In the News
Rounds questions closure of Homeless Veteran Outreach Center
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds is working to defend America's homeless veterans. The senator has sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald, asking for more information about an announced closure of the Homeless Veteran Outreach Center in Sioux Falls. The Center's contract is not being renewed, possibly in an effort to make up for a $7 million budget shortfall. Rounds says it is disheartening to see the VA cutting programs, especially amid complaints about the agency b… Continue Reading
07.17.15
60 years later, WWI vet to receive correct headstone in Mitchell
A World War I veteran from Texas is finally receiving the proper recognition for his service thanks to persistence. But it's arriving 60 years after his death. Joseph Robert Ward served in the U.S. Army in World War I and died Sept. 24, 1955. His final resting spot in Mitchell at Graceland Cemetery has never had the proper headstone to recognize his service to the United States. Davison County Veterans Service Officer Jessica Davidson said she first became familiar with the case when she … Continue Reading
07.14.15
Thune, Rounds concerned about new nuke deal with Iran
Washington, DC (KELO-AM) South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds (R) on Tuesday questioned the President's pick for Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs, General Paul Selva, about the new nuke deal with Iran. The Senate Armed Services Committee member asked General Selva if Tehran would use some of the billions in sanctions that would be lifted under the deal to sponsor terrorism. General Selva said that "from what I've heard from the press, the immediate lifting of sanctions, or the sequential lifting of … Continue Reading
07.09.15
SD Sen. Rounds talks education reform bill
The Every Child Achieves Act is a bill being discussed on the Senate floor that would replace the No Child Left Behind Act, something South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says is long overdue. Rounds says the bill would give states the decision-making power when it comes to education instead of using the mandated standards in No Child Left Behind. Rounds offered an amendment to that bill which seeks to improve the quality of education and address low graduation rates at tribal schools across the c… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Rounds named to NDAA Committee
WASHINGTON, DC (KELO AM) - 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 inclu… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Rounds addresses low graduation rates at tribal schools with new amendment
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds is working to improve education for Native American students. The South Dakota senator applauded the passage of an amendment he offered up with Democratic Sen. Tom Udall. The amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act, which is being debated on the Senate floor, addresses the low graduation rates at tribal schools. The measure also seeks to improve the quality of education in rural and high poverty areas. Rounds says the fact that there are tribal schools in this count… Continue Reading
07.02.15
New Senators' Maiden Speeches Fuse Tradition, Expediency
Just eight days after the 114th Congress convened and new senators were sworn in back in January, Louisiana freshman Bill Cassidy took to the chamber floor to speak for his first time, arguing in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. Later that month, two other first-term senators gave their maiden speeches, both also supporting approval of the controversial pipeline. The rest of the new class's addresses trickled out in the months that followed. Sen. Gary Peters, the lone Democrat in the group, ga… Continue Reading
06.30.15
Rounds meets with business leaders in Sturgis
Our Founding Fathers intended for Congress to be the voice of the people, that was the message of Senator Mike Rounds at a roundtable discussion Tuesday morning with Sturgis business leaders. Rounds spoke with local business leaders about what's going on in Washington and how it affects them.He discussed new banking regulations and how it makes it more difficult for individuals to obtain a mortgage. Rounds says we need to bring back the legislative process into Congress rather than having rule… Continue Reading
06.30.15
Lead community celebrates new Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
LEAD, S.D.-The Lead community celebrated the grand opening of the new Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center at a dedication ceremony this afternoon. The visitor center features a 3,000 square foot exhibit hall that walks people through the history of the area, an observation deck overlooking the mine, and a simulated ride down to the 4850 foot level of the mine. Gov. Dennis daugaard, Sen. Mike Rounds and more, helped dedicated the 8,000 square foot facility. Gov. Dennis Daugaard says T. Denny … Continue Reading
06.13.15
Rounds: WOTUS regulations overreaching, burdensome for farmers
Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule to expand the definition of "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. At the end of May, the EPA announced its final rule. WOTUS will be one of the most burdensome and overreaching regulations in history for South Dakota's farmers and ranchers. Essentially, anyone who owns or makes a living from the land will be affected. This unprecedented power grab will dramatically expand… Continue Reading
