Press Releases
Rounds, Jones Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Certain Health Care Jobs are Adequately Staffed when Disasters Strike the U.S.
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today introduced the United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019. Their bipartisan legislation would establish a Ready Reserve Corps within the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to make certain vital health care jobs are adequately staffed when disasters strike the U.S. "We're grateful to all USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers who dedicate their careers to improving public health and… Continue Reading
10.16.19
Rounds Statement on Senate Confirmation of Barbara Barrett to be Secretary of the Air Force
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today made the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of Ambassador Barbara Barrett to be Secretary of the Air Force: "I congratulate Ambassador Barrett on her confirmation. I have had the opportunity to visit with her prior to her confirmation vote, and we had productive discussions on the B-21 Raider and F-35A Lightning II. I appreciate her support for Ellsworth Air Force Base, Joe Foss Fi… Continue Reading
09.26.19
Rounds Votes No on CR
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after voting "no" on the Continuing Resolution: "Among a long list of other things, Continuing Resolutions are detrimental to our United States armed forces and, ultimately, the defense of our country. For example, they stop all new contracts and prevent the military from implementing new efficiencies and improvements that benefit our men and women in uniform. South Dakotans - and all Americans - deserve better, p… Continue Reading
09.24.19
Delegation Applauds Administration’s Decision to Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration Following Severe Storms and Flooding
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 applauded the administration for approving a major disaster declaration for several South Dakota counties, including Aurora, Bennett, Brule, Butte, Campbell, Custer, Deuel, Fall River, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hanson, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Meade, Mellette, Pennington, Sanborn, Todd, Tripp, Turner, Union, Walworth, and Ziebach, as well as the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and the Ro… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Rounds Receives Growth Energy’s 2019 Fueling Growth Award for his Strong Support for Ethanol and the RFS
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) was presented with the 2019 Fueling Growth Award from Growth Energy for being a leading voice for ethanol, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the biofuels industry. Growth Energy is a leading advocate for the ethanol industry. "Corn and corn ethanol production play a vital role in South Dakota's economy and in our nation's fuel supply," said Rounds. "At a time of low commodity prices and trade uncertainty, it's as important as ever that the federa… Continue Reading
09.06.19
Rounds Accepting Spring 2020 Internship Applications
PIERRE- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he is currently accepting internship applications for spring 2020. The deadline to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices is Tuesday, October 15, 2019. College credit is available. Duties in the Washington, D.C., office may include tracking legislation, researching bills, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, handling constituent phone calls… Continue Reading
08.08.19
Mike and Jean Provide Update on Jean’s Cancer Treatment
ROCHESTER, Minn. - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and his wife, Jean, today provided an update on Jean's cancer treatment: "After multiple rounds of chemo treatment, we're pleased to report that not only has Jean's tumor shrunk in half, a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan showed no signs of the tumor spreading or metastasizing. The chemo is working as intended and Jean continues to handle the treatment well. We will continue with the current treatment at this time, which includes three inten… Continue Reading
08.08.19
Rounds Nominates Rapid City Family for “Angels in Adoption” Award
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced he has nominated Sean and Caresa O'Connor of Rapid City for this year's Angels in Adoption award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). The O'Connors have adopted two children, Winnie (age 4) and RJ (age 2). "It is an honor for me to nominate Sean and Caresa for the Angels in Adoption Award," said Rounds. "Every child deserves the love and support that a family provides. After having biological children, the… Continue Reading
07.30.19
Rounds, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan US-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Cybersecurity Subcommittee, along with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), today introduced the US-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the State Department to investigate potential benefits of establishing a joint US-Israel cybersecurity center. "As chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, improving our nation's defe… Continue Reading
07.30.19
Rounds-Supported Bill to Improve Highways and Bridges Advances out of Senate EPW Committee
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today made the following statement after the committee voted to advance bipartisan legislation to improve our nation's roads and bridges. "Today, the Senate EPW Committee took an important step toward improving our nation's roads and bridges, which benefits every American and helps keep our economy strong," said Rounds. "This legislation makes our roads and bridges more reliable, c… Continue Reading
