Press Releases
Delegation Applauds SBA Approval of Economic Injury Disaster Loan Funding for South Dakota
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today applauded the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) for granting South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's request to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week in response to the governor's request, the delegation sent a letter urging SBA to activate the EIDL program for South Dakota's small businesses. … Continue Reading
03.19.20
Rounds Unveils Three-Pronged Approach to Address Cattle Market Crisis
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced a number of steps he is taking to address the ongoing cattle market crisis, which has been magnified during the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and could lead to producer bankruptcies. "In recent years, cattle producers have suffered from an undervalued product and low market prices-despite a consistent and growing demand for U.S. beef," said Rounds. "This has only intensified in recent months following a fire at a meatpacking facility, … Continue Reading
03.19.20
Delegation Urges SBA to Grant South Dakota’s Economic Loan Request
WASHINGTON--U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today urged the United States Small Business Administration to grant South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's request to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The State of South Dakota has taken strong, pro-active steps to mitigate the effects of this pandemic," the delegation wrote. "Governor Noem declared a State of Emergency for … Continue Reading
03.18.20
Rounds Supports COVID-19 Legislation that Provides Immediate Relief for South Dakota Families
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Included in this legislation are provisions which provide tax credits for paid sick, family and medical leave as well as provisions that address insurance for individuals unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. "This bill, which was negotiated between House Democrats and the Trump administration, is far from perfect. However, as we seek to… Continue Reading
03.12.20
Rounds, 17 Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Protect Military Families’ Second Amendment Rights
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today reintroduced the Protect our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act. This legislation would allow military spouses to purchase handguns in the state where their husband or wife is permanently stationed for duty, or in a neighboring state if the military spouse commutes across state borders to their duty installation. "Our military personnel and their families make incredible sacrifices to keep our country safe," said Rounds. "Allowing them t… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Sioux Falls Student Receives Offer of Appointment to U.S. Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that O'Gorman High School student Zachary Curd has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). Curd is the son of Dr. Blake and Debbie Curd of Sioux Falls, SD. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy by Rounds. "Congratulations to Zach on receiving an offer of appointment to the Air Force Academy," said Rounds. "Zach has a love of flying that will serve him well at the Air Force Academy. He… Continue Reading
03.10.20
Rounds Statement on First Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement on the news that the state of South Dakota has confirmed five cases COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus. One individual who tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away, but because of underlying health conditions, the cause of death is still being determined at this time. "The state of South Dakota has been preparing to deal with a COVID-19, as has the federal government. Last week, we passed legislation … Continue Reading
03.05.20
35,000 additional H-2B Visas Available This Year
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is making available an additional 35,000 H-2B visas for seasonal guest workers to return to the United States this summer to work. They will be available in two batches: 20,000 will be available on April 1, and 15,000 will be available on May 15. Details on how employers can apply to receive these additional workers will be made available by DHS in the coming days. Those details will be posted at https://www.dhs.gov/, and we'll be sure to up… Continue Reading
03.04.20
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Increase Access to Respirators
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to introduce legislation to help make sure manufacturers and distributors can produce respirators during health crises, such as the current COVID-19 epidemic. Respirators are masks worn over the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of noxious substances, including viruses and diseases that can spread through the air. "As the number of confirmed ca… Continue Reading
02.28.20
Rounds Joins Thune, Colleagues in Letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to Share Concerns with Brazilian Beef Imports
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and 13 other senators in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to express their concerns with the administration's decision to lift the U.S. ban on Brazilian raw beef imports. In 2017, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) blocked imports of Brazilian beef due to public health concerns, poor sanitary conditions and animal health issues. "Given that the United State… Continue Reading
02.26.20
Harrisburg Student Receives Offer of Appointment to U.S. Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Harrisburg High School senior Pierce Okken has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Okken is the son of Noelle and Craig Okken of Harrisburg, SD. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy by Rounds. "Congratulations to Pierce on receiving an offer of appointment to the Air Force Academy," said Rounds. "His love of country and strong faith in God will help him to be a good leader in the Ai… Continue Reading
02.18.20
Rounds Receives 100 Percent Rating for Pro-Life Voting Record
PIERRE -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he received the Family Research Council (FRC) Action's 'True Blue' award for his 100 percent rating to protect life, religious liberty and family values. "We thank Sen. Rounds for voting to defend and advance faith, family, and freedom," said Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins. "As a 'True Blue' member, he voted 100% on FRC Action's Scorecard, including to protect babies who are born alive after a failed abortion, en… Continue Reading
02.13.20
Sioux Falls Student Receives Fully Qualified Offers of Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Lincoln High School student Max Martin has received fully qualified offers of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy. Max is the son of Jon and Janet Martin of Sioux Falls, SD. "Congratulations to Max on receiving offers to both the Naval Academy and the Military Academy at West Point," said Rounds. "Max is an outstanding young man. Receiving one offer of appointment to a service academy is rare, but … Continue Reading
02.12.20
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to introduce the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, which halts certain Department of Justice grant funding to states that defy certain federal immigration laws. "We are a nation of laws," said Rounds. "If state and local governments fail to uphold our la… Continue Reading
02.12.20
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expedite Disaster Recovery Projects
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that would expedite the start of certain hazard mitigation projects after natural disasters, while grant applicants await federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) hazard mitigation grant program. "South Dakotans know all too w… Continue Reading
02.12.20
Rapid City Student Receives Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment to U.S. Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that his principal nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Corwyn "Ethan" Wipf, has received a fully qualified offer of acceptance to the Air Force Academy. Ethan is a student at Rapid City Christian School. He is the son of Corwyn and Sarah Wipf of Rapid City. "I'm proud to have nominated Ethan to the Air Force Academy as my principal nominee," said Rounds. "He has always wanted to serve his country in the Air Force, and one of his te… Continue Reading
02.11.20
Rounds, Manchin Lead Colleagues in Letter to International Trade Commission Urging Proper Enforcement of Trade Laws
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today led 23 of their Senate colleagues in a letter to International Trade Commission (ITC) Chairman David Johanson urging action against illegal Chinese trade practices that have unfairly harmed the American kitchen cabinet industry. It has been estimated that the American cabinet industry has suffered as much as $4 billion in harm as a result of China's unfair trading practices. "American manufacturers of kitchen cabinets… Continue Reading
02.11.20
Brookings High School Student Receives Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Brookings High School student Ellie Abraham has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). Ellie is the daughter of Ross and Julie Abraham of Brookings, SD. "Congratulations to Ellie on her offer of appointment to the Naval Academy," said Rounds. "Ellie seeks out challenges and always strives for excellence. She works hard at school, and is active in track, soccer and band. She also spends t… Continue Reading
02.10.20
Pierre Student Receives Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment to U.S. Military Academy at West Point
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that T.F. Riggs High School student Isaac Buchholtz has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Isaac is the son of Brian and Kristal Buchholtz of Pierre, SD. "Congratulations to Isaac on his offer of appointment to West Point," said Rounds. "Our nation's service academies are among the most elite educational institutions in the world, and receiving an offer of appointment to attend … Continue Reading
02.07.20
Lennox High School Student Receives Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Madeline Loewe, a student at Lennox High School, has received a fully qualified offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). Madeline is the daughter of Matthew and Paula Loewe of Lennox, SD. "Congratulations to Madeline on receiving an offer of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy," said Rounds. "Madeline's application to my office really stood out, and I was proud to nominate her as my principal nominee to the Naval Acad… Continue Reading
