A recent report highlights potential ethical concerns regarding Robert Skjonsberg, a senior adviser to Republican Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota. Skjonsberg has been working as a lobbyist while serving in a government role, raising questions about conflicts of interest.
Dual Role: Robert Skjonsberg has been a senior adviser to Senator Mike Rounds and a registered lobbyist for over a dozen clients, including major companies like Meta and Altria, as well as trade groups such as the Freedom Foundation and the South Dakota Dairy Producers.
Historical Involvement: Skjonsberg is noted as a "co-owner" of 605 Strategies, a company that contributed to Rounds’ campaign successes over the years. Issues of potential financial conflicts have surfaced, especially regarding past taxpayer assistance given to companies in which both Rounds and Skjonsberg were investors.
Legislation Influence: Following Skjonsberg’s registration to lobby for Meta, Senator Rounds has introduced several bills related to artificial intelligence, a field in which Meta is heavily invested. Additionally, Rounds has worked on agriculture legislation directly impacting industries represented by Skjonsberg.
Senate Ethics Guidelines: The Senate's ethics rules limit certain staffers from engaging with firms or entities for compensation related to professional services. These rules aim to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure ethical conduct among Senate employees.
Official Statements: A spokesperson for Senator Rounds stated that the office consulted with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and to confirm that there are no conflicts of interest.
Recent Activities: Both Meta and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers indicated that they had not worked with Skjonsberg since March 2026, after the state legislature's session ended.
The situation involving Robert Skjonsberg as a lobbyist and senior adviser raises important questions about ethical practices in government roles. The potential for conflicts of interest stems from his simultaneous commitments to lobbying for various industries while influencing legislation on behalf of those same sectors. The ethics consultation reportedly conducted by Rounds' office aims to assure adherence to Senate rules, but scrutiny remains regarding the propriety of such dual positions.
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