Mike Rounds

U.S. Senator · SD

Republican

Want to know how closely Mike matches your views?

Where Mike stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Clear record
Cut taxes and reduce federal spending significantly
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
Sponsored Returning Education to Our States Act; cosponsored Death Tax Repeal Act and Main Street Tax Certainty Act; voted yes on FY2026 budget resolution.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 22 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Feb 2026 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.
Voted No · Feb 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Interim Guidance Simplifying Application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax to Partnerships".
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Returning Education to Our States Act
Cosponsored — Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025
Cosponsored — Main Street Tax Certainty Act
Cosponsored — Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Student Loan Accountability Act
+17 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Clear record
Reduce federal labor regulation; let states and markets set wages and conditions
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
Cosponsored National Right-to-Work Act and Employee Rights Act; voted to nullify NLRB joint-employer rule and against Paycheck Fairness Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 11 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Voted Yes · Jul 2023 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
Voted No · Dec 2022 — Providing for a correction in the enrollment of H.J. Res. 100.
Voted Yes · Dec 2022 — To provide for a resolution with respect to the unresolved disputes between certain railroads represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their employees.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States".
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to a "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".
Cosponsored — National Right-to-Work Act
Cosponsored — Get Americans Back To Work Act
Cosponsored — Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025
+6 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
Some evidence
Move away from the ACA toward market-based insurance with broader consumer choice
Market-based, private insuranceSingle-payer government insurance
Voted yes on Health Care Freedom for Patients Act and against ACA premium-credit extensions; cosponsored Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 6 votes · 33 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jan 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability".
Voted Yes · Dec 2025 — Health Care Freedom for Patients Act of 2025
Voted No · Dec 2025 — Lower Health Care Costs Act
Voted Yes · Nov 2025 — Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
Voted No · Oct 2025 — Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 2026
+1 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025
Sponsored — Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
Cosponsored — Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act of 2021
+28 more
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Clear record
Prioritize energy affordability and reliability; minimize climate-related restrictions on production
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Voted to open Arctic and coal leasing, cosponsored Unlocking Domestic LNG and anti-carbon-tax resolution, opposed EPA emissions and energy-emergency termination.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 16 votes · 38 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Beginning of Construction Requirements for Purposes of the Termination of Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits for Applicable Wind and Solar Facilities".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026
+11 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — SAVES Act
Cosponsored — Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024
Cosponsored — American Energy Independence Act of 2022
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Council on Environmental Quality relating to "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions".
Cosponsored — A bill to prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce certain rules of the Environmental Protection Agency.
+33 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Clear record
Federal restrictions on abortion early in pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Sponsored Life at Conception Act; voted yes on Born-Alive Act and against the Women's Health Protection Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 44 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Mar 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Voted Yes · Jan 2026 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jan 2025 — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Did not vote · Sep 2024 — Right to IVF Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Life at Conception Act of 2026
Cosponsored — Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services".
Cosponsored — Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act
+39 more
What should federal firearms policy be?
Clear record
Expand firearm rights nationally (concealed carry reciprocity, reduced federal restrictions)
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
Sponsored Traveler's Gun Rights Act; cosponsored Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act; voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 votes · 21 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
Voted Yes · Jun 2023 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".
Voted No · Jun 2022 — Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act
Sponsored — Traveler's Gun Rights Act
Cosponsored — Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2023
Cosponsored — Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act
Cosponsored — Tribal Firearm Access Act
+16 more
What should US immigration policy be?
Clear record
Increase enforcement and tighten asylum standards; maintain current legal levels
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
Voted for Laken Riley and Secure America Acts, cosponsored WALL Act and Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities while backing STEM and Healthcare Workforce visas.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 8 votes · 44 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Secure America Act
Voted No · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted Yes · Jul 2025 — An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
+3 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — PRINTS Act
Cosponsored — Safeguarding Americans From Extremist Risk (SAFER) at the Border Act
Cosponsored — Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2021
Cosponsored — Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act
Cosponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the current influx of migrants is causing a crisis at the Southern border.
+39 more
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Clear record
Stronger sentencing, expanded law enforcement authority and funding
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
Voted for HALT Fentanyl Act and to nullify D.C. policing reforms; cosponsored Thin Blue Line and Back the Blue Acts.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 7 votes · 15 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Mar 2025 — HALT Fentanyl Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2024 — Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act
Voted Yes · May 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Voted Yes · Mar 2023 — Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
+2 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — HALT Fentanyl Act
Cosponsored — A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
Cosponsored — Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Cosponsored — Thin Blue Line Act
Cosponsored — A resolution urging the development of a strategy to counter the rise in violent crime across the United States.
+10 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
Clear record
Active leadership of democratic alliances against authoritarian powers
Cosponsored NATO regional-plans, Sanctioning Russia, and Israel Defense Partnership Acts; voted for FY2026 NDAA and against Iran and Venezuela war-powers resolutions.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 votes · 58 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
Voted No · Jun 2026 — A resolution requesting information on Honduras's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Voted Yes · Jun 2026 — Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
Voted Yes · Apr 2026 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
+7 more
Cosponsorships
Sponsored — Intelligence Community Property Security Act of 2025
Sponsored — Stop Stealing our Chips Act
Sponsored — PASS Act
Sponsored — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should recognize the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as "the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda".
Sponsored — Countering Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations in Cyberspace Act of 2023
+53 more
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
Clear record
Strengthen election integrity through voter ID, citizenship verification, and signature checks
Cosponsored SAVE Act and SAVE America Act requiring citizenship proof and voter ID; voted against the Freedom to Vote Act.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 10 votes · 5 cosponsorships
Votes
Voted Yes · Mar 2026 — Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Voted No · Sep 2022 — DISCLOSE Act of 2022
Voted Yes · Jan 2022 — Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Did not vote · Nov 2021 — John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021
Voted No · Oct 2021 — Freedom to Vote Act
+5 more
Cosponsorships
Cosponsored — SAVE Act
Cosponsored — SAVE America Act
Cosponsored — A bill to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on improvements to the security, integrity, and administration of Federal elections.
Cosponsored — Disclose Government Censorship Act
Cosponsored — Equal Representation Act

Where Mike stands

More representatives from SD