States South Dakota U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate, South Dakota
November 3, 2026 · 14 statements · 2026.09.30-edb0316f
Candidates
Brian L Bengs
Independent
Sourced positions on 1 of 14
Limited data. Fewer than 6 sourced positions.
Mike Rounds
Republican
Incumbent
Sourced positions on 12 of 14
Campaign siteroundsforsenate.com
Statements and positions
Agree Disagree No clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.
Brian L Bengs Independent Mike Rounds Republican, incumbent
Federal statements
Economy No. 01/14
The federal minimum wage should be raised above $7.25 an hour.
Background The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. States and cities can set higher minimums, and many do.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence High (0.85)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Taxes No. 02/14
Federal income taxes should be raised on households earning more than $400,000 a year.
Background This would increase the federal income tax owed by the highest-earning households. Households below that income would not be affected by this change.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.55)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
One thing we can all agree on is that taxes are too high and tax rates – no matter who you are – should be lowered.
Campaign or official site · Sep 28, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Health care No. 03/14
Federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans should be expanded.
Background These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health plans bought on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. Expanding them would lower premiums for more buyers and increase federal spending.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Immigration No. 04/14
Congress should fund more physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Background This would pay for additional fencing or wall along the southern border. It concerns construction funding, not other kinds of border enforcement.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
The WALL Act will provide full funding for construction of a physical barrier along our southern border to protect against illegal immigration
Campaign or official site · Dec 6, 2018 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence High (0.80)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Guns No. 05/14
Federal law should require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.
Background Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for most sales between private individuals. This would extend the requirement to private sales.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Rounds (R-SD), Nay
Vote record · Jun 23, 2022 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
senate.gov No archived copy yet
The executive actions the president announced today will make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to legally obtain firearms and do nothing to fix the problem of gun violence.
Campaign or official site · Jan 5, 2016 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Abortion No. 06/14
Abortion laws should be set by each state rather than by Congress.
Background Since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, each state sets its own abortion laws. Agreeing means Congress should not pass a national law that either expands or restricts access.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Energy and climate No. 07/14
The federal government should expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.
Background This concerns leases on land and offshore areas the federal government owns. It does not cover drilling on private or state land.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Energy and climate No. 08/14
The federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
Background This would set federal limits on the carbon pollution power plants release. It concerns regulation by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We have a limited number of electric generating resources in South Dakota. Each facility is absolutely vital to meeting the energy needs of my state and our surrounding states.
Campaign or official site · Feb 11, 2015 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.55)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Economy No. 09/14
The U.S. should keep broad tariffs on imported goods.
Background Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods. Since 2025 the U.S. has applied tariffs to imports from most countries, and this statement is about keeping them in place.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 37 (terminating the national emergency declared to impose duties on articles imported from Canada): Rounds (R-SD), Nay.
Vote record · Apr 2, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence High (0.80)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Democracy and elections No. 10/14
Voters should have to show photo identification to vote in federal elections.
Background Voter ID rules are set by each state today and vary widely. This would set one photo ID requirement for federal elections nationwide.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
To ensure only citizens are registered to vote in elections for Federal office, and to require voters to provide photo identification, and for other purposes.
Vote record · Jun 4, 2026 · retrieved Sep 30, 2026
senate.gov No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.75)
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Foreign policy No. 11/14
The U.S. should continue sending military aid to Ukraine.
Background The U.S. has provided weapons and military funding to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. This would keep that support going.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
we have funded needed munitions for Ukraine in their war against Putin and appropriated funds to help restock Israel's munitions
Campaign or official site · Apr 23, 2024 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.75)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Foreign policy No. 12/14
The president should get approval from Congress before taking further military action against Iran.
Background The U.S. carried out military strikes on Iran in 2025 without a vote in Congress. This would require approval by Congress before further U.S. military action against Iran, other than responding to an attack.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
S.J.Res. 180, 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: Rounds (R-SD), Nay.
Vote record · Jul 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence High (0.80)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Education No. 13/14
The federal government should help pay for child care for working families.
Background Federal child care help today comes mainly through block grants to states and tax credits, and reaches a small share of eligible families. This would expand federal funding so more working families pay less for child care.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
I voted against a resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Iran and against overturning a rule designed to make child care more affordable and accessible for low-income families.
Campaign or official site · Aug 5, 2026 · retrieved Sep 30, 2026
rounds.senate.gov No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.50)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Health care No. 14/14
Adults on Medicaid who are able to work should be required to work, study or volunteer to keep coverage.
Background A 2025 federal law requires many adults covered through the Medicaid expansion to show 80 hours a month of work, school or community service, starting by 2027. Agreeing means keeping such requirements; disagreeing means repealing them.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Brian L Bengs's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Establishes work requirements for able-bodied adults who are choosing not to work and do not have young dependent children or elderly parents in their care.
Campaign or official site · Jul 1, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026
rounds.senate.gov
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence High (0.80)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Mike Rounds's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked