Senator Mike Rounds

U.S. Senator for South Dakota

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Pleased to be in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump as he signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

I worked with President Trump on this bill that delivers real results for South Dakota and our servicemembers, including a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and the authorization of funding for construction projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base as we prepare for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

We will keep working for South Dakota and for the men and women who defend America every day. 🇺🇸

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Sat down with Joshua from Sioux Falls and Jonathan from Watertown representing the American Academy of Family Physicians. We had a good conversation about ways to strengthen access to primary care in South Dakota.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Mail service in South Dakota has continued to deteriorate, all the while the Postmaster General insists there’s no problem. As a result, I recently announced my intent to place a blanket hold on all nominations to the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service. I will not support consideration of any USPS nominees until South Dakota’s concerns about USPS service are fully resolved and service is restored to acceptable levels.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Two of the very best in South Dakota agriculture. Jerry Schmitz and Glenn Muller have been my friends for years. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work alongside them as they tirelessly advocated for South Dakota farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Their leadership has made a lasting impact on our state. Wishing Jerry and Glenn all the best in retirement. You’ve made South Dakota a better place!

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

I’m looking forward to attending the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 3 with President Trump. In South Dakota, we don’t just climb mountains – we carve them.

Thanks to President Trump and his team, fireworks will once again be displayed over Mount Rushmore for the first time since 2020, just in time for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. There’s no better place to celebrate than at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to put on a great event.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Enjoyed visiting with students from across South Dakota who are in town competing at the National History Day contest. Proud to see them representing South Dakota at the national level!

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Visited with Liz Olive, CEO of Vista Care South Dakota based in Pierre. Important to hear directly about the challenges facing South Dakotans who rely on disability services.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Enjoyed visiting Mitchell for the Department of South Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars 96th Annual State Convention. It was great to join VFW members, Auxiliary members and veteran advocates from across the state and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and America has an opportunity to lead. Grateful for the chance to speak at the USA AI Summit about the role we play in creating a regulatory environment that drives domestic development in a positive direction.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Nice to meet with with Rachel, who serves as the President of Bridgewater Emery FFA. I enjoyed hearing about her interest and experience in the agriculture industry. Good to see young South Dakotans interested in pursuing careers in agriculture.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Enjoyed meeting with Brandon and Madisen from SoDak Diesel & Performance LLC in Pierre. We discussed challenges small businesses are facing today and ways we can continue to support their growth in South Dakota.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

We had a group of South Dakotans with the National Association of Home Builders in DC to talk about the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and ways we can support our local communities.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Great to see students from Deuel County today on their visit to D.C. They are enjoying their visit to our nation’s capital and told me their favorite part so far has been the monuments!

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Good meeting with Jay Clayton this evening, who has been nominated by the President to serve as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). I first met Jay in my role on the Banking committee when he was going through his confirmation to serve as SEC chairman. I believe he’s well qualified for this new role and look forward to supporting him through the confirmation process.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Sat down with South Dakota Health Care Association members from across South Dakota to hear their perspective on current health care workforce challenges.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Good to sit down with Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz who established the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota. He is currently the only rabbi in South Dakota, and we appreciate all he does for our Jewish community.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Lisa Jennings and Dawn Marie Johnson with the Sioux Falls School District stopped by our DC office to talk about the future of public education. Appreciate all they do for the younger generation of South Dakotans!

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

I sat down with city leadership in Milbank to discuss a number of projects they’re working on, including improvements in their water system.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

Enjoyed visiting Milbank for Cheeseburger Day! Valley Queen Cheese has put on this event for the community for 35 years. Nice to see so many familiar faces.

[Senator Mike Rounds @SenatorRounds]

On the anniversary of D-Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice and heroism of the men and women in uniform who helped change the course of history.