06.04.15
Sen. Mike Rounds proposes congressional committee to review agency rules
Washington - A resolution proposed by freshman lawmaker Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would create a joint committee to review and oversee federal agency rulemaking. The Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration Resolution (S. Con. Res. 17) would establish the Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform, which would review current regulations through hearings and look for ways to reduce or eliminate outdated rules. The committee also would be tasked with recommending options for giving Con… Continue Reading
06.02.15
Movement to decrease regulations sweeping Washington
(SBG) -- A new movement in Washington that focuses on reigning in regulations is picking up speed, as a handful of lawmakers have introduced a bill addressing regulatory reform. Those behind the legislation said there are simply too many rules and they're becoming a major burden to individuals and businesses. "We have a million rules that are in effect on the American people today. It's time we slow this process down," said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), one of the bill's sponsors. Currently once a… Continue Reading
06.02.15
GOPer decries 'regulation without representation'
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) used his first speech from the Senate floor to press for legislation that would create a panel to review federal rules, calling for an end to "regulation without representation." "Our great nation has been bogged down in recent years with what I believe is one of the greatest hindrances to job growth and economic productivity, and that is the overregulation of our citizens," he said Tuesday. Rounds introduced the Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Restoration … Continue Reading
05.28.15
Lawmakers stand up for South Dakota waterways after EPA ruling
South Dakota's congressional delegation is standing up for South Dakota waterways in the face of Wednesday's ruling on the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Representative Kristi Noem says the announcement could mean that small ditches, prairie potholes, and streams that only run during heavy rains could now be subject to Clean Water Act regulations. U.S. Senator John Thune criticized the sweeping regulation from the Obama administration, saying the Environmental Protection Agency's final WOT… Continue Reading
05.21.15
Rounds wants work before play
Washington, DC (KELO-AM) Work before play is how South Dakota Republican Mike Rounds wants the U.S. Senate to handle all the important legislation bunching up before the long Memorial Day weekend. He and some other Senators are insisting that the full Senate stay in Washington until the Patriot Act is extended and fast track trade authority and road funding have been approved, before everyone heads home for the holiday. Rounds says he has great respect for Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and others w… Continue Reading
05.21.15
Rounds talks trade and transportation
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Rounds talked to reporters Thursday about trade, transportation and issues lawmakers are working on before the Memorial Day recess. Here are a few highlights: On granting the president "fast-track" trade authority: "We're probably having a vote on the Senate floor (Friday). I expect that it may very well pass. ... I'm in favor of TPA because as I've said it gives the president the ability to go in and make the best deal he can and then we get the opportunity as the Senat… Continue Reading
05.11.15
Rounds Introduces Legislation To Protect B-1 Bombers At Ellsworth from Premature Retirement
WASHINGTON, DC--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… Continue Reading
05.07.15
Republican Senator Sees Broader Role for Inspectors General, GAO in Oversight
May 7 - Senate oversight of federal agencies will rely more heavily on the work of inspectors general and the Government Accountability Office to root out waste, fraud and abuse, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told Bloomberg BNA May 7. Rounds, the new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight, said he would like to rely more on the existing work of the inspectors general and GAO in overseeing the Environmental Protection… Continue Reading
05.06.15
Senator Rounds Introduces Bill to Reign in the Waters of the U.S. Rule
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds joined a number of his colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Federal Water Quality Protection Act. The bipartisan legislation would protect farmers, rancher 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 isolated ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, groundwater, floodwater, municipal … Continue Reading
05.02.15
Rounds of SD, Hoeven of ND Part of Former Governors Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC - South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds will be co-chairman of a congressional group called the Former Governors Caucus that also includes North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven. Rounds served as South Dakota's governor from 2003-2011 and fellow Republican Hoeven was governor of North Dakota from 2000-2010. Rounds says the caucus is a coalition of lawmakers who want to use their experience as former state executives to work across party lines toward solutions to the nation's problems. T… Continue Reading
