| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details)
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Abortion
Billie Sutton: Strong conservative history on abortion.
Billie Sutton: Moderate with pro-gun and pro-life stances.
Billie Sutton: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Billie Sutton: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Daniel Ahlers: Oppose requiring counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Dennis Daugaard: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Gordon Howie: Man does not have the right to destroy innocent life.
Jamie R. Smith: I think abortion should be rare but legal.
Jay Williams: Passing laws that restrict abortions won't stop abortions.
Joel Dykstra: Voted to classify abortion as a Class 4 felony.
Kristi Noem: Ban abortion of preborn diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Kristi Noem: No mother should be pressured into ending a child's life.
Kristi Noem: As soon as Roe is overturned, ready to protect every unborn.
Larry Pressler: Supports abortion law allowing first trimester terminations.
Marty Jackley: AdWatch: Protect the unborn.
Nancy Turbak Berry: Voted against requiring sonograms at abortion facilities.
Nancy Turbak Berry: No state interference with birth control or contraception.
Nancy Turbak Berry: Repeal ban on conducting embryonic stem cell research.
Steven Haugaard: Right to life exists from conception to natural death.
Steven Haugaard: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Steven Haugaard: Introduced amendment that life begins at conception.
Jamie R. Smith: Uphold state abortion ban: no exceptions for rape or incest.
Kristi Noem: Focus on doctors breaking the law; ban telemedicine abortion.
Kristi Noem: Supreme Court gave authority back to the states to decide.
Kristi Noem: I will proclaim that 2024 will be "Freedom for Life Year".
Jamie R. Smith: Oppose requiring counseling at anti-abortion crisis center.
Kristi Noem: Pro-life, although South Dakotans support right to choose.
Brian Bengs: Position on abortion mirrors what's found in Roe v. Wade.
Jon Hansen: Vice president of South Dakota Right to Life.
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Budget & Economy
Billie Sutton: Plan for robust economic development statewide.
Brian Bengs: Military spending is an important part of state economy.
Dennis Daugaard: Invite, increase, and innovate--for economic development.
Dennis Daugaard: Good stewardship achieves a structurally balanced budget.
Gordon Howie: Say No to $17 trillion national debt.
Gordon Howie: Economic survival depends on fiscal responsibility.
Jamie R. Smith: Promoting sustainable growth will be prioritized.
Larry Pressler: Pay a little more taxes & give up some programs.
Mike Rounds: Don't promise everything then borrow it from next generation.
Scyller Borglum: Federal budget: reduce debt & spending.
Scyller Borglum: Wooden Nickel Plan: Public vote on budget increases over 5%.
Steven Haugaard: Federal dependency can be limited, we are a 'welfare state'.
Mike Rounds: Keep Trump tax cuts; slow down mandatory spending.
Jon Hansen: End executive branch "slush fund" for business loans.
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Civil Rights
Billie Sutton: Indian Country will have a seat at the table.
Gordon Howie: Gays and lesbians choose to live outside the laws of God.
Gordon Howie: Civil unions and equal rights for gays, but not marriage.
Gordon Howie: Government shouldn't redefine marriage.
Jay Williams: Far too often, Native Americans are forgotten & ignored.
Kristi Noem: Bars transgender athletes from women's sports.
Kristi Noem: In South Dakota, only girls can play in girls' sports.
Larry Pressler: I was wrong to support 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
Larry Pressler: Supports gay marriage.
Larry Pressler: Filed legal brief to overturn S.D.'s gay marriage ban.
Mike Rounds: Legal contracts for gay couples, but not marriage.
Rick Weiland: Favors same-sex marriage.
Scyller Borglum: Voted no on banning gender-dysphoria instruction in schools.
Scyller Borglum: Voted no on posting "In God We Trust" signs in schools.
Scyller Borglum: Shouldn't adultery laws include bestiality?
Steven Haugaard: Radical transgender ideology rejects parental rights.
Jamie R. Smith: Critical race theory not a problem in South Dakota schools.
