Yes.
South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson was reimbursed for private flights more than any member of the U.S. House from 2019 until June 2025, according to an analysis from the nonprofit news organization The Center Square.
The outlet examined House disbursement during that time and found that Johnson was reimbursed $63,000 for six years of charter flights, almost $45,000 more than the next representative.
The claim was made in an ad by Defend US PAC ahead of the South Dakota Republican primary for governor on June 2.
Johnson spokeswoman Kristin Blakely said the large district makes chartered flights necessary.
About once a year, Johnson charters a plane to conduct official business, after receiving the necessary approval, she said. South Dakota is the fourth-largest congressional district by land area, and the practice is common for elected South Dakota officials because of the remote nature of the state, Blakely said.
This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.
Clarification on May 22, 2026: This story has been updated to focus only on the House's private plane data reimbursements and add context about in-state travel.
Sources
The Center Square, Congressional Perks: Congress spends on pricey airfare, lodging and private jets
Newsweek, Taxpayers fuel pricey private flights for Gillibrand, Schumer, other senators
Google Ads Transparency Center, Defend US PAC ad
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