Brazilian Beef Imports Imperil South Dakota Ag

Sioux Falls, SD – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks addressed the recent loosening of safety restrictions on Brazilian beef imports into the United States. Between January 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, over 69 million pounds of food imports were rejected at the U.S. border. Nearly 64 million pounds were rejected for serious health and food safety violations.

“Our producers are already suffering from a near record trade deficit and continue to face obstacles created by Congress and the Administration to remain competitive. We need to reject equivalency tests which weaken consumer safety and endanger U.S. cattle herds from foreign disease. We also need to immediately re-enact Country of Origin Labeling so our producers can fairly market their products, and ensure consumers can make an informed decision at the grocery store,” Hawks said.

Between FY 2013 and FY 2015, U.S. beef and poultry imports jumped 42% while prices continue to decline. The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest number in 70 years. Recently, the Rural Mainstreet Index, a survey of 10 Midwestern and Western states, reported negative growth again in July at 39.8%, down from 43.9% in June. This is the 11th straight month of negative growth.

“It highlights why we need our one voice in the U.S. House to work every single day for South Dakota agriculture. You don’t check your herd just when you think it might be time to start calving. You check it as often as you can, rain or shine, because you understand something can go wrong at any moment. That’s the type of dedication it takes to be a successful rancher or farmer, and we need the same commitment from our representatives. Unfortunately, our leadership has become complacent and our producers are suffering because of it,” Hawks said.

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Hawks Wants EB-5 Visa Program to Expire September 30, 2016

 Let EB-5 Expire

Sioux Falls, SD -August 2, 2016 – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks weighed into the ongoing EB-5 scandal after Nick Colucci, head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Immigrant Investor Program Office publicly criticized the administration of South Dakota’s EB-5 VISA program.

“It’s interesting to hear Kristi Noem flex about her power on the Ways and Means Committee, but than consistently watch her fail South Dakota over and over again on issues like EB-5 reform. Her words don’t match her actions when it comes to reducing government waste and increasing oversight,” Hawks said.

Hawks, a champion for good-government measures in the state legislature, proposed establishing an ethics commission last session. Hawks’ opponent Kristi Noem flip-flopped earlier in December 2015 voting to extend the EB-5 VISA program without reform after promising not to do so. 

Hawks concluded, “We only know of one reform that will work. Let the program expire September 30th so we stop wasting taxpayer money on its administration and on lawsuits over the fraudulent activity connected to this program. A program that sells American citizenship to the highest bidder and that has drug South Dakota’s good reputation through the mud should not be allowed to continue, period.”

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Dakotafest to Host Hawks Town Hall Without U.S. House Rep. Kristi Noem

 

Sioux Falls, SD – Dakotafest has announced it will host an event with U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks Thursday, August 18 at 10:30 AM CT. Hawks released the following statement:

“I’d like to thank Dakotafest for allowing me the opportunity to address the crowd and speak to the concerns many of our farmers and ranchers have regarding the direction of agriculture in South Dakota. While I am disappointed Noem won’t debate at the event, I am excited to lay out my vision for South Dakota agriculture and answer questions from the audience.”

Hawks has made agriculture a centerpiece of her campaign calling for the reinstatement of Country of Origin Labeling, more robust protections for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and a strong voice on the House Ag. Committee. 

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Hawks Campaign Sweeps Across South Dakota

U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks meets with voters in Rapid City. Photo: Hawks for U.S.House Campaign

Sioux Falls, SD July 21, 2016 -Speaking at the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Wacipi and hosting town halls in Watertown, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Custer and Rapid City, U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks continued to focus her campaign on the issues most important to South Dakota including agriculture, Social Security, Medicare and Indian Health Services.

“Getting out and meeting voters is my favorite part of the campaign. Obviously, the town halls are a chance for me to audition and prove to South Dakotans why I would best represent them in the U.S. House, but it’s also an opportunity for me to learn from voters about the issues that most impact them and their families. My vision for South Dakota is bold but simple. The same fields that feed our families, can fuel our cars and power our homes from coast to coast. This is a vision that can harness our soil, our sun, our wind, and most importantly, our people to produce good, high-paying jobs in every corner of the state. I’m excited to continue to prove to South Dakotans why I will be a strong voice for them in the U.S. House,” said Hawks.

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National Women’s Political Caucus Endorses Hawks for U.S. House

National Women’s Political Caucus Endorses Hawks for U.S. House

Sioux Falls, SD (July 20, 2016)-

The National Women’s Political Caucus endorsed Paula Hawks today for U.S. House based on her strong advocacy for women and families across South Dakota.

“I will be a strong advocate for women and families. We need a Congresswoman who will work to ensure equal pay for equal work, protect reproductive health and fight for issues that affect the family like the cost of college education and emergency family leave.” 

Paula Owen Willmarth, NWPC Vice President for Political Planning said, “In her four years in the South Dakota Legislature, Paula has shown commitment to her community and has served as a wonderful representative of her district. Her election would finally give the women of South Dakota someone to advocate for their rights in Congress.”

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No Debate Because There’s No Explanation for Noem’s Ag Record

Sioux Falls, SD July 18, 2016 – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks issued the following statement Monday regarding her opponent’s refusal to participate in the annual Dakotafest Debate hosted in Mitchell, SD.

“It’s disappointing but not surprising that Kristi Noem will not answer questions from an audience with a strong agricultural background about leaving the House Ag Committee. There’s no debate because there’s no good explanation for leaving South Dakota’s number one industry without a strong voice. We’re already seeing the negative effects with the repeal of Country of Origin Labeling and low CRP numbers. When I get to Congress, I’m going to make sure my priorities match South Dakota’s. I don’t care if it’s glamorous or good Washington politics, I will demand a seat on the Ag Committee and will make sure we have a strong voice for South Dakota agriculture.”