Sen. Mike Rounds Spends Millions on Charter Flights Over Commercial

Senator Mike Rounds Tops Senate Office Travel Expenses with Private Flights

Since 2017, South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has outspent his Senate colleagues on office travel, even surpassing those representing distant states such as Alaska and Hawaii.

Rounds’ preference for chartering private flights, as opposed to flying commercially, has significantly contributed to his high travel expenses. Notably, some aviation companies he engaged are owned by his campaign contributors.

These travel expenditures are publicly available due to Rounds seeking taxpayer reimbursement for his trips. Federal lawmakers typically receive reimbursement for travel deemed necessary for official business. Additionally, they can utilize a reduced airfare program designed to minimize taxpayer costs.

Despite regulations, Senate travel is seldom scrutinized, with few consequences for improper reimbursement claims. There is no record of investigations or penalties concerning Rounds’ travel spending.

In a span of nine years, Rounds’ office spent $5.1 million on travel, with a notable $752,577 expenditure in fiscal year 2024, nearly 20% of his office’s yearly budget.

In contrast, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office reported $2.8 million in travel expenses over the same period.

Most of Rounds’ private flights were through Mustang Aviation, located in Pierre, SD. Jim Peitz, the owner, contributed $4,000 to Rounds’ campaigns from 2017 to 2019, with an additional $1,000 from Peitz’s wife, Cathy, in 2013.

Despite Pierre lacking direct flights to Washington, D.C., commercial airlines offer connecting flights capable of reaching the capital within six hours.

Rounds’ office also spent $52,000 with Aberdeen Flying Service in Aberdeen, SD, a company boasting “plus, comfortable seating” and “a welcoming variety of refreshments.” This company is owned by Mark Craven, who donated $1,000 to Rounds earlier this year.

In the previous year, Rounds supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included provisions allowing businesses to deduct the full cost of certain qualifying assets, such as private jets used for business purposes.

According to a Newsweek report in 2022, Rounds frequently utilized a temporary COVID-era measure allowing lawmakers to opt for private flights due to health and safety concerns. Nonetheless, he missed 20 Senate votes in 2022.

John Thune, the other senator from South Dakota, did not miss any votes that year. KOTA highlighted that Rounds’ private flight expenditures surpassed Thune’s by a ratio of six to one between October 2021 and September 2022.

Rounds is currently campaigning for a third term, facing U.S. Navy and Air Force veteran Brian Bengs, who is running as an independent candidate.