Kristi Noem: Strengthen anti-discrimination laws by defining antisemitism.
Dusty Johnson: Voted against bill codifying same-sex/interracial marriage.
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Corporations
Dennis Daugaard: Revamp MicroLOAN program for small businesses.
Larry Pressler: Both parties beholden to corporate backers.
Mike Rounds: $75M in Future Fund grants to support entrepreneurialism.
Rick Weiland: Immigration problem from profits from cheap immigrant labor.
Rick Weiland: Stop sweetheart deals for businesses 'too big to fail'.
Jon Hansen: No more corporate welfare; let's get back to free market.
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Crime
Billie Sutton: Require mental health evaluations in jails within 21 days.
Daniel Ahlers: Require mental health evaluations in jails within 21 days.
Dennis Daugaard: Achieved Level 4 certification for Juvenile Corrections.
Dennis Daugaard: Justice reinvestment: focuses resources on proven tools.
Dennis Daugaard: High rates of incarceration does not increase public safety.
Dennis Daugaard: Reforms reduced population on parole.
Dennis Daugaard: Make mugshots and pardon process open to the public.
Dennis Daugaard: Require mental health evaluations in jails within 21 days.
Jay Williams: Our criminal justice system is broken.
Kristi Noem: We recruited law enforcement officers to move to our state.
Nancy Turbak Berry: Define hate crimes by sexual orientation or gender identity.
Nancy Turbak Berry: Remove requirement that physicians be present at executions.
Steven Haugaard: We've neglected budgeting for prisons, probation, parole.
Steven Haugaard: Require mental health evaluations in jails within 21 days.
Kristi Noem: Criminals should also have the opportunity to rehabilitate.
Larry Rhoden: Fight crime with more officers, not increased penalties.
Jon Hansen: Prisoners should serve their entire sentences.
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Drugs
Billie Sutton: We're not going to incarcerate our way out of this.
Dennis Daugaard: More funding for drug courts; a bargain compared to prison.
Dennis Daugaard: Swift and certain sanctions for drug addicts.
Jamie R. Smith: Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota.
Joel Dykstra: Require blood testing for drunk driving arrests.
Kristi Noem: Make medical cannabis program safest, most responsible.
Marty Jackley: We must explain consequences of legalized marijuana.
Marty Jackley: Double headline - Already Done.
Marty Jackley: Congress has failed us on drugs; keep drug dealers out.
Marty Jackley: Bolster rehabilitation and mental health programs for drugs.
Larry Rhoden: Operation: Prairie Thunder achieve record drug bust.
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Education
Billie Sutton: Strong economy and workforce start with the right education.
Daniel Ahlers: Improve educational services for deaf children.
Daniel Ahlers: Must invest in schools, teachers and our children.
Daniel Ahlers: Investing in education invests in our present and our future.
Dennis Daugaard: Repeal 100 student minimum for state aid to districts.
Dennis Daugaard: Increase teacher salaries to retain and attract hires.
Dennis Daugaard: Tuition freeze on college education.
Dennis Daugaard: Increase enrolment in technical institutes.
Jamie R. Smith: The first thing we should do in our budget is pay teachers.
Jay Williams: I moved back to SD for quality of schools; focus on that.
Jay Williams: Served a term on the Yankton school board.
Joel Dykstra: Voted for abstinence-only sex education.
John Thune: Teachers & parents know best how to spend education funds.
Kristi Noem: Schools should teach is US is most special nation in history.
Kristi Noem: Re-instill right to pray in school, absent far too long.
Kristi Noem: Teach true, honest history not radical Critical Race Theory.
Nancy Turbak Berry: Increase teacher pay and student spending annually.
Scyller Borglum: Rural education initiative: address gaps in education.
Steven Haugaard: I will oppose Critical Race Theory in our classrooms.
Steven Haugaard: We must cut unnecessary expenditures for higher education.
William Janklow: Reward extra teacher effort with extra pay.
