A state Senate investigative committee is “admonishing” the behavior of two senators who admit they were intoxicated during the last legislative day. Most lawmakers conducted their business virtually that day.
Friday morning, Republican Senate leaders Brock Greenfield and Kris Langer apologized about their conduct that day.
Senator Langer says she and Senator Greenfield left the capitol to “have alcohol” while they waited for the House to work through its legislation.
“We wish to apologize for bad judgement on our part and any delay this may have caused for our members,” Langer says. “Please accept our deepest apology and know that we are committed to continuing to serve with you and the further interest of our state and its citizens.”
Senator Greenfield also apologized.
“I’m truly sorry for placing myself in a setting that allowed for questions as to my judgement or my state of mind,” Greenfield says. “Moreover, I’m sorry for the time and energy that so many people have spend dealing with this matter. Especially in these current times. There’s important work to do for the people of South Dakota.”
The nine-member committee voted to admonish the behavior, rather than censure or expel the senators.
The committee spent nine hours over the course of two days pouring over video footage and questioning other legislators about the conduct of Greenfield and Langer that day.
