Press Releases
Rounds Introduces FSA Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) farm loan programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act would assist lenders in supporting producers during times of economic downturn within the ag sector. "The FSA Loan Guarantee program provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who want to expand and improve their operations," said Rounds. "Increasing both the individual cap for th… Continue Reading
10.04.17
Rounds: Fairer, Lower, Simpler Tax Code Will Unleash the Full Potential of the American Economy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today delivered remarks on the Senate floor calling for a simpler, lower, fairer tax code that will improve our economy, create new jobs and increase wages for the American people. "It is our intention to deliver policies that will jolt our economy, allow hard-working families to keep more of their paychecks and provide financial opportunities to lower and middle-class families," said Rounds on the Senate floor. "I am encouraged by the ongoing discus… Continue Reading
09.28.17
Rounds, Colleagues Submit Comments in Support of Proposed Withdrawal of the WOTUS Rule
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), along with 10 of his colleagues, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Douglas Lamont in support of the proposed withdrawal of the 2015 "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule. The letter applauds Administrator Pruitt's efforts to remove the problematic rule and highlights the need for its … Continue Reading
09.28.17
Rounds Asks EPA Administrator for Continued Support of Renewable Fuel Standard
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to thank him for his support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and encourage him to release the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) by the statutorily-mandated Nov. 30, 2017, deadline. Additionally, he requested Pruitt use all of the resources and most recent information available to… Continue Reading
09.18.17
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of Annual Defense Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today issued the following statement following the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018. It includes 12 provisions offered by Rounds. "This year's NDAA takes important steps to rebuild our military and adequately address the challenges facing our armed forces," said Rounds. "The NDAA is one of the most important bills we pass each year in Congr… Continue Reading
09.18.17
Delegation to FWS: Adequate Staffing Needed at D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requesting adequate staffing at the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery Archives in Spearfish, South Dakota, after staffing levels at the archives have fallen drastically from seven federal full-time employees (FTEs) in 2013 to one FTE from 2014 to 2016. D.C. Booth is need of additional FTE's to… Continue Reading
09.13.17
Rounds Urges Support of His Amendment to Shield Military Retirees From Costly Prescription Drug Copay Increases
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered remarks on the Senate floor in support of an amendment he introduced to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) currently being debated on the Senate floor. "I fully support improving care for beneficiaries of the military health system," said Rounds in his speech. "However, increased TRICARE pharmacy copays must be carefully considered to make certain that they do not disproport… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Rounds Introduces Bill to Strengthen Transparency, Sound Science at EPA
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 introduced the Honest and Open New EPA Science Treatment Act of 2017 (HONEST Act) to make certain that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations are based on the best available science. The HONEST Act would preserve the integrity of the scientific review process by prohibiting the agency from proposing, finalizin… Continue Reading
09.07.17
Rounds Announces Deadline for Nomination Applications to U.S. Service Academies
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that all nomination applications to our nation's service academies for the fall 2018 semester are due by Oct. 1, 2017. "Our nation's service academies offer an opportunity to serve our country while receiving a top-notch education," said Rounds. "I encourage interested students to submit their application for a nomination before October 1st to make sure they will be considered for the 2018-2019 school year." Each year, Rounds is a… Continue Reading
08.25.17
Providing South Dakota Families with Tax Relief a Priority
Over the past few months, we've seen the U.S. economy improve. In July, employers added 209,000 jobs, bringing the unemployment rate down to 4.3 percent. However, wages remain stagnant and economic growth has hovered at 2 percent for the past 10 years, a full percentage point lower than the historic post-World War II average. According to the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), this has cost families an average of $8,600 in income annually. Also according to the JEC, economic growth will remain at 2… Continue Reading
08.22.17
Rounds Delivers Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing in Pierre
PIERRE-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 the opening statement at his hearing in Pierre, entitled, "Oversight of the U.S. Army Corps' Management of the Missouri River." The hearing will provide oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make certain the agency is working in an appropriate and responsible manner to manage the Missouri River. Round… Continue Reading
08.20.17
Rounds Statement on DSU Announcement
MADISON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, issued the following statement following today's grand opening of the Beacom Institute of Technology at Dakota State University (DSU) and the announcement that a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) will be built on the campus, bringing additional cybersecurity opportunities to South Dakota: "Today's announcement strengthens DSU's role as a leader in cybersecurity," s… Continue Reading
08.16.17
Rounds Statement on President Signing Post-9/11 GI Bill Into Law
MITCHELL - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today made the following statement after President Trump signed into law the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, which includes three provisions introduced by Rounds: "Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and they should be able to fully use the benefits they've been promised when they enter civilian life," said Rounds. "I'm pleased that this impo… Continue Reading
08.03.17
Rounds, Udall Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow All Military Women to Count Maternity Leave Toward Years of Service
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) today introduced a bipartisan bill to make certain that women serving in the National Guard and Reserves can take maternity leave without worrying about how it will affect their creditable military service. "Our men and women in uniform serve bravely and honorably in both the regular armed forces and the reserve component," said Rounds. "Our legislation evens the playing field to make sure mothers who serve in the National … Continue Reading
08.02.17
Rounds Statement on President Trump Signing Sanctions Bill Into Law
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement to commend President Trump for signing into law the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, a set of expanded sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea: "Russia, Iran and North Korea continue to express aggressive, destabilizing behaviors that put our regional allies and our own national security at risk. Iran is one of the world's largest state sponsors of terrorism, North Korea continues to pu… Continue Reading
08.01.17
Rounds Opening Statement at EPW Subcommittee Hearing
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 the following opening remarks at his hearing entitled, "Oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund Program." Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: The Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight is meeting today to conduct a hearing e… Continue Reading
07.28.17
Rounds Statement on Health Care Reform Legislation Vote
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after the Senate voted against passing a bill to repeal parts of Obamacare: "The fight to relieve American families from our current failing health care system is far from over. I will continue working with my colleagues to stabilize the insurance markets and prevent premiums from continuing to skyrocket. The American people deserve better than the failing Obamacare disaster that has forced millions off the health c… Continue Reading
07.25.17
Rounds Statement on Vote to Begin Debate on Obamacare Repeal and Replace Legislation
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after voting to begin debate on legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare: "While this process will take several weeks, today's vote to begin debate on legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare is an important first step as we work to stabilize the insurance markets and prevent premiums from continuing to skyrocket for South Dakota families. The American people deserve better than the failing Obamacare disaste… Continue Reading
07.24.17
Rounds, Hoeven Reintroduce Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) recently reintroduced the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act, which expands veterans' access to long-term care (LTC) services. The legislation will enable veterans to receive nursing home care in their home communities near their loved ones because more nursing homes will be able to treat veterans without having to comply with burdensome red tape. "South Dakota veterans have made incredible sacrifice… Continue Reading
07.20.17
Rounds Applauds USDA Decision to Open Sensitive CRP Acres for Emergency Haying and Grazing
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision to open sensitive Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for emergency haying and grazing, effective today, July 20, 2017, for additional counties in South Dakota. More information can be found on the U.S. Drought Monitor. USDA is adding the ability for farmers and ranchers in these areas to hay and graze CRP wetland and buffer practices. "Secreta… Continue Reading
