Tim Johnson (South Dakota politician)

4.1. Illness and Recovery

In December 2006, while participating in a live radio interview in Washington, D.C., Johnson suffered a serious cerebral hemorrhage. The bleeding in his brain was caused by a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a congenital defect involving abnormally enlarged and tangled blood vessels. He was in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery at George Washington University Hospital to drain the blood and prevent further bleeding.

The gravity of his condition garnered significant national attention due to its political implications; at the time, the Democrats held a slim one-seat majority in the Senate. Had Johnson died or resigned, it was widely anticipated that Governor Mike Rounds would appoint a Republican to his seat, which would have shifted control of the Senate to the Republicans.

Following the acute medical crisis, Johnson embarked on an arduous and lengthy recovery process that involved intensive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These efforts were crucial in his journey to regain strength, mobility, and to restore his severely affected speech. The hemorrhage left him with partial paralysis on his right side, necessitating the use of a scooter for mobility. His resilience during this period was widely noted, and in his 2007 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush extended his best wishes to Johnson. After months of rehabilitation, Johnson made a full return to his Senate duties on September 5, 2007, an event that was met with tributes and standing ovations from his colleagues.

4.2. Committee Assignments

During his time in the Senate, Timothy Peter Johnson served on several influential committees and subcommittees, where he played key roles in shaping legislation and policy.

His assignments included:

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
  • Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power
• Committee on Indian Affairs

Johnson's leadership roles as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs allowed him to directly influence critical policy areas affecting national security, veterans' welfare, and the financial sector.

5.1. Infrastructure

Throughout his time in Congress, Johnson was a strong advocate for critical infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at ensuring access to clean drinking water for communities across South Dakota and neighboring states. He authored several key water project bills, which led to the delivery of clean drinking water to hundreds of thousands of families.

One of his significant early achievements was authoring the Mni Wiconi Project Act of 1988 (H.R. 2772), which was enacted into Public Law 100-516. This measure authorized the construction of a vital water project serving an area of southwestern South Dakota that included the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, a region that had historically faced severe challenges with low water supplies and poor water quality. In subsequent years, Johnson authored additional legislation (H.R. 3954) to expand the service area of the Mni Wiconi Rural Water Project, with this expansion eventually incorporated into a broader bill enacted as Public Law 103-434.

Johnson's Mid Dakota Rural Water System Act of 1991 (H.R. 616) was another notable contribution, which became part of a larger package of infrastructure projects and was enacted into law as Public Law 102-575. The Mid Dakota Rural Water Project, completed in 2006, now serves over 30,000 residents in east-central South Dakota.

Further demonstrating his commitment to water access, Johnson spearheaded the Fall River Rural Water Users District Rural Water System Act of 1998 (S. 744 in the 105th Congress, enacted as Public Law 105-352). This act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct a rural water system in Fall River County, South Dakota, addressing a dire need for suitable water supply in the southeastern part of the county, where years of drought had forced many residents to rely on hauled or bottled water due to poor water quality.

He also authored the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System Act of 1999 (S.244 in the 106th Congress), which authorized the construction of a water delivery system designed to serve a broad area across southeastern South Dakota, northwestern Iowa, and southwestern Minnesota. This system connected 22 rural water systems and communities, aiming to provide clean, safe drinking water to an estimated 180,000 individuals within the Lewis and Clark service region. Additionally, the Perkins County Rural Water System Act (S.2117 in the 105th Congress and S.243 in the 106th Congress, enacted as Public Law 106-136) authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to construct a rural water system in Perkins County, South Dakota.

5.2. Agriculture

Johnson was a staunch advocate for agricultural interests, particularly focusing on fair practices and support for family farmers. He worked tirelessly to enact a requirement for country of origin labeling for meat and other agricultural products. He first introduced legislation on this issue in 1992 (H.R. 5855) and continued his efforts until a meat labeling law was finally enacted in 2002 as part of the Farm Bill reauthorization (Public Law 107-171). The enacted law notably included language that Johnson had previously introduced as S. 280 earlier in that Congress. Despite the legislative success, implementation of the labeling law faced significant delays for more than a decade due to opposition from the executive branch and various legal challenges.

His dedication to the agricultural sector extended to supporting cooperative businesses. In May 2007, the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) recognized his efforts by presenting him with their Honored Cooperator award. In 2013, the National Farmers Union further honored him with the Friend of the Family Farmer award, acknowledging his deep commitment to ensuring the viability of small-scale family farms.

5.3. Tourism and National Parks

Timothy Peter Johnson made significant contributions to promoting tourism and preserving historic sites in South Dakota. He authored the bill (S.382) that led to the establishment of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in western South Dakota. This measure was enacted as Public Law 106-115, creating a new unit within the National Park System.

The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the Cold War era and the nuclear missiles that, while posing a threat of massive destruction, also served as a critical deterrent to war. The site's establishment has proven to be a valuable asset for the state, with over 140,000 visitors in 2017, generating an economic impact of over 10.00 M USD for South Dakota.

