Press Releases
Rounds joins Thune in Introducing Dr. Heather Wilson at SASC Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) today joined Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) in introducing Dr. Heather Wilson at her confirmation hearing to be Secretary of the Air Force. Dr. Wilson has been president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) since 2013. Watch Rounds' reemarks by clicking here. Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman it is my honor to join Senator Thune in supporting Dr. Heather Wilson's … Continue Reading
03.29.17
Rounds’ RESPECT Act Legislation Passes Indian Affairs Committee Unanimously
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after his Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act passed out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee with unanimous support: "I thank Chairman John Hoeven and the members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for unanimously passing the RESPECT Act today," said Rounds. "The RESPECT Act would repeal a number of outdated federal laws that are discriminatory toward Nati… Continue Reading
03.29.17
Rounds Announces Promotion of Tyler Tordsen to Southeast Regional Director
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the promotion of Tyler Tordsen to Southeast Regional Director. Tordsen has spent the last two years working in Rounds' Pierre office as a special assistant, focusing on outreach, tribal relations, constituent services and local governments. "Tyler has been a tremendous asset to our team since the day he started," said Rounds. "A lifelong South Dakotan, his strategic vision and passion for helping others have played a vital role in our co… Continue Reading
03.28.17
SASC Cyber Subcommittee Chairman Mike Rounds Hosts Informal Meeting with Israeli Directorate
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today hosted an informal meeting between members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and members of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, including Director Dr. Eviatar Matania. "Israel is at the forefront of cyber technology, and I am grateful Dr. Matania was able to join us today to discuss cyber threats," said Rounds. "During our meetings, we had a healthy discussion about where the U.S. and Israel can expand our strong relationship to fur… Continue Reading
03.28.17
Rounds Statement on Executive Order to Roll Back Clean Power Plan Regulations
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and Chairman of the EPW Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight, today made the following statement on President Trump's executive order to limit the Clean Power Plan rule. "Over the past eight years, American innovation, job creation and economic growth have been smothered by heavy-handed federal regulations imposed by unelected bureaucrats," said Round… Continue Reading
03.28.17
Rounds, Donnelly Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Veteran Credit Scores
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would protect the credit ratings of veterans wrongly penalized by medical bill payment delays by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "When veterans receive care in the community, they shouldn't have to worry about a delayed payment from the VA negatively impacting their credit score," said Rounds. "Our legislation would make sure that veterans are protected from me… Continue Reading
03.24.17
Rounds Speaks on Senate Floor on 7th Anniversary of Obamacare
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) yesterday spoke on the Senate floor on the 7th anniversary of Obamacare being signed into law by then-President Barack Obama. Rounds' remarks, as prepared for delivery: Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, on its 7th anniversary of being signed into law by our previous president, Barack Obama. Looking back on what has happened to health care over the past seven years… Continue Reading
03.21.17
Rounds Introduces Bill to Strengthen Congressional Insight and Accountability on Federal Regulations
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to strengthen congressional insight and accountability within the regulatory process. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Insight, Reform and Accountability Act of 2017 would give OIRA statutory authority to conduct reviews of regulations by codifying into law executive orders establishing such authority, authority that cannot be rescinded or limited by future presidencies. Additionally, it would expand th… Continue Reading
03.15.17
Rounds Appointee Accepted to U.S. Naval Academy
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that Milbank High School student Brooke Fraasch has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, which she intends to accept. Fraasch, the daughter of Wayde and Amber Fraasch of Milbank, received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy from Rounds. "I congratulate Brooke on her offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy," said Rounds. "Our nation's service academies only offer appointments to the best… Continue Reading
03.09.17
Rounds, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan DOD Cyber Scholarship Program Act of 2017
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services' Committee Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today introduced a bill to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce that is critical to addressing the United States' growing cyber challenges. The DoD Cyber Scholarship Program Act of 2017 would reinvigorate and modify an existing DoD scholarship program for students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity fields. This bill would authorize the DoD's schola… Continue Reading
03.03.17
Upholding our Responsibility to our Native Population
Our tribal population is amidst a government-induced health care crisis as a result of decades of mismanagement and poor leadership at the Indian Health Service (IHS). In South Dakota and across the country, IHS facilities consistently fail to meet basic benchmarks of providing proper care to Native Americans. Headlines frequently tell the tale of emergency rooms closing down, lack of adequate health care professionals and blatant corruption among IHS administrative employees. Too often, my sta… Continue Reading
03.01.17
Rounds to Army Corps: South Dakotans Want Assurances that Flood Control is your Number One Priority
03.01.17
Rounds Cosponsors Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced he is an original cosponsor of the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, legislation to allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that also has concealed carry laws, while abiding by that state's laws. "As an avid hunter and lifelong gun owner, I have always been a strong defender of the Second Amendment," said Rounds. "This legislation will strengthen … Continue Reading
02.28.17
Rounds Statement on President's Address to Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on President Trump's address to Congress. "I share President Trump's desire to renew America's spirit of optimism," said Rounds. "For too long, Washington has failed to focus on the important issues: reducing our debt, reforming the tax code, achieving a truly affordable, sustainable health care system, strengthening our military and growing our economy so all American families have the opportunity to achieve t… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Rounds Praises Trump’s Action to Undo WOTUS
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today praised President Trump's executive order that will begin to undo the Obama administration's overreaching Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The executive order will require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps to review the WOTUS rule to make certain it promotes economic growth and minimizes regulatory uncertainty. It also requires agencies to rescind or revise aspects of WOTUS that are incompatible with this new policy guidan… Continue Reading
02.28.17
Rounds Introduces Bill to Audit Indian Health Service
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to provide for a comprehensive audit of the Indian Health Service (IHS). This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use existing funds to contract with an independent firm to assess the state of IHS. "The inadequate care being delivered at IHS facilities across the country has reached crisis level," said Rounds. "It is a serious issue that requires tangible solutions. An … Continue Reading
02.16.17
Rounds Speaks on Senate Floor in Support of EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who is President Trump's nominee to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt's confirmation was advanced out of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, on which Rounds serves. His confirmation vote is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET tomorrow, Feb. 17, 2017. "General Pruitt's legal background and experience with the EPA regulatory pr… Continue Reading
02.16.17
Rounds Meets with SDSM&T’s Dr. Heather Wilson, President Trump’s Pick to Serve as Air Force Secretary
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with Dr. Heather Wilson, President Trump's nominee to be Secretary of the Air Force. Dr. Wilson has served as president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T) since June 2013. At the time of Dr. Wilson's nomination announcement last month, Rounds said: "I congratulate Dr. Wilson for being nominated to lead the Air Force. While I am selfishly disappointed she won't be c… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Sens. Rounds, Thune Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Military Families’ Right to Self-Protection
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today reintroduced legislation to 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. Companion legislation to the Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act was introduced last month by Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.) in the House of Representat… Continue Reading
02.15.17
Rounds Pays Tribute to Clint Roberts on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today delivered a floor speech to honor the life and legacy of his friend, former U.S. Rep. Clint Roberts, who passed away on Feb. 13th at the age of 82. In addition to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Roberts served in the South Dakota State Senate and as South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture. "Clint was a mentor and a hero to me and many others and - I'm proud to say - lifelong friend to me and Jean," said Rounds on the senate floor. "H… Continue Reading
