Press Releases
Rounds’ RESPECT Act Passes House; Heading to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) legislation to repeal discriminatory federal laws targeting Native Americans passed the House of Representatives today. It now heads to the president’s desk for signature. The Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act would repeal 11 outdated federal laws, including laws that stripped Native American children from their families for the purpose of placing them in “Indian reform schools,” such as t… Continue Reading
12.06.22
Rounds, Fischer and Colleagues Introduce Bill Giving Tribal Colleges and Universities a Stronger Voice in Education Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act. This legislation would give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them. "Leaders of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) know the needs of their organizations, faculty and students better than anyone else," said Rounds. "This commonsense bill will enable TCUs to have a voice for how … Continue Reading
12.05.22
Rounds Announces Nominations to U.S. Service Academies for 2023-2024 School Year
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated students for appointments to the nation's service academies. Rounds nominated Kasey Broers of Pierre as his top nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Ethan Fergel of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Dustin Hermansen of Aberdeen as his top nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. "It's an honor to nominate our nation's future military leaders… Continue Reading
12.05.22
Rounds Issues Statement on Former President’s Call to Terminate the United States Constitution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the former president called for the termination of the United States Constitution: "Americans have a deep appreciation for the Constitution and our Founding Fathers who risked their lives to establish it. "As elected officials, we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. We should never dishonor that oath. No one is above the Constitution. "As I've said before, there is no evidence of widespr… Continue Reading
11.21.22
Rounds’ National American Indian Veterans Charter Bill Unanimously Passes Out of Senate
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds' (R-S.D.) legislation to create a Congressional Charter for the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV) unanimously passed the Senate. Rounds took to the Senate floor to force this action. Rounds was joined by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) in introducing this bipartisan legislation. Headquartered in South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Reservation, the NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for tribal veter… Continue Reading
10.28.22
Rounds Seeking Spring 2023 Internship Applications
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from college students to serve as interns during the spring 2023 semester. Positions are available in his Washington, D.C. office and his state offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, Pierre and Sioux Falls. Spring internships typically run from January to May, but dates can be tailored to specific schedules. Interns will receive a stipend, and the office works closely with all the universities to meet the criteria neces… Continue Reading
09.30.22
Rounds Introduces Bill to Protect Businesses from SEC Overreach
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to safeguard public companies from bureaucratic overreach. The Mandatory Materiality Requirement Act would only allow the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose future disclosure requirements if the information is important for investors making decisions. "American businesses should not be used as a gateway to advance climate change policy," said Rounds. "The heavy-hand of government is hampering the growth o… Continue Reading
09.29.22
Rounds, Tester Introduce Bill to Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Costs for Nonbank Financial Institutions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced legislation to lower costs for investors. The Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act would eliminate ineffective costs for nonbank financial institutions that have not been designated as systemically important by removing Dodd Frank's bank-centric, mandatory stress test requirement. "Asset managers have a completely different business model than a traditional bank," said Rounds. "Therefore, applyi… Continue Reading
09.28.22
Rounds, Tester Lead Bipartisan Push to Protect and Expand National and Tribal Veterans’ Cemeteries
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced bipartisan legislation to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) in honoring veterans nationwide. “It is crucial our veterans are honored with a dignified resting place,” said Rounds. “This legislation would provide the tools necessary to operate and maintain national and tribal veterans’ cemeteries. It is a small way for … Continue Reading
09.28.22
Rounds Introduces Bill to Reform NRCS and Protect Property Owners from Government Overreach
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation that would reform the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act would safeguard farmers, ranchers and landowners from bureaucratic overreach by the NRCS and empower them to continue to protect their land as they see fit. “South Dakota’s farmers, ranchers and landowners know their land better than anyone else,” sai… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Rounds: B-21 Raider Bomber to be Publicly Unveiled in December
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued a statement on the timeline of the B-21 Raider bomber. "The B-21 Raider bomber will play a crucial role in the defense of our nation and have a major impact on the Rapid City area for the next 50 years," said Rounds. "I was pleased to see the progress on the B-21 when I visited the production facility in July. Soon the public will see this stealth bomber. I am looking forward to the pub… Continue Reading
09.21.22
Rounds Nominates the Hughes Family of Sioux Falls for Angels in Adoption Award
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced that he has nominated John and Beth Hughes for the 2022 Angels in Adoption Award, presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI). John and Beth Hughes have a passion for helping women who choose adoption. Their adoption practice, Heart2Heart Adoptions, which is a part of Hughes Law Office in Sioux Falls, began more than thirty years ago when John was asked by friends to help with the interstate adoption of twin girls. John sa… Continue Reading
09.16.22
Rounds Encourages High School Seniors to Submit Applications for Nomination to U.S. Service Academies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from high school seniors who are looking to attend a U.S. service academy after graduation. "Each year, I am honored to nominate our nation's future military leaders to U.S. service academies," said Rounds. "By attending an academy, not only will students have the opportunity to serve our nation and help lead the best military in the world, but they will receive an excellent education at a top-notch institution. … Continue Reading
09.15.22
Rounds Introduces Bill to Remove Burdensome Regulations on American Trucking Industry
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation that would remove burdensome government regulations, which are impacting the agricultural industry, school districts and trucking companies in South Dakota. In 2012, then-President Obama signed into law legislation that set in motion a new rule that created a requirement for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). The final rulemaking went into effect earlier this year. All new drivers who wish to obtain their Commercial Dr… Continue Reading
09.15.22
Rounds, Tuberville and Colleagues Call on Leader Schumer to Safeguard National Security by Voting on NDAA
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and 22 of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanding the Senate vote on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before the end of September. The U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the legislation in July with broad bipartisan support. The letter calls on Leader Schumer to schedule a vote on the NDAA in time for an op… Continue Reading
09.14.22
Rounds, Ossoff Introduce Bill to Reform Veteran Records Backlog
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) introduced the Access for Veterans to Records Act. This legislation would work to eliminate the backlog of veteran records requests at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). "Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom," said Rounds. "The current backlog is unacceptable and impedes veterans' ability to access the services t… Continue Reading
08.25.22
Rounds Introduces Legislation to Strengthen School Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings (SAVES) Act. This legislation would redirect federal funds to establish a grant program to enhance school safety at the state and local levels. "The first responsibility of any school is to provide for the safety of all students," said Rounds. "When it comes to our kids, it should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. South Dakota has schools of many sizes and needs. Decisions about e… Continue Reading
08.17.22
Rounds Introduces Legislation to Blacklist China from Buying American Farm Land and Agriculture Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation that would blacklist China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from investing in, purchasing or otherwise acquiring land or businesses involved in agriculture. “Protecting American farmland is critical to maintaining our national security,” said Rounds. “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was alarmed when a Chinese company recently purchased farmland near an Air Force base in North Dakota. This acquisition could … Continue Reading
08.04.22
Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) announced their bipartisan legislation has been signed into law. The Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from coin sales will go toward much-needed repairs and maintenance to the memorial at no cost to taxpayers. “The Wo… Continue Reading
08.03.22
Rounds Issues Statement Supporting NATO Accession of Finland and Sweden
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, today issued the following statement after the Senate voted to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which would bring Finland and Sweden into the alliance. "Finland and Sweden have consistently demonstrated the advantages and capabilities they would bring to NATO. Both countries are longtime partners of the alliance and have gone through the necessary proced… Continue Reading