5.4. Defense and Veterans Affairs

Johnson held strong positions on national defense and was a vocal advocate for veterans' welfare. He was notably the only seated member of Congress to have a son serving in the active duty military when the Senate voted to approve the use of force in Iraq. His oldest son, Brooks, served with the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, which was mobilized for combat in Iraq. Despite this personal connection, Johnson ultimately voted to permit the use of force. His son, Brooks, went on to serve in Iraq after having already deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo, and later also served in the conflict in Afghanistan.

As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, Johnson was instrumental in securing full and timely funding for veterans' healthcare, an achievement that marked the first time in 21 years such comprehensive funding was provided. He was part of a group of legislators who successfully pushed for the enactment of legislation that provided advance funding for veterans' healthcare, thereby preventing health services for veterans from being disrupted by funding delays.

Johnson also played a crucial role in preventing the closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. When the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended its closure, Johnson actively assisted the South Dakota delegation in making their case to keep the base operational. Ultimately, Ellsworth Air Force Base was preserved by an 8-to-1 vote of the BRAC commission.

5.5. Banking and Finance

Timothy Peter Johnson's leadership in financial policy was notably demonstrated during his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. In this capacity, he played a critical role in advancing key nominations and legislation within the financial sector.

As chairman, Johnson actively pressed for the confirmation of Richard Cordray, President Barack Obama's nominee for the chairman of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Despite significant opposition from Republican senators, Johnson successfully brought Cordray's nomination to a committee vote. The committee approved Cordray's nomination along party lines with a 12-10 vote. Following this, Cordray was ultimately confirmed by the full Senate with a 66-34 vote, a testament to Johnson's influence and determination in the financial regulatory landscape.

5.6. Other Key Issues

Johnson's policy positions and voting record covered a broad spectrum of issues, often reflecting his role as a centrist Democrat who at times aligned with his party and at other times diverged based on his assessment of what was best for his constituents and the nation.

In the House, Johnson was among the minority of Democrats who voted in favor of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, a significant welfare reform bill. He also supported the repeal of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Demonstrating a pragmatic approach to fiscal policy, he was one of a minority of Democrats to vote for President George W. Bush's 2001 tax cut. On January 31, 2006, Johnson was one of only four Democrats who voted to confirm Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States. He also publicly called for "broadened use" of the death penalty.

Johnson was among the minority of senators who voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a measure strongly supported by anti-abortion groups. While in the House, he was one of only 16 congressmen to vote against the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a bill that aimed for deregulation and increased competition in the communication sector and received strong support from Republicans, business groups, and most Democrats.

Regarding healthcare, Johnson was a supporter of President Obama's health reform legislation. He voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in December 2009 and for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

In environmental and conservation efforts, in May 2010, Johnson introduced the Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010. This bill proposed designating over 48 K acre ^{(48.00 K acre)} (about 73 mile^{2 (190 km2)}) of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland as protected wilderness, which would have established the first national grassland wilderness in the country while still allowing for the continuation of grazing and hunting on the land.

On December 18, 2010, Johnson cast his vote in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, a landmark legislative action that ended the policy preventing openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the military.

6.1. South Dakota Legislature

Johnson began his political journey in 1978, securing a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He served in the House from 1979 until 1982. Following this, he continued his legislative career by serving in the South Dakota Senate from 1983 to 1986, concurrently working as Clay County deputy state's attorney in 1985.

6.2. U.S. House of Representatives

Johnson was elected five times to represent South Dakota as the at-large member of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1987 to 1997. During his decade in the House, he consistently focused on issues vital to his constituents, including agriculture, rural development, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and expanding access to healthcare.

6.3. 1996 U.S. Senate campaign

In 1996, Johnson decided to run for the United States Senate. In a closely contested race, he narrowly defeated the three-term incumbent Republican Senator Larry Pressler. This victory was particularly significant as Johnson was the only Senate candidate that year to defeat an incumbent in a general election, a year that saw 13 open Senate seats.

6.4. 2002 U.S. Senate reelection campaign

Johnson faced another challenging campaign in 2002, where he was reelected by a narrow margin of just 524 votes over U.S. Representative John Thune, who had previously succeeded Johnson in South Dakota's at-large House seat. This race was widely perceived as a proxy battle between then-President George W. Bush, who had comfortably carried South Dakota in the 2000 presidential election, and then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. A crucial factor in Johnson's victory was his overwhelming support among the Oglala Sioux, South Dakota's largest tribe, among whom he secured 94% of the vote.

6.5. 2008 U.S. Senate reelection campaign

Johnson sought reelection in 2008, demonstrating remarkable resilience after recovering from his serious cerebral hemorrhage. Early polls indicated that he was likely to defeat his Republican challenger, Joel Dykstra, which he ultimately did by a significant margin, securing 62.5% of the vote. In January 2008, Johnson officially endorsed Barack Obama for president in the Democratic primary.

6.6. Electoral History