Chairman, Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Cybersecurity

Senator Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota

Responsibilities

Mike Rounds chairs the SASC’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, which is responsible for policies and programs related to cyber forces and capabilities. Consisting of nine members, the subcommittee steps into the limelight at a time when cyberattacks pose an increasing threat to national security.

Rounds has served on the Subcommittee since its inception in 2017. Since then, he’s acted as chairman during the 115th and 116th Congresses, and as Ranking Member during the 117th and 118th Congresses. For this 119th Congress, Rounds again holds the top Republican leadership position.

Stated Priorities

• Defend against AI-capable adversaries and develop the policies necessary to leverage AI in all branches of the military and across vertical industries. 
• Strengthen penalties for cybercrimes. Introduced the Cyber Conspiracy Modernization Act in February of 2025, which charges offenders with sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, depending upon the severity of the offense. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is co-sponsoring the proposed legislation. 

• Expand the cybersecurity workforce through technical education scholarships. The proposed legislation, known as the Cyber PIVOTT Act of 2025, aims to create a two-year cyber degree, and is being cosponsored by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). A companion version of the Cyber PIVOTT Act has been introduced by House Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Quote

“As cyber technologies continue to rapidly evolve, we need more people working to secure cyberspace as well as harsher penalties for those perpetrating these crimes.”

Committees/Caucuses

Rounds serves on five committees: Senate Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Indian Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. 

• Cochair of the bipartisan Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus. Since its establishment in 2019, 15 bills have become law including the AI Initiative Act and the National AI Research Resource Task Force Act, which helped to lay the foundation for the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes, established to focus on the astronomical sciences, materials research and new methods for strengthening Artificial Intelligence.

• Reintroduced the MedShield Act of 2025, saying “The MedShield program would utilize artificial intelligence to help the U.S. identify pathogens that pose pandemic threats and work quickly to develop necessary protections. We can leverage artificial intelligence not only to improve the quality of life for Americans, but to literally save lives and taxpayer dollars. We need to take steps now to effectively respond to pandemic threats.”
• Co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Regulations Caucus.
• Senate Payments Innovation Caucus (Co-chair).
• Senate Regulations Caucus (Co-chair), and others. 

Political/Business Career

• Served as the 31st Governor of South Dakota (2003 to 2011). 
• Elected to the South Dakota Senate in 1990. Represented the 24th district until 2001. 
• Elected five times to the South Dakota State Senate (1991 to 2000). Senate Majority Leader for six years, beginning in 1995. 
• A former partner in Fischer Rounds & Associates, an insurance and real estate business with several offices statewide.

Education

Earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Dakota State University.

Early Life

A lifelong South Dakotan, Rounds was born on Oct. 24, 1954, in Huron, to Don and Joyce Rounds. He is the eldest of 11 children, growing up in Pierre.

Personal

• Married for years to the late Jean Rounds, whom he met in college. While governor of South Dakota, she served as first lady of the state and played an active role in many arenas. 
• Rounds lives in Fort Pierre and has four grown children and 11 grandchildren.