What does Gov. Kristi Noem want? Lawmakers ready for briefing on southern border

Rare joint session comes amid escalating fight between states, federal government

PIERRE – One thing South Dakota lawmakers agree on: The southern border is a problem.

That was the sentiment among legislators who spoke to The Dakota Scout Tuesday ahead of Gov. Kristi Noem’s joint address to the full Legislature Wednesday. It was a sentiment shared across party lines.

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Its source: record numbers of migrants surging across the border, becoming a top issue among voters. Especially Republican voters. On Tuesday Rep. Will Mortenson and Sen. Casey Crabtree, GOP majority leaders who toured the border last summer, introduced a resolution supporting the defense of the southern border.

Though support for finding solutions to the southern border is strong, some question the intent of Noem calling a joint session. For many, it’s no secret that Noem is in the hunt for the veepstakes alongside an almost certain GOP nomination for Donald Trump in the 2024 General Election. Noem’s trip to the southern border last week, followed by the call for the joint session, led to national media appearances and a strong social media push.