Recent Bipartisanship Good for South Dakota, Country

Statement

As a Senator who continually looks for common ground with folks from all across the political spectrum, the level of partisanship over the last several years has often been disappointing. During the end of the Bush Administration and especially during President Obama's first term, the political parties have too often focused on embarrassing the other rather than working together. That is why I have been so pleased recently that Congress has, even in an election year, been able to pass major legislation that helps South Dakotans and the country.

Just before I went home to South Dakota for the week of July 4th, I helped negotiate the federal surface transportation reauthorization, commonly known as the highway bill. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over portions of the bill and as Chairman of the committee, I worked hard to see that rural America made out well in the legislation.

The legislation, which passed the Senate 74-19 and the House 373-52, will support more than 10,000 jobs in South Dakota. We were able to work together to improve rural transit service and increase the efficiency and safety of our nation's highways. Thankfully we will not let another construction season go by with funding uncertainty.

Also included in the bipartisan package was the crucial reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program and a fix to stop a catastrophic student loan interest rate hike. The Banking Committee also has jurisdiction over the flood insurance legislation. When I met with homeowners and business owners affected by last year's South Dakota flooding, they stressed to me the need to put a long-term reauthorization in place.

Because the numerous short-term extensions created uncertainty in a program that so many Americans depend on, I was glad to finally shepherd through a bipartisan, 5-year reauthorization that will help folks protect their homes and businesses and put our flood insurance system on a more fiscally sound path. The law also encourages proactive floodplain management by communities, reducing loss of life and property and reducing taxpayer costs for disaster relief.

Although political games threatened to raise student loan rates, I am glad Congress came together to prevent this. It was a no-brainer for me to extend the current rates to begin with, and the next time I speak with South Dakota college students, we can talk about many of the other serious issues they are facing. Our state already has the highest percentage of students graduating with debt, and we couldn't afford to make it more difficult for them to finance their education.

We will undoubtedly see a lot of political grandstanding over the next few months as we get closer to the election, but I plan to continue to reach out to members of both parties to find solutions to the problems facing our nation. It is never easy, but as the last couple months have shown, quality, bipartisan legislation is still possible.

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