Yes.
South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson was reimbursed for private flights more than any member of Congress from 2019 until June 2025, according to an analysis from the nonprofit news organization The Center Square.
The outlet examined House disbursements during that time and found that Johnson was reimbursed $63,000 for 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 at the time that the large district makes chartered flights necessary.
"About once a year he charters a plane to conduct official business, after receiving the necessary approval,” she said.
A similar report said South Dakota U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds spent $380,000 in private flights from October 2021 to September 2022 — the most of any senator. U.S. Sen. John Thune was fifth, with $59,991.
This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.
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
South Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context. Send questions or feedback to news@sdnewswatch.org. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.
Support fact briefs. Help us fight misinformation by supporting fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact freelance reporter Michael Klinski: michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.
