BIOGUIDE R000605 · FEC S4SD00049
Mike Rounds
U.S. Senator (since 2015)RINCUMBENT
- Race
- U.S. Senate · South Dakota
- Result
- Mike Rounds, projected winner
- Opponent
- Brian Bengs (IND)
- Research
- Basic
Party line14 votes tracked
With party = voted the same way as most Republicans who voted.
Said vs. did4 statements · 14 votes
Mike Rounds is the Republican U.S. Senator from South Dakota and won re-election to a third term on November 3, 2026, defeating Brian Bengs. A former insurance and real estate businessman, he served in the South Dakota Senate (1991-2000, including as majority leader) and as the state's governor (2003-2011) before his election to the Senate in 2014. He was re-elected in 2020 and won the 2026 Republican primary.[1][2][3]
Compare statements with votes ›Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
Sponsored S. 4880, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026, a bill to prohibit dismemberment abortions.
Documented position[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored S. 65, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, a bill to allow reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.
Documented position[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored S. 9, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, which provides that for Title IX compliance in athletics, sex is recognized based solely on reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Documented position[6]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Cosponsored S. 128, the SAVE Act, a bill to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
Documented position[7]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[9]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[9]
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESOne Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[9]
Biography
Mike Rounds is the Republican U.S. Senator from South Dakota and won re-election to a third term on November 3, 2026, defeating Brian Bengs. A former insurance and real estate businessman, he served in the South Dakota Senate (1991-2000, including as majority leader) and as the state's governor (2003-2011) before his election to the Senate in 2014. He was re-elected in 2020 and won the 2026 Republican primary.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Rounds was born in Huron, South Dakota, in 1954, the eldest of 11 children, has lived in the Pierre area since early childhood, and describes himself as a lifelong South Dakotan.[2][14] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 1977.[1][2] In the private sector he built an insurance and real estate business with offices throughout the state; Wikipedia identifies him as a former partner in Fischer Rounds & Associates.[2][14]
Rounds was elected five times to the South Dakota Senate and served from 1991 to 2000, as minority whip from 1993 to 1994 and as majority leader from 1995 to 2000.[1][2] He won the Republican nomination for governor in 2002 and was elected that November with 56.8% of the vote, and he was re-elected in 2006 with 61.7%.[14] He served as the state's 31st governor from 2003 to 2011 and chaired the Midwestern Governors Association in 2008.[1][2][14] Rounds announced his Senate candidacy in November 2012. In 2014 he won the Republican primary on June 3 and the open Senate seat in November with 50.4% of the vote, and he was sworn in on January 6, 2015.[1][14]
Rounds won re-election in 2020 with 65.7% of the vote after defeating Republican primary challenger Scyller Borglum, 75.2% to 24.8%.[1] According to his official biography, he serves on the Appropriations, Armed Services, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Indian Affairs, and Select Intelligence committees. Wikipedia notes that he co-chairs the Senate AI Caucus and was a member of the bipartisan Senate AI Working Group.[2][14] He received President Donald Trump's endorsement in July 2025 and won the June 2, 2026 Republican primary with 75.8% of the vote over Justin McNeal.[1][14] Rounds lives in Fort Pierre and has four grown children and 11 grandchildren, according to his official biography.[2] He won the November 3, 2026 general election with 60.5% of the vote to Brian Bengs's 39.5%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-30 | With partyvoted yes | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — Senate passageH.R. 7148 · Bill Passed 71–29 · roll call ↗Democrats 23–24 · Republicans 48–5 |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Motion Agreed to 77–20 · roll call ↗Democrats 28–18 · Republicans 49–2 |
| 2025-11-10 | With partyvoted yes | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Bill Passed 60–40 · roll call ↗Democrats 8–39 · Republicans 52–1 |
| 2025-11-06 | With partyvoted no | War Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to dischargeS.J. Res. 90 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 49–51 · roll call ↗Democrats 47–0 · Republicans 2–51 |
| 2025-10-30 | With partyvoted no | Resolution to end the global tariff emergencyS.J. Res. 88 · Joint Resolution Passed 51–47 · roll call ↗Democrats 47–0 · Republicans 4–47 |
| 2025-07-01 | With partyvoted yes | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passageH.R. 1 · Bill Passed 50–50 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–47 · Republicans 50–3 |
| 2025-06-27 | With partyvoted no | War Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to dischargeS.J. Res. 59 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–1 · Republicans 1–52 |
| 2025-06-17 | With partyvoted yes | GENIUS Act — Senate passageS. 1582 · Bill Passed 68–30 · roll call ↗Democrats 18–28 · Republicans 50–2 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 14 votes.
