Press Releases
Rounds Accepting Summer 2019 Internship Applications
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he is currently accepting internship applications for summer 2019. The deadline to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices is Friday, Feb. 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
01.16.19
Rounds to Wheeler: Finalizing Year-Round Sales of E-15 Before Summer Driving Season Crucial to South Dakota Corn Producers
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), today questioned Andrew Wheeler, the president's nominee to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during Wheeler's confirmation hearing. "I appreciated the opportunity to reiterate the urgent need for year-round sales of E-15 to Mr. Wheeler during his confirmation hearing. Allowing for year-round sales of E-15 would be a huge win for corn and corn ethano… Continue Reading
01.11.19
Delegation Reintroduces Bill to Transfer Federal Land to Custer County, South Dakota
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 reintroduced Senate and House companion versions of the Custer County Airport Conveyance Act, legislation that would transfer approximately 66 acres of Black Hills National Forest System land to Custer County, South Dakota. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has agreed to sell this land to the Custer County Airport, giving it full ownership of all acres the airport occupies. A portion of t… Continue Reading
01.10.19
Rounds Meets with Andrew Wheeler, President’s Nominee to be EPA Administrator
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), met with Andrew Wheeler, President Trump's nominee to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPW Committee is responsible for oversight of the EPA. "I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Acting Administrator Wheeler to talk about a number of EPA issues impacting South Dakotans," said Rounds. "We had a productive discussion about year-round sa… Continue Reading
01.09.19
Rounds, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Fully Fund Border Wall
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to reintroduce the WALL Act, legislation that would fully fund the border wall along the southern border. Their legislation, first introduced last Congress, is also the first bill that will fund the wall by identifying specific funding sources. "The primary responsibility of the federal government is the defense of our nation, which includes strong bo… Continue Reading
01.08.19
Rounds Encourages South Dakotans to Send Feedback on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today shared the full text of the preliminary U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement on his website. Last year, the Trump administration negotiated the USMCA, which, if approved by Congress, will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Congress will now review the proposal and is expected to vote on it later this year. Rounds encourages South Dakotans interested in this measure to visit his website, review the agreement and share the… Continue Reading
01.03.19
Rounds Secures Key Committee Assignments for 116th Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he will maintain his membership on four key committee assignments in the 116th Congress: Senate Armed Services Veterans' Affairs Environment and Public Works (EPW) Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Rounds Statement: "I look forward to working on these committees, each of which focuses on issues that are important to South Dakotans. We have many accomplishments to be proud of so far, and I look forward to building on tho… Continue Reading
12.19.18
Rounds: Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Fails to Address Basic Public Safety Concerns
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding his opposition to the First Step Act, legislation that would reform the federal prison system and modify several federal sentencing provisions - which may allow certain violent and drug criminals to be eligible for early release: "I support the intent of criminal justice reform, particularly for nonviolent offenders, but the First Step Act fails to adequately protect South Dakota families from violent crimi… Continue Reading
12.18.18
Spearfish High School Student Offered Appointment to U.S. Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced Spearfish High School student Sierra Hillard has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, which she intends to accept. Sierra is the daughter of Sue Hillard of Whitewood, SD, and the granddaughter of former South Dakota Lt. Governor Carole Hillard. Sierra was nominated to the Air Force Academy by Rounds. "We congratulate Sierra on this incredible accomplishment," said Rounds. "Receiving an offer o… Continue Reading
12.15.18
Bronze Star Medal Posthumously Awarded to Yankton World War II Veteran
YANKTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today presented the Bronze Star Medal to Yankton resident Mrs. Lucille Mjoen on behalf of her late husband, World War II veteran Private First Class Gilbert Mjoen. The Bronze Star was awarded to Mjoen for meritorious achievement in active ground combat against the enemy on Dec. 19, 1944, in Holland, where he was wounded while serving with the 104th Infantry Division. He previously received the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal. "It's my honor to p… Continue Reading
12.11.18
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Five-Year Farm Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement on the Senate passage of the farm bill conference report, which includes a number of priorities he requested earlier this year. It passed with strong bipartisan support, 87-13. "The farm bill is a vital piece of legislation for farmers and ranchers in South Dakota, where our economy depends on agriculture," said Rounds. "At a time when farm income is down 50 percent and our producers are at the tip of the spear with… Continue Reading
12.11.18
Rounds Statement on Confirmation of Jon Kobes to be Circuit Court Judge
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the confirmation of his counsel, Jonathan Kobes of Sioux Falls, to be a Circuit Judge on the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Kobes will replace Judge Roger Wollman, who is taking senior status at the end of the year. "Jon will be an excellent judge on the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit," said Rounds. "He has spent his career demonstrating his commitment to justice, the fair application of the… Continue Reading
12.11.18
Rounds: Revised WOTUS Rule a Win for Landowners, Ag Community & States’ Rights
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today joined Acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and other stakeholders in announcing a revised 'Waters of the U.S.' rule. "The revised WOTUS rule gives farmers, ranchers and landowners the certainty they need to know when the Clean Water Act a… Continue Reading
12.10.18
Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies for 2019-2020 School Year
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated 25 South Dakota students to the nation's service academies for the 2019-2020 school year. "The U.S. service academies only accept the best and the brightest," said Rounds. "I am fortunate to have the opportunity to nominate 25 highly-qualified students to the academies this year. Each student I nominated went through a thorough application process and has proved that he or she possesses the necessary qualities to… Continue Reading
12.06.18
With Rounds, Thune Support, Tea and U.S. Highway 83 Receive Critical Infrastructure Grants
U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to award the City of Tea's County Highway 106 project and South Dakota Department of Transportation's U.S. Highway 83 project $8.7 million and $20 million, respectively, in critical infrastructure funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Today's announcement follows multiple requests from the senators to DOT Secretary Elai… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Fully Fund Border Wall
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D) joined Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce the WALL Act, legislation that would fully fund the border wall along the southern border. This legislation is also the first bill that will fund the wall by identifying specific funding sources. "The primary responsibility of the federal government is the defense of our nation, which includes strong border security," said Rounds. "The WALL Act will provide ful… Continue Reading
12.01.18
Rounds Statement on Passing of President George H. W. Bush
PIERRE-Earlier today, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the passing of President George H. W. Bush: "Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of President George H.W. Bush. From his time as a young naval aviator who fought in World War II to serving as the 41st President of the United States during the post-Cold War era, President Bush dedicated his life to our country. He will be forever remembered for his strong faith, his love of family and his love o… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Rounds Statement on EPA’s 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations
PIERRE - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2019 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which includes the 2020 RVO for biomass-based diesel. The EPA announced a total of 19.92 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended in 2019, 15 billion gallons of which will be primarily made up of corn ethanol… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Legislation to Commemorate End of WWII
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, praised the Senate passage of the 75th Anniversary of World War II Commemoration Act yesterday. This legislation establishes 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 and remember the horrors of the Holocaust… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Rounds, Thune Urge President to Reopen U.S. Soybean Exports to China
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today, ahead of President Trump's trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the G20 Summit, urged the president to prioritize the restoring of U.S. soybean market access in China when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade and other issues. "We appreciate your efforts to address China's unfair trade practices, but our soybean producers cannot continue to bear the brunt of China's retaliatory tariffs, especia… Continue Reading
