Fact brief: Did Dusty Johnson lead the House in charter-flight expenses?

Yes.

South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson was reimbursed for private flights more than any member of 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.

Dusty 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.

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds spent $380,000 in private flights over a one-year span from October 2021 to September 2022 — the most of any senator. 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

Clarification: This story has been updated to emphasize the difference in timeframes from the House's private plane data reimbursements to the Senate's.

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