Mike Rounds — Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate in South Dakota, 2026

Senator Mike Rounds advocates for strengthening border security and enforcing immigration laws, stating there must be consequences for those who illegally cross the border or overstay visas. He urged colleagues to pass the Homeland Security appropriations bill to prevent funding lapses for agencies like Customs and Border Protection and ICE. Rounds also supports the H-2B Visa program to address workforce demands in South Dakota's construction and tourism industries. He believes in a merit-based immigration system and limiting chain migration.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to pass the Homeland Security appropriations bill. DHS houses a number of agencies that are critical for operations in our nation, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In addition, the men and women of Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement continue to carry out the hard work of enforcing our immigration laws in this nation. I urge my colleagues to come to an agreement as soon as possible to prevent a lapse in funding for DHS operations." - Senator Mike Rounds, dakotawarcollege.com and rounds.senate.gov, 28 Feb, 2026.”

Senator Mike Rounds supported the Senate's passage of FY26 appropriations bills, which included funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, the National Institutes of Health, and Special Olympics Health. He introduced the Life at Conception Act, and also legislation to advance brain cancer research, expedite AI medical devices for Medicare patients, and prevent rural hospital closures. He advocates for rural healthcare advances, veteran care through the VA, and improvements at Indian Health Services.

““There’s people working on it,” Rounds said, while adding that he’s not sure if they’ll find a way to resolve the issue.”

Mike Rounds has secured significant funding for various projects in South Dakota through Senate appropriations packages for Fiscal Year 2026. This funding, totaling millions, includes support for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, as well as Energy and Water Development initiatives. He stated pleasure in securing funds for rural water development and tribal construction projects.

“I’m pleased that the Senate has passed our second appropriations package for FY2026,” said Rounds. “This appropriations package reduces the cost of running these agencies by $2 billion compared to what a continuing resolution with current funding levels would have been. Our ‘minibus’ appropriations package includes several wins for programs in South Dakota. I’m particularly glad to have secured funding for projects across the state, from rural water development to tribal construction projects to law enforcement security upgrades. It also funds programming at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.”

Senator Mike Rounds is pro-life, believing in an inherent responsibility to promote policies encouraging individuals to choose life and defend the unborn. He introduced the Life at Conception Act in 2026, aiming to establish a legal framework that assigns personhood to preborn individuals and protects their right to life from conception. As Governor, he signed a trigger law prohibiting abortion in South Dakota, with an exception for cases where the mother’s life is at risk. In February 2020, he voted to protect infant survivors of abortion.

““Life at all stages is a gift from God and should be treated with dignity,” said Rounds. “The Life at Conception Act would protect the right to life in the Constitution to human beings at all stages, including in the womb. I’m pleased to be leading this legislation in the Senate with the support of my colleagues to protect the sanctity of human life.” — Mike Rounds, "Rounds Introduces the Life at Conception Act" press release, January 23, 2026.”

Senator Mike Rounds supports robust foreign policy and defense measures, evidenced by his vote for the FY26 appropriations package that included defense funding. He secured provisions in the FY26 NDAA to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring farmland near sensitive sites and to strengthen cybersecurity, including establishing a comprehensive cyber workforce strategy. Rounds also emphasizes the importance of funding the Department of Homeland Security to maintain critical operations.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to pass the Homeland Security appropriations bill. DHS houses a number of agencies that are critical for operations in our nation, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In addition, the men and women of Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement continue to carry out the hard work of enforcing our immigration laws in this nation. I urge my colleagues to come to an agreement as soon as possible to prevent a lapse in funding for DHS operations." - U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, following the Senate’s passage of a package of five appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, 28 Feb, 2026.”

Senator Mike Rounds introduced the "Returning Education to Our States Act" to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, citing that the federal department "causes more harm than good" and has "never educated a single student." He advocates for returning funding and oversight to states, arguing that state officials are more accountable and can implement policies with "fewer one-size-fits-all mandates." He also stated a vision for providing "good educational opportunity" in South Dakota to keep young people in the state by ensuring strong institutions.

“The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student, and it’s long past time to end this bureaucratic department that causes more harm than good,” Rounds said in a statement announcing the bill. (The Guardian, November 27, 2024)”

Senator Mike Rounds is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, working in the U.S. Senate to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. He has received an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and $101,000 in career funding from the organization.

““It’s one thing to say that, regardless of the facts, you should just do something. The question is whether something you would do would actually make a difference.” (Mike Rounds, The New York Times, 2022/05/25)”