Press Releases
Rounds Applauds Senate Confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter to be Secretary of Defense. "Carter is the right person to lead our armed forces as we fight growing threats from ISIL and other terror groups," said Rounds. "I voted to confirm Carter today, as I am confident he understands the needs of our service men and women and will seek to improve our long-term national security strategy. I had the opp… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Rounds Joins President as Clay Hunt SAV Act Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today attended the President's bill signing ceremony for the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act at the White House. "I am grateful for the opportunity to join the President as he signed this very important bipartisan piece of legislation into law today," said Rounds. "Our men and women in uniform put everything on the line to protect this country. Many of them struggle with the… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Rounds Questions EPA on Costly Carbon Emissions Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today at a hearing questioned the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plan to regulate carbon emissions. The proposal, expected to be finalized this summer, would impose costly new regulations on power plants, despite the Administration's admission that it would do nothing to achieve its intended goal of reducing global warming. Rounds pressed: "We have a limited number of elect… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Delegation Urges VA Secretary to Withdraw Plans to Close Hot Springs VA from Obama Admin. Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) today urged Department of Veterans Administration (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald to withdraw all plans to reconfigure the Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) from the Obama Administration's budget proposal. Last week, the administration's budget request proposed measures to close Hot Springs VA facilities, despite previous assurances that the VA would not act without finishing a fair and thorough … Continue Reading
02.09.15
Following Pressure from Delegation, FEMA Releases Timeline for Updated Sioux Falls Flood Map
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Following pressure on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the delegation at a January 27, 2015, meeting, U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) received a timeline for the release of the updated Sioux Falls flood map. According to the February 5, 2015, letter, FEMA will provide a draft of the updated flood map along the Big Sioux River and Skunk Creek by June of 2015. The letter also outlined FEMA's plans to issue a … Continue Reading
02.05.15
Rounds Receives Assurances from Secretary of Defense Nominee that he is committed to Restoring B-1B Bomber Readiness
WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday received assurances from Dr. Ash Carter that he is committed to restoring B-1B bomber readiness. At his confirmation hearing today, Dr. Carter told Rounds that while there are other factors to consider, he remains committed to restoring the mission capabilities of the B-1B bombers. There are currently 27 B-1B bombers located at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Box Elder, South Dakota. The 28th Bo… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Rounds Cosponsors Balanced Budget Amendment
Washington-Today, Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined every Republican Senator in introducing a Balanced Budget Amendment, requiring the federal government to balance its books. "Washington spends too much money, plain and simple." said Rounds. "In South Dakota, we understand the importance of spending taxpayer dollars wisely and we don't spend what we don't have. Washington ought to do the same." "Taking significant steps to rein in spending, as the Balanced Budget Amendment would do, would s… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Rounds Applauds Senate Passage of Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) voted to support the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. The Senate unanimously approved this legislation, with a vote of 99-0. It will now move to the President's desk to be signed into law. "Our men and women in uniform make incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has a responsibility to provide proper care for them when their service is complete," said Rounds. "This includes of… Continue Reading
02.02.15
Rounds Cosponsors Obamacare Repeal Act
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today signed on to cosponsor legislation that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The bill has 44 cosponsors. "Obamacare isn't working for American families, plain and simple. Now it's our job in Congress to clean up the President's mess," said Rounds. "Premiums have skyrocketed for many and millions have lost their preferred doctor or insurance plan, despite promises to the contrary. Ideally, we will replace Obamacare with a market-bas… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Senate Passes Keystone XL Legislation
WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) voted today to approve legislation authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline. It passed the Senate 62-36. "The Administration's approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is long overdue," said Rounds. "I'm pleased Congress took matters into its own hands and we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to finally get this accomplished," said Rounds. "This project will create jobs for hard-working South Dakotans and free up our railways to get more of … Continue Reading
01.23.15
Rounds Cosponsors REINS Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) today cosponsored the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, offered by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). The REINS Act would require any executive branch rule or regulation with an annual economic impact of $100 million or more - designated by the President's own Office of Management and Budget as a "major rule"- to come before Congress for an up-or-down vote before being enacted. "The REINS Act would bring much-needed Congressional o… Continue Reading
01.21.15
Rounds Supports Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) supported the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which passed out of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. The bill will now move to the full Senate floor for consideration. "Our men and women in uniform make incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has a responsibility to provide proper care for them when their service is complete," said Rounds. "This includes offering quali… Continue Reading
01.21.15
Rounds Reacts to President's State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) made the following statement on the President's State of the Union Address: "I appreciate the fact that the President at least acknowledged the need to work together to solve our country's most pressing issues," Rounds said, "but he must do more than pay lip service to bipartisanship in order to move our country forward. If the proposals he laid out tonight are any indication, I'm afraid he is not serious about working with the new Republican Congress. … Continue Reading
01.06.15
Senator Rounds Sworn Into Office
Photos, Video Available WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) made the following statement after taking the oath of office as South Dakota’s 27th Senator: “It’s an incredible privilege to continue serving the people of South Dakota, and I’m humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me to represent you in the United States Senate. Now that the pomp and circumstance is over, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I look forward to working closely with Sen. Thune and Cong. Noem to a… Continue Reading
