{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"MT\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-applauds-historic-investment-rural-health-care", "Downing Applauds Historic Investment in Rural Health Care", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following an announcement that $233,509,359 will be headed to Montana in Fiscal Year 2026 as part of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program enacted in Republicans\u2019 One Big Beautiful Bill.\n\n\u201cNearly every county in Montana is rural, and this historic funding will provide critical support for families across our state,\u201d said Congressman Troy Downing. \u201cI am proud to have voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill which secured this funding, and I look forward to seeing it improve health outcomes in Central and Eastern Montana.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nMontana received the fourth-largest disbursement of funds out of all 50 states for FY 26.\n\nThis funding is the largest federal investment in rural health care in American history.\n\nClick here for a state-by-state summary of program funding.\n\nClick here for a list of RHT Program state project abstracts.\n\nClick here for more information about the RHT Program.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/29/icymi-daines-op-ed-2025-was-a-historic-year-for-montana/", "ICYMI: Daines Op-Ed: 2025 Was a Historic Year for Montana", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote an op-ed for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle recapping 2025\u2019s historic wins for Montana. Read it below.\n\n2025 Was a Historic Year for Montana\n\nBozeman Daily Chronicle\n\nSenator Steve Daines\n\nDecember 27th, 2025\n\n2025 was a historic year for Montana. Tim Sheehy, a former Navy Seal, joined me in the U.S. Senate, along with Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke in the U.S. House.\n\nWorking together, we\u2019ve made major strides advancing Montana priorities, from increasing our energy dominance, protecting our public lands, and supporting farmers, ranchers, veterans, and working families.\n\nWe now have a majority in the U.S. Senate, which allowed us to quickly confirm President Trump\u2019s cabinet as well as excellent Montana candidates to serve us on the federal level \u2014 Kurt Alme to serve as our U.S. Attorney and Bill Mercer to serve as a district judge.\n\nI worked around the clock with my colleagues in the Senate to implement the president\u2019s agenda as quickly as possible. On Independence Day, I stood with President Trump at the White House as he signed the Working Families Tax Cut, which delivered the largest tax cuts in American history.\n\nMontana families will see the effects in 2026, when their take-home pay is boosted by over $10,000 a year and there are no taxes on tips. The bill also included my provision to save the Bull Mountains Mine, which protects Montana\u2019s energy dominance and saved over 300 good-paying Montana mining jobs.\n\nAnd as a lifelong sportsman, protecting our public lands is one of my top priorities. That\u2019s why I was proud to block a provision from being included in the bill that would have sold millions of acres of our public lands.\n\nThanks to President Trump\u2019s leadership we\u2019ve saved Montana energy. In addition to keeping the Bull Mountains Mine open, he also signed into law my bill to reverse a disastrous Biden administration anti-coal rule that would have blocked future coal leasing in eastern Montana and caused the loss of billions of dollars in revenue to our state.\n\nAdditionally, President Trump and his cabinet listened to the concerns of Montanans and reversed a Biden mandate that would\u2019ve put the Colstrip Power Plant out of business.\n\nOne of my main priorities this year was supporting the Montana sportsmen and our great outdoors.\n\nI worked closely with the administration to support our logging industry and ensure we can better fight catastrophic wildfires. I also introduced the \u201cAmerica the Beautiful Act,\u201d which provides critical funding for our national parks and addresses maintenance backlogs, so that people can get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.\n\nAdditionally, I introduced a bill to expand access to our public lands for sportsmen and outdoor recreation.\n\nI am also working hard to support our farmers and ranchers. Montana beef is the best in the world, and one of my main focuses this year was expanding market access for our farmers and ranchers.\n\nI\u2019m pushing for a robust Farm Bill that will support Montana ag and ensure Montana voices are represented, and worked hard to pass a permanent increase to the death tax exemption, which will allow family farms and ranches to pass their land down to future generations.\n\nWe\u2019ve also made massive strides protecting life and family. In December, President Trump signed into law my bill, the BABES Enhancement Act, which makes it easier for moms and families to safely travel with breastmilk and formula. I\u2019m working to protect women from the harmful abortion pill, which causes traumatic adverse effects at a rate 22 times higher than advertised.\n\nMontana has the highest number of veterans per capita in the nation, so it\u2019s critical they get the support and resources they deserve. This year I attended the Butte VA Clinic\u2019s renaming ceremony, which honors Montana legend Charlie Dowd for his incredible legacy of service.\n\nI also introduced bills to protect health care and pension benefits for veterans and their families. Lastly, I introduced a bill to honor fallen service members and keep national cemeteries open on federal holidays.\n\nFinally, protecting Montana\u2019s tribal communities remained at the forefront of 2025. I introduced a bill to combat drug trafficking in our tribes and also passed a resolution designating May 5 as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.\n\n2025 has brought win after historic win for Montana and the nation. I\u2019ll always work to support the needs of Montanans \u2014 from our veterans to our children, and from our farmers and ranchers to our loggers.\n\nIt\u2019s my honor to serve you in the U.S. Senate and I look forward to what 2026 brings.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-urges-dow-continue-wounded-warrior-service-dog-program", "Downing Urges DOW to Continue Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congressman Troy Downing (R-MT) sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth alongside Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) expressing his support for the Wounded Warrior Service Dog program (WWSDP) and urging the Department of War (DOW) to continue to carry out the program going forward. Congressman Downing\u2019s efforts have garnered support from Dog Tag Buddies, a Billings-based group dedicated to providing improved daily living and social mobility for veterans living with the invisible wounds of war.\n\n\u201cThe Treasure State has one of the nation's largest veteran populations, many of whom rely on four-legged partners to help them recover from the physical and invisible scars of war,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cI was proud to advocate on behalf of Montana\u2019s veteran community, their service dogs, and the many unsung heroes at partnering organizations who work behind the scenes to make these connections possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program is not a luxury\u2014it is a lifeline,\u201d said DeeDe Baker, Founder & Executive Director, Dog Tag Buddies. \u201cFor veterans in rural states like Montana and North Dakota, it is often the only path to the independence and social mobility that service dogs make possible.\u201d\n\nRead key excerpts from the lawmakers\u2019 letter below:\n\n\u201cWWSDP is a competitive grant program overseen by the Department of War to support nonprofit organizations that help raise service dogs and connect them with veterans. Today, 28 organizations in 23 states rely on this program to place highly trained service dogs with veterans experiencing PTSD, traumatic brain injury, mobility and hearing impairments, blindness, and other life-altering disabilities. This includes two long-standing constituent providers under the program, Dog Tag Buddies in Billings, Montana, and Service Dogs for America, located in Jud, North Dakota. WWDSP has served as an essential support mechanism, enabling veterans in our states to access the life-changing assistance delivered by trained service dogs\u2026\n\n\u201cWe urge your office to take action to continue to carry out WWSDP, including through the reprogramming process and the administrative flexibility available to the Department. This action would critically bridge the gap between FY24 funds and FY26 appropriations. Notably, the House-passed Department of Defense Appropriations Act includes $17 million in funding for the program.\n\n\u201cThe service dogs provided with the support of WWSDP are an essential lifeline for veterans who faced the harshest consequences of war to live independently and have a companion to support them. Without funding for the next year, service dog organizations across the country will be forced to suspend new intakes, stop matching dogs to veterans, and even in some cases shut down services altogether.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/22/daines-honors-montanan-of-the-month-lieutenant-kirby-dempster/", "Daines Honors Montanan of the Month: Lieutenant Kirby Dempster", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE\u2014 U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Lieutenant Kirby Dempster as Montanan of the Month for his service with the Fergus County Sheriff\u2019s Office and his courage in the face of a daunting diagnosis. Through his \u201cMontanan of the Month\u201d initiative, every month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. To recommend a Montanan click HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:\n\nTRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT KIRBY DEMPSTER\n\nMr. Daines, Mr. President, today I have the honor to recognize Lieutenant Kirby Dempster of the Fergus County Sheriff\u2019s Office in Lewistown, Montana, as Montanan of the Month. For more than eight and a half years, Lieutenant Dempster has served the people of Fergus County with courage, compassion, and integrity. As a supervising officer, he leads both detention and patrol operations and oversees important department initiatives, including cyber-crime prevention efforts focused on protecting children, human-trafficking investigations, and a drone program. Today, we also recognize him for something deeper: his resilience during one of life\u2019s toughest battles. Following a difficult cancer diagnosis, Lieutenant Dempster was confronted with a new fight. However, he and his loved ones did not face it alone. His fellow officers, first responders, and the entire Lewistown community stepped forward without hesitation. Fundraisers were launched, donations poured in, and neighbors showed up to support the Dempster family. This remarkable outpouring of support reflects what Lieutenant Dempster has built in his community over his many years of service. He is known as a strong leader, a mentor, a dedicated public servant, and above all, a devoted family man. Lieutenant Dempster\u2019s commitment to protecting his community, his leadership in the face of hardship, and the community\u2019s support in return embodies the very best of Montana values. His story reminds us of what service truly means and how Montanans stand together when it matters most.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/19/daines-urges-airlines-to-increase-flights-from-montana-for-fcs-championship-game/", "Daines\u00a0Urges Airlines to Increase Flights from Montana for FCS Championship Game", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Presses Airlines to Give Montana Fans \u201cA Chance to Witness History\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a letter with Senator Tim Sheehy and Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Troy Downing (MT-02) to airline CEOs urging them to increase flight options from Montana to Nashville, Tennessee, in advance of the FCS National Championship Game. The letter was sent to the CEOs of Delta, American, Southwest, and United.\n\n\u201cHistory will be made this Saturday in Bozeman, Montana. For the first time, the University of Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State University Bobcats football teams will meet in the postseason with the winner earning themselves a spot in the NCAA Division I Football Championship in Nashville, Tennessee on January 5, 2026\u2026\n\n\u201c\u2026though the game has yet to be played, we do know a Montana school will be heading to Nashville for the championship game regardless of the outcome. And although Montana will be a state divided this weekend, both Cats and Griz fans can agree that there\u2019s nothing like watching and cheering on your team in-person. Unfortunately, current air service options to Nashville from Montana in the days leading up to the game are limited and liable to sell out quickly. That is why we are asking that your airlines work to increase service to and from Montana for the big game.\n\n\u201cBy increasing access to affordable air service, you will be giving Montana fans of all ages the chance to witness history. As proud Montanans, we hope all fans will be able to take part in this special moment with their team.\n\n\u201cThank you for your consideration and may the best team win!\u201d they wrote in the letter.\n\nRead the full letterHERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/19/dainescalls-on-doj-to-defend-2a-rights-stand-with-lawful-gun-owners/", "DainesCalls on DOJ to Defend 2A Rights, Stand with Lawful Gun Owners", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Representative Andrew Clyde (GA-09) in leading a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice urging them to adopt the positions of the drafters of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision that eliminated the $200 National Firearms Act (NFA) excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and \u201cany other weapons\u201d (AOWs) and end its support for the unconstitutional NFA registration regime that remains.\n\n\u201cWe write to inform the Department of Justice of Congress\u2019s position and intent regarding ongoing litigation challenging the National Firearms Act\u2019s (NFA) registration and transfer requirements for non-taxed NFA firearms, following the enactment of President Trump\u2019s landmark Second Amendment victory in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). In enacting this bill into law, Congress affirmed its position that the taxation and registration provisions of the National Firearms Act are inseparably linked, and it expressed its intent to repeal the NFA\u2019s registration and transfer requirements by eliminating the associated taxes on certain firearms and silencers. In light of the Department\u2019s recent filing opposing this interpretation, we must express our serious concern and disappointment that the Department of Justice has chosen to advance a theory that not only conflicts with Congress\u2019s express intent but also disregards the constitutional structure upon which the NFA has rested since 1934. Therefore, we again urge the Department of Justice to adopt and advance Congress\u2019s stated position in all litigation concerning these provisions, to ensure that congressional intent is accurately represented and upheld before the courts.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn fact, when Congress reduced the Obamacare penalty to $0 during President Trump\u2019s first term, the Department of Justice refused to defend the underlying flawed law. The Department is fully empowered to decline to defend statutory provisions that no longer rest on a valid constitutional basis. It has exercised that authority before, and it must do so again here \u2013 this time in defense of Americans\u2019 Second Amendment rights.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nThanks to Senator Daines\u2019 efforts in the Senate, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act contained a provision that reduced the $200 excise tax on suppressors, SBRs, SBS, and AOWs for the first time ever. By eliminating the NFA tax on certain firearms, it was the intent of those who worked to include the provision to repeal the transfer and registration requirements under the NFA for these firearms as well. Despite this intent, the DOJ has chosen to defend the constitutionality of the zero-dollar tax in court.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-applauds-passage-bill-delist-gray-wolf", "Downing Applauds Passage of Bill to Delist Gray Wolf", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following his vote supporting passage of H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.\n\n\u201cMontanans should be able to secure their herds, crops, and personal safety without fear of undue legal repercussions,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cAs written, the ESA makes the gray wolf out to be a liability to avoid, not a resource to be protected. It is critical that we trust the science and look towards a more precise conservation approach when dealing with unique populations. I was proud to support this measure today and look forward to seeing it signed into law.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nWatch Congressman Downing\u2019s remarks in support of H.R. 845 here or by clicking on the image above.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-daines-sheehy-introduce-bill-increase-access-public-lands-improve", "Downing, Daines, Sheehy Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Public Lands, Improve Forest Management", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), alongside U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, introduced the \u201cMontana Sportsmen Conservation Act.\u201d The bill returns three Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) to general management. Each WSA is recommended for release by their respective agency\u2019s land and resource management plan revisions and retains certain protections for these WSA\u2019s while providing more flexibility for land managers to mitigate wildfire risk, restore wildlife habitat, and increase sportsmen access.\n\n\u201cLand management must be fit for purpose, and the science shows that the Hoodoo Mountain, Wales Creek, and Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Areas would be better served without their WSA designations. I\u2019m proud to lead the effort in the House to return these lands to general management, unlocking public access and breaking down barriers preventing effective stewardship. I look forward to working with Senators Daines and Sheehy to get this commonsense measure across the finish line,\u201d said Downing.\n\n\u201cAs a lifelong sportsman, increasing access to Montana\u2019s great outdoors is one of my top priorities. The \u2018Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act\u2019 promotes our outdoor way of life by returning restrictive WSA\u2019s to general public land management, which will improve wildlife habitat restoration, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and unlock better access to public lands. I look forward to working with Senator Sheehy, Representative Zinke, and Representative Downing to get this bill across the finish line,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cIncreasing access to our public lands and conserving the open spaces that we all enjoy, define our way of life, and create our shared heritage is something we can all agree on, and that\u2019s exactly what the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act delivers. Working to combat wildfire risk, better steward our lands, improve wildlife habitat, and continue to protect our right to hunt, fish, and recreate on our public lands is Montana common sense, and I\u2019m proud to stand with Senator Daines in this critical mission,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe three Wilderness Study Areas Daines\u2019 bill would return to general public land management are the Middle Fork Judith WSA, the Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and the Wales Creek WSA.\n\nThe bill has garnered support across the state- read letters of support below.\n\nJudith Basin County Commissioners\n\nPowell County Commissioners\n\nMontana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife\n\nMontana Farm Bureau Federation\n\nGreat Falls Bicycle Club\n\nMontana Outfitters and Guides Association\n\nThis bill is also supported by Montana Logging Association and Montana Snowmobiles Association.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/18/daines-heinrich-bill-completing-continental-divide-national-scenic-trail-one-step-closer-to-becoming-law/", "Daines-Heinrich Bill Completing Continental Divide National Scenic Trail One Step Closer to Becoming Law", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bipartisan bill directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is the co-lead on Daines\u2019 bill.