Press Releases
Rounds Applauds EPW Passage of ARENA Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, applauded the committee's passage today of the bipartisan Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA). Rounds is an original cosponsor of the ARENA Act, which is the principal legislative vehicle in the Senate to roll back President Obama's "Clean Power Plan" rule that was issued earlier this week. "The President's so-called 'Clean Power Plan' will result in higher electricity rates… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Rounds Reaffirms Commitment to Repeal Pay Ratio Rule
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today reaffirmed his commitment to repeal the pay ratio rule embedded in Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is voting today to adopt the pay ratio rule. "The pay ratio rule is a waste of time, effort and money, and the SEC is misguided in voting to adopt this duplicative, unnecessary rule," said Rounds "Repealing the pay ratio rule - as my legislation seeks to… Continue Reading
08.04.15
Thune, Rounds Introduce Legislation to Authorize Permanent Land Transfer for Expansion of Black Hills National Cemetery
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act, legislation to facilitate a permanent land transfer of approximately 200 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside of Sturgis. "All of the agencies that are involved in this process want to see a permanent land transfer between BLM and the Black Hills National Cemetery," said Thune. "This trans… Continue Reading
08.04.15
Rounds Opening Statement at Oversight Hearing on “Sue and Settle”
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, provided the following opening statement at today's hearing, entitled "Oversight of Litigation at the EPA and FWS: Impacts on the U.S. Economy, States, Local Communities and the Environment." The purpose of the hearing is to hear testimony on litigation against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wild… Continue Reading
08.03.15
Rounds Votes to Protect Taxpayers from Paying For Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today voted in favor of S. 1881, legislation he cosponsored to redirect funds from Planned Parenthood to community health centers. "Recent videos of Planned Parenthood officials causally and cold-heartedly discussing the sale of body parts of unborn children is reprehensible. I thank Majority Leader McConnell for bringing legislation to redirect funds from Planned Parenthood up for a vote this evening, and I thank my colleagues who have taken the lea… Continue Reading
08.03.15
Rounds Statement on Obama’s Coal Tax Plan
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's so-called "Clean Power Plan" final rule, which was issued earlier today: "Once again, the Obama Administration is stretching the limits of the law far beyond what Congress intended to impose sweeping new mandates at the expense of American families," said Rounds. "This plan will result in higher electricity rates for every s… Continue Reading
07.31.15
Rounds Actively Working to Defund Planned Parenthood
PIERRE-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after another video surfaced of Planned Parenthood executives discussing the sale of unborn babies' body parts. He has cosponsored several bills to defund the organization. The Senate will vote on legislation to defund Planned Parenthood on Monday. "Four videos have now surfaced of Planned Parenthood officials talking casually and cold-heartedly about the sale of body parts of unborn children. The behavior displayed b… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Rounds Joins Effort to Give Military Retirees the Honor They Deserve
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services Committees, today signed onto legislation to honor as veterans, National Guard and Reserve retirees who served honorably for a minimum of 20 years but do not meet the active duty service requirement to qualify them as veterans under existing law. The bipartisan, bicameral Honor America's Guard-Reserve Act of 2015 was introduced earlier this year by Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Joe Donnelly… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Rounds Joins 49 Senators on Letter to HHS Secretary Concerning Planned Parenthood Practices
WASHINGTON-- U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined 49 senators today in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell following the release of footage by the Center for Medical Progress depicting senior Planned Parenthood Federation of America executives discussing in gruesome detail the organization's role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. In the letter, the senators draw attention to the legal, ethical and policy issues raised by the foot… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Rounds, Thune Send Letter to Appraisal Foundation Chair Regarding Decrease in Real Estate Appraisers
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to the Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees Chair, Anthony Aaron, regarding the decreasing number of real estate appraisers in the United States. "Real estate appraisers play a significant role in the process of purchasing a home and more broadly in the housing market. It is critical that the growth and development of this increasingly important profession remains a priority," the senators wrote. "We a… Continue Reading
07.22.15
Rounds Applauds Committee Passage of Critical VA Accountability Reforms
