers. More
photos
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Herseth
Announces South Dakota Projects In Defense Appropriations Bill
9/27 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced the details of several
South Dakota projects receiving funding in the Fiscal Year 2007
Defense Appropriations Conference Report. The bill passed the House
of Representatives late last night, and includes a number of projects
specifically requested by Herseth. Following Senate approval, the
bill will go to the President's desk for his signature. Read
More
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Herseth
Statement On Return Of Charlie Battery
9/22 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth released the following statement today
regarding the announced return of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th
Field Artillery. After serving for one year in Iraq, Charlie Battery,
which is headquartered in Yankton, is scheduled to arrive at McGuire
Air Force Base in New Jersey on Saturday, September 23rd. Read
More
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Herseth:
Do-Nothing Congress Has Misplaced Priorities
9/21 - On
a conference call with reporters today, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth
outlined her frustration with the priorities of the current Congress.
Herseth said that the House has failed to tackle the tough issues
facing our country and South Dakota. Herseth believes that the Congress
should have found time to debate drought relief, address gas prices
and renewable fuels, strengthen laws to prevent terrorism, and provide
oversight and direction on the war in Iraq. Read
More
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Herseth
Turns Up Pressure On Speaker To Schedule Vote On Drought Relief
9/12 - With less than three weeks until Congress is scheduled
to recess for the upcoming elections, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth
increased the pressure on House Republican leaders to schedule a
debate and vote on drought relief for South Dakota farmers and ranchers.
Read
More
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Herseth
Opposes Bill
To Ban Horse Slaughter
9/7 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today voted against a bill that would
completely ban horse slaughter in the United States. Herseth opposed
the bill, H.R. 503, because it would eliminate a necessary outlet
for unwanted horses and deprive South Dakota ranchers of an important
market. Read
More
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Herseth
Asks House Leadership To Schedule Floor Time For Drought
9/7 - Today,
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth (SD-AL) wrote to House Majority Leader
John Boehner and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to request
time on the House Floor to debate drought assistance for affected
farm and ranch families in the Great Plains. The letter is part
of Herseth's continued effort to get House leaders to recognize
the drought as a natural disaster, and to treat those affected by
the drought equitably.
Read More
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Herseth:
Drought Package Falls Short
8/29 - U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today welcomed Agriculture
Secretary Mike Johanns to South Dakota for a drought tour of the
Kirkpatrick Ranch near Hayes. Unfortunately, following the tour,
Secretary Johanns announced a drought relief package that is woefully
insufficient for producers struggling with the drought. Read
More
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Herseth
Statement On Johanns Drought Visit
8/28 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth announced that she will join Agriculture
Secretary Mike Johanns Tuesday for a tour of drought stricken areas
in central South Dakota. The tour will take place in and around
Hayes, SD.
Read More
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Herseth
Statement On
Japan Resuming Beef Trade
7/27- U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today released the following statement following
news that Japan has partially lifted its ban on U.S. beef following
a six-month suspension of trade. Read
More
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Herseth
Announces Witness List For Farm Bill Hearing In Wall
7/27 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced the witness list for the
Farm Bill Hearing she is hosting in Wall, South Dakota on Monday
July 31, 2006. The meeting is an official hearing of the House Agriculture
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, and
it will feature the testimony of eight South Dakota agriculture
leaders. Read
More
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Herseth Introduces
Veterans Reassignment Protection Act
7/26 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today introduced legislation to ensure
that veterans' preference protections are maintained in federal
government employment decisions. These protections, also called
"bumping rights," exist to give employees who are United
States veterans priority status when a government facility is closed
or consolidated. Read
More
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House
Passes Herseth Bill On Blunt Reservoir
7/24 - The
U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4301, legislation
introduced by Rep. Stephanie Herseth to allow South Dakotans to
buy back up to 13,775 acres of land from the federal government.
Read
More
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Herseth
Seeks Fall Intern Applications
7/18 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth is accepting applications for fall internships
in her Washington, D.C., Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls Congressional
offices. The internships will roughly coincide with the fall school
semester, starting on or about September 1, 2006. South Dakota natives
who are current college students are encouraged to apply. Read
More
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Herseth To Host Farm Bill Field Hearing In
Wall On July 31
7/13 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced that she will host a
field hearing in Wall, SD on July 31, 2006 to gather input from
South Dakotans on the 2007 Farm Bill. As Congress begins to consider
the scope and contours of the 2007 Farm Bill, this official hearing
of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities
and Risk Management will help ensure that the views of South Dakota
producers are heard. South Dakota producers and industry experts
will testify, and the general public is welcome to attend. Read
More
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Herseth Statement On Early Release Of CRP
For Haying And Grazing In 20 SD Counties
7/7 - Today,
USDA announced the early release of CRP acres for emergency haying
and grazing in the following South Dakota Counties: Beadle, Campbell,
Corson, Dewey, Edmunds, Faulk, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Jones,
Lyman, McPherson, Perkins, Potter, Sanborn, Stanley, Sully, Walworth,
and Ziebach. The release is effective July 15. Read
More
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Emergency
Conservation Program Funds Released For South Dakota Producers In
18 Counties
6/29 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth announced today that South Dakota producers
in 18 counties are eligible to receive Emergency Conservation Program
(ECP) funding. Nationwide, USDA allocated approximately $11.8 million
in ECP funds. South Dakota's allocation totals $1.963 million, the
single highest state allocation. Read
More
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House
Approves Herseth Amendment For Veterans Assistance
6/28 -
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved an amendment offered
by Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Rep.