All 14 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-30 | With partyvoted yes | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — Senate passageH.R. 7148 · Bill Passed 71–29 · roll call ↗Democrats 23–24 · Republicans 48–5The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026. |
| 2025-12-17 | With partyvoted yes | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Motion Agreed to 77–20 · roll call ↗Democrats 28–18 · Republicans 49–2The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. This vote sent the House-Senate compromise version to the President, who signed it into law the next day. |
| 2025-11-10 | With partyvoted yes | Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Bill Passed 60–40 · roll call ↗Democrats 8–39 · Republicans 52–1The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. Eight members of the Democratic caucus joined nearly all Republicans to pass it. |
| 2025-11-06 | With partyvoted no | War Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to dischargeS.J. Res. 90 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 49–51 · roll call ↗Democrats 47–0 · Republicans 2–51S.J.Res. 90 would have directed the President to end military hostilities within or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized, after U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, blocking a vote on final passage. |
| 2025-10-30 | With partyvoted no | Resolution to end the global tariff emergencyS.J. Res. 88 · Joint Resolution Passed 51–47 · roll call ↗Democrats 47–0 · Republicans 4–47S.J.Res. 88 terminates the national emergency the President used to impose broad tariffs on imports from most countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Unlike an earlier April 2025 attempt, this resolution passed the Senate, though it still required House and presidential action to take effect. |
| 2025-07-01 | With partyvoted yes | One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passageH.R. 1 · Bill Passed 50–50 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–47 · Republicans 50–3H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and increases border security and defense spending. It reduces projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adds new work requirements; Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. |
| 2025-06-27 | With partyvoted no | War Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to dischargeS.J. Res. 59 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–1 · Republicans 1–52S.J.Res. 59 would have directed the President to end U.S. military hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier that month. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, preventing a vote on final passage. |
| 2025-06-17 | With partyvoted yes | GENIUS Act — Senate passageS. 1582 · Bill Passed 68–30 · roll call ↗Democrats 18–28 · Republicans 50–2The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation to clear Congress. |
| 2025-04-30 | With partyvoted no | Resolution to end the global tariff emergencyS.J. Res. 49 · Joint Resolution Defeated 49–49 · roll call ↗Democrats 46–0 · Republicans 3–49S.J.Res. 49 would have terminated the national emergency the President declared in April 2025 to impose broad tariffs on imports from most U.S. trading partners. The resolution failed on a tied 49-49 vote. |
| 2025-03-14 | With partyvoted yes | Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 — Senate passageH.R. 1968 · Bill Passed 54–46 · roll call ↗Democrats 2–45 · Republicans 52–1The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations. |
| 2025-02-13 | With partyvoted yes | Confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS SecretaryPN Kennedy · Nomination Confirmed 52–48 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–47 · Republicans 52–1The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overseeing federal health, food-safety, and drug-regulatory agencies. Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the nomination. |
| 2025-02-04 | With partyvoted yes | Confirmation of Pamela Bondi as Attorney GeneralPN Bondi · Nomination Confirmed 54–46 · roll call ↗Democrats 1–46 · Republicans 53–0The Senate confirmed Pamela Bondi, Florida's former attorney general, to serve as U.S. Attorney General, leading the Justice Department. The vote fell largely along party lines. |
| 2025-01-24 | With partyvoted yes | Confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of DefensePN Hegseth · Nomination Confirmed 50–50 · roll call ↗Democrats 0–47 · Republicans 50–3The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, to serve as Secretary of Defense. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination. |
| 2025-01-20 | With partyvoted yes | Laken Riley Act — Senate passageS. 5 · Bill Passed 64–35 · roll call ↗Democrats 12–35 · Republicans 52–0The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions. |
