Senator Rounds' Office Spent Most on Private Flights

Senator Mike Rounds' (R-S.D.) office has spent more taxpayer money on travel than any other senator's office since the fall of 2024, with over $625,000 allocated to private charter companies, according to an analysis of public disclosures.

While senators routinely travel between Washington and their home states using public funds, only a small number regularly utilize private flights, which can be a more costly option than commercial air travel.

Senators whose offices incur the highest travel bills often represent large or remote states where commercial flight options may be limited and constituent visits across the state require longer travel routes.

Rounds' spokesperson stated that previously, there were no flights from Pierre, South Dakota, that aligned with the Senate schedule. Consequently, Rounds used chartered flights to Minnesota before connecting to commercial service, a practice approved by the Senate Rules Committee. Following the introduction of new flight services from Pierre last year, his office now uses commercial flights via Denver.

The data, covering Senate office spending from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, indicates that Rounds' office had the highest overall spending. The amount spent on private charters exceeded that of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), the second-highest spender, by over $400,000.