\n\n\u201cOur outdoor way of life is something that brings Montanans together, and as an avid hiker and backpacker myself, completing the Continental Divide Trail is a huge win for our state. It will support local jobs, boost economic development for gateway communities, and increase public access to Montana\u2019s natural beauty. I\u2019m thrilled to see my bill pass out of committee and will fight to get it across the finish line,\u201d said Daines.\n\nBackground:\n\nDesignated by Congress as part of the National Trail System in 1978, the CDT stretches more than 3,000 miles and passes through Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Idaho. The trail follows the Continental Divide and transverses some of the nation\u2019s most treasured natural, historic, and cultural resources.\n\nDaines has been fighting to complete the trail since 2022- read past press releases HERE and HERE.\n\nThe Continental Divide Trail Completion Act would:\n\nDirect the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Trail Completion Team\n\nRecognize the value of cooperation between federal land managers, states, Tribes, towns, and others\n\nEnsure that eminent domain will not be used to complete the trail\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-bill-provide-regulatory-clarity-fixed-income-market-takes-next-step", "Downing Bill to Provide Regulatory Clarity for the Fixed-Income Market Takes Next Step Toward Becoming Law", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing\u2019s (MT-02) H.R. 3959, the Protecting Private Job Creators Act, was reported favorably out of the House Financial Services Committee in a 41-11 bipartisan vote, taking a critical step toward becoming law.\n\nThis bill exempts fixed-income securities from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 15c2-11, protecting American jobs and providing regulatory clarity for the U.S. market for fixed income securities.\n\n\u201cSecurities regulation must be fit for purpose or risk harming the very markets it is meant to protect,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cThe SEC\u2019s rule 15c2-11 is one such case where a misinterpretation of financial regulation has left the market for fixed-income securities worse off, threatening reduced liquidity and harm to private capital formation. I\u2019m proud of the bipartisan support this legislation received today and look forward to getting it across the finish line.\u201d\n\nRead text of the Protecting Private Job Creators Acthere.\n\nImage\n\nWatch Congressman Downing\u2019s remarks in support of H.R. 3959 here or by clicking on the image above.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe SEC adopted Rule 15c2-11 to protect investors from fraud in the over-the-counter (OTC) market.\n\nIn a 2021 no-action letter, SEC staff explained that they intended to begin enforcing the Rule in fixed-income markets, a reversal of 50 years of regulatory practice.\n\nApplying the Rule to fixed-income markets would deter dealers from offering a wide range of fixed income securities to investors.\n\nA 2022 study found that applying the Rule to fixed-income securities would result in 30,000 fewer jobs each year over the next five years, 50,000 fewer jobs each year over the following five years, and 100,000 fewer jobs each year thereafter, decreasing U.S. GDP by $100 billion over the next ten years.\n\nDespite halting enforcement action related to the 2021 no-action letter, the SEC has yet to provide updated regulatory clarity regarding the Rule.\n\nRep. Downing\u2019s bipartisan Protecting Private Job Creators Act exempts fixed-income securities from the Rule, protecting American jobs and providing regulatory clarity for the U.S. market for fixed income securities.\n\nSupporting organizations include the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), National Association of Manufacturers, American Securities Association, Investment Adviser Association, CRE Finance Council,US Chamber of Commerce, Loan Syndications and Trading Association, Structured Finance Association, Bond Dealers of America, Investment Company Institute, and Managed Funds Association.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-31T05:33:41Z", "2026-03-31T05:34:51Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/17/daines-on-fox-business-obamacare-is-inefficient-and-overpriced-let-the-patients-have-the-power/", "Daines on Fox Business:\u00a0Obamacare is Inefficient and Overpriced, Let the Patients Have the Power", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Fox Business to discuss the failures of Obamacare.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on preventing another government shutdown:\n\nI hope we don\u2019t have another shutdown. It\u2019s possible if we can\u2019t get cooperation. January 30th is the key date, that\u2019s what the CR extends to. But we\u2019re working very hard right now on the Republican side and the Democrat side, to their credit, to come to together and get these last appropriation bills voted on and passed. So, I\u2019m cautiously optimistic, Larry, we\u2019re going to get the work done. We\u2019ll get a lot of this finished up this week, perhaps, and then use January to finish it up. Fingers crossed, Larry, that we\u2019re in a better spot than we were, certainly in September. That\u2019s why just like what happened with the Schumer Shutdown, we needed eight Democrats to join us to get the government opened up again. And as I\u2019ve always said, Larry, shutdowns begin with a bang, and they end with a whimper. They put their hand on the stove and eventually it doesn\u2019t feel very good, you start having the flying public interfering with air traffic control. Democrats finally said, okay, enough is enough and we got the shutdown stopped. I was proud of the Republican team. We held firm. You shouldn\u2019t be allowed to take a government shutdown hostage in an appropriation debate, and let\u2019s hope and pray as we go through January this nonsense won\u2019t happen again in Washington, and we\u2019ll get this work done.\n\nDaines on the failures of Obamacare:\n\nI\u2019m not sure they [Senate Democrats] want to solve this problem. What I hear quietly from folks across the aisle is they want to have this continue into the 2026 election because they think this is a winning issue for them. Sadly, frankly, because the American people are being harmed. You look at Obamacare premiums are up half again as much as private health care insurance over the same period of time of the last decade. Anytime the government steps in and it takes over something, it drives inefficiency and higher cost. It\u2019s all about providing more choice to the patient. Think about the idea of associations. The Democrats in affordable care do not to put associations again. For example, Costco could have their own health care with 70 million Costco members. They could put together some kind of association plan. Let people have the freedom associations where they could drive lower costs. Another problem is these subsidies the Democrats are fighting to protect. They go directly to the insurance [companies] versus to the consumer. That\u2019s what we proposed in our plan, is send that to HSA accounts. Let the consumer, let the patient have the power of deciding what to do with the way dollars are spent. It\u2019s one of the most expensive economic transactions in your household budget. Why can\u2019t the consumer or the patient be in charge versus insurance companies [and] the government?\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/17/daines-secures-major-montana-wins-in-national-defense-authorization-act/", "Daines Secures Major Montana Wins in National Defense Authorization Act", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Bill Includes Pay Raise for Troops, Improvements to Housing Benefits, Support for the Mission at Malmstrom\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that several of his legislative priorities passed the Senate in the \u201cNational Defense Authorization Act\u201d (NDAA), including a pay raise for troops, improvements to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) authorities, critical funding for the mission at Malmstrom, and construction authorizations for the Montana National Guard. The NDAA will now head to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s military is the best fighting force in the world and Montana service members are the best warriors in the country. This bill ensures our military maintains President Trump\u2019s \u2018peace through strength\u2019 strategy by giving our troops a much-deserved pay raise, providing improvements to the Basic Allowance for Housing, travel reimbursement for the National Guard, and providing funding for Malmstrom Air Force Base,\u201d said Daines.\n\nMontana wins in the NDAA:\n\n3.8 percent pay raise for military service members\n\nModernizes military BAH to help recognize Montana housing costs\n\nProtects Malmstrom ICBM mission from missile and force reductions\n\nAuthorizes improvements to on-base family housing\n\nConstruction developments for Weapons Storage Facility in Malmstrom\n\nMaintains Daines\u2019 2024 NDAA provision ensuring Reserve and National Guard troops are reimbursed for travel expenses\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/17/daines-sheehy-downing-introduce-bill-to-increase-access-to-public-lands-improve-forest-management/", "Daines, Sheehy, Downing Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Public Lands, Improve Forest Management", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) today introduced the \u201cMontana Sportsmen Conservation Act.\u201d The bill returns three Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) to general management.Each WSA is recommended for release by their respective agency\u2019s land and resource management plan revisions and retains certain protections for these WSA\u2019s while providing more flexibility for land managers to mitigate wildfire risk, restore wildlife habitat, and increase sportsmen access.\n\n\u201cAs a lifelong sportsman, increasing access to Montana\u2019s great outdoors is one of my top priorities. The \u2018Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act\u2019 promotes our outdoor way of life by returning restrictive WSA\u2019s to general public land management, which will improve wildlife habitat restoration, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and unlock better access to public lands. I look forward to working with Senator Sheehy, Representative Zinke, and Representative Downing to get this bill across the finish line,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cIncreasing access to our public lands and conserving the open spaces that we all enjoy, define our way of life, and create our shared heritage is something we can all agree on, and that\u2019s exactly what the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act delivers. Working to combat wildfire risk, better steward our lands, improve wildlife habitat, and continue to protect our right to hunt, fish, and recreate on our public lands is Montana common sense, and I\u2019m proud to stand with Senator Daines in this critical mission,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\n\u201cLand management must be fit for purpose, and the science shows that the Hoodoo Mountain, Wales Creek, and Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Areas would be better served without their WSA designations. I\u2019m proud to lead the effort in the House to return these lands to general management, unlocking public access and breaking down barriers preventing effective stewardship. I look forward to working with Senators Daines and Sheehy to get this commonsense measure across the finish line,\u201d said Downing.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nDaines originally introduced the \u201cMontana Sportsman Conservation Act\u201d in 2023. Read the release HERE and watch the hearing where he announced the bill HERE.\n\nThe three Wilderness Study Areas Daines\u2019 bill would return to general public land management are the Middle Fork Judith WSA, the Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and the Wales Creek WSA.\n\nThe bill has garnered support across the state- read letters of support below.\n\nJudith Basin County Commissioners\n\nPowell County Commissioners\n\nMontana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife\n\nMontana Farm Bureau Federation\n\nGreat Falls Bicycle Club\n\nMontana Outfitters and Guides Association\n\nThis bill is also supported by Montana Logging Association and Montana Snowmobiles Association.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-daines-sheehy-request-presidential-emergency-declaration-northwest", "Zinke, Daines, Sheehy Request Presidential Emergency Declaration for Northwest Montana", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, as well as U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, today sent a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Greg Gianforte\u2019s emergency declaration request for Lincoln County, Sanders County, and the Blackfeet Tribe following a catastrophic severe storm and flooding event.\n\n\u201cOn December 10-11, 2025, intense rainfall combined with snowmelt caused major flooding in Lincoln and Sanders County as well as on Blackfeet tribal land in Northwest Montana. Rivers in the area experienced flood stages of between 7.5 feet and 8.3 feet and caused major infrastructure damage, making multiple bridges impassable and causing the failure of the Lower Flower Creek Dam which regulates water distribution to the city of Libby. The failure of the Lower Flower Creek Dam has significantly disrupted water delivery operations in Libby, and emergency action was required to prevent further structural failure of the dam. As a result of that preventative action, water delivered to the city of Libby has a turbidity level above safe consumption standards, and elevated levels of metals in the water threaten to require a \u201cdo not consume\u201d order. Northwest Montana\u2019s communities are facing the prospect of repairing damaged infrastructure without access to potable water.\n\n\u201cThe State of Montana needs assistance in first addressing the immediate crisis regarding the impacted dam near the city of Libby, as well as financial assistance to offset the costs of infrastructure stabilization and repair. We urge you to promptly approve this request for an emergency declaration and look forward to your timely response,\u201d they wrote in the letter.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/15/daines-sheehy-applaud-announcement-of-new-u-s-patent-and-trademark-community-engagement-office-in-bozeman/", "Daines, Sheehy Applaud Announcement of New U.S. Patent and Trademark Community Engagement Office in Bozeman", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today applauded the selection of Bozeman, Montana, as the site for a new U.S. Patent and Trademark Community Engagement Office. The decision by the U.S. Department Commerce comes after Daines and Sheehy wrote a letter to Secretary Lutnick requesting an office in Montana. The office is the first of its kind in the western United States.\n\n\u201cMontana\u2019s place as a leader in technology innovation is further solidified with the announcement of the new Patent and Trademark Community Outreach Office coming to Bozeman. Governor Gianforte\u2019s leadership and vision combined with Montana\u2019s exceptional workforce made this announcement possible,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cThanks to the gritty, hardworking spirit of our talented people, Montana is a national leader for technological innovation and the perfect place for this new office. With the Trump Administration\u2019s visionary leadership and strong support, this partnership will create high-paying Montana jobs, support Montana businesses, and strengthen Montana communities. The future is bright, and I know Montana will continue leading from the front to secure America\u2019s technological and economic dominance in the 21st century,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\nRead their letter HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/12/daines-on-nonstop-local-made-in-montana-energy-is-back/", "Daines on Nonstop Local: Made-In-Montana Energy Is Back", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Nonstop Local to discuss President Trump overturning President Biden\u2019s anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan. Daines led the legislation President Trump signed into law.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines: Made-In-Montana energy is back. President Trump meant what he said when he campaigned and said we\u2019ve got to bring back more Made-In-America energy. We just unlocked two million acres of eastern Montana land that the Biden administration at the 11th hour, as they were going out the door, locked it all up, preventing any new coal leases. This is bringing more Made-In-Montana energy. We need more baseload power, we need more affordable energy. This is a big win for Montana\u2026\n\n\u2026Let\u2019s not forget the important role that coal plays in our tax base. It\u2019s $4 billion in future revenue. At a time when we are all stretched in terms of tax burden, this helps share the tax burden here by ensuring that we\u2019ve got the ability to expand our energy production, and you know what, they pay a lot of taxes\u2026\n\n\u2026The environmental lobby wants to keep everything in the ground. They don\u2019t want to cut down another tree, or mine any new copper or any new coal. We are called the Treasure State for a reason. We are rich in natural resources. We\u2019ve got to do this to have the jobs, low costs, affordable energy, and the bottom line is, we can both maintain the highest environmental standards (clean air and clean water) and responsibly mine our natural resources.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/12/icymi-daily-caller-exclusive-gop-montana-lawmakers-celebrate-as-trump-demolishes-biden-era-assault-on-their-resources/", "ICYMI: Daily Caller EXCLUSIVE: GOP Montana Lawmakers Celebrate As Trump Demolishes Biden-Era Assault On Their Resources", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines yesterday announced that President Trump signed his bill overturning Biden\u2019s anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment. Read highlights from the story below.\n\nEXCLUSIVE: GOP Montana Lawmakers Celebrate As Trump Demolishes Biden-Era Assault On Their Resources\n\nDaily Caller\n\nAudrey Streb\n\nDecember 11th, 2025\n\nPresident Donald Trump signed Montana lawmakers\u2019 bill to unleash mining in the state on Thursday, demolishing a Biden-era plan that held the coal-rich region hostage.\n\nSponsored by Montana Republican Reps. Troy Downing and Ryan Zinke as well as Republican Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, the resolution nixes the Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which blocked coal development across almost two million acres in Montana and shut down future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. More than 40% of America\u2019s coal came from the Powder River Basin in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, though the Biden administration effectively blocked future coal leasing in the key region following a legal battle with local green groups.\n\nDaines\u2019 office told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the resolution has garnered widespread support, including from Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte.\n\n\u201cToday marks a massive win for both Montana and the nation. Biden\u2019s disastrous Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that would\u2019ve blocked future coal leasing on two million acres of land, stifled job growth and caused the loss of over $4.3 billion in future revenue to our state,\u201d Daines told the DCNF. \u201cBut now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden\u2019s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back. Thank you President Trump for fighting for Made-In-Montana energy and for protecting America\u2019s energy dominance.\u201d\n\nRead the full article in the Daily Caller HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sheehy-lujan-introduce-bill-to-provide-free-national-parks-passes-to-law-enforcement-wildland-firefighters/", "Sheehy, Luj\u00e1n Introduce Bill to Provide Free National Parks Passes to Law Enforcement, Wildland Firefighters", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Tim Sheehy", "S001232", "www.sheehy.senate.gov", "sheehy", "https://www.sheehy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 Senators Tim Sheehy and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.) introduced the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act, a bill to provide free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to law enforcement officers and firefighters, including wildland firefighters. The bill ensures those who ensure the security and protection of these recreation spaces for Americans across the country are able to access them at no cost.