U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson is outlining his final priorities in Washington as he prepares to complete his fourth term in Congress. The South Dakota Republican has about six months left in office and says he is focused on delivering policy results before leaving Capitol Hill.
Johnson recently ran in the Republican primary for governor but finished third by a narrow margin. Despite the loss, he said his attention remains on legislative work and key national issues rather than personal political setbacks.
He emphasized that his political approach has always centered on outcomes rather than titles. Johnson said he values “doing things” over “being things,” adding that he still wants to contribute to South Dakota’s future through policy work in Washington.
One of his main goals is pushing forward a new Farm Bill. Johnson has been directly involved in drafting parts of the legislation and is now urging the Senate to act. He described the bill as essential for agricultural stability and long-term planning for farmers across the country.
Agriculture remains a central issue in South Dakota, and Johnson said completing the Farm Bill would be one of his most important final contributions in Congress. He believes it would provide stronger support for rural communities and food production systems.
Another key focus for Johnson is reducing healthcare costs. He has called prescription drug prices a major driver of rising medical expenses in the United States. He said addressing pharmaceutical pricing is necessary to improve affordability for working families.
Johnson said he has supported multiple policy proposals aimed at lowering drug costs. He believes that without reform in this area, overall healthcare expenses will continue to rise and place pressure on households.
He also highlighted ongoing concerns about the United States Postal Service. Johnson said improvements are underway in South Dakota, including new equipment that will increase package processing capacity in Sioux Falls.
According to Johnson, the upgrades are expected to improve delivery speed not only in the city but across the state. He said continued investment is needed to ensure reliable service, especially in rural areas that depend heavily on postal operations.
Beyond federal priorities, Johnson also pointed to issues within South Dakota itself. He said public education and public safety require stronger attention from state leadership moving forward.
He expressed concern about declining academic performance in schools and said test scores must improve to match previous levels seen five to ten years ago. He also raised alarm about crime recidivism rates in the state.
Johnson said South Dakota currently has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, with many released offenders returning to crime within three years. He believes reform is necessary to improve rehabilitation and reduce repeat offenses.
He argued that future state leadership should prioritize education reform and public safety improvements. Johnson said these issues were not receiving enough attention during the recent campaign cycle.
As South Dakota’s governor race continues to develop, Johnson said he will remain engaged in state discussions even while finishing his term in Congress. He expects continued debate over policy direction in the months ahead.
Looking ahead, Johnson said his final months in Washington will be focused on completing unfinished legislative work and advancing issues he believes will have long-term impact. He added that collaboration between Congress and federal agencies will be key to achieving those goals.
