Press Releases
Rounds Introduces Legislative Package to Promote Economic Growth
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today introduced six bills to reduce the regulatory burden for investors and small businesses seeking to raise capital so they can create jobs and grow our economy. "These bills seek to lessen financial regulatory burdens, making it easier for consumers to invest and for job creators to thrive," said Rounds. "They maintain protections for consumers and have already received strong,… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Commemorate End of WWII
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced the 75th Anniversary of World War II Commemoration Act. This legislation would establish a commemorative program to honor veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of our allies a… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued a statement on the Senate's passage of America's Water Infrastructure Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that will benefit communities across South Dakota. "Water is one of our most precious natural resources," said Rounds. "South Dakotans rely on water infrastructure for energy, irrigation, agriculture, recreation, flood control, and clean drinking water. The legislation we passed today builds on the Senate's commitment to investing … Continue Reading
10.09.18
Rounds Supports Year-Round E-15 Sales
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding the administration's decision to allow year-round sales of gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol, or E-15. In previous years, sales of E-15 were banned annually between June 1 and September 15, which includes the country's busiest driving months. "Allowing year-round sales of E-15 will not only increase markets for South Dakota producers, it will increase consumer choice at the pump and keep fuel costs … Continue Reading
10.06.18
Rounds Statement on Confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court: "Despite a prolonged 'advice and consent' process in which our Democrat colleagues went to extreme, unprecedented measures to try and stop his nomination, today the Senate confirmed Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh is immensely qualified to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. During the last 12 years … Continue Reading
10.03.18
Rounds: Comprehensive Opioids Bill Headed to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a bipartisan proposal that includes measures from both House and Senate members to combat the opioid epidemic. This legislation now heads to the president to be signed into law. "Opioid addiction is a devastating epidemic that has spread to all corners of our society. Nobody is immune from opioid addiction, and many of us may know… Continue Reading
10.03.18
Rounds Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing on the EPA’s Use of Sound and Transparent Science
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, today delivered his opening statement at a hearing entitled "Oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Implementation of Sound and Transparent Science in Regulation." "The EPA has a long history of creating burdensome, unnecessary regulations without giving the public an opportunity to fully vet the reasoning be… Continue Reading
10.03.18
Rounds Statement on Five-Year FAA Reauthorization Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Senate passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes federal aviation programs for five years. This legislation now heads to the president to be signed into law. "Making sure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the tools in place to modernize and improve U.S. aviation will benefit all air travelers," said Rounds. "I'm pleased that the five-year FAA reauthorization bill passed by the S… Continue Reading
10.01.18
Rounds: South Dakota Veterans Cemetery One Step Closer to Becoming Reality
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has signed off on the South Dakota state cemetery grant application. During a phone call with VA Undersecretary Randy Reeves last week, Reeves told Rounds that this puts the South Dakota state cemetery application on the priority list for grant funding. A grant could be awarded as early as next year. "The announcement that the VA has si… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Rounds’ IHS Assessment Legislation Passes Out of Committee, Heads to Full Senate Floor
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced that his legislation, S. 465, the Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act, passed out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee today with broad bipartisan support. "South Dakota's tribal members have been in the midst of a government-induced health care crisis for decades due to poor leadership and mismanagement at the Indian Health Service (IHS)," said Rounds. "Tribal members are suffering and even dying due to inadequate… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Rounds Delivers Opening Statement at Cyber Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, today delivered the opening statement at a joint Cybersecurity and Personnel Subcommittee hearing to review the cyber operational readiness of the Department of Defense (DoD). Rounds remarks, as prepared for delivery: The Cybersecurity and Personnel Subcommittees meet this afternoon to receive testimony on the cyber operational readiness of the Departmen… Continue Reading
09.18.18
Rounds Accepting Spring 2019 Internship Applications
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he is currently accepting internship applications for spring 2019. The deadline to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices is Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. 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
09.17.18
Rounds, Hirono Introduce Bill to Provide Transparency to Veterans Considering Enrolling in School
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today introduced the GI Bill Comparison Tool Improvement Act. This bill would increase transparency for veterans when choosing where to enroll in school by adding a metric to the GI Bill Comparison Tool identifying which educational institutions allow veterans to stay enrolled in classes pending receipt of GI Bill funds. "We want all veterans to have the tools necessary to … Continue Reading
09.17.18
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Comprehensive Legislation to Address Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Opioid Crisis Response Act, a comprehensive bill to address the growing opioid epidemic in the United States: "The legislation we passed today takes an important step toward ending the heartbreaking issue of opioid addiction," said Rounds. "Opioid addiction does not discriminate-it can affect men and women of all ages and of all races, in any town in the United States, including in… Continue Reading
09.12.18
Rounds Statement on Executive Order to Protect Election Security
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, today issued the following statement on the Executive Order President Trump signed to impose sanctions on foreign countries or people who interfere in U.S. elections: "Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our republic. Today's executive order draws a clear line in the sand and puts our adversaries on notice that we will not tolerate any meddling in our election process. All sa… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Rounds Nominates the Roth Family of Summerset for Angels in Adoption Award
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated Wes and Kimberly Roth of Summerset for this year's Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI), of which Rounds is a member. Wes and Kimberly have two adopted children, Kaleb and Elsie. "I'm honored to nominate Wes and Kimberly Roth to be this year's Angels in Adoption," said Rounds. "Wes and Kimberly have not only created a loving home for Kaleb and Elsie, but they give gene… Continue Reading
08.29.18
Rounds Statement on Decision to Block Proposed Tariffs on Newsprint
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) stopped the proposed tariffs on Canadian newsprint. Earlier this year, Rounds joined Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) in a letter to the ITC urging the organization to oppose these tariffs. "We support the ITC's decision to block tariffs on newsprint imported from Canada, which many of South Dakota's local newspapers rely on to print their publ… Continue Reading
08.27.18
Rounds Statement on Proposed Trade Agreement with Mexico
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the administration's announcement that the U.S. has reached a two-year trade agreement with Mexico. "As South Dakota's top two export markets, maintaining strong trade relationships with Mexico and Canada is vitally important. Today's announcement that a two-year trade deal has been reached with Mexico is a step in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go to provide long-term trade stability fo… Continue Reading
08.25.18
Rounds Statement on the Passing of John McCain
FORT PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on the passing of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): "John McCain was a true American hero who spent his life serving our country," said Rounds. "Our men and women in uniform had no better ally than John McCain, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside him on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He leaves behind a legacy of leadership we can all admire. J… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Rounds Statement on HQLA Interim Final Rule
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today issued the following statement after the announcement of the interim final rule regarding the treatment of certain municipal securities as high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency: "The ability to access capital is critically important for communities across South Dakota … Continue Reading
