Press Releases
Rounds Statement on Senate Passage of VA Accountability Legislation
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee, today made the following statement on the Senate passage of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. This bipartisan bill would reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing the secretary to remove bad employees and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Rounds is an original cosponsor of this legislation. "Today, the Senate took anothe… Continue Reading
06.01.17
Rounds Statement on President’s Decision to Exit Paris Climate Agreement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on President Trump's decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement: "The Paris Climate Agreement placed costly new energy restrictions on the United States, which would be passed on to consumers in the form of higher electricity prices," said Rounds. "President Trump understands that we cannot put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world, thereby shackling our economy and raising electricit… Continue Reading
05.24.17
Rounds Introduces Legislation to Provide Tax Relief to Every South Dakota Family and Business
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that reduces the average South Dakota family's tax burden by 16 percent. This is accomplished by a simple 2 percent rate cut in each tax bracket. "Throughout our history, when government regulations and taxes have been moderated, economic freedom and prosperity thrive," said Rounds. "There is a direct correlation between government policies and the economy. In recent history, both President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, an… Continue Reading
05.22.17
Rounds, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Improve Career Opportunities for Returning Veterans
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today introduced the Veterans To Enhance Studies Through (TEST) Accessibility Act to help returning veterans transition into civilian life. Under current law, veterans are required to use a full month of their Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to be reimbursed for licensing, certification and national tests, such as those required to be an athletic trainer, fire fighter or medic… Continue Reading
05.17.17
Rounds Notes Importance of Trade for South Dakota Ag Products in Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to recently-confirmed U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, to follow up on a recent meeting they held to discuss the importance of trade for South Dakota's agricultural sector. "We are in clear agreement on the benefits of opening new markets for U.S. beef exports, lowering tariffs on American agricultural products and maintaining our relationships to countries within the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NA… Continue Reading
05.09.17
Rounds, Colleagues Request Farm Service Agency Loan Funding
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today joined a group of 28 Senators in a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture urging them to support robust funding for the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) loan programs. FSA provides direct loans and loan guarantees to help struggling family farmers start and maintain viable farming operations. "These loans are cost-efficient and work in tandem with private credit to serve farmers in need," wrote the Senators. "Because of these loan… Continue Reading
05.08.17
Rounds Statement on Senate Confirmation of Dr. Heather Wilson 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 after the Senate voted to confirm Dr. Heather Wilson to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Air Force. Dr. Wilson has served as president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) since June 2013. "I congratulate Dr. Wilson on her confirmation to be our next Secretary of the Air Force, and I look forward to working with her," said Rounds. "Her experience … Continue Reading
05.05.17
Rounds, Hirono Introduce Legislation to Boost Exports from Veteran Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs and Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committees, introduced the Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act to make permanent the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) current policy of waiving up-front fees for veterans applying for its Export Express, Export Working Capital and International Trade loans of $150,000 or less. The policy, which began in 2013 and has been … Continue Reading
05.04.17
Delegation Meets With New VA Secretary David Shulkin to Discuss Future of Hot Springs Facility
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and John Thune (R-S.D.), and U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today issued the following statements after meeting with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin, who told the delegation he is still reviewing the decision by the Obama administration to close the Hot Springs facility. Secretary Shulkin noted that clinical operations in Hot Springs will continue for the time being,… Continue Reading
05.01.17
Rounds Cosponsors Marketplace Fairness Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, is an original cosponsor of the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017. This legislation would give states the right to collect the sales and use taxes they are owed under current law from out-of-state businesses or online retailers. "The Marketplace Fairness Act allows us to collect sales taxes from internet sellers just like retailers collect sales taxes on Main Street," said Rounds. "Brick and mortar sto… Continue Reading
04.27.17
Rounds Welcomes Trump’s Prioritization of Veterans’ Care
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today welcomed President Trump's executive order to establish the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The executive order appoints a special assistant to serve as executive director of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection within 45 days of the signing of the order. "I thank President Trump for taking steps to… Continue Reading
04.27.17
Rounds Chairs First SASC Cyber Subcommittee Open Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, today chaired the first open hearing of the SASC Subcommittee on Cybersecurity. The hearing focused on cyber-enabled information operations to include the gathering and dissemination of information in the cyber domain. "Disinformation and 'fake news' pose a unique national security challenge for any society that values freedom of speech and a free press," Rounds sai… Continue Reading
04.24.17
Rounds Appointee Jonah Nelson Accepted to U.S. Military Academy at West Point
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Washington High School student Jonah Nelson has been offered an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he intends to accept. Nelson, the son of Layne and Jennifer Nelson of Sioux Falls, received a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from Rounds. "I congratulate Jonah on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point," said Rounds. "Jonah excels academically a… Continue Reading
04.24.17
Rounds Announces New Staff Hire in Sioux Falls Office
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the addition of Kyle Chase to his South Dakota staff. Chase will serve as a special assistant focusing on outreach, constituent services and tribal relations. "Kyle is a lifelong South Dakotan who will be a tremendous asset to our team," said Rounds. "I am particularly excited for him to continue our work with tribal members as we continue to seek solutions to the unique circumstances they face. He will be an excellent addition to our ef… Continue Reading
04.21.17
Rounds Appointee Accepted to U.S. Military Academy at West Point
WATERTOWN-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Watertown High School student Zachariah Markel has been offered an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which he intends to accept. Markel, the son of Robert L. and Carol Ann Markel of Watertown, received a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from Rounds. "I congratulate Zachariah on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point," said Rounds. "It is clear that Zac… Continue Reading
04.12.17
Rounds, Hirono Introduce Bill to Support Military Families, Quality of Life and Retention
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced a bipartisan bill to codify in law the provisions of the Department of Defense regulation that directs military finance offices to reimburse service members for off-base housing expenses during long-term temporary duty. "Our service members and their families make incredible sacrifices to keep us safe," said Rounds. "They shouldn't be faced with unnecessary st… Continue Reading
04.06.17
Rounds, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Purple Heart Recipients Full Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today introduced legislation to add Purple Heart recipients to the list of eligible veterans who can access full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also includes a provision to make Purple Heart recipients eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is an optional program for universities to provide additional funding… Continue Reading
04.05.17
Rounds Speaks in Support of Judge Neil Gorsuch to Be Confirmed to Supreme Court
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. "Throughout his career, Judge Gorsuch has proven time and again that he is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court," said Rounds in his floor speech. "The knowledge and careful deliberation he will bring to the court will result in rulings that reflect justice, fairness, and an interpretation of what the law is and what Congres… Continue Reading
04.05.17
Rounds, Warner Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Financial Stability to Muni Bonds
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens .Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to allow high quality municipal debt to be classified at a level equivalent to debt issued by corporations. Debt sold by state and local governments is currently excluded from consideration under a rule requiring banks to hold enough high quality liquid assets to fund their operations for 30 days. This exclusion may create a disincentive for ba… Continue Reading
03.31.17
Rounds Cosponsors Bill to Increase Benefits for Veterans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, cosponsored the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation to increase veterans' disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, respectively, and cosponsored by every member of the … Continue Reading
