Mike Rounds

Senators delayed votes on a framework for an election security bill until at least September. Despite efforts by Republicans to satisfy Donald Trump through methods like delaying votes or proposing simpler bills such as a voter ID measure, some members remain doubtful of these strategies' effectiveness. Critics worry that the persistent focus on legislation lacking sufficient support may be causing division rather than uniting the party.

South Dakota Senate Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion suspended his campaign due to personal challenges, leaving independent candidate Brian Bengs to run against Sen. Mike Rounds. The decision creates an open contest for the Senate seat.

A Democrat has withdrawn from South Dakota's Senate race, potentially benefiting an independent candidate. Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, is seeking re-election.

South Dakota Democratic Senate nominee Julian Beaudion withdrew from the race to allow independent Brian Bengs to compete against Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. This follows similar moves by Democrats in Idaho and Nebraska to support stronger independent candidates, though Montana's Alani Bankhead remains in her race against independent Seth Bodnar.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured bipartisan support in Washington for new sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, marking a shift in momentum for Kyiv. The Senate advanced the sanctions, which Zelenskyy views as critical to pressuring Russia into peace talks, amid growing confidence in Ukraine's battlefield success.

Republicans in Congress continue to support the Iran war despite public disapproval and rising costs, with lawmakers defending President Trump's decisions while facing pressure to demand more information. The conflict has led to increased military spending, including $37.5 billion, and escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, as Democrats push for congressional approval votes.

The Trump administration faces a war funding crisis as congressional Republicans disagree on military spending for the escalating conflict with Iran. House Republicans proposed over $70 billion in new defense funding, but the Senate opposes it, while Pentagon officials suggest the war's cost may exceed $100 billion.

Sen. Mike Rounds stated that Sen. Lindsey Graham felt he was making progress on a Russia sanctions bill before his death at 71 from a sudden illness. They recently attended the NATO summit in Turkey.

Republican senators and Trump allies criticized the Trump administration's agreement to end the Iran conflict, citing concerns over the $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction and lifting economic sanctions. Trump defended the deal on Truth Social, calling critics 'fools' and emphasizing 'Success, Lower Oil Prices, and Victory' as outcomes.

Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker criticized the Iran peace deal signed by President Donald Trump, arguing it undermines military victories and risks funding for Iranian terrorist activities. Other Republicans, including Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Rick Scott, expressed concerns about the agreement's terms, including a $300 billion reconstruction fund and potential easing of nuclear restrictions.

Sen. Bernie Sanders and President Donald Trump support a proposal for the federal government to gain public ownership stakes in AI companies through a one-time 50% stock tax, with proceeds placed in a sovereign wealth fund. The idea faces skepticism from some senators, who cite risks like conflicts of interest, stifled competition in government contracts, and concerns about government overreach into private companies.

Mike Rounds has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota. The Associated Press reported the outcome.

Vice President JD Vance announced President Trump's endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn for Senate, citing Paxton's loyalty to Trump. The decision has drawn criticism from fellow Republicans who note Trump's loyalty standards are inconsistently applied, as he has endorsed senators like Lindsey Graham and Mike Rounds despite their past criticism of him.

U.S. Senate Republicans expressed skepticism about the Secret Service's $1 billion funding request, citing insufficient details on how the money would be spent. The request includes allocations for security upgrades, training, and a White House visitor screening facility, though some senators raised concerns about a proposed ballroom, with officials clarifying that ballroom security costs make up about 20% of the request.

House Speaker Mike Johnson secured a procedural vote to extend Section 702 of FISA for three years after persuading GOP privacy hawks to support the measure. The vote included a Senate-passed budget for immigration enforcement and a CBDC ban, which placated conservative concerns. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that any FISA bill with CBDC language would face resistance.

House Speaker Mike Johnson secured a procedural vote to extend Section 702 of FISA for three years, overcoming GOP infighting by incorporating a CBDC ban to appease privacy hawks. The Senate has warned against including CBDC language, which could block the bill, while Republicans emphasized FISA's importance for national security.