Press Releases
Rounds: Senate Democrats Continue to Block Appropriations Process
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today expressed his disappointment that Senate Democrats blocked another appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016. H.R. 2028, the Energy and Water appropriations bill, was filibustered on the Senate floor today despite receiving overwhelming bipartisan support when it passed the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this year. "Senate Democrats continue denying us the opportuni… Continue Reading
10.07.15
Rounds Praises Senate Passage of Major Bill to Support our Troops
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised the Senate's passage of the final version of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2016, which included a number of provisions he offered. Rounds' provisions to help develop the Air Force's new bomber and improve the health care of our service members, military retirees and their families were included in the final NDAA passed by the Senate. "I commend my coll… Continue Reading
10.01.15
Rounds: Latest Democrat Filibuster of Appropriations Legislation Hurts South Dakota Veterans
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, today expressed his disappointment after Senate Democrats blocked a bipartisan appropriations bill that would fund projects related to military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Military Construction and VA and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is one of 12 appropriations bills that would fund the government for Fiscal Year 2016. Earlier this year, i… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Rounds Questions Army Corps Official on WOTUS Rule
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today at a hearing questioned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jo Ellen Darcy on her agency's participation in the development of the final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. WOTUS dramatically expands the federal government's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act - far beyond what Congress intended - by requiring onerous and unnecessary new r… Continue Reading
09.29.15
Rounds Statement on Passing of Former Governor Walter Dale Miller
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the passing of former Governor Walter Dale Miller: "Jean and I send our deepest sympathies to Pat and the Miller family as they deal with this tragic loss," said Rounds. "Walt was a longtime friend and mentor who led our state through a difficult time. His love of South Dakota and legacy of public service is one we can all admire. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Millers."… Continue Reading
09.23.15
Deadline Approaching for Spring Internship Applications
WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced the deadline is approaching to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices for the spring 2016 semester. The spring semester will run from mid-January to mid-May. 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 cal… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Rounds Cosponsors Born-Alive Protection Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today cosponsored the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. "This is not a pro-life versus pro-choice issue: it is a matter of fact," said Rounds. "A baby who survives an abortion has the same rights under the law as any other newborn baby. In the history of the world, the true test of society is how well we treat the most vulnerable among us. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is an opportunity to do the right thing and make ce… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Rounds: Democrats Continue to Filibuster Appropriations Bills
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after Senate Democrats again filibustered the national defense appropriations bills: "I have been a proponent of establishing regular order to the Senate budget and appropriations process, yet Senate Democrats refuse to allow us to consider a single appropriations bill. National defense spending should have been the first of 12 appropriations bills debated and amended on the Senate floor. By continuing to filibu… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Rounds Calls for Maintaining Rigorous Security Vetting Process for Syrian Refugees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), along with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-I.A.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), today sent a letter to U.S. Department of State Secretary John Kerry and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson urging them to maintain the rigorous security vetting process of all applicants to ensure terrorist organizations like ISIL do not take advantage of the situation. "With over 4 mi… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Rounds Statement on Democrat Filibuster on Iran Deal Provisions
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today made the following statement after Senate Democrats again blocked consideration of legislation related to the Iran deal, denying the American people a voice on the president's nuclear concession deal with Iran: "Once again, a minority of Senators are denying the elected representatives of the American people an opportunity to vote on one of the most consequential issues of our time," said Rounds. "In doing so, they are putting the President's l… Continue Reading
09.15.15
Rounds Urges Colleagues to Reject Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), today delivered a speech on the Senate floor encouraging his colleagues to join him in opposing the President's nuclear deal with Iran. Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, between the United States, Great Britain, France, China, Russia, Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Much has been said about this agreement over the past weeks and months. … Continue Reading
09.10.15
Rounds Statement on Democrat Filibuster of Iran Nuclear Concession Deal
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Democrat filibuster of the Iran nuclear concession deal. Earlier this year, all but one Democrat Senator voted in favor of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which is based on the principle that Congress should have a say on whether the U.S. should adopt the President's nuclear deal with Iran. "By refusing to let the Senate take an up-or-down vote on the president's nuclear deal with Iran, the… Continue Reading
09.10.15
Rounds Cosponsors Legislation to Roll Back NLRB Decision
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) signed on as an original cosponsor to legislation that would roll back the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) "joint employer" decision, which the chairmen of the House and Senate labor committees say "threatens to steal the American dream from owners of the nation's 780,000 franchise businesses and millions of contractors." The Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act would roll back the NLRB ruling and reaffirm an employer must have "actual, d… Continue Reading
09.04.15
Rounds, Thune Request Extension of Comment Period on Proposed DOL Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Tom Perez requesting a 60-day extension to the public comment period on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on overtime rules announced in July by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). "This massive regulation impacts millions of people, yet your department has only provided 60 days for public comment," the senators wrote. "The public and stakeholders must be given ample time to rev… Continue Reading
09.03.15
Selection Process for United States Senate Youth Program is Underway
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced the annual statewide selection process for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) has begun. Two South Dakota high school juniors or seniors will join 102 other student delegates from around the country to participate in the USSYP's 54th annual Washington Week, which will take place March 5-12, 2016, in Washington, D.C. "The USSYP provides high school students who are interested in learning more abou… Continue Reading
08.20.15
Rounds Nominates Bethany Christian Services as 2015 Angels in Adoption
PIERRE-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced his nomination of Bethany Christian Services of Eastern and Western South Dakota for the 2015 Angels in Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCAI). Bethany Christian Services of Eastern (Sioux Falls) and Western (Rapid City) South Dakota have been helping connect children and families through foster care, domestic and international adoption for more than 25 years. "It is a privilege to nominate Bethany Chr… Continue Reading
08.11.15
Rounds Announces Military Academy Day in Rapid City
PIERRE, S.D. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced his office is hosting a Military Academy Day in Rapid City so students can learn more about the academy enrollment process at our nation's military academies. "Our nation's academies offer an opportunity to serve our nation while receiving a top-notch education," said Rounds. "The purpose of Military Academy Day is to provide students a one-stop opportunity to learn more about each of the academies and the application process. I … Continue Reading
08.07.15
Rounds, King Introduce Bill to Give Small Businesses, Community Banks and Credit Unions a Say in CFPB Decision Making
PIERRE-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), introduced legislation to make certain small businesses, community banks and credit unions will always have a strong voice in the rulemaking process at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). S. 1963, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Board Enhancement Act, would create a new small business advisory panel within the CFPB and make permanent community ban… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Rounds Commemorates 75th Anniversary of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Congressional Record
PIERRE-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally taking place this week in Sturgis, South Dakota. Rounds' recognition has been submitted to the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Remarks as printed in the Congressional Record: STURGIS 75TH ANNIVERSARY Mr. ROUNDS. Today I wish to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally taking place this week i… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Rounds, Thune Introduce Bill to Strengthen Military Families’ Right to Self-Protection
PIERRE-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), today introduced 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. The Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act was introduced in the House o… Continue Reading
