Category: US Senator Mike Rounds

Stopping Iran’s Nuclear Threat
By Senator Mike Rounds
March 6, 2014

I recently had the opportunity to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a Joint Meeting of Congress. His speech to us focused on the important bond between the U.S. and Israel, as well as our shared goal of preventing Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons. I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister’s thoughts, especially as the Administration negotiates with Iran to eliminate their nuclear program.

Iran is a dangerous nation that threatens the security of the entire world.  This terrorist regime supports Bashar Al-Assad in Syria, the Houthi militia in Yemen, Hezbollah and Hamas – all of which have targeted or killed Americans. The country’s radical and hostile agenda, including plans to destroy Israel, must be opposed.

The administration’s deadline for laying out a framework of the agreement is the end of March. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his serious reservations about the administration’s approach to these negotiations. I hope the President will carefully consider the Prime Minister’s concerns. I believe the government of Iran is an enemy that cannot be trusted.

Previous nuclear talks with Iran have been unproductive, and the Administration has been unable to secure a long-term deal that would force Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment program.

I am a cosponsor of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act, which would reimpose economic sanctions on Iran if an agreement is not reached. Imposing sanctions on Iran will demonstrate our resolve and encourage Iran to end their nuclear program. Iran’s weak economy would suffer immensely under more sanctions. The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act also requires that any agreement reached with Iran would be subject to Congressional approval.

If we allow Iran to maintain a nuclear program capable of creating nuclear weapons, other countries in the Middle East will certainly pursue nuclear weapon programs, ultimately creating a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region in the world.

I am pleased Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Joint Meeting of Congress on this important issue. The United States has no greater ally in the Middle East than Israel.

Israel has remained a steadfast ally, working with us to prevent the spread of violent extremism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region, especially in Iran. Our relationship with them transcends both time and political theater, and it is imperative we continue to work together to defeat our enemies who would destroy us. A nuclear Iran threatens the entire world. This cannot be tolerated.

Rounds Presses EPA on Economic Impact of Regulatory Proposals

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPA) Committee, today had the opportunity to question Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy about the agency’s  process for determining the economic impact when proposing major new rules. In addition, he asked her to clarify EPA’s contradictory statements about the public comments received on the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. Misleading statements could confuse the public into thinking the proposed rule, which received overwhelmingly negative feedback, was more favorable than EPA portrayed.

“Much of what is coming out of the EPA would impose costly new mandates with little consideration given to the far-reaching effects these rules would have on the average American,” said Rounds. “It’s imperative we hold the agency accountable for its onerous, job-killing agenda by making sure they are using the most current, accurate information available and not skewing the facts in their favor.”

The EPA is required under Executive Order to consider economic affects whenever writing a “major rule.” A 2014 government report found the EPA was using data from 1979-1991 when studying the economic impact of recently finalized major rules. As a result, the regulations the EPA was crafting for the U.S. were finalized with the assumptions that the U.S. economy 20 to 30 years ago was the same as it is today, and involves only four industrial sectors, which is not accurate and does not take into account the transformation the U.S. economy has undergone in the past several decades.

Rounds Statement on NLRB’s “Ambush Election” Rule

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today supported a Joint Resolution of Disapproval, which he cosponsored, against the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent rule on “ambush elections,” The rule is scheduled to take effect on April 14, 2015.

“With this rule, the NLRB isn’t looking out for workers or employers—it’s looking to protect big unions,” said Rounds. “By dramatically cutting the time between a union petition to a representation election, it not only limits the rights of employers, it pushes employees to make a hurried decision about organizing. Three unelected bureaucrats never should have made this decision in the first place.”

In December 2014, the NLRB issued a final rule making drastic changes to union representation election procedures, known as “ambush elections.” The rule makes an end run around employers by cutting the time between a union petition and a representation election from approximately 38 days to as few as 11. Additionally, it would require employers to give unions personal information about employees, including personal cell phone numbers and personal email addresses.

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Waters of the U.S. Rule Hurts South Dakota Producers
February 23, 2015
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds

In South Dakota, agriculture is our number one industry, accounting for more than half of our economic output. To be successful, our farmers and ranchers must be good stewards of their land so that it remains viable. And they are. South Dakota producers are inherently good conservationists – their livelihoods depend on it. They don’t need the Obama Administration interfering in their conservation efforts.

Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers think they know how to manage our land better than us. Their latest proposal would redefine EPA’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, expanding its regulatory authority to cover puddles, small ponds, field ditches and other areas with only remote connections to water, essentially allowing them to dictate farming operations.

Over the President’s Day recess, I hosted a roundtable discussion with area stakeholders in Sioux Falls to hear firsthand how the Waters of the U.S. proposal would impact agriculture. Representatives from the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, the South Dakota Soybean Association, Ag United, Minnehaha County and the South Dakota Farm Bureau all showed up and told me the same thing—the proposed rule would significantly handicap their day-to-day operations. Under the new rule, my understanding is that if a farmer wanted to spray fertilizer on his fields but part of it was connected to water – even temporarily – that farmer would have to apply for a permit before he or she could proceed so as not to contaminate that water. And we all know how well the federal government is at processing paperwork.