\n\n\u201cCountless firefighters and law enforcement officials across our nation work day and night, year-round to keep our communities, national parks, and public lands safe for American families. It\u2019s only right that we ensure these heroes can enjoy these treasured landscapes free of charge, and I\u2019m proud to lead this commonsense, bipartisan bill in the Senate,\u201d said Senator Sheehy.\n\n\u201cIn New Mexico and across the country, our law enforcement officers and firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. I\u2019m proud to partner with Senator Sheehy to introduce bipartisan legislation that would allow law enforcement officers and firefighters to enjoy National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands free of charge. Whether it\u2019s visiting White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, or New Mexico\u2019s vast Federal Recreational Lands, allowing these heroes to visit for free is a simple way for us to say: thank you,\u201d said Senator Luj\u00e1n.\n\nSenators Sheehy and Luj\u00e1n were joined by Senators Cassidy (R-La.), Crapo (R-ID), and Risch (R-ID) in introducing the Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act. The House of Representatives companion to the bill was introduced by Representative Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and passed the House under suspension of the rules in July of this year.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder current law, members of the Armed Services and their dependents are provided free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes. These passes cover entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at recreation areas managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE). Law enforcement officers and firefighters are currently not eligible for a free annual pass unless they are members of the Armed Services, veterans, or a Gold Star family member.\n\nThe Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter Recreation Pass Act amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide free annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes to law enforcement officers and firefighters, including wildland firefighters. This bill ensures that those who are often tasked with ensuring the security and protection of recreation spaces that Americans across the country enjoy will be able to access them at no cost.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-bill-expand-access-capital-rural-small-businesses-included-invest-act", "Downing  Bill to Expand Access to Capital for Rural Small Businesses Included in INVEST Act", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following the passage of H.R. 3383, the Increasing Investor Opportunities Act (INVEST Act), which includes his Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act.\n\n\u201cRural small businesses are the backbone of Central and Eastern Montana,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cBy including my Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, the INVEST Act directs the SEC\u2019s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to finally give rural Main Street the attention and support it deserves. I\u2019m proud to have championed this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.\u201d\n\nRead more about Congressman Downing\u2019s Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act:\n\nThe SEC\u2019s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation is required to identify problems that small businesses face when securing access to capital and submit an annual report to Congress.\n\nCurrently, the Office\u2019s list of applicable entities are minority-owned, women-owned, and disaster-stricken small businesses.\n\nThis legislation would require the SEC\u2019s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to add rural small businesses to its list of applicable entities.\n\nRead more about the INVEST Act:\n\nExpands access to capital for small businesses by cutting red tape, updating outdated investment thresholds, and ensuring that capital reaches beyond Wall Street and Silicon Valley to entrepreneurs across the heartland.\n\nIncreases opportunities for investors by modernizing the accredited investor definition, opening up investment options, and protecting seniors from financial fraud and exploitation.\n\nStrengthens public markets by streamlining disclosure requirements, providing businesses more flexible avenues to raise capital, and modernizing how companies test the market before initial public offerings (IPOs).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-daines-bill-unlock-montana-mining-signed-law-president-trump", "Downing,\u00a0Daines\u00a0Bill to Unlock Montana Mining Signed into Law by President Trump", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today announced that President Trump signed their bill that unlocks Eastern Montana mining into law. The bill removes the harmful Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which will further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cWith the signing of my bill to permanently roll back burdensome restrictions on coal leasing for the nation\u2019s largest deposit, we aren\u2019t just meeting the demands of today, we\u2019re ensuring that we can power our country\u2019s future. We are also making sure that subsequent administrations cannot undo the good work of the current one, safeguarding American energy independence. I thank Senator Daines and the entire Montana Congressional Delegation for their leadership and look forward to seeing this legislation bring revenue and jobs back to the Treasure State.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday marks a massive win for both Montana and the nation. Biden\u2019s disastrous Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that would\u2019ve blocked future coal leasing on two million acres of land, stifled job growth and caused the loss of over $4.3 billion in future revenue to our state,\u201d said Senator Daines. \u201cBut now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden\u2019s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back. Thank you President Trump for fighting for Made-In-Montana energy and for protecting America\u2019s energy dominance.\u201d\n\n\u201cThanks to President Trump for signing this bill into law and putting an end to radical Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support,\u201d said Senator Sheehy. \u201cTogether, we are delivering the America First, commonsense policies Montanans voted for to achieve American energy dominance, create jobs, and make energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again. I\u2019ll continue working alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to unleash Montana\u2019s resource economy, protect Montana jobs, and bring prosperity to rural Montana communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation will lower energy costs by unlocking Montana\u2019s vast natural resources and brings security to the jobs of the hardworking men and women who mine in Montana,\u201d said Congressman Zinke. \u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s Miles City MRPA would have restricted coal leasing on over two million acres, driving up energy prices and costing Montana millions in revenue. Thanks to President Trump and our Montana delegation, that won\u2019t happen. This is another success in the fight to make energy more affordable and protect the families who depend on it.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nDowning and Daines introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution with Sheehy and Zinke in July 2025. Read the release here. See Downing and Daines\u2019 video statement here.\n\nThe bill has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. Read Governor Gianforte\u2019s letter of support here. See additional quotes of support here.\n\nThe Biden administration\u2019s Miles City RMPA made nearly two million acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. It also would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-downing-daines-introduce-bill-support-irrigation-protect-montana", "ICYMI:  Downing,\u00a0Daines\u00a0Introduce Bill to Support Irrigation, Protect Montana Endangered Species", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the \u201cLower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act.\u201d The bill reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel, built to support the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Downing and Daines\u2019 bill provides critical protections for irrigators, ensuring that local communities are not unfairly charged for federal projects and are protected from bearing the costs of long-term conservation efforts.\n\n\u201cThis bill provides a common sense solution to what should be a common sense issue on the Lower Yellowstone River,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cIt's good for irrigators, good for taxpayers, good for the sturgeon, and ensures long-term operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel in Eastern Montana. I\u2019m proud to have such a great partner in Senator Daines to champion this legislation and look forward to getting it across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cMontana\u2019s local communities should not be unfairly burdened by costly federal projects,'\u201c said Senator Daines. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to work alongside Representative Downing to introduce the \u2018Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act,\u2019 which will help protect Montana\u2019s endangered species and provide essential operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel.\u201d\n\nRead bill text here.\n\nBackground:\n\nAuthorized in 2007 and built by Bureau of Reclamation, the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel mitigates harm to the endangered pallid sturgeon and lies outside the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. While LYIP repays irrigation infrastructure costs, the bypass's repair needs stem from federal obligations and LYIP believes they should not (and cannot afford) to reimburse BOR for repair and maintenance costs. In the winter often minivan-sized pieces of ice crash into these bypasses causing extensive damage that the LYIP cannot afford to repair.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/11/daines-downing-bill-to-unlock-montana-mining-signed-into-law-by-president-trump/", "Daines, Downing Bill to Unlock Montana Mining Signed into Law by President Trump", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cToday Marks A Massive Win for Montana and the Nation\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today announced that President Trump signed their bill into law that unlocks Eastern Montana mining. The bill removes the harmful Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which will further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy.\n\n\u201cToday marks a massive win for both Montana and the nation. Biden\u2019s disastrous Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that would\u2019ve blocked future coal leasing on two million acres of land, stifled job growth and caused the loss of over $4.3 billion in future revenue to our state. But now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden\u2019s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back. Thank you President Trump for fighting for Made-In-Montana energy and for protecting America\u2019s energy dominance,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cThanks to President Trump for signing this bill into law and putting an end to radical Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support. Together, we are delivering the America First, commonsense policies Montanans voted for to achieve American energy dominance, create jobs, and make energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again. I\u2019ll continue working alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to unleash Montana\u2019s resource economy, protect Montana jobs, and bring prosperity to rural Montana communities,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age. With the signing of my bill to permanently roll back burdensome restrictions on coal leasing for the nation\u2019s largest deposit, we aren\u2019t just meeting the demands of today, we\u2019re ensuring that we can power our country\u2019s future. We are also making sure that subsequent administrations cannot undo the good work of the current one, safeguarding American energy independence. I thank Senator Daines and the entire Montana Congressional Delegation for their leadership and look forward to seeing this legislation bring revenue and jobs back to the Treasure State,\u201d said Downing.\n\n\u201cThis legislation will lower energy costs by unlocking Montana\u2019s vast natural resources and brings security to the jobs of the hardworking men and women who mine in Montana. The Biden administration\u2019s Miles City MRPA would have restricted coal leasing on over two million acres, driving up energy prices and costing Montana millions in revenue. Thanks to President Trump and our Montana delegation, that won\u2019t happen. This is another success in the fight to make energy more affordable and protect the families who depend on it,\u201d said Zinke.\n\nBackground:\n\nDaines introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution with Sheehy, Downing and Zinke in July 2025- read the release HERE. See Daines\u2019 release when the resolution passed the U.S. Senate HERE. Read Daines\u2019 statement when the resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives HERE and see Daines\u2019 and Downing\u2019s video statement HERE.\n\nThe bill has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. Read Governor Gianforte\u2019s letter of support HERE. See additional quotes of support HERE.\n\nThe Biden administration\u2019s Miles City RMPA made nearly two million acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. It also would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/11/daines-sheehy-bill-ensuring-crow-tribe-water-rights-passes-u-s-senate/", "Daines, Sheehy Bill Ensuring\u00a0Crow\u00a0Tribe\u00a0Water\u00a0Rights Passes U.S. Senate", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today announced that their bill, the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill ensures the Crow Tribe\u2019s ability to successfully implement the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 and will ensure the tribe has access to clean water.\n\n\u201cAccess to clean water is a basic necessity, and the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendment will ensure Montana\u2019s Crow Tribe has the resources they need to deliver clean water to communities on the reservation and complete critical energy development projects. This has been a longstanding priority of mine, so I\u2019m thrilled to see the bill pass the U.S. Senate and will keep fighting to get it passed through the House of Representatives,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cEnsuring our tribal partners have the support they need to access clean water and develop critical infrastructure to spur economic growth is common sense, and that\u2019s what the Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendment delivers. I\u2019m glad to see this pass the Senate and will keep working with the Montana delegation to make life more safe, prosperous, and affordable for all Montanans,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe \u201cCrow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act\u201d of 2009 settled the Crow Tribe\u2019s water rights and authorized $460 million to construct a water system for the tribe. The \u201cCrow Tribe Water Rights Settlements Amendments Act\u201d would update the previous settlement to be fund-based rather than project-based, and also extends the authorization for the Tribe to develop hydropower on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam until 2030, providing clean energy and an economic boost to the community.\n\nClick HERE for bill text and HERE for a summary of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-applauds-authorization-sentinel-project-funding-ndaa", "Downing Applauds Authorization of Sentinel Project Funding in NDAA", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following his vote supporting the passage of S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes the authorization of $3,847,563,000 in funding for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrence Program (Sentinel) for FY26.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, America is being called upon to deliver peace through strength,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cWith this mandate comes no shortage of adversaries who wish our great nation harm. That\u2019s why today, I supported legislation that invests in our national security by authorizing funding for the Sentinel program at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Sentinel is a cornerstone of America\u2019s land based nuclear deterrence and brings highly specialized jobs to Great Falls. I\u2019m proud of this vote and will always put our men and women in uniform first.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/10/daines-downing-introduce-bill-to-support-irrigation-protect-montana-endangered-species/", "Daines, Downing Introduce Bill to Support Irrigation, Protect Montana Endangered Species", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) today introduced the \u201cLower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act.\u201d The bill reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel, built to support the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Daines\u2019 bill provides critical protections for irrigators, ensuring that local communities are not unfairly charged for federal projects and are protected from bearing the costs of long-term conservation efforts.\n\n\u201cMontana\u2019s local communities should not be unfairly burdened by costly federal projects. I\u2019m thrilled to work alongside Representative Downing to introduce the \u2018Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act,\u2019 which will help protect Montana\u2019s endangered species and provide essential operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cThis bill provides a common sense solution to what should be a common sense issue on the Lower Yellowstone River. It\u2019s good for irrigators, good for taxpayers, good for the sturgeon, and ensures long-term operational and financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel in Eastern Montana. I\u2019m proud to have such a great partner in Senator Daines to champion this legislation and look forward to getting it across the finish line,\u201d said Downing.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nAuthorized in 2007 and built by Bureau of Reclamation, the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel mitigates harm to the endangered pallid sturgeon and lies outside the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. While LYIP repays irrigation infrastructure costs, the bypass\u2019s repair needs stem from federal obligations and LYIP believes they should not (and cannot afford) to reimburse BOR for repair and maintenance costs. In the winter often minivan-sized pieces of ice crash into these bypasses causing extensive damage that the LYIP cannot afford to repair.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-announces-2025-service-academy-nominees", "Downing Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominees", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) announced his principle nominations to United States Service Academies for the year 2025.\n\nThe application process is open to high school juniors annually and includes a rigorous vetting process. Downing\u2019s office received 19 submissions. Click here to learn more about the academy nomination process.\n\n\u201cThe size and quality of this year\u2019s applicant pool speak volumes of the patriotism and talent of Montana\u2019s next generation,\u201dsaid Congressman Downing. \u201cI was proud to see so many young men and women from across the Second District take an interest in our Academies and in service to our country. I wish this year\u2019s nominees and all of our applicants the best of luck in their future endeavors. You bring honor upon yourselves, your state, and your country.\u201d\n\nSee below for a list of principal nominees from the Office of Congressman Troy Downing:\n\nU.S. Naval Academy: Colton Bush, Billings West High School\n\nU.S. Military Academy: William Wallace, Billings West High School\n\nU.S. Air Force Academy: Anna Dewell, Joliet High School\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-supports-bill-reauthorize-secure-rural-schools-program", "Downing Supports Bill to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following his vote supporting passage of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bill would extend the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program through Fiscal Year 2026 and provide lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025.