Press Releases
With Delegation Support, Brookings Receives Critical Infrastructure Grant
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 U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to award the City of Brookings $18.7 million in critical infrastructure funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Today's announcement follows requests from the delegation to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for the project's funding. "Thanks to Secretary Chao for her commitmen… Continue Reading
11.04.19
Rounds Receives U.S. Chamber of Commerce ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 'Spirit of Enterprise' Award for his support of pro-growth economic policies during the second session of the 115th Congress. Rounds was one of only 16 members of Congress who received a 100 percent score. "I'm honored to receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Chamber of Commerce," said Rounds. "South Dakota is a great place to start and grow a business. With low taxes and limited red tape, our state p… Continue Reading
10.31.19
Rounds Joins Colleagues to Introduce Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined a number of his colleagues in introducing the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, which would prohibit abortion based on an unborn child having Down syndrome. "Life is a precious gift from God that should be treated with respect and dignity, from the very beginning to the very end," said Rounds. "Unborn children have a right to life, regardless of a Down Syndrome diagnosis, which is why I'm pleased to join Sen. Inhofe t… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Delegation Urges Administration to Quickly Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (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 for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. The delegation has strongly supported South Dakota's previous disaster requests, including those from late-winter storms that caused significant damage to … Continue Reading
10.30.19
Rounds, Thune Push to Keep Foreign Beef from Receiving “Product of the U.S.A.” Label
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today took steps to keep beef born, raised and slaughtered in foreign countries from receiving a "Product of the U.S.A." label. The U.S. Beef Integrity Act would make certain that the "Product of the U.S.A." label only goes to beef and beef products exclusively derived from one or more animals born, raised and slaughtered in the United States. Currently, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) does not require tha… Continue Reading
10.29.19
Rounds, Smith Lead Bipartisan Effort to Improve Native American Lending Services at HUD, Help More Native Families Become Homeowners
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today introduced the Native American Housing Affordability Act of 2019. The bipartisan legislation reforms the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program, which provides mortgage loans to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, by speeding up the loan processing time. Additional original cosponsors include U.S. Sens. Joh… Continue Reading
10.24.19
Rounds Supports Resolution Condemning House Democrats’ Closed Door Impeachment Process
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after signing onto a resolution condemning House Democrats' closed door impeachment process. The resolution, led by Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, has 39 senate cosponsors. "Democrats have been intent on taking down this president since day one. The current impeachment inquiry is being conducted in the House without a vote, behind closed doors and it fails to give the president the opportunity to defend hi… Continue Reading
10.17.19
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
