SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Republican Congressional candidate Dusty Johnson says he hears a lot on the campaign trail about the federal budget deficit.
"If we're going to get rid of a trillion dollar federal deficit, we are not going to do it by just finding waste, fraud and abuse of the bureaucracy," Johnson said. "Now we need to do that too. But you're not going to bend the curve as much as you need to with fraud and abuse. There needs to be a second chapter to the story."
Johnson is running against Shantel Krebs and Neal Tapio in the June primary.
Johnson also notes in one of his TV ads that he came from a working class family. He says he understands the need for social programs--but there must be responsibility.
"Clearly, we need safety net programs," Johnson said. "But there's a lot of room in these program to hold people more accountable."
He says with the opioid and meth epidemics, drug testing for benefits might deserve a second look.
Click above to listen to the full interview.