Mike Rounds

Export Control and Compute Governance

Government control or restriction of advanced AI capabilities through trade, export, or compute access.

Introduced the Stop Stealing our Chips Act with Sen. Mark Warner, which rewards whistleblowers who report illegal exports of AI chips to China; it passed the Senate in May 2026. He called chip smuggling "a grave national security concern."

Military and National Security Uses of AI

Positions on the use of AI in military, intelligence, or national security contexts.

Is drafting legislation to codify President Trump's June 2026 executive order directing agencies to test advanced AI models for cyber vulnerabilities. He said adversaries see cyber systems as "the most inexpensive way to create havoc in the United States."

AI Regulation Philosophy

A candidate's general stance on regulating AI systems.

Questioned the White House's plan to override state AI laws by executive order, saying even pro-AI voices see "a regulatory framework that has to be established." No bill text or detailed regulatory proposal from Rounds on this point was located.

AI Preemption

Stance on federal preemption of state AI laws, states' rights to regulate AI, and the patchwork of local vs. national regulatory approaches.

Voted with 98 other senators in July 2025 to strip the ten-year moratorium on state AI laws from the budget reconciliation bill. South Dakota's attorney general publicly thanked Rounds and Senator Thune for opposing the provision.

Source: Statement · coloradosun.com