William Janklow: $9500 for college tuition for all Regents grads.
Mike Rounds: Ban cell-cultivated meat from school breakfast & lunch.
Kristi Noem: Institute Education Savings Accounts for South Dakota kids.
Larry Rhoden: Support creation of Education Savings Accounts.
Jon Hansen: Promote competition among educational options.
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Energy & Oil
Billie Sutton: Must invest in energy efficiency options to move forward.
Brian Bengs: Speed the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
Brian Bengs: Energy independence through clean energy not fossil fuels.
Daniel Ahlers: Promote conservation, sustainability, and coal.
Dennis Daugaard: Increase ethanol revolving fund from $7M to $17M.
Dennis Daugaard: Explore our potential for oil development.
Gordon Howie: Congress should pass laws benefiting the oil & gas industry.
Gordon Howie: No subsidies for wind and solar.
Jay Williams: This planet is our only home; curb carbon emissions.
Larry Pressler: Immediate increase of 12 cents per gallon in the gas tax.
Mike Rounds: Tax energy exploration on federal land instead of gas tax.
Rick Weiland: Opposes Keystone XL pipeline.
Rick Weiland: End subsidies to big oil companies, instead of gas tax.
Kristi Noem: Get these American-first energy supplies back online.
Jon Hansen: Only thing to be sequestered are "leftist climate policies".
Larry Rhoden: Signs bill derailing world's largest carbon capture project.
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Environment
Billie Sutton: Listen to all parties to protect pheasant hunting habitats.
Dennis Daugaard: Invest $8 million to fight the mountain pine beetle.
Marty Jackley: Legislature decides recreational use of non-meandered waters.
Mike Rounds: Rein in the Environmental Protection Agency.
William Janklow: Remove old gas tanks and their contaminants.
Larry Rhoden: Extremist environmental policies from Washington aren't good.
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Families & Children
Billie Sutton: Don't allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
Billie Sutton: Don't allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
Daniel Ahlers: Don't allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
Dennis Daugaard: Infant Mortality Task Force: distribute safe sleep kits.
Dennis Daugaard: Allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
Jamie R. Smith: Don't allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
Kristi Noem: My vision: maintain our family traditions & way of life.
Mike Rounds: Our children are our most valuable resource.
William Janklow: Supports Bright Start boxes to help new parents.
Steven Haugaard: Allow LGBTQ discrimination by foster/adoption agencies.
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Foreign Policy
Brian Bengs: Preserving close relationship with allies makes us all safer.
Jay Williams: Negotiate with Iran over nuclear weapons.
Kristi Noem: Freedom to farm and ranch should not extend to our enemies.
Mike Rounds: Iran bombing stopped conversion to weapons-grade uranium.
Larry Rhoden: Defend South Dakota from Evil Foreign Governments.
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Free Trade
Billie Sutton: Better trade deals, not trade wars and tariffs.
Dennis Daugaard: Supports USMCA trade agreement to replace NAFTA.
Kristi Noem: Supports trade deal with Mexico/Canada.
Kristi Noem: China trade wars makes low soybean prices & hurts farmers.
Steven Haugaard: Don't export unprocessed agricultural products, do it here.
Mike Rounds: Tariffs are a way to open negotiations on trade agreements.
Mike Rounds: Hopefully Trump tariffs will lead to negotiating trade deals.
Dusty Johnson: Targeted tariffs helpful in building some domestic industry.
Larry Rhoden: Trusts Trump on making tariffs work out well.
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Government Reform
Billie Sutton: Clean up entrenched system & champion good government.
Brian Bengs: Signed U.S. Term Limits pledge.
Daniel Ahlers: Establish commission for legislative redistricting.
Daniel Ahlers: Filed bill for commission to establish legislative districts.
Dennis Daugaard: Better Government Red Tape Review: eliminate 26,000 words.
Dennis Daugaard: Red Tape Repeal: remove 4,000 obsolete laws & rules.
Gordon Howie: Photo ID for voting.
