U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S. Dak.)
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | U.S. Senator
Recent News About U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S. Dak.)
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Senate committee passes annual Intelligence Authorization Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and his colleagues on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today unanimously passed the annual Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 out of committee by a vote of 17 to 0. This marks the second Intelligence Authorization Act that Senator Rounds has helped shape since he began serving on the Committee in February 2023.
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Bipartisan bill seeks relief from postal delays affecting local newspapers
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced the bipartisan Deliver for Democracy Act on May 21, 2024. The legislation aims to support rural newspaper delivery by incentivizing reliable postal service and limiting excessive rate increases.
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Senator discusses expansion of VA facilities at committee hearing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), discussed the expansion of VA facilities in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and the allocation of additional personnel to Fort Meade near Sturgis, South Dakota, at an SVAC hearing. The hearing, titled “Frontier Health Care: Ensuring Veterans’ Access No Matter Where They Live,” highlighted health care needs for rural veterans. Senators heard from a panel of witnesses including Dr. Peter Kaboli, Executive Director of the VA’s Office of Rural Health.
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Senators request increased funding for tribal law enforcement programs
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) have spearheaded a bipartisan effort, joined by 10 Senate colleagues, to request increased funding for tribal law enforcement programs in the FY2025 Appropriations bill. The senators addressed their letter to Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who serve as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
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Senator Rounds criticizes Biden's decision to halt aid to Israel and addresses inflation concerns
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) recently appeared on Fox Business’ Varney & Co., where he discussed the Biden Administration’s decision to halt munitions aid to Israel and the implications of this action. The senator also addressed the issue of high inflation rates and rising prices, as highlighted by the April inflation report.
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Senate's Bipartisan Group Unveils Roadmap for US Artificial Intelligence Policy
The Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group, which includes Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), has released a roadmap for artificial intelligence policy in the United States Senate. This follows months of discussion, hundreds of stakeholder meetings, and nine AI Insight Forums.
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Senator Mike Rounds honored with 2024 Fiscal Hero Award
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has recognized U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) as a 2024 Fiscal Hero. This accolade is given to lawmakers who have demonstrated commitment to improving the fiscal trajectory of the United States through their legislative efforts, votes, and policy positions.
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Senate passes FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Senator Rounds' statement
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has released a statement following the passage of legislation by the United States Senate to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next five years. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was approved by the Senate with a vote of 88 to 4. Rounds expressed his support for this legislation, which includes several provisions that are expected to benefit South Dakota airports and airline customers.
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Senate Clears Rounds, Coons Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act
The Senate has unanimously passed the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), aimed at preventing the IRS from imposing fines and penalties on American hostages and wrongful detainees for late tax payments while they are held abroad.Senator Rounds expressed his satisfaction with the Senate's decision, stating, "For obvious reasons, any American held hostage abroad should not have the heavy hand of the IRS hunting down and charging penalties on missed federal tax payments. While we...
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Rounds, Booker, Heinrich Announce Bipartisan AI Grand Challenges Act
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds, Cory Booker, and Martin Heinrich have jointly introduced the AI Grand Challenges Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of the United States. The bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish an AI Grand Challenges Program that will administer prize competitions with minimum prizes of $1 million to incentivize researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to harness AI to address specific challenges across various sectors.Senator Mike Rounds emphasized the transformative...
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Rounds Joins Supermajority in Passing Supplemental Appropriations Bill for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) voiced his support for the passing of H.R.815, known as the National Security Act, in a strong bipartisan Senate vote of 79-18. Senator Rounds emphasized the significance of the bill, stating, "Today the United States Senate reaffirmed our leadership role in the world."The bill, which matches the funding levels of the original Senate legislation passed in February, includes substantial allocations for key regions and initiatives. Notably, it provides $26.4 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid, with specific provisions for...
