Congressman Dusty Johnson held a Town Hall Meeting on December 17, 2020, via Zoom with graduates and current class members of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program (SDARL), outlining important issues to resolve before the year ends and issues moving into a new administration in Washington, D.C.
The South Dakota Republican noted that avoiding a government shut-down and providing a second round of COVID relief are immediate priorities. He said the second COVID relief plan is on the “one-yard line” and needs to be pushed forward. He noted that the proposed assistance includes $9.9 billion for the USDA as support to farmers and ranchers.
Congressman Johnson answered questions from the SDARL audience members, including the work of the “Problem Solver’s Caucus” of which he is a member – a bipartisan group of 40 legislators that has worked to successfully draft legislation without getting caught up in political bickering. He noted that the essence of the second COVID relief plan came from that caucus.
SDARL graduates also asked about relief funds for areas of leadership service, such as programs for nursing homes, child care, and tax policies for cooperative members. Congressman Johnson indicated his intent to remain on the House Agriculture Committee, and work on the biofuels caucus.
This was the second Town Hall Meeting the congressman has held with SDARL graduates in 2020.
