Mike Rounds was born in Huron, South Dakota, and earned a degree from South Dakota State University. He built a career in the insurance industry and served in the South Dakota State Senate, rising to Senate Majority Leader, before being elected Governor of South Dakota in 2002 and serving two terms through 2011. Rounds was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and has served since, bringing executive experience from his governorship to the chamber.
Rounds serves on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, reflecting both his business background and South Dakota's significant military presence at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He has focused on agricultural policy, rural economic development, financial regulation, and defense issues throughout his Senate tenure. Rounds has also been active on issues related to cybersecurity and emerging technology, serving on relevant subcommittees and working on legislation to address evolving national security threats.
- Senate Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
- Senate Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Cybersecurity — Chairman
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
- Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Subcommittee on Economic Policy
- Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
- Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment — Chairman
- Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
- S. 1473: Stop Stealing our Chips Act — Introduced