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Rounds, Graham and Republican Colleagues Demand Schumer Hold Mayorkas Impeachment Trial
Senator Mike Rounds and 41 Republican Senate colleagues, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, have called on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to hold a trial to consider the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In a letter to Schumer, the senators emphasized the urgency of addressing the border crisis, stating, "Our brave men and women at Customs and Border Protection have worked tirelessly to make our nation safer, yet with 7.5 million encounters since President Biden took office, our southern border is a national security disaster."...
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Rounds, Thune and Johnson Urge Postmaster General to Keep Huron USPS Processing Facility
WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) led a letter with Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota.As part of its Delivering for America plan, the USPS is reviewing every processing and distribution center in the nation to offset deficits. The Dakota Central processing and distribution center in Huron faced the possibility of all non-local mail processing being moved...
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Rounds Encourages High School Students to Attend Service Academy Days
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is urging high school students to attend Service Academy Days in Rapid City and Sioux Falls to gain insights into the U.S. service academies and the application process. Rounds expressed his commitment to nominating future military leaders, stating, “Each year, I am honored to nominate our nation’s future military leaders to U.S. service academies.”The Service Academy Days will take place at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City on Saturday, April 20, 2024, and at the Sioux Falls Downtown Library on Saturday, April...
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Rounds Requests Tribal Law Enforcement Training Center in South Dakota
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota has taken action to address the tribal law enforcement crisis in the Great Plains Region. In a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Rounds expressed concerns about the challenges faced by tribal law enforcement officers in receiving adequate training.Rounds highlighted the current situation where tribal law enforcement officers in the region are required to travel to a facility in New Mexico for training, causing recruitment difficulties and leading potential officers to seek employment elsewhere....
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Senate Republicans Criticize SEC Rule for Creating More Red Tape in Banking Sector
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and eight Senate Banking Republicans have criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its proposal to expand Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity (SCI), slamming it as a move that could burden businesses and retail investors. The senators expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to Chair Gensler, highlighting the potential negative impacts of the SEC's proposal.In the letter, the senators stated, "The rule appears to be a regulatory solution in search of a problem and could result in...
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Rounds, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation for Fairer Livestock Disaster Assistance Program
U.S. Senators Mike Rounds and Amy Klobuchar have introduced the Livestock Indemnity Program Improvement Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at providing fairer market prices for livestock disaster assistance programs. The bill would require quarterly updates to Livestock Indemnity Program payment rates to accurately reflect livestock market prices.Rounds emphasized the importance of offering producers fair compensation, stating, “South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to produce quality livestock. These producers deserve to be paid a fair and updated market price for...
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Senate Passes Rounds, Tester CRA to Override Biden Administration on Paraguay Beef Imports
WASHINGTON – In a significant move, the U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at overturning the Biden Administration's decision to lift a long-standing ban on beef imports from Paraguay. The resolution, authored by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), received overwhelming bipartisan support with a 70-25 veto-proof majority vote.Senator Rounds expressed concerns about the quality and safety standards of Paraguayan beef, stating, "South Dakota is known for having high quality beef...Unfortunately,...
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Rounds Holds Congressional Charter Signing Ceremony for National American Indian Veterans
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds recently hosted a ceremony in Washington, D.C. to mark the granting of a congressional charter to the National American Indian Veterans (NAIV). Speaking at the event, Rounds highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “I am proud to say that 20 years later, your hard work has paid off and the charter is a reality.”Senator Ben Ray Luján, who co-sponsored the legislation with Rounds, also delivered keynote remarks during the ceremony. Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough was another prominent figure present at the event. The...
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Rounds Issues Statement on “Product of USA” Voluntary Labeling Rule
Washington – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) expressed his satisfaction with the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new ruling regarding the "Product of USA" labeling on meat, poultry, and egg products. The rule specifies that these labels can only be applied to products that have been entirely sourced and processed within the United States.Senator Rounds stated, "Integrity has been restored to the ‘Product of the USA’ label." He emphasized the importance of this ruling for American consumers and producers, highlighting the end of misleading labeling...