HURON – President Trump took “a pretty big step forward” when he said Thursday that he disagreed with a North Carolina audience’s chanting of “send her back” during a Wednesday evening rally, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said.
“I think the president today made it very clear he did not support that last evening,” Rounds said in a conference call with reporters.
A furor erupted earlier in the week after the president urged four Democratic congresswomen of color to return to their countries although three of them were born in the United States.
Rounds said he was working on pending issues and didn’t watch coverage of the rally. But he said it’s his understanding the chants occurred during the event.
He said he continues to call for civility among all parties, from everyday Americans to their leaders. “We can disagree with each other without being disagreeable,” he said.
He is calling on elected officials to provide an example of honoring and respecting one another.
Who goes first?” a reporter asked Rounds.
“I think we all step forward and I think folks on both sides of the aisle are ready for that,” he said.
Incivility as an acceptable way to do business is dangerous, Rounds said.
“I think the president did the right thing when he said he didn’t agree with that,” he said. “I think that sends a message. That’s a pretty big step forward for the president to do that.”
Rounds said he agrees with Trump’s principles, but if others do not they should not disrupt the government but express themselves at the ballot box.
So many in Washington, D.C., today are resisting and disrupting the day-to-day operations of government, he said.
Meanwhile, Rounds said he thinks the three weeks between now and the long August congressional recess will be productive, with action on such issues as raising the debt limit so the country doesn’t default on the debt and reauthorization of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, which has provided financial assistance to the first responders suffering 9/11-related medical issues.
He and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, have introduced legislation supporting veterans seeking to start a small business when their service is up.
The bill would make it easier for veterans transitioning back to civilian life who want to start a small business. One of the provisions would waive certain upfront fees.
The Rounds-Hirono legislation would make a 2013 bill permanent.
Ninety-nine percent of South Dakota’s businesses are considered to be small businesses, and the state also has a high population of military veterans, he said. Assisting them in pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams is a way to thank veterans for their sacrifices, Rounds said.
Rounds also told reporters he would be on his way to the Mayo Clinic later Thursday to be with his wife, Jean, who was to undergo a second round of chemotherapy treatment in her battle against cancer.
He said they are pleased with the direction they are moving and that they have a plan in place. He said Jean is handling the chemotherapy well.
He said she is trying to walk three miles a day, in one-mile increments, and is very optimistic.
Rounds said they are thankful for all of the prayers and support. “That really makes a difference,” he said.
