Herseth for Congress

Delegation huddles in Washington
DENNIS GALE, Associated Press
June 8, 2004

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - South Dakota's congressional delegation, now at full strength with the addition of newly elected Rep. Stephanie Herseth, gathered Tuesday in Washington for a briefing on legislative priorities for the state.

The delegation consisted of Democratic Sens. Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle from Jan. 20 until Thursday, when Herseth, also a Democrat, was sworn in to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of former Rep. Bill Janklow, a Republican.

Daschle said the trio talked about energy legislation, ethanol, water projects, American Indian issues, country-of-origin food labeling and the drought.

Republicans and Democrats agree on many of the issues, Daschle said in a telephone interview.

"There's bipartisan support for ethanol, there's strong bipartisan support for a strong, good highway bill. ... there's strong bipartisan support for a robust commitment to our infrastructure for the next six years," he said.

The delegation and South Dakotans of both parties have made a good case for the state's water projects, according to Daschle. "We have reason to be very confident about our prospects. And all we have to do is continue to make the case and make sure that they know these are still very important to South Dakota."

Johnson agreed much common ground exists on South Dakota's needs. "Mostly what you need is not a Republican or Democrat perspective. What you need is a lot of hard work, and I think we're making that happen."

Herseth said some of the issues break down along regional and rural-urban lines.

"The most effective vehicle for me to work in a bipartisan way in advancing rural interests is through the Blue Dog Democratic caucus, a group of more conservative, moderate Democrats who've worked effectively in reaching across the aisle with their Republican colleagues in the House to advance those issues that are important to rural America," she said.

Both Daschle and Johnson said Herseth has "hit the ground running" in her new job.

"She's only been here days and she already has made very important contacts with the House leadership relative to the transportation bill, water funding and so many other matters that need immediate and urgent attention," Johnson said.

"So I think it's clear to me that South Dakota now has a very strong voice in the House of Representatives."

Herseth said she has talked with appropriations committee members about water and transportation projects. She has been named to the agriculture committee, where she said she can work on drought aid and country of origin food labeling.

Herseth said she has talked with both her Republican colleagues and Democratic House leaders. She said many GOP House members "went out of their way to visit with me after the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday."

Johnson said he and Daschle had a similar meeting with Janklow after he was elected in 2002. It's important for the South Dakota delegation to work together on key issues for the state, the senator said.

Herseth said both senators had a good working relationship with Janklow.