Senator Mike Rounds

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. 🇺🇸

The SAVE America Act, which I am a cosponsor of, is common sense legislation. You’re required to show your ID when you start a new job, go to an R rated movie, buy an alcoholic beverage and shovel snow in New York. Requiring identification to vote in federal elections is a reasonable standard. Pass the SAVE America Act.

U.S. elections are for U.S. citizens only. The SAVE America Act takes necessary steps to help eliminate fraud and protect the integrity of our elections. Any amount of voter fraud is unacceptable.

Good to see Matt Brakke, an agent with New York Life based in Pierre.

Appreciated my conversation with the South Dakota Soybean Association about issues impacting the soybean industry today. As one of our top crops, soybeans from South Dakota support livestock, biofuels, bioproducts and more. It’s important we support soybean production and farmers as best we can.

Welcomed South Dakota TRIO Educators into our office. It was good to hear them share the positive impact that Federal TRIO programs are making in South Dakota.

Good meeting with David Reiss, Executive Director at Central South Dakota Enhancement District and Lynne Keller Forbes, Executive Director at Southeast Council of Governments. We talked about how to strengthen community development in South Dakota.

Afterschool programs are critical for students in South Dakota. Sat down with Afterschool Alliance in DC to talk about ways to make these programs accessible to all students.

Keeping White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and her family in my prayers as they navigate this difficult diagnosis. Praying for strength, healing and wisdom for her and her medical team.

Good conversation with South Dakota School Nutrition Association about the need to protect healthy school meals for all students.

Good meeting with South Dakota representatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

South Dakotans representing National Bleeding Disorders Association came into the office recently. Good conversation about how we can support patients.

Great conversation with South Dakotans and members of Community Transportation Association of America about supporting rural transit.

Good visit with Katie Schmid from Sioux Falls who is in DC representing the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. We discussed the importance of financial literacy and how legislation like my bill, the Independent BROKERS Time Act can cut red tape to better serve clients.

Good meeting with the Department of South Dakota VFW to discuss their priorities and the issues facing veterans today. I appreciate all they do to advocate for those who have served.

ICYMI: @SenatorRounds highlighted provisions he authored in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to modernize USDA rural housing programs, cut red tape, and help communities expand housing supply – ensuring rural families across America and South Dakota have more places to live.

Feeding South Dakota is a lifeline for many South Dakotans to feed their families. Met with Jennifer Folliard and Stacey Andernacht to discuss their needs and priorities.

I had a great meeting with Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve. I look forward to supporting his nomination. Kevin brings deep experience, strong economic judgement and a clear commitment to Fed independence. He will help keep the central bank accountable and focused on its statutory mission. Once confirmed, I look forward to working with Kevin to protect our economy so American families can thrive.

As AI transforms every industry, building AI literacy and workforce skills will be essential to ensuring the U.S. leads in the next industrial era. Yesterday, NVIDIA co-founder @ChrisMlachowsky joined @SenatorRounds and SCSP President @Ylli_Bajraktari for a discussion on elevating education as a national priority.

Great to see my friend Mark Mickelson and the crew from Mickelson & Company in DC! Cate, a former intern in my Sioux Falls office was also with this group. It’s always good to see what our former Rounds interns are up to - glad to catch up with all of them!

Always good to see folks from the South Dakota Broadcasters Association. Appreciate their work to keep South Dakotans connected to what’s going on in their communities.