Lane Evans (D-IL) to increase funding for the National Veterans
Business Development Corporation. The Corporation helps recent veterans
who want to start and operate their own business after they return
from military service. Read
More
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Herseth Supports New Legislative Line-Item
Veto To Cut Down On Wasteful Spending
6/22 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced her support for a legislative
line-item veto that would give the president limited authority to
propose a cancellation of specific, individual spending items during
the appropriations process. The bill is scheduled for consideration
later today on the House floor.
Read
More
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SD
Delegation to Ag Secretary: Open CRP Acres For Emergency Haying
and Grazing
6/22 - As drought conditions in South Dakota worsen, U.S.
Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD) and Congresswoman
Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) urged USDA to release CRP acres for emergency
haying and grazing.
Read
More
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Herseth Announces Funding For South
Dakota School of Mines Research Projects
6/21 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth announced that the House of Representatives
has approved funding for several South Dakota School of Mines and
Technology (SDSMT) research projects. The funding, which was requested
by Rep. Herseth, was included as part of the Department of Defense
that passed the House late last night and will support new and ongoing
SDSMT research projects on a range of national defense initiatives.
Read
More
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Japan Agrees To Resume US Beef Imports
6/21 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today issued a statement regarding Japan's
agreement to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports pending fulfillment
of certain conditions. Japanese audit teams will arrive in the U.S.
this weekend to inspect certain American processing plants, and
they plan to conclude their work by July 21.
Read
More
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Delegation
Discusses South Dakota's Funding Priorities with new OMB Director
6/20 - Senators
Tim Johnson, John Thune and Representative Stephanie Herseth today
discussed South Dakota's funding priorities with White House Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Rob Portman. Portman was
sworn in as OMB Director in late May. As OMB Director, Portman is
responsible for crafting the President's annual budget requests
and oversees spending of federal agencies.
Read
More
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Herseth
Announces Key
Funding For South Dakota Transportation Needs, Indian Country
6/15 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced that several South Dakota
projects that she requested were included in the 2007 Transportation,
Treasury and Housing and Urban Development (TTHUD) bill that passed
the House last night.
Read
More
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Herseth
Statement On Roger
Andal
6/14 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth released the following statement in response
to the news that Roger Andal, Vietnam veteran and former state commander
of the Disabled American Veterans, died Tuesday at the age of 57
from complications after surgery for Crohn's disease.
Read
More
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Herseth
Statement On Supplemental Emergency Spending Bill
6/13 - The
U.S. House of Representatives today approved an emergency supplemental
appropriations bill for military operations and hurricane recovery.
The bill, which totaled $94.5 billion, included funding for military
efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as aid for Gulf Coast hurricane
relief.
Read
More
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Herseth
Statement on Zarqawi
6/8 - U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth
commented today on the news that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a key leader
of the insurgency in Iraq, had been killed.
Read
More
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President
Declares Federal Disaster In South Dakota
6/6 -
Late yesterday, President George W. Bush declared a major disaster
for the State of South Dakota in response to the severe winter storm
that occurred April 18-20, 2006. Rep. Stephanie Herseth joined the
rest of the South Dakota delegation in writing to the president
on May 15th, 2006 to request assistance for affected areas, following
the Governor's request. Read
More
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Herseth
Releases Report Outlining Effect Of High Gas Prices On South Dakota
Families
6/2 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today released a study outlining the impact
of high gasoline prices on South Dakota families over the last five
years. The study, authored by the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Government Reform, details the steep increase in gasoline
costs since 2001, and underscores the need to make ourselves energy
independent. Read
More
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Herseth
Questions VA Officials On Loss Of Data
5/25 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today questioned Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) officials about the loss of personal information for up to
26.5 million United States veterans. Herseth and other members of
the House Veterans' Affairs Committee sought answers as to how the
VA could compromise specific identifying information including names,
Social Security numbers and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million
veterans and some spouses. Read
More
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House
Passes Herseth Bill for Native American Veterans
5/23 -
Late yesterday, the House passed the Veterans Housing Opportunity
and Benefits Act. The package bill includes a measure sponsored
by Rep. Stephanie Herseth to help Native American veterans become
homeowners. Read
More
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Herseth:
Security Breach is Unacceptable Violation
5/22 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth responded today with outrage upon the
news that personal records for millions of United States veterans
had been compromised. Herseth, who serves on the House Veterans'
Affairs Committee, learned today that specific identifying information
including names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for
up to 26.5 million veterans and some spouses, as well as some disability
ratings, had been stolen from a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
employee. The information is currently unaccounted for.
