[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4569-S4570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              South Dakota

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, there is nothing like summertime in South 
Dakota.
  While I am in Sioux Falls almost every weekend, August gives me the 
opportunity to spend more time at home. It gives me a chance to travel 
South Dakota's wide-open spaces to meet with constituents and have 
important conversations that shape a lot of what I work on here in the 
Senate. It is a busy month. We covered a lot of ground this August, 
both figuratively and literally.
  To begin with, August is fair season in South Dakota. So this year, I 
made it to the Turner County Fair, the Brown County Fair, where I got 
my usual Tubby burger, and the Sioux Empire Fair. Fairs showcase a lot 
of the best of South Dakota, but they are an especially big deal for 
our agricultural community. Whether I am serving lunch to producers at 
the Sioux Empire Fair's Agriculture Appreciation Day or giving an 
update on the farm bill at Dakotafest, which happens every year in 
Mitchell, SD, I appreciate opportunities to hear directly from farmers 
and ranchers. I do this every year, but it is especially important in a 
farm bill year like this one.
  Many of my farm bill priorities come directly from these discussions. 
In fact, these discussions can often get into the weeds on policy. But 
the bottom line from farmers and ranchers this year was really quite 
simple: We need to get the farm bill done. Farmers and ranchers need 
certainty that the programs they depend on will be there when they need 
them. And finishing the farm bill is one of the most important things 
on the agenda for the end of this year.
  Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, but there is a lot more 
that keeps South Dakota moving. This August, I had the chance to meet 
with electric cooperatives that provide power in South Dakota 
communities. I joined Midco Communications as they announced a new 
broadband expansion in the Black Hills to bring faster internet to more 
homes. I was on hand for the new I-29 exit 130 interchange ribbon-
cutting in Brookings, SD.
  Throughout the month, I also visited a lot of local businesses and 
talked with business owners from across the State. I visited Showplace 
Cabinetry in Harrisburg, SD, Load King Manufacturing in Elk Point, 
Dimock Cheese in Dimock, Dady Drug in Mobridge, and I met with startup 
leaders in Sioux Falls. We had some important conversations. It was 
clear that business owners are facing some headwinds at the moment.
  Business leaders in Yankton, for example, discussed challenges 
arising from the workforce shortages in South Dakota. With unemployment 
at 1.9 percent in South Dakota, there are workforce challenges in just 
about every sector. At the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit, we 
talked about the importance of trade and how the Biden administration 
has put expanding market access on the back burner, unfortunately. 
Business owners across the State expressed frustration with high 
interest rates and higher costs. Of course, we learned last week that 
inflation has ticked back up. Gas prices are on the rise as well.
  And a majority of Americans say the Biden administration has made the 
economy worse. Bidenomics is making life harder for families and 
businesses around the country. If the President really wanted to help 
working families, he would abandon the tax-and-spending agenda that has 
been the hallmark of his administration for the last 2\1/2\ years.
  As I travel around South Dakota, I know I can depend on South 
Dakotans to keep me informed and South Dakota restaurants to keep me 
fueled. Often, August becomes a bit of a tour or a bit of, I should 
say, ``taste of South Dakota'' tour. Sometimes I describe it as eating 
my way across South Dakota--Chislic from Waddy's in Hudson, SD; a 
milkshake from Mr. Bob's Drive-In in Selby; coffee from Black Hills 
Bagels in Rapid City. There is nothing like South Dakota hospitality 
and a good meal to keep you going during long days.

[[Page S4570]]

  As much as I love summer in South Dakota, I always get particularly 
excited when summer turns to fall because there are few things I enjoy 
more than cheering on South Dakota's athletes. Kids go back to school; 
and high schools, college teams start competing. My grandkids' sports 
seasons have begun in earnest. I made it to football games in Brookings 
for South Dakota State University and Vermillion for the University of 
South Dakota to support the Jackrabbits and Coyotes in a couple of big 
wins as their seasons get underway.
  And, of course, it is not long until pheasant season comes around 
next month.
  Winter, spring, summer, or fall, there is always something to look 
forward to in South Dakota. I am lucky to be a son of our State.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Padilla). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.