07.29.19
Rounds, Tester Introduce Legislation to Streamline Education Benefits for Veterans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) are introducing bipartisan legislation to provide timelier education benefits to student veterans across the country. Excessive bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has caused significant delays in education benefits to veterans participating in the VA Work-Study Allowance Program. The program allows student veterans- whether on campus, at VA facilities or at other veteran-centered organizations- to … Continue Reading
07.29.19
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Asylum Abuse Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce the Asylum Abuse Reduction Act. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives. "Our immigration system is flawed and too many individuals are manipulating our generous asylum laws to illegally enter the U.S.," said Rounds. "Asylum is meant to provide a safe haven for individuals fleeing persecution. It … Continue Reading
07.25.19
Rounds, Heinrich Urge Swift Senate Action to Permanently Repeal Cadillac Tax
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the bipartisan leads of Senate legislation to permanently repeal the 'Cadillac Tax,' today urged Senate leadership to swiftly take up their bipartisan legislation to repeal a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as the "Cadillac Tax," which taxes high-cost health insurance plans and impacts middle-class health benefits. "At a time when health care expenses continue to go up, and Congress remains divided on … Continue Reading
07.24.19
Rounds Statement on HHS Inspector General Report of Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department Closure and Reopening
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) made the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report on the Indian Health Service's (IHS) management of the closure and reopening of the Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department: "The OIG report examining the closure and reopening of the Rosebud Hospital Emergency Department underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment of IHS," said Rounds. "While the report's fin… Continue Reading
07.19.19
Rounds, Hirono Reintroduce Legislation to Promote Veteran Small Business Exports
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, reintroduced the Veterans Small Business Export Promotion Act. The bill would amend the Small Business Act to waive up-front guarantee fees for veterans and their spouses participating in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) export promotion loan programs. "Our legislation seeks to help South Dakota veterans looking to start or grow a small business when their s… Continue Reading
07.18.19
Following House Passage, Rounds and Heinrich Urge Swift Senate Action to Permanently Repeal Cadillac Tax
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the bipartisan leads of Senate legislation to permanently repeal the 'Cadillac Tax,' applauded the House of Representatives' passage of the measure. They also called on the Senate to quickly take up their bill so it can be signed into law. "I'm pleased the House voted to permanently repeal the 'Cadillac Tax'," said Rounds. "Too many families are already suffering under Obamacare, and unless we repeal the Cadillac Tax, t… Continue Reading
07.16.19
Rounds Questions Defense Secretary Nominee Mark Esper at Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned Secretary of Defense Nominee Dr. Mark Esper at his confirmation hearing. Esper, who retired from the Army in 2007, previously served as the Secretary of the Army and the Acting Secretary of Defense. "Dr. Esper's background in the military, civilian government positions and business make him eminently qualified to lead the Department of Defense (DOD)," said Rounds. "During his confirma… Continue Reading
07.10.19
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Repeal Antiquated, Hostile Laws Directed Toward Native Americans
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and U.S. Reps. Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today introduced the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act. Their legislation would repeal several outdated federal laws that are discriminatory against Native Americans, including laws that allow for the forced removal of Native American children from their homes to be se… Continue Reading
07.09.19
Rounds Cosponsors Bill to Make RFS Small Refinery Waiver Process More Transparent
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) cosponsored the bipartisan RFS Integrity Act of 2019. This legislation seeks to provide more certainty for producers by bringing transparency and predictability to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) small refinery exemption process. The bill would require small refineries to petition for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship exemptions by June 1st of each year. This change would make sure that EPA properly accounts for exempted gallons in the a… Continue Reading
07.01.19
Ten South Dakota Students Nominated by Rounds to Begin Studies at U.S. Service Academies
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that ten South Dakota students he nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy have been accepted to be members of the Class of 2023 at their respective academies. He also announced that his office is currently accepting nomination applications for the Class of 2024. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2019. More information on the nomination process can be found HERE. The followin… Continue Reading
