Press Releases
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 Their legislation would repeal several outdated federal laws that are discriminatory against Native Americans, including laws that allow for the forced removal of Native American children from their homes to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
07.01.19
Mike and Jean Thank South Dakotans for Overwhelming Support, Provide Update on Jean’s Cancer Treatment
FORT PIERRE - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and his wife, Jean, today provided the following update regarding Jean's cancer treatment: "As other families who have experienced a cancer diagnosis know, this has been a difficult and trying time for Jean and our family. Throughout it, we've been lifted by the overwhelming support and prayers from so many. Your support has been a true source of strength during Jean's treatment." "We're pleased to report that Jean's highly-qualified team of doctors… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Rounds Provisions included FY 2020 NDAA
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, secured a number of provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, which passed the Senate earlier today. On May 22, 2019, the NDAA was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee with Rounds' support. "While Mike is supporting Jean this week during her treatment, the impact of his work on this year's National Defense Aut… Continue Reading
06.18.19
Jean Rounds to Begin Cancer Treatment
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today released the following statement regarding news that his wife, Jean, will begin cancer treatment: "Many families have successfully dealt with this and we are no different. Jean is resilient and strong, we have the support of friends and family, and Jean will receive treatment from a highly-qualified team of doctors. However, prayer has the power a human hand does not. To the countless South Dakotans who have generously asked how they can help, w… Continue Reading
06.08.19
Rounds Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to Grant South Dakota’s Disaster Assistance Request Following Late-Winter Storms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement following news that the Trump administration has approved South Dakota's request for a major disaster declaration and subsequent federal assistance after late-winter storms caused significant damage to infrastructure, livestock, homes and bridges throughout the state. "I thank President Trump for recognizing the need to provide disaster assistance to South Dakota communities impacted by recent storms. This will hel… Continue Reading
06.05.19
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Support the Growth of Manufacturing and Tech-based Businesses in Rapid City, South Dakota Opportunity Zone
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3 million in the Rapid City Economic Development Foundation of Rapid City, South Dakota, to help build a new business incubator facility that will support the growth of sustainable manufacturing and technology-based businesses. The investment, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act designated Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $4.5 million in lo… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Rounds, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Extend MISSION Act Deadline
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced the Veterans Affairs Saving Network Appointments From Upheaval Act, otherwise known as the "VA SNAFU Act," which would delay the implementation of new access standards for non-VA healthcare providers. "The men and women who wore the uniform of the United States have earned the benefits they were promised," said Rounds. "Our legislation seeks to make sure the t… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Rounds, King Reintroduce Bill to Allow Local Meat and Poultry Products to be Sold Across State Lines
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Angus King (I-Maine), today reintroduced the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act. The bipartisan bill would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. Rounds and King introduced this legislation in the 115th Congress. Currently, there are 27 states with inspection programs, certified by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), which meet or exceed f… Continue Reading
06.04.19
After Hearing Feedback from South Dakota Producers, Rounds Sends Letter to USDA Secretary with Requests for Next Round of ‘Trade-Aid’
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting that concerns from South Dakota producers be addressed in the 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP). USDA recently announced the 2019 MFP will provide assistance based upon 2019 planted acres, but many South Dakota farmers have been unable to plant due to wet conditions. In his letter, Rounds specifically requests USDA consider these challenges as it implements the … Continue Reading
05.23.19
Rounds Statement on Committee Approval of 2020 NDAA
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Chairman of the SASC Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, today issued the following statement on the committee's passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020: "One of the primary responsibilities of the federal government is to provide for the defense of our nation," said Rounds. "I'm pleased the Senate Armed Services Committee once again came together to advance thi… Continue Reading
05.22.19
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Provide High-Speed Research Computing for Business Growth in South Dakota Opportunity Zone
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.46 million grant to Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota, to help establish a high speed research network. The investment, located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act designated Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $1.46 million in local funds. "The Trump Administration is continuing to work diligently to bring new opportunities for growth… Continue Reading
05.22.19
South Dakota Delegation Supports Governor Noem’s Request for Disaster Declaration Following Late-Winter Storms
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 sent a letter to President Trump in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request for a major disaster declaration in South Dakota following severe late-winter storms, high winds, heavy rain, and flooding that began on March 13, 2019. "The widespread damage from storms this spring is evident in areas across our state, including the 58 counties and four Indian Reservations identifi… Continue Reading
05.16.19
South Dakota Delegation Urges USDA to Provide Short-Term Relief to Agriculture Producers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today urged United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Perdue to provide short-term economic relief to American agriculture producers facing a challenging economic climate. "Producers are aware that China has taken advantage of U.S. innovation and technology far too long, and they are supportive of the Trump Administration's efforts to strike a fair deal that increase… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Rounds Introduces Constitutional Carry States’ Rights Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the Constitutional Carry States' Rights Act that would close a loophole in the Gun-Free School Zones Act to give law-abiding citizens in states with Constitutional carry laws the same legal authority to possess a firearm as individuals in states that require a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Recognizing that the Second Amendment does not abide restriction of gun rights for law-abiding citizens, Constitutional carry laws allow indivi… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Rounds, Colleagues Reintroduce Blue Water Navy Legislation
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, joined a number of senators to reintroduce the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act this Congress. The bipartisan legislation would make sure thousands of "Blue Water" Navy veterans can receive the disability and health care benefits they earned after their exposure to the dangerous pesticide Agent Orange while fighting in the Vietnam War. "Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices to defend our… Continue Reading
05.10.19
Sturgis Brown High School Student Receives Offer of Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced Gavin West, a senior at Sturgis Brown High School, has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, which he has accepted. West is the son of Patrick and Cassandra West of Piedmont, SD. He is the brother of Justice West, who also received a nomination from Rounds and currently attends the Naval Academy. "I congratulate Gavin on working hard to get into the Naval Academy," said Rounds. "After watching his … Continue Reading
05.07.19
Rounds, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Eliminate Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to reintroduce legislation that would eliminate the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. "The CFPB is an unaccountable regulatory agency created under Dodd-Frank with broad authorities to impose burdensome new rules on the American people - with no oversight … Continue Reading