\n\n\u201cMontana\u2019s students and teachers lost out on millions in funding when Congress failed to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Program,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cAs a former educator, I understand that every penny counts when it comes to the classroom. I was proud to support this measure today that ensures rural communities in central and eastern Montana have the funds they need to provide the best education for our next generation.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe first SRS program was authorized in 2000 with the enactment of the SRS and Community Self-Determination Act.\n\nThis legislation specifically assists counties containing tracts of federally owned forest land that are tax-exempt.\n\nThe program provides payments to county governments in areas where those forests are located because counties do not receive tax revenue from federal land; the payments come through timber receipts and other revenue generating activities within U.S. national forests.\n\nCongressman Downing joined Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa and several of his colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to House leadership requesting urgent reauthorization of the SRS program. Read the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/09/daines-chairs-senate-national-parks-subcommittee-hearing/", "Daines Chairs Senate National Parks Subcommittee Hearing", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Advocates For Bill Keeping National Cemeteries Open on Federal Holidays\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today chaired a Senate National Parks subcommittee hearing, where he spoke with Mike Caldwell from the National Park Service and urged his colleagues to support his bill requiring national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays.\n\nWatch his opening remarks HERE.\n\nDaines\u2019 opening remarks:\n\nToday\u2019s subcommittee hearing is the first in the 119th Congress. I want to thank my co-chair, Senator King, for joining me today. I look forward to continuing our long streak of bipartisan work. Specifically, I am excited to continue our work on reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund to address Park Service deferred maintenance in our strongly bipartisan America the Beautiful Act.\n\nThe Legacy Restoration Fund has been a historic investment in our parks and public lands. I look forward to working with Chairman Lee and Ranking Member Heinrich as well as all my colleagues to get our America the Beautiful Act to President Trump\u2019s desk before the country\u2019s 250th birthday on July 4th. On today\u2019s agenda we have 26 bills, many of which are bipartisan or have the support from the state delegation. I am excited to hear more about S.290, the Making National Parks Safer Act, led by Senators Barrasso and King. One of the first hearings I led as Chairman of the Parks Subcommittee was on \u201cEncouraging the Next Generation to Visit the Parks\u201d where we talked about technology in the parks including emergency communications and digital park passes. We have made progress since that hearing in 2015, Senator King and I were successful in getting our bill signed into law last year to allow a digital America the Beautiful Pass, but we still have significant issues with emergency communications. I look forward to hearing how this bill will help expand next-generation 9-1-1 and other emergency communications systems. Finally, I want to mention one bill that\u2019s not on today\u2019s agenda but has important Park Service equities. S. 1858, requires National Cemeteries, including those administered by the National Park Service, to be open to visitors during federal holidays so family and friends can visit their loved ones during special remembrance days. S.1858 was referred to the Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs but as it mandates cemeteries administered by the Park Service to remain open, and specifically the Custer National Cemetery in Montana, I wanted to flag this important bill for the Park Service\u2019s review and support.\n\nDaines on his bill to keep national cemeteries open on federal holidays:\n\nDaines: As I discussed my opening statement, Senate Bill 1858 requires the Park Service to keep the 14 national cemeteries you administer open during federal holidays. This has been a persistent issue in Montana where the Custer National Cemetery has been closed on important remembrance days like Christmas and Memorial Day itself. My question is, do you agree that national cemeteries should remain open so family and friends of service members can visit their loved ones and allow for patriotic activities such as wreaths across America to honor fallen service members and warriors on important holidays?\n\nCaldwell: Yes, Senator.\n\nWatch their full exchange HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/05/daines-urges-opm-to-end-taxpayer-funded-abortions-in-congressional-health-plans/", "Daines Urges OPM to End Taxpayer-Funded Abortions in Congressional Health Plans", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) urging compliance with the Smith Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for an elective abortion under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. OPM has long violated the Smith Amendment by offering health care plans to Members of Congress and congressional staff that cover elective abortions.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to stop the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from administering government contributions for Members of Congress and Congressional staff in connection with health insurance plans that cover elective abortion, in violation of the longstanding Smith (NJ) Amendment.\n\n\u2026 This longstanding provision of law restricts OPM from administering government contributions in connection with any health plan for federal employees that covers elective abortion.\n\nHowever, OPM is currently subsidizing plans that cover elective abortion in clear violation of the Smith Amendment\u2026 In plan year 2019, 87% percent of the Gold level plans on the DC SHOP covered elective abortion. Only 9 out of 67 plans excluded such coverage.\n\n\u2026 Taxpayers, who contribute 72 to 75 percent of these health benefit premiums, do not want their hard-earned tax dollars to pay for abortions. The Smith Amendment does not allow Members of Congress and Congressional staff to operate under a different set of rules than other federal employees when it comes to taxpayer funding of abortion. For 2026, there are only two health plans offered through DC Health Link that do not cover abortion, CareFirst\u2019s BluePreferred PPO Gold and United Healthcare\u2019s Choice Plus Gold.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to working with you to ensure the health and safety of the American people,\u201d he wrote in the letter.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/04/daines-announces-2025-service-academy-nominees/", "Daines Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominees", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his nomination of four Montana students applying for enrollment to U.S. military academies.\n\n\u201cAs the son of a U.S. Marine, it is an honor and a privilege to nominate outstanding young Montanans to compete for an appointment to the United States service academies. All of these students demonstrate outstanding leadership, high moral character, and a commitment to excellence. I wish them the best as they seek to serve our country,\u201d said Daines.\n\nA congressional nomination is a critical step in the process for Montanans seeking admission to U.S. military academies. Candidates are considered based on their academic, civic, and athletic abilities, as well as their commitment to community and military service. Click HERE for more information on information on Daines\u2019 student resources.\n\nBelow is the list of Daines\u2019 principal academy nominations:\n\nIvy Cross, from Sidney, attends Sidney High School. She received the Principal Nomination for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.\n\nAva Mallo, from Lavina, attends Lavina High School. She received the Principal Nomination for the U.S. Naval Academy.\n\nIsaiah Roush, from Missoula, attends Sentinel High School. He received the Principal Nomination for the U.S. Air Force Academy.\n\nWade Stohlmann, from Bozeman, attends Bozeman Gallatin High School. He received the Principal Nomination for the U.S. Air Force Academy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/veteran-lawmakers-introduce-resolution-condemning-democrat-lawmakers-reckless", "Veteran Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Condemning Democrat Lawmakers\u2019 Reckless Call for Military Disobedience", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Western Montana Congressman and former Navy SEAL Commander Ryan Zinke and Representative and former Army Sergeant Rick Crawford (AR-01) along with 16 other veteran lawmakers introduced a resolution condemning Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Representatives Jason Crow (CO-06), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Maggie Goodlander (NH-01), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) for publicly urging members of the United States military and intelligence community to independently judge and refuse orders from the Commander in Chief, an action that risks violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and undermining national security.\n\nOn November 18, 2025, the six Members of Congress released a video accusing the Trump Administration of \u201cpitting\u201d the military and intelligence community against American citizens. They urged servicemembers and intelligence professionals to independently judge the legality of presidential orders and pledged to \u201chave their backs\u201d if they refuse to follow directives they personally deem \u201cillegal.\u201d When later pressed for evidence of any unlawful orders, Senator Slotkin admitted she was \u201cnot aware of things [orders] that are illegal,\u201d and others offered no proof to support their claims.\n\nThe resolution states:\n\nDenouncing dangerous and seditious rhetoric by Members of Congress and expressing condemnation of Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Elissa Slotkin, Representative Jason Crow, Representative Christopher Deluzio, Representative Maggie Goodlander, and Representative Chrissy Houlahan for attempting to sow disallegiance amongst members of the United States military and intelligence community and encouraging them to act against the Commander in Chief and President of the United States and violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice.\n\nIt continues:\n\nWhereas Congress, which holds the power to declare war, was so concerned that the chain of command could be undermined by individuals encouraging disloyalty by members of the military that it made it a Federal crime to advise, counsel, urge, or in any manner cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty by any member of the military;\n\nWhereas, in a video posted on November 18, 2025, and widely disseminated across social media and the news, the aforementioned Members of Congress urged the military and intelligence communities to defy \u2018\u2018illegal\u2019\u2019 orders, insinuating, without evidence, that the administration has been issuing these types of orders;\n\nWhereas UCMJ case law has held that orders are presumed lawful, outside of those obviously unlawful, and are \u2018\u2018disobeyed at the peril of the subordinate\u2019\u2019, without consideration to the \u2018\u2018person\u2019s conscience, religion, or personal philosophy\u2019\u2019;\n\nIf adopted the House of Representatives would hold that it\u2026\n\n\u201c\u2026denounces the dangerous and seditious rhetoric spewing from these six Members of Congress that has led to an environment placing troops and their loved ones at risk of harm, compromising and undermining the national security of the United States and the peaceful coexistence and respect deserved by our brave men and women serving in the military and the intelligence community.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is co-sponsored by veteran lawmakers Rick Crawford (AR-01), Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Scott Franklin (FL-18), John McGuire (VA-05), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Keith Self (TX-03), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Jim Baird (IN-04), Barry Moore (AL-01), as well as Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Randy Fine (FL-06), Mike Collins (GA-10), Rick Allen (GA-12), Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Pete Sessions (TX-17), and John H. Rutherford (FL-05).\n\nRead the full resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/03/daines-bill-to-protect-mothers-traveling-with-breast-milk-signed-into-law-by-president-trump/", "Daines\u2019 Bill to Protect Mothers Traveling with Breast Milk Signed into Law by President Trump", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill, the \u201cBABES Enhancement Act,\u201d has been signed into law by President Trump. The bill makes it easier for parents to travel with breast milk and formula and is a major win for families in Montana and across the nation.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see our bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act officially signed into law by President Trump. Being a mom is already a tough job, and this new law will make it easier for mothers to safely transport breast milk and formula while traveling. This is a big win for families, and I\u2019m proud to see it signed into law.\u201d said Daines.\n\nDaines\u2019 bipartisan \u201cBABES Enhancement Act\u201d requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to clarify and regularly update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related breastfeeding products in consultation with leading maternal health groups. The bill will help eliminate risks for mishandled breast milk and breastfeeding supplies as it can become contaminated.\n\nDaines introduced the bill with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in January 2025- read the release HERE.\n\nSpecifically, the bill requires TSA to:\n\nIssue guidance promoting the hygienic handling of any breast milk, baby formula and other infant nutrition products, as well as accessories required to preserve these products;\n\nConsult with nationally recognized maternal health organizations in establishing and communicating this guidance; and\n\nUpdate guidance every five years to respond to emerging needs of parents and to account for developments in technology.\n\nRead more of Daines\u2019 work to support life and families HERE and HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/02/daines-applauds-president-trump-hhs-for-supporting-nursing-homes-in-rural-montana/", "Daines Applauds President Trump, HHS for Supporting Nursing Homes in Rural Montana", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "HHS Overturns Biden-Era \u201cOne-Size-Fits All\u201d Staffing Mandate\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services repealing a Biden-era rule that disproportionately burdened Montana\u2019s rural nursing homes.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement from HHS is a massive win for Montana\u2019s senior citizens, who deserve access to quality long-term care. Biden\u2019s \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d staffing mandate undermined access to care for patients in our rural communities and more than a dozen Montana nursing homes closed during his administration. I\u2019m grateful to President Trump and his administration for putting the needs of our senior citizens first and for recognizing the workforce challenges that our rural communities face,\u201d said Daines.\n\nBackground:\n\nDaines has fought back against Biden\u2019s mandate since 2023- read the release HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/02/daines-bills-to-increase-funding-for-montanas-rural-communities-gain-broad-support/", "Daines\u2019 Bills to Increase Funding for Montana\u2019s Rural Communities Gain Broad Support", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with State Director Jon Raby of the Nevada State Office Bureau of Land Management in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing about the Small County PILT Parity Act. Daines also discussed the importance of his Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act.\n\nWatch the full exchange HERE.\n\nDaines on his Small County PILT Parity Act:\n\nDaines: I\u2019d like to begin with my bipartisan Small County PILT Parity Act. We have discussed the importance of the PILT program in this committee many times. It\u2019s got strong bipartisan support. I can tell you it\u2019s essential for Montana\u2019s rural counties to be able to provide crucial services such as emergency response as well as public safety. However, the current PILT formula puts counties with a population less than 5,000 at a disadvantage by capping their payments and limiting the revenue streams that they have. The Small County PILT Parity Act, which has previously passed out of this committee with bipartisan support, would rectify this disadvantage. To fix this, the PILT calculation table should be expanded to accommodate population tiers at levels down to 1,000 people or even fewer\u2014and not just stop at 5,000. These counties can and should receive fair compensation without reducing payments to counties with larger populations. When you\u2019re kind of this East Coast-centric world of DC, they look at everything on a per capita basis. You get out west, it\u2019s all about square miles. And so I\u2019ve got some very large counties in terms of geographical area, but very small populations and talk to the folks who are trying to, the road grading teams, the public safety teams, they got a lot of ground to cover, despite the fact they\u2019ve got low population, but massive land masses.\n\nSo I want to thank Ranking Member Cortez Masto, for co-leading this bill to help bring parity to the PILT program, and thank you to the members of this committee who have cosponsored. Question to have for Mr. Raby: Nevada and Montana both have numerous counties with populations of less than 5,000. Those are the kind of counties I like to go to. You don\u2019t see hardly anybody, and you have a chance to experience amazing parts of, I\u2019ll still call it the real Montana that\u2019s still out there. Do you agree that expanding the PILT table will help support counties with high federal land ownership, but low populations.\n\nRaby: Absolutely.\n\nDaines: A follow-up question, can you confirm for the committee that the bill does not change the calculations for counties with populations above 5,000, but we are simply expanding the pie, not taking away from larger counties.\n\nRaby: Yes, I can confirm that.\n\nDaines on his Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act:\n\nDaines: Turning to my Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act. Under the Mineral Leasing Act, revenues generated by oil and gas development on federal land are supposed to be split 50/50 between the federal government and the states and counties where the oil and gas is actually developed. But in classic D.C. bureaucracy form, the federal government charges states a 2 percent admin fee on their half of the revenues. This is just a backhanded way to take more money from the states and counties affected most. This bill that I have is simple \u2013 It eliminates the two percent fee and returns the revenue sharing to a true 50/50 split. It has strong support from county governments and has passed this committee multiple times in various revenue sharing bills. Now it\u2019s time to get it to the President\u2019s desk and make our counties whole. Mr. Raby, back to you, do you agree that the states and counties where federal oil and gas development occur should receive their fair share of revenue generated within their borders?\n\nRaby: I agree 100 percent that should happen.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/12/02/daines-on-fox-business-president-trump-is-taking-the-fight-to-the-narco-terrorists/", "Daines on Fox Business:\u00a0President Trump Is Taking the Fight to the Narco-Terrorists", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Illegal Drugs Are A Leading Cause of Death for Americans\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss how President Trump is fighting back against Venezuelan narcoterrorism.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on President Trump\u2019s strong stand against narcoterrorism:\n\nI think it\u2019s really important. As I listen to these reports, just step back and remember why the President has taken this fight to these narco-terrorists. He\u2019s dealing with Maduro, who was an indicted narco-terrorist himself, the leader of Venezuela. We think about the war on drugs affecting the United States of America. 