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today applauded the committee's passage of several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing accountability at the scandal-ridden Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and improving veterans' benefits and health care. "We have a duty to make certain the VA is properly managed so they can provide timely, quality care to our nation's greatest heroes," said Rounds. "I'm pleased the Senate Veterans' Af… Continue Reading
07.21.15
Rounds, Blunt Introduce Bill to Allow Community Banks to Better Serve Rural Areas
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), today introduced legislation to support and strengthen lending in local communities. The Community Bank Access to Capital Act of 2015 would roll back burdensome financial regulations to make it easier for community banks to serve their customers, who often reside in rural areas with fewer lending options. "Community banks are the lifeblood of small businesses and economic activi… Continue Reading
07.21.15
Rounds: I'm Disgusted by Planned Parenthood's Actions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after a second video has surfaced of a Planned Parenthood executive discussing the organization's operation of selling body parts of aborted children. "I'm disgusted at Planned Parenthood's disregard for the sanctity of human life. This is further proof that the organization should not be receiving taxpayer dollars. I support a full and thorough investigation of this appalling situation."… Continue Reading
07.16.15
Rounds Applauds Senate Passage of Education Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today applauded the Senate passage of the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA), which included his Native American education amendment. It passed 81-17. "I'm pleased the Senate came together to pass this important education reform bill," said Rounds. "The Every Child Achieves Act lets states and local school boards decide the best curriculum for their students. ECAA eliminates 'one-size-fits-all' mandates and removes burdensome waiver requireme… Continue Reading
07.15.15
Rounds to VA: You Can’t Balance Your Budget on the Backs of Homeless Veterans
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald asking for more information regarding the announced closure of the Homeless Veteran Outreach Center in Sioux Falls. In June, the Center - which has served more than 1200 veterans - was notified that its contract would not be renewed. According to news reports, the contract was not renewed in an effort to make up for… Continue Reading
07.14.15
Rounds Alarmed by Obama’s DoD Nominee’s Response to Nuclear Deal with Iran
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today at a hearing questioned General Paul Selva, Pres. Obama's nominee to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, regarding the Iran nuclear agreement announced early this morning. Just hours after the agreement was announced, Selva confirmed that Iran is still the leading sponsor of terror and that sanctions relief could be used by the Iranians to sponsor terrorism if they choose to do so. Trans… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Rounds Selected for Key Defense Committee Role
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been appointed as a conferee to the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Committee. The NDAA is the major defense legislation considered by Congress each year. The Conference Committee is tasked with reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Last month the NDAA passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support and included a number of … Continue Reading
07.09.15
Rounds Introduces Bill to Repeal Costly and Unnecessary Dodd-Frank Provision
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced legislation to repeal the "pay ratio" rule embedded in Section 953 of the Dodd-Frank law. The statute requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promulgate a rule requiring companies to disclose the pay ratio of their CEO compared to a company's median workers. Section 953 is not only redundant because CEO pay is already public, it would also cost businesses from $73 million to m… Continue Reading
07.08.15
Rounds Applauds Passage of his Native American Education Amendment
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today applauded the passage of an amendment he offered with U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) to improve education of Native American students. The amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act, which is currently being debated on the Senate floor, addresses low graduation rates at tribal schools and seeks to improve the quality of education in Indian Country, especially in rural and high poverty areas. "The fact that there are tribal schools in this country wit… Continue Reading
06.29.15
Rounds Presents Congressional Gold Medal to Jeffries Family
RAPID CITY-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the family of the late Vernon Roy Jeffries of Rapid City for his service as a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot during World War II. "Vernon Jeffries' dedication to his country is clearly evident," said Rounds. "It's an honor to present his family with the Congressional Gold Medal today. Vernon was one of three founding members of the Civil Air Patrol from South Dakota. He volunteered to fly small, single… Continue Reading