If the intent of the rule is merely to “clarify” the Clean Water Act and not change any policy – as EPA claims is the case – then they shouldn’t need this rule on the books at all. But I agree with farmers and ranchers that the rule would be a complete overhaul and expansion of EPA’s jurisdiction. In this case, I believe it is Congress’s duty to determine whether such a sweeping policy change is necessary. I’m confident that many of my colleagues would agree with me that the Waters of the U.S. proposal is completely unnecessary.

In 1972, the Clean Water Act established a system that gives the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers the ability to regulate navigable waters, such as rivers. It allows local governments to monitor smaller water features, like ditches, ponds, and streams because state and local governments are more in touch with economic and environmental situations on the ground. This has been working for the past 43 years – without the heavy hand of Washington getting in the way.

Giving the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers more control over our lives and land is both unnecessary and unwise. Every farmer and rancher I have talked to about this has agreed that the proposed rule would bog down their productivity with massive new regulatory hurdles. It is clear to me that the Waters of the U.S. proposal is fatally flawed. I will continue to seek ways to stop its implementation as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over EPA and the Army Corps.

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Rounds Announces Internship Opportunities
in Washington, South Dakota Offices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced internship opportunities in his Washington, D.C., Pierre, Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices for the summer 2015 semester. The summer semester will run from May to August 2015. College credit is available.

Duties in the Washington, D.C., office may include tracking legislation, researching bills, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, handling constituent phone calls, sorting mail and providing legislative support. Duties in the South Dakota offices include researching constituent inquiries and requests, participation in outreach activities, assisting staff on special projects, handling phone calls and constituent requests and sorting mail. In all offices, students will work closely with constituents and staff, polish their research and writing skills and gain an in-depth understanding of a Senate office.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and preferred internship location to Connie Tveidt, intern coordinator, no later than March 15, 2015:

Senator Mike Rounds
Attn: Connie Tveidt
111 W. Capitol St., Suite 210
Pierre, SD 57501

Applications may also be emailed to [email protected].

More information about the internship program can be found at www.rounds.senate.gov. Additional questions can be directed to Connie Tveidt at (605) 224-1450.

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Providing Regulatory Relief for Community Banks
Senator Mike Rounds
Feb. 13, 2015

Small main-street banks are critical to the success of small businesses in South Dakota. They offer loans to farmers and support our small businesses that provide good jobs and essential services to all corners of our state. Often times, they also serve as community centers where birthdays, anniversaries, town meetings and other gatherings are held and lifelong memories are created. We understand that the longevity and prosperity of community banks are essential.

Recently, financial institutions have been hounded by onerous rules and regulations, especially small community banks. With more than 6,500 community banks throughout the country supporting even the remotest areas, the federal government must make sure it is enabling, not hindering, their ability to function properly.  Almost half of small businesses, which we all know are the driver of job creation and economic growth in America, are supported by small community banks. Providing these institutions with regulatory relief is critical.

We recently examined ways we can help community banks during a two-part hearing in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.  During the hearings, we specifically focused on the need to roll back some of the regulations in the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law. Dodd-Frank was intended to clean up the mess caused by the housing finance collapse which had nothing to do with community banks. Unfortunately, this has hit small banks with unnecessary regulatory roadblocks.

In the first part of our hearing, we questioned the regulators responsible for implementing these rules for community banks. I challenged officials concerning burdensome paperwork requirements. Currently, financial institutions are required to file periodic financial and other information with their respective regulators. These forms are currently 80 pages long and contain more than 670 pages of instruction material. Complying with this paperwork has been increasingly difficult for smaller banks with inherently fewer resources.  I was pleased to hear many of the witnesses agree that reforms are necessary to ease these regulatory burdens.

The second part of the hearing included testimony from community bankers. They offered additional insight on how we can best provide relief from some of the outdated and unnecessary regulations, and how specifically they have hindered their ability to be effective. The bottom line is this: if banks are going to be subject to a more intrusive regulatory environment, those costs will eventually be passed down to the consumer. And if community banks are put at a competitive disadvantage, then consumers – including many South Dakotans – would have less flexibility and fewer choices when it comes to financial decisions. This ultimately bogs down economic activity, beginning at the local level.

Small community banks don’t think of banking in terms of ‘derivatives’ and ‘default swaps’ like they do on Wall Street; they think of banks in terms of how they can best serve their communities – their friends, neighbors, store owners and job providers. I wholeheartedly support efforts to provide them with regulatory relief and separate them from Wall Street banks. I will continue to seek ways to do so as a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

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Rounds Applauds Senate Confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter to be Secretary of Defense.

“Carter is the right person to lead our armed forces as we fight growing threats from ISIL and other terror groups,” said Rounds. “I voted to confirm Carter today, as I am confident he understands the needs of our service men and women and will seek to improve our long-term national security strategy. I had the opportunity to meet with him in person recently and firmly believe he will be an independent voice within the Administration. I look forward to working with him in the Armed Services Committee.”

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