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- action2025 · For the 2025-2026 Congress, chairs the Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and the Banking Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment, and also serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Indian Affairs and the Select Committee on Intelligence.[15]
Campaign money$3.2M raised · 48% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $1.3M
- PACs & committees $1.4M
- Party $62K
Largest committee contributions
- NRSC Party$62K
- Mortgage Bankers Association Political Action Committee (Morpac) PAC$48K
- American Bankers Association PAC (Bankpac) PAC$10K
- The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Nextera Energy, Inc. Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Independent Community Bankers of America Political Action Committee (ICBA PAC) PAC$10K
- Google LLC Netpac PAC$10K
- Bank of America Corporation Federal PAC PAC$10K
- General Dynamics Corporation Political Action Committee (General Dynamics Employee PAC) PAC$10K
- Send in the Seal PAC PAC$10K
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/mike-rounds
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 8 of 833 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (7), Rights & public safety (1), Foreign affairs & defense (1)
Paul Amdt. No. 4272; To eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance.
A yes vote sought to adopt Amendment 4272 to H.R. 7148, which would eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance. (AI-written)
What it does: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homel…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 32–18
Jan 30, 2026Official record ↗
Curtis Amdt. No. 3697; To require a review of the methodologies used to determine the amounts of locality-based comparability payments and to require the President's Pay Agent to conduct a pilot program establishing alternative models for determining the amounts of those payments.
A yes vote adopted Curtis Amendment 3697 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require a review of locality pay methodologies and a pilot program of alternative models (60 votes needed). (AI-written)
What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national securit…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 3–41, Republicans 46–3
Oct 9, 2025Official record ↗
Scott (FL) Amdt. No. 3535; To require Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
A yes vote adopted Scott (FL) Amendment 3535 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board and CFPB (60 votes needed). (AI-written)
What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national securit…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 8–36, Republicans 42–6
Oct 9, 2025Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- Yes
With most of their party · Agreed to 46–45 · Yes 45–No 45 · Democrats 0–43, Republicans 45–0
May 11, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed 49–47 · Yes 47–No 47 · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 47–0
Feb 12, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Confirmed 48–46 · Yes 46–No 46 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 46–0
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
- No
With most of their party · Rejected 46–49 · Yes 46–No 46 · Democrats 44–0, Republicans 0–46
Jan 15, 2025Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Confirmed 48–47 · Yes 48–No 47 · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 48–0
Jul 23, 2026Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Mike Rounds · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 2.About Mike · Office of Sen. Mike Rounds · 2026-10-19 Official record
- 3.South Dakota U.S. Senate election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 4.S. 4880: Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026 · GovTrack.us (Congressional bill data) · 2026-10-03 Reference
- 5.S. 65: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 · GovTrack.us (Congressional bill data) · 2026-10-03 Reference
- 6.S. 9: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 · GovTrack.us (Congressional bill data) · 2026-10-03 Reference
- 7.S. 128: SAVE Act · GovTrack.us (Congressional bill data) · 2026-10-03 Reference
- 8.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-01-20 Official record
- 9.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-07-01 Official record
- 10.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-04-30 Official record
- 11.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-10-30 Official record
- 12.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to discharge · U.S. Senate · 2025-06-27 Official record
- 13.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to discharge · U.S. Senate · 2025-11-06 Official record
- 14.Mike Rounds · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 15.Mike Rounds · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference