Press Releases
Rounds Supports Police Reform Bill in Senate
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today cosponsored the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, which was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). The JUSTICE Act seeks to reform law enforcement practices by improving officer training and hiring, discouraging the use of certain tactics, and adding new reporting requirements when tactics such as Use of Force and No Knock Warrants are used, among other things. "All Americans deserve to … Continue Reading
06.17.20
Rounds Joins Colleagues to Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling on Americans to Buy Products Made in the U.S.
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), to introduce a bipartisan resolution calling on Americans to buy products made in the U.S. whenever possible in order to support American jobs and manufacturing, and help build up the U.S. supply chain. "Reducing our dependence on other countries such as China will help to keep America strong," said Rounds. "Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, American businesses have taken an economic hit i… Continue Reading
06.16.20
Rounds Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Calling for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Following COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined a bipartisan group of senators, led by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), in calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from the CONNECT for Health Act that have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in all areas of the country, and in their homes, to utilize telehealth services, as well as more types of health care providers to provide telehealth, were … Continue Reading
06.15.20
South Dakota Students Invited to Submit Artwork for the 100th Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that South Dakota students in grades 3-12 are invited to submit artwork to the White House for an exhibit called Building the Movement: America's Youth Celebrate 100 Years of Women's Suffrage. "Throughout our nation's history, women have made significant contributions to our state and nation," said Rounds. "We are a better country because of the women who helped shape it. 2020 marks 100 years since the 19th amendment was ratified, giv… Continue Reading
06.15.20
Rounds: Growing Momentum for New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Chair of the House Republican Conference, introduced companion legislation to Rounds' New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act in the House of Representatives: "While our major meat processing facilities continue working to get up and running at full capacity, allowing state Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to sell their meat across state lines will help address o… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Rounds Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging the Administration to Provide Paperwork Relief for Small Businesses who Utilized the COVID-19 Relief Program
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today led a bipartisan letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza urging the administration to ease paperwork requirements for small businesses seeking loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The letter, signed by 44 senators, specifically requests that the loan forgiveness application for loans under $250,000 to be no longer than one page in length. "As sma… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Rounds, Klobuchar, Sullivan, Duckworth Call on Administration to Help Servicemembers and Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Receive Proper Care During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) sent a letter to the Departments of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging the administration to take immediate action to help make certain servicemembers and veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances receive the care they need during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter requests that DoD and VA ask servicemembers and vetera… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Senate Armed Services Committee Approves National Defense Authorization Act with Rounds’ Support
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the SASC Cybersecurity Subcommittee, made the following statement after the committee approved the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): "Passing a strong, bipartisan NDAA each year is one small way for us to show our gratitude to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms," said Rounds. "This year marks the 60th consecutive year that ou… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Rounds, Smith Lead Bipartisan Group of Senators to Introduce Legislation Expanding Mental Health Services in Rural America
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today led a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation to expand telemental health services in rural areas. The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2020 would establish a grant program for health providers to expand telemental health services for those specifically in rural populations working in farming, forestry and fishing industries. Additional cosponsors include U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Boozman… Continue Reading
06.08.20
Sioux Falls Student Julia Lair Receives Offer of Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Lincoln High School graduate Julia Lair has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Lair is the daughter of Gregory and Jill Lair of Sioux Falls. She was nominated to the Naval Academy by Rounds. "Congratulations to Julia on her offer of appointment to the Naval Academy," said Rounds. "Even though she has just graduated from high school, she has already accomplished so much. As a Civil Air Patro… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Rounds, Thune Applaud Senate Passage of Their Bill to Allow Tribal Grant Schools to Devote Additional Resources to Improving Education
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) this week applauded the Senate for passing their legislation that would allow tribal grant schools to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) programs. This change would free up resources to improve recruiting and retention efforts for professional educators in tribal communities by allowing schools to spend less on health insurance and more on education-spe… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Rounds, Moran, Tester Lead Call for GAO Report on the VA’s Native American Direct Loan Program
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC), along with SVAC Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.), led their committee colleagues in calling for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Native American Direct Loan program (NADL). This program allows eligible Native American veterans to finance the construction, purchase or improvement of a home on Feder… Continue Reading
06.03.20
Rounds, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Servicemembers and Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Receive Proper Care During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today introduced legislation to make sure that servicemembers and veterans with previous exposure to burn pits receive the care they need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act would require the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ask servicemembers and veterans who have tested positive for a virus designated by the federal government as a … Continue Reading
05.27.20
Rounds, Colleagues Urge Investigations into Improper PPP Funding for Planned Parenthood
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined a number of his colleagues in two different letters urging full investigations into improper Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for Planned Parenthood. The first letter, led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), was sent to Attorney General Bill Barr to urge the Department of Justice to investigate whether dozens of Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country applied for and received PPP loans despite knowing they were ineligible to apply. A se… Continue Reading
05.27.20
Update on Jean Rounds
PIERRE. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and his wife, Jean, today provided the following update on Jean's cancer treatment: Last week, Mike and Jean traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for Jean's 90-day post-radiation checkup. No evidence of cancer was found after several days of testing. "After a series of important tests last week, we are thankful to share the news that Jean's cancer treatment has remained successful," said Mike and Jean. "The past year has been the toughest on… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Rounds Supports FISA Amendment to Strengthen Due Process, Protect Civil Liberties
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today voted in favor of the Lee/Leahy amendment, which provides federal law enforcement with the tools they need to protect Americans from foreign powers while also better protecting the civil liberties of all Americans. It passed by a vote of 77-19. FISA reauthorization is being considered in the Senate this week, with a final vote expected tomorrow. "The FBI's gross mishandling of the FISA process when it surveilled President Trump's campaign has un… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Rounds, Tester and Colleagues Fight to Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today introduced a resolution to support country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef products in the United States in an effort to provide critical support to American cattle producers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution, cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), urges the U.S. to enter into necessary trade negotiations to allow the United States to re-implement… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Allowing Larger Faith-Based Groups, Nonprofits to Receive PPP Loans
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined U.S. Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) to introduce legislation that would allow larger nonprofits such as YMCAs and churches to receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. "Countless Americans are struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, and faith-based nonprofit groups are once again stepping up to the plate to provide relief," said Rounds. "Our legislation would al… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency in Cattle Pricing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and five other senators to introduce legislation to foster efficient markets while increasing competition and transparency among meat packers who purchase livestock directly from producers. This bill will require that a minimum of 50 percent of a meat packer's weekly volume of beef slaughter be purchased on the open or spot market. "Even before COVID-19 hit our country, we had serious concerns about pr… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Delegation Urges USDA to Allow State-Approved Meat and Poultry Products to Be Donated or Sold Across State Lines
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow meat and poultry products that have been inspected by state-approved meat and poultry inspection programs to be donated or sold across state lines. COVID-19 outbreaks in processing facilities, like the one at the Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls, S.D., have significantly affected meat processing capacity, and the livestock p… Continue Reading