105,000 Americans died in 2023. If you take the sum of the deaths of illegal drugs in the United States for the last seven years alone, it exceeds the casualties that we had in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. And there\u2019s probably a two and a half trillion-dollar impact on our economy. So, I we think we\u2019re losing sight of the big picture here on why the President is taking this fight to the narco-terrorists. Look, when you\u2019ve got situations of war and you\u2019ve got narco-terrorists, it\u2019s sometimes not always a pretty and clear picture. And I know there\u2019ll be plenty of investigations going on to see what\u2019s going on, what\u2019s happened, but I am thankful that we have a President. And the American people stand with President Trump in taking this fight to the narco-terrorists versus allowing them to take this fight to our shores.\n\nDaines on Maduro\u2019s future:\n\nI tell you, these narco-terrorists, they only respect one thing and that\u2019s strength. They exploit weakness. In fact, they exploited Joe Biden. Cocaine deaths were up 85 percent under Joe Biden\u2019s watch with Maduro as President of Venezuela and Joe Biden as President of the United States. And so, when he sees the heavy hand of the United States, the threats that President Trump has made, it would not surprise me if he decides to flee the country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-sheehy-statements-proposed-sheep-creek-mine", "Zinke, Sheehy Statements on Proposed Sheep Creek Mine", "2025-12-02", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Senator Tim Sheehy released the following statements on the proposed Sheep Creek mine today:\n\n\u201cMontana knows better than anyone there\u2019s a right and wrong way to mine. Fast tracking a mine with overwhelming public opposition and bypassing the mechanisms that allow for transparency and accountability is the wrong way to do it. Ravalli County officials and residents have been clear in their concerns and opposition to this project. It has fallen on deaf ears and they have received no communication from the company. I urge the council to remove Sheep Creek from the FAST 41 process,\u201d said Representative Zinke.\n\n\u201cI strongly support unleashing Montana\u2019s resource economy and mining industry. I also believe local voices must be heard loudest when considering public lands policy. Regarding the Sheep Creek Mine, local Montanans have made their opposition clear, therefore I oppose efforts to approve the proposed Sheep Creek Mine and encourage the Permitting Council to remove it from their fast-track list,\u201d said Senator Sheehy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-bill-crack-down-covid-loan-fraud-passes-house", "Downing Bill to Crack Down on COVID Loan Fraud Passes House", "2025-12-01", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing\u2019s (MT-02) H.R. 4495, the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act, passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. This is Downing\u2019s third bill to be reported favorably out of the House of Representatives, a critical step toward H.R. 4495 becoming law.\n\nRead original reporting from Western Montana News on the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act here.\n\n\u201cThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of taxpayer dollars were siphoned off through fraudulent loans and grants,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cThis legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to pursue those who exploited emergency relief programs, strengthens the integrity of the SBA, and protects hardworking Americans\u2019 tax dollars. I\u2019m proud to see this bill pass the House with bipartisan support, and I remain committed to ensuring that those who abused these funds are brought to justice.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nClick here or on the image above to watch Congressman Downing\u2019s remarks in support of H.R. 4495 on the House floor.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe SBA Office of the Inspector General estimates that approximately $200 billion in illegitimate funds have been distributed by SBA COVID Programs.\n\nTwo of these SBA COVID-era programs, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, targeted financial assistance toward businesses that rely on confined gathering places and were thus disproportionately harmed by lockdown policies.\n\nWhile COVID-era SBA programs in many cases delivered much needed aid to small businesses, they were also exploited to an unacceptable degree by criminals seeking to defraud American taxpayers and secure illegitimate loans and grants.\n\nH.R. 4495 extends the statute of limitations for the enforcement of anti-fraud standards involving the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Shuttered Venue Program from 5 years to 10 years to allow prosecutors and law enforcement additional time to investigate and prosecute these crimes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-zinke-and-moore-praise-trump-administrations-decision-make-our-national", "Reps. Zinke and Moore Praise the Trump Administration\u2019s Decision to Make Our National Parks Beautiful Again", "2025-11-26", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) applauded the Trump Administration\u2019s decision to secure the future of America\u2019s national parks through a new fee structure that ensures international visitors are paying their fair share to keep our national heritage beautiful. The recent policy, issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, establishes an Annual Pass that will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents and will apply an additional $100 surcharge per foreign visitor to enter 11 of the most visited national parks while keeping the entrance fee for Americans the same.\n\nThe National Parks system faces a $23 billion deferred maintenance backlog. This America-First policy will ensure our children and grandchildren can enjoy our great natural heritage for years to come, beautify our National Parks, and secure funding to address our critical maintenance backlog.\n\nCongressman Zinke and Congressman Moore issued the following joint statement:\n\n\u201cPresident Trump and Secretary Burgum are putting Americans first by asking foreign visitors to pay their fair share while holding entrance fees steady for the American people. This policy ensures that our beautiful national heritage is preserved and the critical maintenance backlog is addressed so that America\u2019s national parks will remain affordable, well-maintained, and financially sustainable for generations to come. We owe it to future generations of Americans - our children and grandchildren - to ensure our beautiful natural heritage that God created is well preserved.\n\nNow, Congress must act to codify this America-First fee structure by passing our bill, The PATRIOT Parks Act. Our legislation is essential to guaranteeing that these reforms remain in place for generations to come, and that Americans are put First in our own parks.\u201d\n\nIn July, Congressman Ryan Zinke and Congressman Riley M. Moore introduced the PATRIOT Parks Act in the House- which codifies President Trump\u2019s Executive Order \u201cMaking America Beautiful Agenda by Improving Our National Parks.\u201dSenators Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Jim Banks (R-IN) and introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/25/daines-newhouse-call-on-u-s-house-to-pass-their-bill-increasing-american-hydropower/", "Daines, Newhouse Call on U.S. House to Pass Their Bill Increasing American Hydropower", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) today sent a letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise urging swift passage of their \u201cBuild More Hydro\u201d bill. Daines\u2019 bill, which passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent in July 2025, would extend construction deadlines for critical hydropower projects nationwide and increase American energy production.\n\n\u201cWe write to you to urge the passage of S.1020 (H.R. 2072), our \u2018Build More Hydro\u2019 bill, a bipartisan bill that authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for critical hydropower projects nationwide. On July 9, 2025, S.1020 passed the Senate by unanimous consent and the House received the bill on August 1, 2025, where it remains held at the desk awaiting action.\n\nIf S. 1020 is not enacted, 37 unconstructed, FERC-licensed hydropower projects across 15 states, representing more than 2.6GW of baseload power and $6.5 billion in investment, are at risk of termination\u2026\n\n\u2026Since the introduction of this bill, approximately 100MW of hydropower has been put on hold with an additional 36MW forced into limbo by the end of the year because of congressional inaction. Hydropower supplies baseload electricity to over 30 million homes, provides 96% of utility-scale energy storage, and remains vital to flood control, water storage, irrigation, and grid reliability services\u2026\n\nLosing these projects would undermine grid reliability at a time when we can least afford it. Advancing S.1020 before the end of the year is an essential step to protect American energy security, ensure reliable power to communities across the nation and prevent the loss of billions in investment,\u201d Daines and Newhouse wrote in the letter.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-60-minutes-he-zinke-called-land-sale-proposal-his-san-juan-hill-nod", "ICYMI: 60 Minutes - \u201cHe (Zinke) called the land sale proposal his San Juan Hill, a nod to Teddy Roosevelt, noted conservationist\u2026 Rough translation: over my dead body.\u201d", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "November 24, 2025\n\nZinke spoke to 60 Minutes about Montana's public land heritage and why he fights to protect it\n\nBozeman, MT. \u2013 Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke spoke with Jon Wertheim of 60 Minutes about his lifelong commitment to protecting public lands and his recent success stripping a provision that would have sold more than 450,000 acres of public land from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u2019, as well as working with his colleagues to remove a similar provision from the Senate version of the bill.\n\nWatch the full episode here.\n\nRead the full transcript of the episode here.\n\nExcerpt from \"Why Montana fought to protect federal public lands and what's at stake if they were sold off\" - CBS \u201c60 Minutes\u201d\n\nBy Jon Wertheim, David M. Levine\n\nAired November 23, 2025\n\nZinke grew up in Whitefish, Montana and served as a secretary of the interior during President Trump's first term. Now, he represents western Montana in the house. He called the land sale proposal his San Juan Hill, a nod to Teddy Roosevelt, noted conservationist\u2026 Rough translation: over my dead body.\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke: Public lands is not, to me, on a balance sheet. Public lands is our inheritance- of this great nation. And we're blessed with it. There is no other country on the face of the planet that has the public land experience that we do.\n\nOn this issue, Zinke's no ideologue. On a case-by-case basis, within the existing laws, he says he's open to rethinking public land use. What he does oppose: wholesale selloff.\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke: You could sell the entirety of the federal estate, it's not gonna get you out of debt.\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke: If you have a hotel, and the hotel is being mismanaged, you don't sell the hotel. You get new management. And then if you sell the public land, you sell it all, right? Have you changed why you're in debt? No, you've just sold your assets.\n\nJon Wertheim: People supporting this say, \"What's the harm of unlocking some of this so we can build affordable housing?\" Why-- why are those people wrong?\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke: If we wanna discuss, you know, reality-- you know, selling all our public land for housing one it doesn't-- won't solve the housing crisis. And secondly-- you know, public land itself\u2026 if it's managed well, you should be able to bring timber off of it. You should be able to graze. Energy-- oil, coal, gas, all-- a lot of that comes from our public lands.\n\nZinke was instrumental in getting the land sale proposal killed in the House. He then coordinated with his colleagues in the Senate, where Mike Lee had crafted a special carve out exempting Montana. But that didn't win over the state's delegation. The measure was abandoned.\n\nIn a statement to \"60 Minutes,\" Sen. Lee said in part, quote, \"the federal government controls more land than it can manage, hurting the growth and prosperity of American families and their communities.\"\n\nPerhaps more than any other state, Montana stood in the breach, thwarting the sale efforts, though there is widespread expectation public land sales will come up again in Congress.\n\nJon Wertheim: This is an era where party unity in-- in the Republican party is strong. You-- you went against the grain here. You stuck your neck out.\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke: It's a red, white, and blue issue. It's not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is an American issue. And once you sell land, you're not gonna get it back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-bill-right-sizes-regulation-american-conservation", "Downing Bill Right Sizes Regulation for American Conservation", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act. This bill exempts ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodplains from having to demonstrate no net impact on base flood elevation.\n\nRepresentatives Janelle Bynum (OR-02), Bryan Steil (WI-01), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) are original cosponsors of the legislation. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have introduced companion legislation. The National Association of Conservation Districts supports the legislation.\n\nRead text of the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Acthere.\n\nRead reporting on the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Acthere.\n\n\u201cFEMA\u2019s No-Rise Rule is hindering conservation efforts across the state of Montana and across the country,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cMy bipartisan legislation cuts this burdensome red tape, empowering locally supported conservation and restoration projects. I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining me in this common sense measure to right size regulation for American conservation.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnvironmental restoration projects across Oregon \u2013 and the country \u2013 are being held up by unnecessary red tape when they don\u2019t need to be,\u201d said Rep. Bynum. \u201cIt\u2019s resulting in canceled projects and costing our communities thousands of dollars. I\u2019m thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for partnering with me on this important legislation that will protect our communities, restore our environment, and remove barriers to progress.\u201d\n\n\u201cBureaucratic red tape should not stall common sense restoration projects,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThe Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act eases administrative burdens and empowers Wisconsin communities to make our waterways healthier, strengthen our resilience to floods, and enhance ecosystems across the nation. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation. Thank you Rep. Downing for your leadership.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities in Montana and across the country will benefit from No Rise Reform,\u201d said Jeremy Peters, CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts. \u201cA streamlined approval process for ecosystem restoration projects will continue to protect against flooding while easing the cost and administrative burdens land stewards currently face carrying out projects vital for the clean water, healthy soil, and habitats we all rely on. Our nation\u2019s conservation districts welcome this clear and flexible approach to restoring ecosystems in regulated floodways. Thanks to the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Montana\u2019s conservation districts, and Representatives Downing, Bynum, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Steil for their efforts to advance the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act reflects the kind of forward-thinking reform that will enable locally driven conservation and restoration projects throughout Montana and the U.S. MACD would like to thank Rep. Downing and Reps. Bynum, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Steil for their work on this issue,\u201d said the Montana Association of Conservation Districts.\n\n\u201cMany conservation districts in Montana have had to shrink, delay, or even abandon stream restoration projects due to complications and increased costs caused by floodplain permitting and its engineering requirements. These requirements are unnecessary and burdensome in rural Montana where there is no potential for impact on structures or other properties. The Floodplain Recovery and Enhancement Act is a great step in the right direction for resolving this issue,\u201d said the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council.\n\n\u201cHigh Plains Conservation District fully supports Representative Downing\u2019s legislation to amend the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. The no-rise rule applied as it has been, at least in Cascade County, MT, has made it virtually impossible to apply sound management and restore riparian buffers. The cost for an analysis is too prohibitive. Many times, a full analysis costs more than the full project itself. And so, our landscapes are suffering,\u201d said the High Plains Conservation District.\n\n\u201cAs a headwaters state, the improvements that small restoration projects make to streams in Montana add up to big water quality and habitat benefits for the watersheds and streams and rivers downstream. We support No Rise Reform,\u201d said the Lewis & Clark Conservation District\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed development in a regulated floodway must prove that it will not increase the base flood elevation (BFE) of the area. This requirement is commonly referred to as the \u201cNo Rise\u201d rule.\n\nWhile important for protecting communities from increased flood risks, the No Rise Rule has had major unintended consequences on important environmental restoration in Montana and around the country.\n\nThe Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act allows communities to permit ecosystem restoration projects in a regulated floodway if a professional engineer proves that the project will not increase base flood elevation by more than 1 foot, and no insurable structure or any critical infrastructure is in an area that would be adversely impacted by the increased base flood elevation.\n\nThis alleviates conservation projects from the traditional burdensome and drawn-out FEMA approval process.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/21/daines-honors-montanan-of-the-month-brigadier-general-dale-stovall/", "Daines Honors Montanan of the Month: Brigadier General Dale Stovall", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE\u2014 U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Retired Brigadier General Dale Stovall for his courageous actions during the Vietnam War as Montanan of the Month. Through his \u201cMontanan of the Month\u201d initiative, every month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. To recommend a Montanan click HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:\n\nTRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL DALE STOVALL\n\nMr. Daines, Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing Brigadier General (Ret.) Dale Stovall of Missoula as Montanan of the Month for his extraordinary courage, lifetime of military service, and heroic actions that saved the lives of his fellow airmen during the Vietnam War. Earlier this year, Ret. General Stovall traveled to Washington, D.C., where he received well-deserved recognition from President Trump for the daring rescues that he carried out decades ago in Vietnam. His story is one of unwavering bravery, humility, and dedication to his country. During his service as a helicopter pilot in the United States Air Force, then-Captain Stovall flew some of the most dangerous missions of the war, going deep into hostile territory under heavy enemy fire to rescue downed American airmen. One of his most legendary missions was the rescue of fellow airman Roger Locher, a mission so dangerous that Stovall recalled the sky filled with explosions as he maneuvered his helicopter through relentless enemy attacks. Despite the danger, Stovall pressed on. His extraordinary flying skill and refusal to give up saved Locher\u2019s life and many others. Over the course of a single combat tour, he completed 12 rescues behind enemy lines. On each one, he risked his own life so that another American could go home to their family. For these acts of heroism, General Stovall received the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Silver Stars, making him one of the most highly decorated Air Force Academy graduates in history. But in true Montana fashion, General Stovall is always quick to shift the spotlight away from himself. He reminds us that rescue missions are a team effort of pilots, crew members, and rescuers united under the Jolly Green motto: \u201cThat Others May Live.