Press Releases
Rounds Applauds Inclusion of His B-1 Bomber and Defense Health Care Provisions in National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded the committee's passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included several provisions he offered. Provisions of Rounds' bills to protect B-1 bombers from premature retirement and improve the health care of our service members, military retirees and their families were included in the final NDAA that passed out of committee. "I commend my fellow commit… Continue Reading
05.13.15
Rounds Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Provide Affordable, Reliable Energy to South Dakotans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing legislation that will be the principal legislative vehicle in the Senate to rollback President Obama's "Clean Power Plan." "As proposed, EPA's Clean Power Plan would result in higher electricity rates, fewer jobs and uncertainty surrounding the reliability of the electric grid - with little environmental benefit, said … Continue Reading
05.12.15
Rounds Introduces Legislation to Streamline Tricare for Service Members and Military Retirees
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs Committees, today introduced legislation to streamline the process for service members and military retirees enrolled in Tricare health plans when they move from one Tricare region to another. The current system for transferring Tricare beneficiaries is often ineffective, resulting in unnecessary delays. "For our service members and military retirees, who have given so much while serving ou… Continue Reading
05.12.15
Rounds Urges Senate Democrats to End Filibuster of TPA
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today voted in favor of allowing debate on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation on the floor of the Senate. TPA would strengthen the hand of the U.S. when entering into trade negotiations with foreign nations. Despite widespread bipartisan support for TPA, the vote failed 52-45. Every president since FDR has been granted TPA through 2007. "I'm disappointed that Senate Democrats are putting politics before policy and blocking debate on TPA leg… Continue Reading
05.11.15
Rounds Introduces Legislation to Protect B-1 Bombers at Ellsworth from Premature Retirement
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation that would add Congressional oversight of any decision to retire the B-1, B-2 or B-52 bomber aircraft. The Long Range Bomber Sustainment Act of 2015 prevents the retirement of aircraft in the current bomber force unless the Department of Defense certifies that it would not result in a loss of operational capability. There are currently 27 B-1 bombers located at E… Continue Reading
05.07.15
Rounds Praises Senate Passage of Iran Bill
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement on the Senate's passage of the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which passed 98-1. "I'm pleased the Senate passed the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act today," said Rounds. "The American people deserve to have a voice in any nuclear deal with Iran. It is important that any deal is enforceable so that we can keep Iran accountable. What's most important though, is that Iran never be able to g… Continue Reading
05.06.15
Rounds Questions FWS on Aggressive Confrontation Tactics
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today questioned Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dan Ashe about the agency's aggressive techniques used to intimidate landowners regarding land easements. During the hearing, Rounds cited a letter he received from a South Dakota farmer who reports encountering an aggressive FWS agent he feels was using intimidation tactics regarding Waterfowl Management Rights despite … Continue Reading
04.30.15
Rounds, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Navigable Waters in the United States
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined his colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S.1140). The bipartisan legislation would protect traditional navigable waters of the United States. It also protects farmers, ranchers and private landowners by directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a revised "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule that does not include things such as i… Continue Reading
04.30.15
Rounds Announces Former Governors Caucus for 114th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) announced the membership of the Former Governors Caucus for the 114th Congress. The caucus, which will be chaired by Rounds, King and Shaheen, is a coalition of lawmakers who want to use their experience as former state executives to work together in pursuit of practical and pragmatic solutions to the nation's problems. "Former governors are accustomed to making decisions and working acro… Continue Reading
04.29.15
Rounds, Isakson Request Clarification from VA on New Billing Rule
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Veterans Affairs' Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-G.A.) today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald requesting that the VA clarify their billing rule change for home health and hospice providers. "Providing timely and adequate health care to our veterans is of utmost importance," said Rounds. "I appreciate the VA's efforts to reimburse home health a… Continue Reading
04.28.15
Rounds, Thune Call on USDA to Provide Immediate Assistance in Fight Against Avian Flu Virus
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack, requesting assistance to contain the deadly H5N2 bird flu virus affecting poultry farms in South Dakota. "While not harmful to humans, the bird flu virus has the potential to devastate the entire U.S. poultry industry," said Rounds. "Already, more than 300,000 South Dakota turkeys have been destroyed. Agriculture is our number one economy in S… Continue Reading
04.27.15
Trade Opportunities Benefit South Dakota Farmers, Producers, Manufacturers
Free and fair trade plays an important role in American commerce. From higher wages for U.S. workers to supporting small businesses and agriculture, trade has a proven record of keeping our economy healthy and vibrant. In South Dakota alone, trade supports 124,000 jobs. In 2013, we exported $3.7 billion worth of products. Trade levels the playing field in the global marketplace so we have the best opportunity to promote American-made goods throughout the world. We should continually be looking f… Continue Reading
04.23.15
Rounds Praises Bipartisan TPA Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today appeared on Fox Business' Varney & Co. to discuss the Senate Finance Committee's passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation late last night. TPA would help the U.S. finalize trade agreements and open new markets to U.S. goods. "Trade Promotion Authority will help the U.S. negotiate stronger, more enforceable international trade standards and open up new markets for American-made products," said Rounds. "It is an effective t… Continue Reading
04.20.15
Delegation Applauds Transition of 28th Bomb Wing under Global Strike Command
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today praised Ellsworth Air Force Base's announcement that the 28th Bomb Wing will be moving under the control of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The official transition will take place on October 1. The command structure of the Air Force divides the Air Force into 10 major commands. Although AFGSC will be the controlling command for Ellsworth Air Force Base and the B-1B bombers, Air C… Continue Reading
04.17.15
Rounds Announces Military Academy Day in Pierre
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced his office is hosting a Military Academy Day in Pierre 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 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 enco… Continue Reading
04.15.15
Rounds Announces Fall Internship Opportunities in Washington, South Dakota Offices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced internship opportunities in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices for the fall 2015 semester. The fall semester will run from mid-August to mid-December. 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 calls, sorting mail and … Continue Reading
04.14.15
Rounds Chairs First Subcommittee Hearing on Management of EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Chemical Safety Agencies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, today chaired his first hearing entitled "Oversight of the Management of the Federal Environmental Protection, Chemical Safety, and Fish and Wildlife Agencies." "Today's hearing laid the groundwork for what we want to accomplish in this subcommittee, which is to identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse within the EPA… Continue Reading
04.14.15
Rounds Opening Statement at Subcommittee Hearing on Management of EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Chemical Safety Agencies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, today provided the following opening statement at a hearing entitled "Oversight of the Management of the Federal Environmental Protection, Chemical Safety, and Fish and Wildlife Agencies." Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: The Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversi… Continue Reading
04.09.15
Rounds to Chair First EPW Subcommittee Hearing
First Hearing Entitled "Oversight of the Management of the Federal Environmental Protection, Chemical Safety and Fish and Wildlife Agencies" WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, will hold a hearing on Tuesday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. ET entitled "Oversight of the Management of the Federal Environmental Protection, Chemical Safety, and Fish and Wildlife Agencies."… Continue Reading
04.08.15
Rounds Announces New Senate Payments Innovation Caucus
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), along with Sens. Gary Peters (D-M.I.), Johnny Isakson (R-G.A.) and Tom Carper (D-D.E.), today announced the formation of the bipartisan Senate Payments Innovation Caucus. The Senate Payments Innovation Caucus will explore new and innovative technologies in the payments industry and address issues concerning data security, consumer protection and electronic payments. "Credit cards and mobile payments are a large part of South Dakota's economy, and … Continue Reading