Read
More
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SD Delegation Supports Governor's Request and Asks White House for
Emergency Declaration
5/18 -
U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD) and Congresswoman
Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) called on President George W. Bush to recognize
the devastating effects of the April blizzard that hit western South
Dakota and declare six counties a major disaster area. In a letter
to Bush from the South Dakota delegation, they ask the President
to instruct federal agencies to expedite the delivery of all forms
of federal disaster assistance. Read
More
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Herseth
Announces Water Project Funding Levels
5/18 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced FY2007 funding levels
for South Dakota water projects, as reported out of the House Appropriations
Committee. Read
More
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House
Passes Herseth Bill To Improve Forest Recovery and Research
5/17 -
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed comprehensive legislation
to assist forest managers in recovery after a natural disaster,
such as a fire, a hurricane or a bug infestation. Rep. Stephanie
Herseth is an original co-sponsor and leading advocate for the bill,
H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act, or FERRA.
Read
More
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Herseth
Announces Historic Biofuels Legislation
5/11 - U.S.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced the details of her new Biofuels
Bill, which includes an unprecedented commitment to renewable biofuels
like ethanol and biodiesel. Her bill includes provisions to increase
the biofuels mandate, expand the number of vehicles that can run
on ethanol, increase the number of E-85 pumps, encourage research
and development into new biofuel technologies, and provide financing
incentives for cooperative and independent biofuel plants. Read
More
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Herseth
Announces $3 Million for Ellsworth Water Well
5/10 -
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth announced today $12.9 million in funding
for a new Armed Forces Reserve Center in Sioux Falls. The funding
was included in the House Military Quality of Life and Veterans
Affairs Appropriations bill, which passed the Subcommittee on May
4th and the full Appropriations Committee today. Read
More
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Herseth
Announces $3 Million for Ellsworth Water Well
5/10 - U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today announced $3
million in appropriations funding for a new water well at Ellsworth
Air Force Base. The funding was included in the House Military Quality
of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which passed the
Subcommittee on May 4th and the full Appropriations Committee today.
Read
More
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Herseth
To Discuss Historic Biofuels Legislation On C-SPAN's Washington
Journal - Thursday Morning
5/10 - U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth will appear
on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" program Thursday
morning May 11th, 2006 to discuss her new legislation in support
of renewable biofuels. The program airs live at 9:00am Eastern -
8:00am Central - 7:00am Mountain. Read
More
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Delegation
Announces Public Hearing to be Conducted on Aberdeen Post Office
Services
5/3 - U.S.
Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and John Thune (R-SD) and Representative
Stephanie Herseth (D-SD) today announced that the United States
Postal Service (USPS) has granted the delegation's request to hold
a public hearing in Aberdeen on a proposed plan to move processing
and distribution services to Huron. Read
More
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Lawmakers
Urge Speaker Hastert to Investigate Skyrocketing Gas Prices, Possible
Price-Gouging
4/27 - Eighty-eight
Members of Congress led by U.S. Representatives Rosa L. DeLauro
(Conn.-3), Bart Stupak (MI-1) and Stephanie Herseth (SD-At Large)
today urged House Speaker Dennis Hastert to investigate skyrocketing
gas prices and possible price-gouging. Read
More
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Herseth:
Support For Renewable Fuels Must Be Backed Up With Action
4/25 -
Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), co-chair of the House Democratic
Rural Working Group, today praised President Bush's new commitment
to renewable fuels, but challenged the administration to back up
strong words with strong actions. Read
More
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Delegation
Announces Audit to be Conducted on Aberdeen Post Office Services
4/17 - Senators
John Thune and Tim Johnson and Representative Stephanie Herseth
today issued the following statements regarding the United States
Postal Service's (USPS) decision to grant their request to conduct
an audit on services currently offered by the USPS processing and
distribution center in Aberdeen.
Read
More
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Herseth
Urges Ag Secretary Johanns To Keep Canadian Border Closed To Cattle
Over 30 Months
4/13 -
Following reports of a new possible discovery of BSE in Canada,
U. S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today wrote Agriculture Secretary Mike
Johanns, urging him to keep the border closed to cattle over 30
months in age. Recent press reports suggested that USDA is considering
a new federal rule that would allow all cattle from Canada to enter
the United States, regardless of age. The border is currently closed
to cattle older than 30 months. Read
More
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New
Financial Services Center Coming To Ellsworth
4/10 -
Air Force officials informed U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth's office
today that Ellsworth Air Force Base has been chosen to host a new
Financial Services Center. The mission will mean approximately 775
new jobs for the Black Hills region at Ellsworth, including civilian
and military positions. The Air Force informed Herseth's office
that the Financial Services Center is scheduled for activation in
fiscal year 2007.
Read
More
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Herseth
Supports New Agriculture Disaster Assistance Bill
4/6 - U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth is an original cosponsor
of new bipartisan legislation to provide disaster relief to farmers
and ranchers who have experienced weather-related crop losses, loss
of livestock and damage to livestock feed supplies. Read
More
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Herseth:
Budget Is Fiscally Reckless, Morally Irresponsible
4/6 - As the House of Representatives this week debates
the 2007 Budget Resolution, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today outlined
her opposition the budget plan, which is fiscally irresponsible
and cuts programs important to South Dakotans. Read
More
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