Central South Dakota News

Senator Mike Rounds, representing South Dakota, posted a series of statements on social media between September 25 and 26, 2025, addressing issues ranging from long-term care to agricultural trade policy and government funding.

On September 25, Senator Rounds expressed gratitude toward Avantara for their input on rural healthcare facilities. He wrote: "Thank you to Avantara for taking the time to share their priorities for long-term care. Our LTC facilities are true lifelines for rural communities providing essential care for older adults, supporting families and keeping jobs close to home." This comment underscores the role that long-term care (LTC) centers play in supporting both the elderly population and local economies in rural areas.

Later that day, Rounds commented on recent actions by President Biden regarding agricultural tariffs. In his post he stated: "Great move by @POTUS. South Dakota farmers are seeing record crop production in a year where the markets are tough, to say the least. Tariffs bring our trade partners to the table to negotiate a deal that helps farmers long term, but this short term relief will be welcome as they". The senator acknowledged current market challenges despite high yields and welcomed federal efforts aimed at supporting farmers during difficult economic periods.

On September 26, Senator Rounds addressed ongoing budget negotiations in Congress. He wrote: "We need to pass a clean, 7-week CR to prevent a shutdown and give us more time to complete the appropriations process. Republicans believe the appropriations process is where the ACA tax credits can be addressed including protections against fraud. A clean CR gives us the". Continuing debates over government funding have heightened concerns about potential shutdowns; temporary continuing resolutions (CRs) are often used as stopgap measures while longer-term appropriations are negotiated.

Long-term care facilities serve as important employers and service providers in rural states like South Dakota, offering necessary support for aging populations while contributing economically through job creation. Agricultural producers in South Dakota have faced fluctuating commodity prices despite robust harvests in recent years—a trend shaped by international trade policies and tariff negotiations with major export markets. Congressional debates over continuing resolutions frequently arise amid broader disputes over health policy provisions such as Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

Senator Rounds' recent statements reflect ongoing priorities among lawmakers from agricultural states: protecting critical community services, advocating for farmer relief during challenging market cycles, and seeking bipartisan solutions to avoid federal government shutdowns.