Press Releases
Rounds: Impeachment Trial of Former President is Unconstitutional
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined 44 of his Senate colleagues in declaring the impeachment trial of Donald Trump unconstitutional on the grounds that he is a private citizen no longer in office. "The Constitution is clear that holding an impeachment trial of a former president, former official, or - more specifically - a private citizen, is unconstitutional and that the Senate should not go down this path. Donald Trump is no longer in office and is now a private citizen.… Continue Reading
01.26.21
Rounds Supports Legislation to Establish Election Integrity Commission
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to introduce legislation establishing the 2020 Bipartisan Advisory Committee to examine the integrity of the November election and make recommendations to State legislatures to improve the security, integrity and administration of federal elections. "Our system of government is based on free and fair elections, run by individual states," said Rounds. "I remain confident in the security of South Dakota's election sy… Continue Reading
01.22.21
Rounds Votes to Confirm General Lloyd Austin to be Secretary of Defense
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today voted to confirm General Lloyd Austin to be the Secretary of Defense. Rounds also supported a waiver for Mr. Austin, which is necessary because he is not yet seven years removed from military service. Austin was confirmed by a vote of 93-2. "Mr. Austin will make an excellent Secretary of Defense," said Rounds. "He has earned praise from his colleagues throughout his military career, from the ti… Continue Reading
01.20.21
Rounds Statement on Inauguration of President Biden
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement on the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris: "The peaceful transfer of power that the American people witnessed today on the steps of the U.S. Capitol is fundamental to our republic and the future of our great nation. I wish President Biden and Vice President Harris the best as they assume the tremendous responsibility entrusted to them. "I know we will not agree on every issue, and I'm rea… Continue Reading
01.19.21
Rounds, Colleagues: Stop Illegal PPP Loans to Planned Parenthood
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and a group of senators in a letter urging U.S. Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza to prevent Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving illegal loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as they did last year. "Planned Parenthood affiliates are well aware that they are ineligible to receive PPP loans, on the basis of SBA's letters and the frank admission of their political-action committee," wrote… Continue Reading
01.07.21
Rounds Statement Following the Formal Count of the Electoral College Votes by Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement on the formal count of the Electoral College votes by Congress: "Going into the joint session, I said I would keep an open mind and listen to the objections and evidence presented. Despite the unacceptable attack on the U.S. Capitol, we pressed forward and I kept my promise. "I take very seriously Congress' role in certifying the Electoral College, as outlined in the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act. After much cons… Continue Reading
01.06.21
Rounds: Violence and Destruction are Never the Answer
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement on today's attack on the U.S. Capitol: "As a nation, we should stand together in opposition to the violent acts and lawlessness that occurred at the U.S. Capitol today. Violence and destruction are never the answer. We are better than this, and it's past time for cooler heads to prevail. I continue to pray for our great country." ###… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Rounds Statement on the Formal Count of the Electoral College Votes by Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement on tomorrow's formal count of the Electoral College votes by Congress: "Tomorrow's vote will be one of the most consequential votes I'll likely take as a U.S. Senator. "If you've noticed, I have not joined the chorus of those for or against an objection. Today, those objections do not exist, they have not been shared, and there's literally nothing to consider until we have a chance to hear the arguments for and against. Th… Continue Reading
01.03.21
Rounds Takes Oath of Office for Second Term in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement after taking the oath of office for his second term serving South Dakotans in the United States Senate: "Continuing to work on behalf of South Dakotans in the United States Senate is a tremendous privilege and honor. I'm also incredibly thankful Jean was able to join me for the ceremony." "I look forward to getting to work on the important issues that will define our future." Rounds was sworn into office by Vice President … Continue Reading
12.28.20
Grabbing the Bull by the Horns
I heard a story recently about a government bureaucrat from DC visiting real America for the first time. He worked on agriculture policy but grew up in the city so his only experience with food involved his plate. He bought a pair of shiny new boots and headed off to cow-calf country. When his plane touched down, he was greeted by a man with a cowboy hat and a firm handshake. They jumped in the rancher's F-350, a vehicle so big the city slicker couldn't figure out how you'd parallel park it, an… Continue Reading
