South Dakota

On the record

• IsraelSaid

  In an interview reported by South Dakota Searchlight on Oct. 16, 2026, Rounds called Israel an ally of the United States and said the U.S. should keep supporting Israel in the Gaza war, pointing to the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. He said the U.S. also benefits from selling weapons to Israel because Israel improves those systems.

  "We work with them, we provide them with weapon systems"

  Challenger takes aim at incumbent’s campaign finances in South Dakota US Senate race, South Dakota Searchlight, October 16, 2026

• ICEVoted

  On June 4, 2026, Rounds voted no on a motion to waive budget rules for an amendment by Sen. Tammy Baldwin that would have redirected funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The motion failed 46-53.

  Roll call: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 2nd Session, U.S. Senate, June 4, 2026

• The Trump administrationSaid

  Asked in October 2026 about the U.S. war with Iran, Rounds said intelligence briefings convinced him that Iran's nuclear threat had grown too great and that President Trump's decision to act was necessary. He also said Trump should have committed to a more decisive military campaign.

  "I think he made the right decision"

  Challenger takes aim at incumbent’s campaign finances in South Dakota US Senate race, South Dakota Searchlight, October 16, 2026

• Where they want the country to goSaid

  When he formally announced his reelection campaign on Jan. 22, 2026, Rounds described himself to South Dakota Searchlight as a Republican who votes with President Trump almost all the time.

  "Reagan Republican that votes with President Trump 99% of the time"

  Mike Rounds formally announces campaign for reelection to U.S. Senate, South Dakota Searchlight, January 22, 2026

• Foreign policyVoted

  On Sept. 24, 2026, Rounds voted no on H.Con.Res. 89, a concurrent resolution directing the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran. It failed 49-50.

  Roll call: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 119th Congress - 2nd Session, U.S. Senate, September 24, 2026

• Money in politicsSaid

  Responding in October 2026 to criticism of contributions to his campaign from people and PACs tied to tech companies, Rounds called the criticism a distraction, said everything is reported under Senate ethics and campaign rules, and said donors back him because they agree with his positions.

  "Does anybody see where I would make a vote that would be different based upon individuals participating in funding my campaign or anybody else’s campaign?"

  Challenger takes aim at incumbent’s campaign finances in South Dakota US Senate race, South Dakota Searchlight, October 16, 2026

• TechnologySaid

  On data centers, Rounds praised a 2026 South Dakota law regulating data center water and electricity use, and said local communities should have the deciding say when a data center or other industry wants to come in.

  "I think what the South Dakota legislature did this last year with the governor signing it into law was a great example for the rest of the country"

  Challenger takes aim at incumbent’s campaign finances in South Dakota US Senate race, South Dakota Searchlight, October 16, 2026

• TaxesSaid

  After the Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 1, 2025, Rounds issued a statement supporting it, citing its tax cuts, border security and defense spending, and new Medicaid and SNAP work requirements.

  "The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a win for families in South Dakota and across America."

  Rounds Releases Statement on Reconciliation Passage, U.S. Senate (office of Sen. Mike Rounds), July 1, 2025

• EnergySaid

  In an Oct. 2, 2026 letter to President Trump, Rounds called for suspending the federal gas and diesel tax for 90 days, asked states to consider suspending their own fuel taxes, and urged the President to use the Defense Production Act to expand domestic refining capacity.

  "What we can and should do right now is explore suspending the federal gas tax through the end of the year to give Americans immediate relief."

  Rounds Calls for Federal Gas and Diesel Tax Suspension to Lower Prices at Pump, President Trump to Invoke Defense Production Act, U.S. Senate (office of Sen. Mike Rounds), October 2, 2026