South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson spoke recently about the ongoing federal government shutdown which is now the longest shutdown in US history.
Democrats remain adamant they want to negotiate on ACA subsidies to avoid healthcare premium increases, while Republicans say these negotiations are to be had when the government is open.
Congressman Johnson said there was hope, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s off-year election, Democrats may be willing to vote to open the government in the senate. However, the results were a resounding victory for Democrats across the country, which Johnson thinks will set things back…
Johnson maintains he is not taking a salary during this shutdown and says he can’t believe more lawmakers are not doing the same…
Johnson says he has authored legislation to mandate lawmakers not get paid during shutdowns, but admitted it would require a constitutional amendment, which could be difficult to get passed.
A battle over SNAP benefits has taken place with 42 million Americans on the verge of going hungry due to food insecurity. Initial funding of the program has run out, but congress has passed contingency emergency funding in the past for SNAP. However, there is disagreement between Democrats and Republicans as to how that contingency funding can be used. A federal judge has ordered the US Department of Ag, the agency that oversees SNAP to fund the program at 50 percent in November. Congressman Johnson explained how he sees the situation…
President Donald Trump has more recently called on South Dakota US Senator John Thune to end the filibuster in the Senate and open the government with a simple majority. Congressman Johnson does not agree with that strategy…
