MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Welcome back to the Weekly Round[s] Up! We are back in session in Washington after spending the month of August working in South Dakota. It’s always great to be home, but we have a lot to address in DC this month. We’ve already begun to advance the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation which authorizes critical funding for military programs, personnel and equipment. We also continue to work toward funding the government before the end of the Fiscal Year, September 30.

In addition, Senate Democrats are carrying out historic obstruction when it comes to confirming President Trump’s nominees. The numbers tell the story: in the first eight months of the Trump Administration, only 135 nominees have been confirmed. By contrast, President Biden had 817 confirmed in his first two years, and even President Trump’s first term saw 715. Historically, more than 90% of nominees have been cleared quickly by unanimous consent or voice vote. Under Trump II, that number is zero. Instead, each nominee is dragged through time-consuming roll call votes, with confirmations of nominees with bipartisan support taking an average of 94 days. Nearly a quarter into the term, less than 12% of positions are filled, proof Democrats are deliberately grinding government to a halt for partisan gain. Despite this, Senate Republicans are committed to getting these nominees confirmed and in place. All this to say, we’re geared up for a busy month ahead. More in my Weekly Round[s] Up:

South Dakota work period: As I mentioned, I spent most of August in South Dakota. A few highlights from the month included the Brown County Fair in Aberdeen, the Central States Fair’s Ag Appreciation Event in Rapid City, Dakotafest’s Annual Congressional Forum in Mitchell and the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Inside Washington Event in Sioux Falls. I appreciate everyone who took the time to come out to these events, ask questions and share comments on the work we’re doing in DC.

Other meetings this past week: I met with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to discuss the important work happening at the Sanford Underground Research Facility near Lead. I also met with Dr. Stephen Miran, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors and nominee to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors; General Christopher Mahoney, nominee to serve as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and leaders from the Embassy of Rwanda. I spoke at the Defense News Conference in a fireside chat addressing information warfare.

Hearing: We had one hearing in the Senate Banking Committee to hear from a group of nominees, including Dr. Stephen Miran who I met with earlier in the week. You can watch a clip of my questions from that hearing here.

Votes taken: 4 – two of these were procedural votes to advance this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While we still need to vote on a few amendments to this piece of legislation, I am hopeful that it will pass the full Senate before the end of the month.

My staff in South Dakota visited: Martin and Sioux Falls.

Steps taken: 44,644 steps or 20.80 miles.

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