10/17/2025
Facts matter.
Rep. Erik Muckey (D-District 15, Minnehaha):
"I have no dedicated staff working for me as a state legislator.
Sure, the Democratic caucus (just like our Republican colleagues) has college interns and secretaries working for us. We have assistance in drafting policy from the Legislative Research Council. We’re fortunate to have high school students taking the time to serve as pages.
But there is no staff writing for me, keeping my constituents updated, deciding which policies help my constituents (and South Dakota) most, and having the courage to tell the truth and stick to principles, even when it’s not politically convenient. And I do all of that while working a full-time job building a small business that helps nonprofit and charitable foundation leaders across our state and the region. Don’t forget also that, just like you, I have a life at home beyond work and politics.
I don’t have the luxury of staff. I work hard to help you and fellow South Dakotans live better every day. And more often than not, I’m not getting paid for it.
That seems to differ right now from my well-staffed, well-funded counterparts in representing South Dakota in the US House of Representatives and Senate.
Last week in the Dakota Scout, I shared a few hard truths about what’s going on in Washington, featuring as one of three viewpoints written about the current government shutdown. One of the two joining me was Rep. Dusty Johnson.
I love my state and my country deeply. I demonstrate respect for my fellow elected officials, especially those working on a national level to help South Dakotans. I have had many disagreements on views or policy, yet I will never slander the institution.
I can say this week was the first time I felt all of those things—and was utterly ashamed of my representation in Congress.
Not only is our sole member of Congress recklessly disregarding the reasons for the shutdown—and no, they’re not about some fictional “far left” dragging Minority Leader Chuck Schumer into this—he’s dedicating his and his staff’s time to performative politics that literally help no one.
Not taking pay? That would mean something if he wasn’t getting paid monthly!
(Rep. Johnson hasn’t missed a paycheck, by the way.)
Claiming this is owned by the Democrats and then saying this is just about “Democrats being upset they don’t have control?” Yes, he said that.
Introducing legislation to “stop shutdowns” that was denied a floor vote by South Dakota colleagues in the US Senate? Yeah, that happened, too.
I could keep going on and on. That isn’t to mention some of the comments shared by our two Senators that are mind-blowingly out of touch with South Dakotans.
Instead of bloviating about how “stupid” a shutdown is or blowing off the seriousness of the moment by chalking it up to folks being “big mad” at Trump, I do my job.
I highlighted the reasons behind the government shutdown (aka the “Subsidy Shutdown”). I told the truth. And I’ve brought actual policy to fruition to help families afford healthcare and ensure their voice is heard.
Here’s the truth: the fight in Congress right now is over health insurance premium tax credits that help keep healthcare affordable for 53,000 South Dakotans and millions more across the country. Republicans in Congress, at the urging of President Trump, are refusing to negotiate. All while everyday South Dakotans will stare down health insurance premium increases as high as 235% in two weeks.
No staff? No excuses."
Read the full column by Representative Erik Muckey here:
https://erikmuckey.substack.com/p/no-staff-no-excuses