Jay Williams: GOP's 2013 government shutdown caused S.D. suffering.
Jay Williams: Campaign spending is out of control.
Joel Dykstra: Voted to restrict campaign donations.
John Thune: Don't put Washington in charge of state elections.
Kristi Noem: Summoned employee who denied daughter's license.
Kristi Noem: Eliminate fees for starting or renewing a business.
Nancy Turbak Berry: $4000 limit on individual campaign contribution.
Rick Weiland: Congress should fight for people, not for big donors.
Steven Haugaard: We need transparent leadership, not CDC/White House dictates.
Kristi Noem: So many serious election integrity concerns in 2020 election.
Jon Hansen: Shorten time to get signatures for ballot questions.
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Gun Control
Billie Sutton: Supports open carry for guns and extra handgun training.
Billie Sutton: Don't allow concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Billie Sutton: Don't allow concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Brian Bengs: Gun owner; favors background checks.
Daniel Ahlers: Vetoed allowing concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Dennis Daugaard: Vetoed allowing concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Gordon Howie: Bumper sticker: God, Guns, and Gordon.
Gordon Howie: Opposes more gun restrictions.
Jamie R. Smith: We should have a concealed carry permit in the state.
Jay Williams: Common sense measures like background checks.
Kristi Noem: Won't cost you a penny to exercise 2d amendment rights.
Marty Jackley: Double headline - Already Done.
Rick Weiland: Universal background checks for guns.
Steven Haugaard: Founders understood evil people/tyrants part of our world.
Steven Haugaard: Allow concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Kristi Noem: We're able to market our state as a 2nd Amendment haven.
Jamie R. Smith: Don't allow concealed carry of guns at state capitol.
Kristi Noem: Defended our Second Amendment more than any other state.
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Health Care
Billie Sutton: Look for ways to get health care coverage to all citizens.
Billie Sutton: Our aging veterans will continue receiving high quality care.
Brian Bengs: Public health shouldn't be treated as a political football.
Brian Bengs: Opposes Republican plans to kill off Affordable Care Act.
Daniel Ahlers: System should be affordable, innovative, free enterprise.
Dennis Daugaard: Add work requirements to Medicaid.
Gordon Howie: Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility.
Jamie R. Smith: Expanding Medicaid crucial to our rural communities.
Jay Williams: Health care is a basic human right.
Kristi Noem: Make pandemic rules for telehealth permanent.
Kristi Noem: COVID: vaccine passports are oppressive and un-American.
Kristi Noem: Unvaccinated Americans are still Americans.
Larry Pressler: Keep ObamaCare in place; we need it.
Mike Rounds: Shut down ObamaCare but don't shut down government.
Rick Weiland: Push for public option to expand ObamaCare.
Rick Weiland: Keep parts of ObamaCare that work, and add Medicare option.
Rick Weiland: Give Medicare recipients a choice of private insurance.
Scyller Borglum: Oppose Medicare-for-all and replace ObamaCare.
Scyller Borglum: Against Medicare for All; replace ObamaCare.
Scyller Borglum: Vote against Medicare for all and "other socialist plans".
Steven Haugaard: Never compel citizens to receive medical treatments.
William Janklow: Re-pay med school tuition for doctors in needy areas.
William Janklow: Fund newborn hearing-screening program.
William Janklow: Give nicotine patches free to anyone who asks.
Jamie R. Smith: COVID face coverings keeps people healthy & businesses open.
Kristi Noem: Won't vote for Medicaid expansion; will implement if passed.
Kristi Noem: No to Medicaid expansion; $80 million cost is too high.
Kristi Noem: Listen to healthcare professionals for COVID policy.
Kristi Noem: Use telemedicine to connect with EMS personnel in the field.
Larry Rhoden: Construct new facility for women with substance use disorder.
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Homeland Security
Brian Bengs: VA closings might make it more responsive to veterans.
Daniel Ahlers: Helped fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery.
Daniel Ahlers: Expand VA benefits to include assisted living.
