Senator Tim Johnson was a tenacious fighter for the people of South Dakota.
Throughout his career-as a member of the South Dakota legislature, as the state's sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as a U.S. Senator-he brokered compromise and advanced commonsense solutions that improved the lives of South Dakotans and all Americans.
Senator Johnson secured support for critical water infrastructure that delivered clean water to communities across South Dakota, including Native reservations and rural communities across the state. He played a vital role in passing the Affordable Care Act, which delivered high-quality, affordable health care to millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of South Dakotans. And as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, he championed community banks and housing finance reforms to help ensure that rural communities across the nation have the support they need to access safe and affordable housing.
His life and legacy will be felt by generations of South Dakotans and all Americans to come. Doug and I send our prayers to his wife, Barbara, and the entire Johnson family.