12.17.20
Rounds’ Legislation to End Veteran Homelessness Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, made the following statement after legislation he introduced to end veteran homelessness was included in a veterans package that passed the House of Representatives yesterday. It now heads to the president's desk for signature: "No veteran should be without a place to call home," said Rounds. "While there has been progress made over the past decade at reducing the number of veterans experiencing ho… Continue Reading
12.11.20
Annual Defense Bill Headed to President’s Desk, Includes a Number of South Dakota Priorities
WASHINGTON- Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes a number of South Dakota priorities. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the SASC Cybersecurity Subcommittee, authored and championed a number of these provisions. "Senator Rounds has been a champion for the National Defense Authorization Act and all that it stands for - a strong national defense and robust… Continue Reading
12.03.20
Rounds Statement on Inclusion of National Cyber Director in NDAA Conference Report
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the inclusion of a National Cyber Director provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021: "As technology advances, so do cyber threats to our nation," said Rounds. "The creation of a National Cyber Director position in this year's NDAA was the result of years of hard work. The prov… Continue Reading
11.19.20
Rounds’ General Counsel to serve as DC Deputy Chief of Staff
PIERRE -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Kyle Chase will serve as Rounds' Deputy Chief of Staff in his Washington, D.C., office. Chase, who has worked for Rounds since 2017, will continue to serve as Rounds' General Counsel. Additionally, Mark Johnston, head of Rounds' DC office since 2018, will remain on Rounds' staff as a Special Advisor. Chase will report to Chief of staff Rob Skjonsberg, who will remain based in South Dakota. "Kyle is one of my most trusted advisers… Continue Reading
10.28.20
Rounds, Loeffler Introduce Bill to Curb Veteran Homelessness
PIERRE - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) introduced the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act, a bill to make needed changes to two programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prevent and decrease veteran homelessness. "Every single veteran should have a place to call home," said Rounds. "While we've made progress over the past decade at reducing the number of veterans experiencing homelessness, there are still too many vets without a roof over their he… Continue Reading
10.21.20
Rounds Meets with Judge Amy Coney Barrett
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on his meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump's nominee to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court: "I appreciate the opportunity to meet with Judge Barrett today. We had a wonderful discussion about a number of issues that South Dakotans care about, such as the importance of upholding the Second Amendment and the role of Congress - not the Judiciary - in making policy decisions. During our meetin… Continue Reading
10.14.20
Rounds, Colleagues Urge HHS Secretary to Take a Closer Look at Reporting Requirements Which Could Disadvantage Rural Hospitals
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar about changes in reporting requirements, which have the potential to create financial hardships and uncertainty for hospitals across the country, especially those operating in rural areas. "In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our health care providers need more certainty, not less. The CARES Act, enacted in March 2020, established the P… Continue Reading
10.09.20
Rounds Statement on Official VA Action to Keep Hot Springs VA Campus Open
FORT PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) decision to rescind its Record of Decision regarding the Hot Springs VA Medical Center. "The Hot Springs VA facility is among the best in the country," said Rounds. "Today's notification is the result of a years-long battle to keep the facility open and make sure veterans from across the region are able to continue receiving the same top-notch care in the future. We tha… Continue Reading
10.07.20
Rounds, Thune Legislation Would Create a Congressional Charter for National American Indian Veterans (NAIV)
PIERRE -U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) recently introduced legislation to create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV). Headquartered in South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Reservation, the NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for tribal veterans. Originally started in 2004, today the NAIV serves the needs of Native veterans in all 50 states. "We are grateful to our Native veterans for their service … Continue Reading
10.02.20
Rounds, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Health Care Providers Continue Delivering Telehealth Services to Rural America
WASHINGTON--U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help health care providers continue delivering tele-health services to rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program Extension Act would provide an additional $200 million for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which ran out of funding in July. A bipartisan House companion bill has been introduced by U.S. Representativ… Continue Reading