Dennis Daugaard: Split two departments: Military & Veterans' Affairs.
Dennis Daugaard: Transfer professional license from other states for military.
Gordon Howie: Maintain a superior nuclear arsenal.
Jay Williams: Served in the US Navy and the Peace Corps.
Jay Williams: Served in the Peace Corps as well as the U.S. Navy.
Jay Williams: Don't use fear of ISIS to justify government overreach.
Jay Williams: Cut defense spending: 6 aircraft carriers instead of 11.
John Thune: PATRIOT Act is still needed in these dangerous times.
Kristi Noem: Tax exemptions for veterans with disabilities.
Larry Pressler: Significant cutbacks on overseas military spending.
Larry Pressler: 1980 presidential run:focus on veteran issues & Agent Orange.
Larry Pressler: First Vietnam vet elected to Congress.
Larry Rhoden: Support our dedicated military members and veterans.
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Immigration
Gordon Howie: Protect the borders; prevent illegal entry.
Jay Williams: Get ten million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows.
Larry Pressler: 5-year path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Mike Rounds: Border security first, then a limited path to citizenship.
Rick Weiland: Border security and a path to citizenship at the same time.
Scyller Borglum: Commonsense approach to immigration, with border wall.
Scyller Borglum: Build the wall, close refugee loopholes.
Scyller Borglum: Strong borders & safe, legal procedures.
Steven Haugaard: Spanish-language driver's test would dilute our population.
Kristi Noem: This invasion is an existential threat to America.
Jon Hansen: Individuals in the country illegally should "self-deport".
Larry Rhoden: Imperative that migrant farm workers are here legally.
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Jobs
Billie Sutton: Exodus of talent is the price paid when offering low wages.
Daniel Ahlers: Invest in higher ed so workers can get degrees, skills.
Dennis Daugaard: Help find jobs for those unemployed over 12 weeks.
Dennis Daugaard: Dakota Roots: invite former South Dakotans back home to work.
Dennis Daugaard: South Dakota WINS: a 20-point job training plan.
Dennis Daugaard: Assist disabled with employment; adversity builds character.
Jay Williams: Time for the entire nation to get a raise.
Jay Williams: Raise minimum wage to $12 and then $15.
Kristi Noem: Keep right-to-work laws instead of labor unions.
Kristi Noem: Businesses welcomed apprenticeship programs with open arms.
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Principles & Values
Billie Sutton: Hard work, honesty, and integrity to improve status quo.
Billie Sutton: More important to live by God's plan than by his own plan.
Billie Sutton: Celebrate all of South Dakota's cultures and traditions.
Brian Bengs: Smaller, close-knit community made him feel connected.
Brian Bengs: No one is focusing on fixing political dysfunction in US.
Daniel Ahlers: I dream of an America where we're not marginalized by labels.
Gordon Howie: A great America needs God.
Gordon Howie: Religious liberty is foundational to our freedom.
Jamie R. Smith: Public leaders should be able to reach across the aisle.
John Thune: Running for 4th Senate term: breaking the "Curse of Karl"?
Kristi Noem: Leader of 4-H and Farm Service Agency.
Kristi Noem: COVID: no shutdowns, we stayed open the entire time.
Larry Pressler: Non-conventional independent campaign to influence debate.
Larry Pressler: 1978: first Vietnam veteran elected to the Senate.
Larry Pressler: Former three-term Senator; ran for president in 1980.
Mike Rounds: Lifelong resident of Pierre; president of local YMCA.
Rick Weiland: Touring all 311 of South Dakota's incorporated towns.
Scyller Borglum: What it means to be conservative is eroding.
Scyller Borglum: Being conservative is staying out of people's business.
Steven Haugaard: Our rights under assault by the extreme progressive left.
Steven Haugaard: I pledge to you I will put South Dakotans first.
Kristi Noem: We're doing better than every other state in the nation.
Kristi Noem: Our tribes are part of who we are as South Dakotans.
Kristi Noem: We embody the values and morals that built this nation.
Kristi Noem: Our rights come from God, not government.
Larry Rhoden: Roots are in South Dakota: I was born here; I will die here.
Larry Rhoden: Parents taught us the importance of faith in Jesus Christ.
Larry Rhoden: Our rights come from God, not from government.
Mike Rounds: All of us Christians should be asking for wisdom.
Dusty Johnson: Faith, family and freedom are pillars of our nation.
Jon Hansen: State motto isn't just a slogan; it's our way of life.
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Social Security
Billie Sutton: Find ways to prioritize care for our elders in our budget.
Jay Williams: Eliminate taxable maximum of $118,500.
Rick Weiland: Protect and expand instead of cut and destroy.
Mike Rounds: Don't "sunset" Social Security; make it better.
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Tax Reform
Billie Sutton: Examine where tax dollars are being spent and if wisely.
Brian Bengs: Supports a wealth tax for households over $50 million.
Brian Bengs: I'm talking about blowing up the status quo of tax policy.
Gordon Howie: Rein in bloated government instead of raising taxes.
Jay Williams: A call for rationality: Tax is NOT a dirty word.
Jay Williams: Pushed for $1.4M property tax to fund school operations.
Kristi Noem: No state income tax; committed to keeping it that way.
Kristi Noem: The taxes we have are stable and predictable, no increases.
Larry Pressler: Rich people willing to pay more taxes to help our country.
Larry Pressler: Raise taxes on estates worth more than $10 million.
Jamie R. Smith: Pushed for years to repeal state's 4.5% tax on food sales.
Kristi Noem: Repeal state's 4.5% tax on food sales.
Neil Gorsuch: OK to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
Anthony Kennedy: OK to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
John Roberts: Only Congress can allow out-of-state Internet sales tax.
Clarence Thomas: OK to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
Elena Kagan: Only Congress can allow out-of-state Internet sales tax.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: OK to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
Samuel Alito: OK to collect sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases.
Sonia Sotomayor: Only Congress can allow out-of-state Internet sales tax.
Stephen Breyer: Only Congress can allow out-of-state Internet sales tax.
Jon Hansen: Cut property taxes for homeowners by at least 50 percent.
Larry Rhoden: Allow counties to impose sales tax to lower property taxes.
Larry Rhoden: Take "the pledge" and remove flexibility.
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Technology
Billie Sutton: Investment in infrastructure is one measure to grow economy.
Brian Bengs: Congress can't ignore impact of automation on job market.
Dennis Daugaard: Secure $29M for deep underground lab.
Dennis Daugaard: E-Government: government online, not standing in line.
Dennis Daugaard: Online retailers should voluntarily remit sales tax.
Kristi Noem: We have a chance to lead the nation in cybersecurity.
Kristi Noem: Finish connecting the state with broadband.
William Janklow: Continue funding computers in schools.
Mike Rounds: Allow Medicare to pay for AI-enabled clinical devices.
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War & Peace
Brian Bengs: Supports providing aircraft to Ukraine against Russia.
John Thune: Finishing the job means setting up a democracy in Iraq.
John Thune: Support sending more American troops to Iraq if necessary.
John Thune: Iraq is a part of the broader war on terror.
John Thune: We have to stay resolute or the terrorists will prevail.
Marty Jackley: Double headline - Already Done.
Rick Weiland: No U.S. military intervention in Syria.
Tom Daschle: We can do much better fighting the war in Iraq.
Tom Daschle: Would still voted to authorize Bush to go to war.
Tom Daschle: The war in Iraq is being run the wrong way.
Mike Rounds: Putin could have had peace a long time ago if he wanted it.
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Welfare & Poverty
Daniel Ahlers: Don't penalize poor people trying to improve their situation.
Jay Williams: Address the growing problem of income inequality.
Steven Haugaard: Engage churches, organizations to handle family issues.
Larry Rhoden: Work is a gift, not a punishment; treat it that way.
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