\u201d After Vietnam, Stovall continued to serve our nation with distinction, ultimately retiring as a Brigadier General after 31 years in uniform. His commitment to service, courage under fire, and lifelong dedication to his fellow service members make him a hero of the Vietnam era. General Stovall, you make Montana proud. Your legacy of valor, humility, and service will inspire Montanans for years to come. It is my honor to recognize you as Montanan of the Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/19/daines-biden-blms-disregard-for-montanans-shameful/", "Daines: Biden BLM\u2019s Disregard for Montanans \u201cShameful\u201d", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cThose closest to the land should not be ignored or rejected\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown and Micah Christensen from the Wyoming County Commissioners Association in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed the Biden administration\u2019s blatant violations of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the need to ensure state and local governments have a say in the planning process on issues that impact them most. Daines also discussed reliable electricity for Montana\u2019s rural communities and the need to remove undue burdens on electricity providers.\n\nWatch the full exchange HERE.\n\nDaines: Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich thank you for holding this timely hearing. Last month, Congress acted to right a wrong and repeal a violation of the multiple-use and public engagement principles enshrined in FLMPA. The Biden BLM\u2019s land use planning process was weaponized to push radical, anti-energy policies in states like Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska, despite significant opposition from the states. Thankfully, Congress acted and passed my bill to repeal the anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law very soon. I want to focus my question on a specific violation of FLPMA in Montana that was prevalent under Biden and that\u2019s the disregard of the views and input of local counties, elected officials and specifically the Governor of the state. The Miles City RMPA was strongly opposed by those living, working, and representing the land affected. Despite this opposition, Biden\u2019s BLM ignored local feedback and pushed forward with this harmful effort. It was so frustrating to see the disconnect between federal bureaucrats here in Washington who had a very strong agenda and local elected officials on the ground in Montana. And during the official Governor\u2019s Consistency Review, after multiple official protests and an appeal from Governor Gianforte, the BLM decided to \u201creject the Governor\u2019s recommendations.\u201d This is shameful and we need to ensure that the voices of those closest to the land are not ignored or rejected. Attorney General Brown and Mr. Christensen, what actions should Congress take to ensure that local and statewide elected officials, and those most affected by BLM\u2019s actions, do not have their voices shut out of the planning process?\n\nBrown: I think one of the things that I think this this body could do is look at meaningful changes to FLPMA such that there\u2019s meaningful involvement.\n\nDaines discussed undue burden on electricity providers:\n\nDaines: In order for electric utilities and rural co-ops in Montana to provide energy efficiently, we\u2019ve got to get the transmission lines in place, crossing a patchwork of private, state, and federal lands. To protect these power lines and communities from devastating wildfires, electric utilities develop and retain authorized vegetation management plans to cut and remove dangerous trees on public lands. However, they cannot protect and power communities if land management agencies are not responsive or cooperative when utilities are managing their rights-of-way. Recently, Vigilante Electric Co-op from Dillon, Montana, was slapped with a $5 million fine from the Forest Service because a tree outside of their right-of-way caught on fire. Any attempt from Vigilante to remove the tree would have been illegal, yet they were held liable for the fire. In 2018, FLPMA was amended to include a strict liability cap of $500,000 for electric utilities, which expires in 2028. The $5 million Vigilante fine was far beyond the $500,000 limit and one that is near impossible for a small rural electric cooperative to pay. It literally can put them out of business. It\u2019s common sense that no entity should be fined without proven negligence or noncompliance and that the status quo does not provide enough certainty. Mr. Brown, Utah and Montana\u2019s state legislatures have both recently passed legislation to address these liability problems and the undue burden placed on electricity providers. What still needs to be changed at the federal level to replicate the success we\u2019re seeing in our states?\n\nBrown: I think having more meaningful involvement with the folks on the ground who recognize the problems involved with the rights-of-ways something that should be addressed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/19/daines-in-senate-finance-committee-obamacare-is-fundamentally-broken/", "Daines in Senate Finance Committee: Obamacare is Fundamentally Broken", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Brian Blase, President of Paragon Health Institute in a Senate Finance Committee hearing about the failures of Obamacare.\n\nWatch the full exchange HERE.\n\nDaines on Obamacare\u2019s failures and reforms that are needed:\n\nDaines: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important and timely hearing on the rising cost of health care for Americans. At the center of this discussion is the future of the expiring Obamacare COVID subsidies. It is important to note that Democrats established these enhanced subsidies on a temporary and partisan basis during the pandemic under President Biden and elected to have them expire at the end of this year. I remember distinctly going back in time to when Obamacare passed- President Obama said Obamacare was going to lower premiums by $2,500 a year. And we\u2019ve seen certainly a cause and effect. We\u2019ve put in place Obamacare and now we\u2019ve seen health care, about 7 percent of the American people receive their health insurance in that way, becoming completely unaffordable. Basically, we predicted that and sadly it\u2019s coming to fruition. The current situation is entirely of the Democrats\u2019 own making, and Republicans should not perpetuate the mistakes that accelerated Obamacare\u2019s failures. Debate over the temporary COVID subsidies reveals a core underlying reality: More than a decade after its implementation, Obamacare remains unaffordable, fundamentally broken, and increasingly reliant on massive recurring taxpayer bailouts. The expiring pandemic subsidies bear little responsibility in the twenty percent average premium increase in nongroup Obamacare plans for 2026, but do bear responsibility for distorting the market, increasing fraud and abuse, making Obamacare more dependent on taxpayers, raising health care costs over the long-term, and worsening our budget deficit. In fact, making the enhanced subsidies permanent would cost taxpayers nearly $400 billion, amounting to a massive transfer of taxpayer dollars to insurance companies. I believe any path forward on this issue requires reforms to address the root causes of why? Why does Obamacare perpetuate high costs and instability, as well as the substantial growth in improper enrollment, fraud, and wasteful spending. In addition to permanent structural reforms to Obamacare, any path forward should expand access to and unleash free market, patient-centered solutions President Trump championed during his first term to provide lower costs, more control, and better care for individuals. I think both sides should agree we need that, and we need it badly. Obamacare also represented a substantial departure from the Hyde Amendment\u2019s prohibition on taxpayer funding of elective abortion. It is imperative any reforms explicitly restore the longstanding consensus that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize and facilitate health plans that cover elective abortions. Mr. Blase, as you noted in your testimony, Obamacare has worsened the quality of individual market health insurance, substantially raised premiums and deductibles, and cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. In your view, what structural reforms to Obamacare would lower premium costs and reduce inflationary pressures?\n\nBlase: I agree with your view that there are deep structural problems in Obamacare.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downings-ai-wise-act-clears-key-committee-vote", "Downing\u2019s AI-WISE Act Clears Key Committee Vote", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Intuit\n\n\u201cWe write today to express our support of H.R. 5784, the Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act or the \u2018AI-WISE Act\u2019.\n\n\u201cIntuit's mission is to power prosperity around the world and we believe that artificial intelligence (AI) represents the most transformative technology of our generation, offering unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to save time, increase productivity, and achieve financial success.\n\n\u201cHowever, the effective adoption of AI, especially complex \u2018agentic AI\u2019 now being integrated into financial and marketing solutions requires a foundational level of education and trust. The AI-WISE Act addresses this critical need by directing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish high-quality, actionable, and neutral educational resources for small business concerns.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-introduces-bipartisan-bill-codify-successful-wildlife-crossing-program", "Zinke Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Codify Successful Wildlife Crossing Program", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and Congressman Don Beyer (VA \u2013 08) introduced the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, legislation to make the highly successful Wildlife Crossings Program a permanent part of federal law and extend its authorization through fiscal year 2031. The program provides grant funding to state and tribal governments to construct wildlife crossings such as overpasses and underpasses, in an effort to minimize the number of accidents involving wildlife and vehicles and improve habitat connectivity.\n\nCongressman Zinke has been the driving force behind federal wildlife crossing and migration corridor policy for nearly a decade. As Secretary of the Interior, he signed Secretarial Order 3362 in 2018, directing federal agencies to partner with western states to map, protect, and enhance elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and other migration routes. That order laid the groundwork for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program created in 2021. In 2024 (and reintroduced in 2025), Zinke built on that foundation by introducing the bipartisan Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act to codify Secretarial Order 3362 and expand voluntary, state-led conservation of migration corridors.\n\n\u201cWildlife crossings save lives and are good for healthy herds,\u201d said Zinke. \u201cAs the Secretary of the Interior I launched the first federal effort to protect big-game migration corridors and dedicate federal dollars to crossings in the west. This bill locks in the progress we started, keeps the funding flowing to the states and tribes that need it most, and ensures Montana families don\u2019t have to risk their lives or lose the wildlife we all cherish driving to work or school.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery year, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions are reported across the United States, resulting in human and wildlife fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damages. We know there are proven solutions \u2013 such as culverts, bridges and tunnels that allow animals to migrate safely \u2013 to reduce these incidents and save lives,\u201d said Rep. Beyer. \u201cOur bill would invest in these solutions by reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program and allowing it to continue funding wildlife-friendly transportation infrastructure that saves lives, lowers costs, and improves road safety for drivers and wildlife alike.\u201d\n\nKey provisions of the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025:\n\nPermanently authorizes the Wildlife Crossings Program by removing the word \u201cpilot\u201d from federal law.\n\nExtends funding authorization for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.\n\nProvides 100% federal cost share for projects led by Indian tribes.\n\nCreates a dedicated Tribal technical assistance program to help tribes navigate applications and speed project delivery.\n\nAllows unobligated funds to carry forward so slow federal processing doesn\u2019t punish rural states.\n\nKeeps administrative costs capped at one-half of one percent so the maximum amount reaches actual projects.\n\nMontana is already a national model with active and planned wildlife crossings on U.S. Highway 191 in Gallatin Canyon, Highway 93 on the Flathead Indian Reservation, and other high-collision corridors. The state has consistently ranked among the top recipients of federal wildlife crossing grants.\n\nRead more about the Wildlife Crossing Program here.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-introduces-bipartisan-strengthening-resources-our-schools-act", "Zinke Introduces Bipartisan Strengthening Resources for Our Schools Act", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and Rep. Donald G. Davis (NC-01) introduced the Strengthening Resources for Our Schools (SROs) Act, a bipartisan-backed measure to enhance school safety, protect students from violence, and create meaningful second-career opportunities for America\u2019s veterans and retired law enforcement officers. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n\u201cThis bill is a true Montana solution: we trust our law enforcement and our veterans to protect our communities, and this legislation puts those proven protectors back in our schools to keep Montana children safe,\u201d said Zinke. \u201cIn rural Montana, the nearest deputy can be an hour away, sometimes far more when the roads are iced over or a blizzard rolls in. We cannot wait for help to arrive after something happens. We have to stop trouble before it starts, and that means having trained, trusted law enforcement on campus every single day. The SROs Act removes the federal tax penalty that keeps our retired Montana peace officers and combat veterans on the sidelines, so they can step up, protect our kids, mentor the next generation, and keep every dollar of the hard-earned retirement they sacrificed to earn.\u201d\n\n\u201cKeeping the American people safe, especially young kids in school, is one of government\u2019s most solemn duties, and that starts by empowering local communities with local solutions. The SROs Act is an America First common sense bill that protects students and supports our veterans and retired law enforcement officers who want to continue serving by making our schools and communities safer,\u201d said Senator Tim Sheehy.\n\n\u201cAbove all, our most important responsibility to our children must be their safety,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cBy incentivizing retired public servants to serve once again as a school resource officer, we are preventing tragedies in our classrooms before they happen.\u201d\n\nThe legislation is also co-sponsored by Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and has earned strong support from law enforcement organizations nationwide, including the Police Officers Defense Coalition, the Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, the Western States Sheriffs\u2019 Association, and the Montana Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association.\n\nKey provisions of the SROs Act of 2025:\n\nAmends the Internal Revenue Code to grant a federal income tax exemption on retirement income for any qualified retired law enforcement officer or military veteran who returns to work as a certified School Resource Officer (SRO) and meets all applicable POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements.\n\nProvides a permanent, lifetime federal tax exemption on retirement income for those who serve at least ten years as an SROs\n\nThe bill strengthens school safety in the wake of continued threats and tragic incidents, respects Second Amendment rights, and offers veterans and retired law enforcement a dignified way to continue protecting and mentoring the next generation.\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-secures-2-million-funding-red-lodge-fire-station-upgrades", "Downing Secures $2 Million in Funding for Red Lodge Fire Station Upgrades", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 as part of Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026.\n\nIncluded in this bill is Congressman Troy Downing\u2019s (MT-02) Community Project Funding request for Red Lodge Fire District 7 which delivers $1,995,000 in project funding for station upgrades.\n\n\u201cOur first responders have our backs on our worst days. It\u2019s only right that when they need our help, we have theirs,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cRural fire departments are the backbone of emergency response in Montana, and I couldn\u2019t be more proud to see $2 million in funding for Red Lodge Fire Rescue included in this legislation to expand and enhance their operations in Carbon County. Special thanks to Chief Tom Kuntz and the brave men and women of RLFR for your continued service to our community\u2014nobody is more deserving.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are sincerely grateful to Congressman Downing for his leadership and his commitment to supporting first responders,\u201d said Red Lodge Fire Rescue Chief Tom Kuntz. \u201cOver the past few years, our small community has been hit by extreme wildfires, devastating floods, and complex search-and-rescue missions, and every time our volunteers have shown up to help their neighbors when they needed it most. Modernizing and expanding our station will give those volunteers the space, training environment, and facilities they need to stay ready to protect the Red Lodge community for decades to come.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nRed Lodge Fire Rescue (RLFR) serves a large rural area of 600 square miles with a population of approximately 3,500 people for Fire and EMS response, and an area of 2,000 square miles for Search and Rescue with a population of approximately 10,000 people.\n\nThe project funding Congressman Downing secured totals $1,995,000 and will help expand and update RLFR\u2019s fire station, an essential investment to meet the region\u2019s growing emergency response needs.\n\nThe funds will be used to expand apparatus bays, training space, and facilities for responders to rest or stay on-site during extended emergencies. These improvements will increase volunteer participation, improve safety, and enhance readiness in the face of increasing emergencies.\n\nRead a list of Congressman Downing\u2019s funding requests in alphabetical order here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-statement-end-government-shutdown", "Downing Statement on End of the Government Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following a vote in the United States House of Representatives to reopen the federal government and end the 42 day-long government shutdown.\n\n\u201cAfter more than 42 days, Congress has finally reopened the government. With the Senate\u2019s amendments to our clean CR passed, Americans across the country who have been deprived of nutritional assistance, critical programs, or their paychecks will no longer face the hardship and uncertainty brought on by this shutdown. This is a good thing.\n\n\u201cIf we want to prevent something like this from happening in the future, we cannot forget how we got here. Democrats voted for more than 6 weeks\u2014that\u2019s 42 days or 1008 hours\u2014to keep our government closed while Americans suffered. And for what? We are functionally very near where we would have been had we passed the House\u2019s September CR.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud that I cast my vote to keep the government open then and now. Let this saga be a stark reminder of the consequences of brinksmanship and the real damage that\u2019s done when one side of the aisle puts politics before people. Now, it\u2019s time for Congress to pass our remaining appropriations bills and return to regular order.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/shutdown-over-zinke-votes-reopen-government-delivers-over-11-million-direct", "SHUTDOWN OVER! Zinke Votes to Reopen the Government, Delivers Over $1.1 Million in Direct Funding to Montana Projects", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke voted for H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, which ends the 43-day Democrat started government shutdown, funds the government through January 30, 2026, and provides full fiscal year funding for the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs. Zinke had voted to prevent the shutdown in September. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Zinke helped craft these bills and secured key Montana wins within them. With passage in both the House and Senate, the bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk for his signature.\n\n\u201cShutdowns are bad for America and bad for Montana. I voted to prevent this shutdown in September, and I gladly voted to end it today,\u201d said Zinke. \u201cThis package is a good, bipartisan, solution, and I fought to make sure it includes real wins for our state, from funding fire departments in Ronan and Powell County to providing certainty for rural communities that depend on reliable government services. Congress has come together, and I urge the President to sign this bill so we can keep our government open and get back to working for the American people.\u201d\n\nMontana Wins in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies\n\nZinke\u2019s request for Montana Community Projects\n\n$554,969 for Powell County Volunteer Fire Department equipment.\n\n$547,500 for a new Type 1 fire truck for the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department.\n\nIncludes Zinke\u2019s request for a $500,000 increase for grasshopper control and suppression efforts\n\nExpands research to combat invasive species, pests, and livestock diseases.\n\n$4.1 billion for programs supporting housing, utilities, and infrastructure in rural America.\n\n$37.84 billion for national school lunch, breakfast, and summer food programs.\n\nStrengthens oversight of foreign ownership of farmland by improving tracking and adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions involving China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.\n\nMilitary Construction and Veterans Affairs\n\nFully funds veterans\u2019 health care, benefits, and VA programs.\n\nSupports President Trump\u2019s initiative to combat veteran homelessness through the new National Center for Warrior Independence.\n\nProtects Second Amendment rights of veterans by requiring judicial consent before VA information is shared with the FBI.\n\nProvides $19.7 billion for Department of Defense military construction and family housing.\n\nIncludes Zinke\u2019s language to continue protecting Montana air ambulances.\n\nIncludes Zinke\u2019s bill to reinstate the \u201cFlowers for Fallen Heroes\u201d program.\n\nLegislative Branch\n\nRequires unspent congressional office funds to go toward debt and deficit reduction.\n\nProhibits the purchase of technology and telecommunications equipment from China and other adversaries.\n\nIncreases funding for U.S. Capitol Police officers and civilian support staff.\n\nCongressman Zinke remained a strong advocate for reopening the government after his first vote to prevent the shutdown in September. While many Senate Democrats continued to block efforts to reopen, Zinke worked directly with county commissioners, tribal leaders, and local officials to help Montanans weather the operational strain caused by the closure. During the shutdown, he even volunteered in Yellowstone National Park to help rangers clean and maintain facilities so visitors could continue to enjoy the park.\n\nThe Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 has now passed both chambers of Congress and will soon head to the President\u2019s desk for his signature. Once signed, the government will officially reopen, paychecks will resume for federal workers, and programs supporting veterans, farmers, and small businesses will be fully operational. Congressman Zinke remains committed to passing the remaining seven Appropriations Bills out of the House and seeing them signed into law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-introduces-bill-honor-fallen-heroes", "Downing Introduces Bill to Honor Fallen Heroes", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Ahead of Veterans Day, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced H.R. 5942, the National Cemetery Access Act. This bill requires all national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays.\n\nCongressman Greg Steube (FL-17) is a co-lead of H.R. 5942. Additional original cosponsors of the National Cemetery Access Act include Representatives Tom Barrett (MI-07), Barry Moore (AL-01), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Tony Wied (WI-08), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and David Joyce (OH-14). Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is the sponsor of the Senate companion.\n\n\u201cOn the most revered days of the year for the veteran community, nothing should stand in the way of paying respect to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cCongress must act quickly to pass my H.R. 5942 so friends, family members, and fellow veterans of fallen soldiers never have to wonder whether the last resting place of their loved ones will be accessible when it matters most. I want to thank Congressman Steube and my colleagues for joining me in this effort to honor our nation's heroes and look forward to seeing it make a difference win the lives of Montana's veteran community.\u201d\n\n\"Federal holidays offer us a respite for celebration, thanksgiving, and remembrance. It should therefore be common practice for our national cemeteries to be open to the public on said dates to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom,\" said Rep. Steube. \"I am pleased to lead my Republican colleagues on this bill to ensure every American can visit a national cemetery on a federal holiday and pay their respects.\"\n\n\u201cFederal holidays like Veterans Day give us the opportunity to remember all those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,\u201d said Senator Daines. \u201cOur national cemeteries should be open on these special days, so that family and friends can pay their respects to their loved ones. I\u2019m thankful for Congressman Downing for leading this effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that our fallen service members can receive the tributes and honor that they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur national cemeteries are hallowed grounds where we honor those who put on the uniform, made daily sacrifices, and gave their last breath to protect our nation and its freedoms,\u201d said Congressman Barrett. \u201cThe families, friends, and fellow veterans who love our fallen soldiers should be able to visit their gravesites any day of the year, especially on the ones dedicated to their memory. Grief doesn\u2019t take a day off for federal holidays, and neither should our national cemeteries.\u201d\n\n\"Americans work hard every day, including holidays and weekends,\" said Congressman Grothman. \"Our national cemeteries are sacred places meant to honor the greatest among us. They should be open on federal holidays so families can pay their respects and remember the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I applaud Congressman Downing for introducing the National Cemetery Access Act to ensure these memorials remain accessible to the American people.\"\n\n\"America should never close its gates to those who wish to honor our heroes,\u201d said Congressman Moore (AL-01). \u201cIt\u2019s unthinkable that on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, the very days set aside to remember the fallen, families could be locked out of our national cemeteries. I\u2019m proud to support Rep. Troy Downing\u2019s National Cemetery Access Act to make sure every American has the freedom to pay their respects to those who gave everything for our country.\"\n\n\"Across the country, families and veterans haven\u2019t been afforded the opportunity to visit national cemeteries on days meant to honor those who have served when it falls on a federal holiday. By requiring all national cemeteries to remain open to visitors on those days, this legislation ensures that Gold Star families, veterans' organizations, and communities can gather to pay their respects on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other national observances,\"said Congressman Lawler.\n\n\u201cHonored to join my colleagues on this legislation that requires national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays,\u201d Congressman Ciscomani said. \u201cAll federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and many more are times where veterans and families should be able to visit the gravesites of fallen soldiers, and they deserve that right to honor their loved ones.\u201d\n\n\u201cFamilies who have lost loved ones in service to our nation should always be able to visit their graves, especially on days of remembrance like Veterans Day and Memorial Day,\u201d said Congressman Joyce. \u201cThis legislation ensures that all Americans can pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and reminds us that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.\u201d\n\nRead bill text for the National Cemetery Access Acthere.\n\nRead original reporting from the Washington Reporter on the National Cemetery Access Acthere.\n\nBackground:\n\nDespite being dedicated days of the year for honoring those who have served, national cemeteries are not required under federal law to be open for federal holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans\u2019 Day.\n\nBy requiring all national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays, H.R. 5942 ensures that members of the public, including family members and fellow veterans of fallen soldiers, are able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones on Memorial Day, Veterans\u2019 Day, and other holidays.\n\nH.R. 5942 also guarantees that veterans organizations have access to these sites and can perform memorial services on these days.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/10/icymi-washington-examiner-steve-daines-carves-out-shuttle-diplomacy-lane-as-asia-expert-for-trump/", "ICYMI: Washington Examiner:\u00a0Steve Daines carves out shuttle diplomacy lane as Asia expert for Trump", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with the Washington Examiner about the future of U.S. relationships with Central Asia. Read the highlights below.\n\nSteve Daines carves out shuttle diplomacy lane as Asia expert for Trump\n\nWashington Examiner\n\nDavid Sivak\n\nNovember 10th, 2025\n\nSen. Steve Daines (R-MT) is reprising his role as one of President Donald Trump\u2019s top Senate allies on foreign policy, lending his experience in Asia for a flurry of diplomatic outreach.\n\nIn an interview from his Senate office, Daines said he would be leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to China next spring, for what would be his second trip since Trump returned to the White House in January. He made his first in March, weeks after Trump imposed fresh tariffs on Beijing.\n\nDaines is making the trips in his capacity as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, and his travel to the region predates Trump\u2019s second term. Last year, Daines shuttled to Central Asia twice to build trade relations with the region\u2019s leaders.\n\nBut Daines, a pro-Trump Republican, has also made a point to work hand in hand with the new administration and has been part of its early diplomatic breakthroughs. In May, he visited the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan with members of Trump\u2019s team, ultimately helping to broker a peace agreement that ended decades of conflict.\n\n\u2026 \u201cWhen I take these trips, I want to do my best to remain aligned with their objectives,\u201d Daines said of the administration. \u201cI realize I\u2019m in the Senate. That\u2019s Article One. The presidency is Article Two. But we\u2019re on the same team. We want to make sure we\u2019re complementing one another\u2019s efforts.\u201d\n\nThis past week, that coordination landed Daines at the table with Trump and the Central Asian leaders he visited in 2024. They were invited to the White House to celebrate 10 years of improved diplomatic relations with the United States, and Daines was tapped as one of the keynote speakers for their business summit.\n\nIn the Senate, Daines complemented that milestone with a bill to repeal Soviet-era trade restrictions on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries, a push he says has been received positively by the administration.\n\n\u201cI flagged this for Secretary Rubio and the administration to get their support, and they\u2019re out front now saying, \u2018Let\u2019s get this done,\u2019 which is great,\u201d said Daines, adding that Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, has also been a \u201cgreat partner\u201d on the legislation. \u201cSo, I think we\u2019ve got a clear shot here to actually get this done sooner versus later.\u201d\n\n\u2026 Daines\u2019s travel to Asia comes at a critical moment for Far East relations. Not only is Trump trying to extract meaningful concessions from President Xi Jinping with his tariff agenda, but the White House\u2019s efforts in Central Asia reflect an attempt to diminish Chinese and Russian influence in the region.\n\nIn particular, the administration sees the peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed in August, as unlocking a \u201croad\u201d to Central Asia and its vast reserves of critical minerals and natural gas.\n\n\u201cBasically, the Russians have had their way and have had a huge influence in the region. And, of course, the Chinese have growing influence in the region, and the U.S. has, in many ways, just been absent in this,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cI was the first U.S. senator to get into, for example, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in 13 years,\u201d Daines added. \u201cSo, there\u2019s really been a significant lack of engagement by U.S. senators in this very strategic part of the world.\u201d\n\n\u2026Daines\u2019s alignment with Trump goes beyond the foreign policy space. As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee last cycle, he is credited with helping keep Trump and Senate leadership on the same page in 2024, when Republicans picked up four seats and retook the majority.\n\nHe was the first member of that leadership team to endorse Trump\u2019s comeback bid for the White House.\n\nRead the full article HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-williams-combat-housing-crisis-bipartisan-whole-home-repairs-act-0", "Downing, Williams Combat Housing Crisis with Bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the bipartisan Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025to address the nationwide housing crisis by providing essential home repair assistance to low-and-moderate-income homeowners and small landlords. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) are leading the Senate companion.\n\n\u201cHousing availability and affordability are two of the biggest challenges facing Americans looking to build a more stable future,\u201d said Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02). \u201cAs home prices across the country skyrocket, it\u2019s up to Congress to look for innovative solutions that realign supply with demand to temper rising costs. The Whole-Home Repairs Act takes a promising step in that direction by redeploying readily available resources at HUD and leveraging state, local, and federal cooperation to bolster the country\u2019s existing stock of homes. For the Montana residential market, in which a quarter of all households are cost burdened and more than half of all parcels are characterized as being in average or worse condition, the potential for a pilot program like this knows no bounds. I appreciate Rep. Williams\u2019 willingness to work across the aisle to help address the very real housing crisis that is affecting countless Americans. I look forward to seeing our hard work deliver real results for the Treasure State.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many families are forced to live in homes with dangerous health and safety risks because of repairs they can\u2019t afford,\u201d said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05). \u201cThis is especially true for seniors on fixed incomes struggling to stay in the homes they worked so hard to maintain. As a homeowner, I know our homes are often our first foundation of generational wealth. The Whole-Home Repair Act will help low and moderate income homeowners make the critical repairs to ensure their homes remain safe, secure, and an asset they can pass on to future generations.\u201d\n\nEndorsements of the Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 include the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc., Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Towns and Townships, BPC Action, Coalition for Home Repair, Habitat for Humanity International, National Housing Law Project (NHLP), National NeighborWorks Association (NNA), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Community Development Association, National Association of REALTORS, and Housing Assistance Council.\n\nClick here for the text of the Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/07/daines-on-fox-business-schumers-plan-is-nonsense/", "Daines on Fox Business: Schumer\u2019s Plan is Nonsense", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cDemocrats Are Shutting Down the Entire Government Because of Subsidies That Were Always Meant to Expire\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss how Chuck Schumer is using Obamacare as political leverage to hold the government hostage.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how Schumer is using Obamacare to hold the government hostage:\n\nWe want the shutdown to end immediately. It should\u2019ve ended weeks ago. You look at the Fox charts at the moment- they are showing flights delayed, flights cancelled. This is only going to get worse. Secretary Duffy is having to take extraordinary action to protect the flying public. You saw what Schumer just offered on the floor- it\u2019s nonsense. It\u2019s a nonstarter. Let me just step back for a moment and define the problem. Obamacare premiums have gone up 220 percent since it was implemented in 2014. Remember Barack Obama said Obamacare is going to lower health care costs by $2,500. That was the promise. It\u2019s up 221 percent. These now-subsidies that were put in place temporarily by the Democrats during COVID are set to expire. They were never meant to be permanent. What Chuck Schumer\u2019s asking is to now extend these temporary subsidies that are paid to Americans for like a family of two that make over $100,000 a year. But where do these subsidies go? They go directly to the insurance companies. So, it\u2019s doing nothing to address the issue of the unaffordability of Obamacare and health care. Their stock prices, Larry, if you look at the major health care insurance companies over that same period of time, going back to 2014, are up 500 percent to over 1,000 percent. So, the insurance companies are making out like bandits, while the American people are feeling the pain of Obamacare. And remember, when you think about how many Americans receive Obamacare, it\u2019s seven percent. So, 93 percent of the American people receive their health care through Medicare, through Medicaid, through private health care. It\u2019s seven percent that receive it through Obamacare. And it\u2019s a much smaller subset of that seven percent that actually get this subsidy paid to the insurance company, not even to the consumer. And so, the Democrats, bottom line, are shutting down the entire government, disrupting air travel, not paying the troops, because of these subsidies that were always meant to expire. That\u2019s the fight. So, what did Chuck Schumer just do? He says, let\u2019s extend them another year. We\u2019re not going to do that without significant reforms at best. Twenty percent of these subsidies are fraudulent. This is a terrible, $50 billion a year fraudulent subsidy program that we have got to stop or dramatically reform. We\u2019re not going to let Chuck Schumer extend another year. That\u2019s what he proposed here about an hour ago, and its nonsense.\n\nDaines on how the shutdown could end:\n\nWe\u2019ve given the Democrats now 14 or15 times the opportunity to have a vote for what they call a clean CR [continuing resolution]. And by the way, they voted for a clean CR 11 times when Joe Biden was President. But now that President Trump is in charge, they vote against it. Chuck Schumer voted for it back in March and nearly had his head handed to him, politically speaking, and so he\u2019s got to show this fight to save his political career with AOC and so forth in New York. This is political gamesmanship, and sadly, the American people are suffering. We\u2019re suffering in many, many ways. It\u2019s got to stop. So how do we get out of this mess? We\u2019ve got to first agree, like we\u2019ve always done in Washington for a long time, for many, many years, on a short-term extension of the CR. Now, November 21st is not enough time. Punt it out to January. By the way, we have serious discussions with a handful of Democrats. Let\u2019s call them the Common Sense Caucus. They want to end this thing as bad as we want to end it. They are willing to push back against Chuck Schumer\u2019s iron fist and do the right thing for this nation. I\u2019m hoping, Larry, that this weekend there\u2019ll be time for the temperature to come down and that by perhaps next week we could get something accomplished here, having a handful of Democrats join us, do the right thing, buy the time needed to do the negotiations for these final spending bills. That\u2019s the right answer, Larry. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve always done here in Washington, and they\u2019re not agreeing to that because of Chuck Schumer\u2019s iron fist.\n\nDaines on federal employees who aren\u2019t getting paid:\n\nRon Johnson has a bill on the floor that simply says this, let\u2019s pay the federal employees, giving their back pay to the first of November. Air traffic controllers, anybody else who is going to work every day in the federal government and not getting a paycheck. Let\u2019s just pay them for now and not have them suffer, not be able to make the rent payments, pay for their groceries. I\u2019ll tell you what, we\u2019re going to test the Democrats to see if they\u2019ll at least do that to take care of these civil servants who are serving us every day. I\u2019ll bet you that they will vote against this, which just shows you again, frankly, the bad state of mind they\u2019re at the moment and why they\u2019re yielding to Schumer\u2019s political gainsmanship doing the right thing instead of the right thing for the American people.\n\nDaines on withholding his paycheck during the shutdown:\n\nIt\u2019s terrible. Many of us, including myself, have just asked to withhold our paychecks. So, I\u2019m in that camp. So, I ask them to do that. You know when I walk by the Capitol Police who protect us here every day, every morning, they got smiles on their face, they\u2019re doing their jobs. They\u2019re not getting paid right now. And I think it\u2019s important that we stand at least in solidarity and say even though you\u2019re right, legally we do get paid, that\u2019s wrong. We should tell them to hold.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/07/daines-on-fox-news-democrats-should-stop-holding-the-american-people-hostage-and-open-the-government/", "Daines on Fox News: Democrats Should Stop Holding the American People Hostage and Open the Government", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox News America Reports to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and a path forward.\n\nDaines on the historic obstruction caused by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats:\n\nWell, look, we\u2019ve offered this clean CR. We need to extend it now beyond November 21st because we\u2019ve been shut down now for 38 days. We\u2019re kicking out [the CR] probably to January sometime to give us enough time to do the appropriations of spending bills. We also want to put in maybe three appropriation bills as part of this package here, bipartisan bills. But sadly, I have never seen something like this. This is new territory for us. Unprecedented obstruction. We saw that on the nominations earlier this year. Now it\u2019s on fundamentally funding the government.\n\nDaines on the Democrats blocking pay for federal workers:\n\nIf you saw what just happened minutes ago, Senator Ron Johnson went down and offered by unanimous consent to basically pay all the federal employees up until the first of November. Give them their back pay so they can pay their rent, pay for their groceries. Democrats objected to it. Leader Thune may put it on the floor his afternoon and dare Democrats to go on a roll call vote to not pay employees right now who deserve their paychecks. It\u2019s playing hardball right now. It needs to happen.\n\nDaines on the possibility of ending the filibuster:\n\nI don\u2019t disagree with the President\u2019s argument. I was with him last night. It\u2019s very persuasive because if you look at the history, what happened in the last Congress, it was just two Democrats that saved the filibuster. It was Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. They are no longer in the Senate. As soon as Democrats take control, they will nuke the filibuster. That is a foregone conclusion. The problem we have is that we have probably 10-15 Republican Senators who feel strongly about protecting the institution and they are hard noes. They are virtually immovable on this issue and so it\u2019s best we\u2019re going to find a different path forward to resolve this crisis.\n\nDaines on whether Republicans will take the Democrats\u2019 deal and extend ACA subsides:\n\nNo, we\u2019re not going to do that. Look, we\u2019ve said, open up the government, get it opened up. If you look at the history of shutdowns they have had before, you never reward shutting down the government. You don\u2019t reward this behavior. Open up the government. This is a complicated issue that needs to be solved through the bipartisan negotiations. So, I agree with Chuck Schumer when he said, we\u2019ve got to form a bipartisan group to figure out ways to lower health care costs. Extending these subsidies does nothing to lower health care costs. It only continues to increase it. These subsidies are paid directly to the insurance companies. Twenty percent of these subsidies are fraudulent. We cannot perpetuate that. It will not fundamentally change the trajectory of health care costs. That\u2019s the issue. These subsidies only continue to increase health care costs. These subsidies go to insurance companies. We have an appetite to sit down and put the reforms in that are needed. They\u2019ll actually lower health care costs. Remember, Obamacare is up nearly 100 percent since it passed back in 2014. Barack Obama said it\u2019s going to decrease health care costs, 25 percent. They\u2019re actually up 100 percent and private insurance costs have risen much, much less than Obamacare. So, this just continues to advance a terrible system that\u2019s not affordable for the American people.\n\nDaines on how to end the government shutdown:\n\nWhat we can do is extend the CR. We\u2019d have to punt it out to at least next January. And commit to the part that Chuck Schumer did say we\u2019d agree to is to set up a structure of bipartisan negotiations to actually reduce health care costs, making health care affordable. But not until we go to the government open back up again. That\u2019s going to take some time, thoughtful deliberation, but we\u2019ve got to solve this problem. You can\u2019t shut the government down to use as leverage here to try to get this outcome.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/07/icymi-belgrade-news-daines-hopes-federal-shutdown-could-end-soon-as-flight-delays-surge-major-cancellations-loom/", "ICYMI: Belgrade News: Daines hopes federal shutdown could end soon as flight delays surge, major cancellations loom", "2025-11-07", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with Belgrade News about the consequences of the Schumer Shutdown. Read highlights from the story below.\n\nDaines hopes federal shutdown could end soon as flight delays surge, major cancellations loom\n\nBelgrade News\n\nMike Sunnucks\n\nNovember 6th, 2025\n\nU.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, is hopeful the record-long federal government shutdown could end \u201cwithin the next few days.\u201d\n\nDaines said there have been discussions with Democratic senators about bringing the shutdown, which began Oct. 1, to an end.\n\nDaines said five to 10 Democrats are part of those shutdown discussions.\n\nSenate Republicans need five Democrats to vote for federal spending measures that will reopen the government\u2026\n\n\u2026The U.S. government has been shutdown since Oct. 1, and reached its 37th day Thursday. The shutdown is the longest in U.S. history.\n\nDemocrats want the GOP and the Trump administration to address rising health insurance premiums under Affordable Care Act/Obamacare.\n\n\u2026Daines criticized Democrats for shutting down the government over the issue.\n\nHe said Obamacare costs were promised to help lower health care costs by as much as 25%. Instead, Daines said Obamacare costs have gone up 100% since its inception in 2014.\n\nThe Republican said approximately 7% of the U.S. population is on Obamacare and that the premium subsidies were approved during the COVID-19 pandemic and meant to be temporary.\n\nAccording to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 24.3 million Americans are enrolled in ACA health insurance programs. That\u2019s 7.1% of the U.S. population.\n\n\u2026The shutdown has closed many federal offices, left government workers without paychecks and has disrupted SNAP (food stamps) payments. Federal home heating oil assistance for need households could also feel the shutdown\u2019s sting.\n\nThe Trump administration said flights would be reduced as much as 10% at 40 airports nationally because of the shutdown and air traffic controller staffing issues. That could nix as many as 4,000 flights daily across the country.\n\nU.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said reductions could start Friday.\n\nAir traffic controllers and other \u2018essential\u2019 government workers are still on the job but are not getting paid.\n\nThat\u2019s resulting in a number of callouts. Already there was a big uptick of flight delays and cancellations at U.S. airports Thursday. FlightAware.com (which tracks air traffic) reported more than 3,300 flight delays across the U.S. Thursday.\n\nDaines said it\u2019s Democrats who are responsible for the shutdown strains. He expects senators to stay in Washington for a potential deal.\n\n\u201cWe will be here until this gets resolved,\u201d Daines said, hopeful of a Democratic \u201cjailbreak\u201d from party leaders to end the shutdown.\n\nRead the full article HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/06/daines-emphasizes-strong-partnership-between-u-s-and-central-asia-at-c51-conference/", "Daines Emphasizes Strong Partnership Between U.S. and Central Asia at C5+1 Conference", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today attended the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference in Washington, D.C., where he delivered opening and closing remarks. Over the past 20 months, Daines has travelled to all five Central Asian countries and met with their presidents. Yesterday, Daines introduced a bill to end the outdated Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions that impact the region- read more HERE.\n\nRead Daines\u2019 closing remarks as prepared for delivery below.\n\nThere are few parts of the world that offer the opportunity that Central Asia does. Closer ties between our nations can bring greater economic opportunity to millions of people and secure some of the West\u2019s most vulnerable supply chains. Building a closer relationship between our countries is not simply desirable but is a strategic imperative for the United States.\n\nThe Trump administration has made these relationships a priority; the new Special Envoy for Central Asia position in addition to the C5+1 vehicle, the concurrent Critical Minerals Dialogue, U.S. industry trade missions, and other diplomatic and commercial avenues provide the necessary forums through which the United States and Central Asia can build the capacity and trust necessary for long term cooperation. Collaborative resource and infrastructure development will be the bedrock of Central Asia\u2019s future economy.\n\nEarlier this week, the Senate passed my resolution honoring the anniversary of this diplomatic platform with unanimous bipartisan support, demonstrating Congress\u2019 commitment to these relationships.\n\nBut the job is not done. There is still much that can be done to facilitate closer connections between our countries. I am working with bipartisan partners in Congress to repeal the outdated Soviet era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions through legislation introduced in both the House and Senate this week. It is long past time we relegate these outdated restrictions to the ash heap of history and bring our relationships into the 21st century.\n\nCentral Asia is endowed with rich natural resources. Collectively, the five nations represent over 31 billion barrels of oil reserves, 250 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, and over 40% of global uranium production. As we look to a new day for Europe, one wherein the continent is not dependent on a bellicose adversary for energy supplies, Central Asian nations can be the partners of the future; providing consistent flows of resources necessary for baseload power without the concern that those energy imports will be weaponized.\n\nEven three years after the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. is still importing uranium from Russia despite profound national security implications. Central Asian partners can instead offer a more reliable source of the element necessary to the development of artificial intelligence, data centers, and other energy-intensive industries.\n\nIn addition to energy resources, Central Asia holds impressive deposits of almost every critical mineral necessary for technological innovation. From antimony, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium, aluminum, and zinc, to one of the world\u2019s largest rare earth deposits, the region contains enough primary building blocks for advanced technology to offset many of the United States\u2019 current supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure our technological development is free of foreign coercion.\n\nThis is not to say that resource extraction is the sum total of our relationship; but instead, it is a vehicle for our nations to strengthen existing relationships. Collaborative investment creates a tide that will lift all boats; building more vibrant economies and better opportunity for the citizens of Central Asia and ensuring a steady supply of the inputs that power the West\u2019s economy. There is no reason successful development cannot lead to increased engagement in Central Asian nations as the partners and markets of the future, making advancements across the agricultural, technological, financial, and energy sectors.\n\nAmerican capital comes from reliable partners who are actively invested in a project\u2019s successful completion without complex political prerogatives or expectations. Increased public-private partnership through the Development Finance Corporation and other investment vehicles will harmonize private interests with shared national security and development prerogatives, bringing the two missions parallel into one holistic strategy.\n\nMajor developments within the wider region also offer promise for long-term investment prospects. Following the successful conclusion of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal signed in August, Central Asia\u2019s resources for the first time will have a westward trade route. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity and its associated infrastructure will finally unite Central Asia with Western markets and allow sustained, long-term investment. The long theorized Middle Corridor is well and truly underway; Brezinski\u2019s dream of uncorking Central Asia\u2019s riches through the South Caucasus is coming to fruition.\n\nA region long beset by destructive rivalry fomented by the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia has collectively decided to march forward toward a future defined by increased partnership and economic cooperation.\n\nUnder Soviet rule and later Russian influence, the Central Asian countries were discouraged from fulfilling their nation\u2019s potential; powerful southern neighbors did not serve Russia\u2019s interests. Russia still feels similarly about developing the region but is too occupied with Ukraine to meddle along its southern flank and has lost its ability to deny those nations their future.\n\nPutin\u2019s war has opened the door for a more reliable partner in the United States to engage the Eurasian heartland, one that can provide reliable, stable foreign investment without complex political prerogatives.\n\nOther nations offer attractive investment to Central Asia but are missing the cornerstone of U.S. investment. The U.S.\u2019 most valuable asset is trust; I believe it was Secretary Colin Powell who said that in all the wars it has fought, the only land the United States has ever asked for is land to bury our dead. America\u2019s track record as a trusted partner for peace and prosperity is something only our nation can offer. We may take our time in arriving, but once we are there, we are truly invested in mutually beneficial investment and follow through on our commitments.\n\nThis year\u2019s tenth iteration of the C5+1 will hopefully facilitate further joint development of natural resources, increased foreign direct investment, and greater high-level contact between our countries. A region submerged between Russia, China, and Iran has chosen to forge an independent path dominated by none of their neighbors but instead defined by regional consensus and multilateral diplomacy as well as international partnership.\n\nCentral Asia will no longer be denied its future or its birthright, and America\u2019s pivot towards the region is already well underway. I look forward to working with President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and everyone in this room to build on the successes we have already had and to create a brighter future for all the people we serve and represent.\n\n\u2026\n\nThank you all very much.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/06/daines-on-fox-business-time-to-go-on-offense-against-narco-terrorists-as-well-as-end-the-government-shutdown/", "Daines on Fox Business: Time to Go on Offense Against Narco-Terrorists as Well as End the Government Shutdown", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss President Trump\u2019s ongoing action against narco-terrorists. Daines also spoke about the ongoing shutdown and what it will take to reopen the government.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on President Trump\u2019s aggressive action against narco-terrorists:\n\nRemember the problem that we face in this country. About 25,000 Americans die from cocaine deaths alone [every year], and that probably underestimates the other crime and murders going on because of cartels and drugs. Talk to members of local law enforcement around the country. They will tell you it\u2019s drugs that are driving most of the violent crime in this country. Remember, under Joe Biden\u2019s watch, cocaine deaths in this country rose 85 percent. And let\u2019s not forget that President Maduro has been indicted by the Department of Justice as a narco-terrorist. If you think about how to win a fight, how to win a war, you can\u2019t do it simply by playing defense. You\u2019ve got to play offense. And I applaud President Trump\u2019s aggressive actions, taking out these boats, taking out these narco-terrorists. That is protecting our country and saving lives.\n\nDaines on America\u2019s renewed strength under President Trump:\n\nPresident Trump inherited terrible policies and outcomes coming from President Biden, and [President Trump] is back on the offense. You\u2019ve got to come back to why is the United States respected again? It\u2019s because of President Trump. It is truly about the strength that President Trump projects, both in terms of who he is as a leader, as well as using the U.S. military, whether it\u2019s economic force, whether it\u2019s military force. America is back again, and we\u2019ll be safer because of it.\n\nDaines on the government shutdown and what it will take to end it:\n\nWell, it\u2019s not about Schumer now. It\u2019s about five to 10 more moderate commonsense Democrats who will break from Chuck Schumer. We\u2019ve seen cracks developing now amongst the Democrat senators. I\u2019m grateful for those maybe five to ten brave Democrats who will join us to stop this nonsense. But we always knew they were going to have to push this probably through that No Kings rally, through the election on Tuesday, you know, these purple states, blue states, certainly of Virginia, New Jersey, and then the New York mayor race. And then they want to set the record. So, yep, they got the record. Yesterday was day 36. That breaks the all-time record. Give them a gold medal for the longest shutdown in American history of the government. Now it\u2019s time to talk common sense. We\u2019ve got to put these Senate Democrats in a witness protection program right now because the far-left will absolutely vilify them for deciding to work with us to open the government back up. And look, as Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said, we\u2019re going to see a 10 percent reduction in air traffic starting tomorrow. It is time to stop the nonsense and open things back up. I\u2019m cautiously optimistic right now that common sense will prevail, and we\u2019ll get this thing opened up sooner versus later.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/05/daines-resolution-recognizing-ten-years-of-enhanced-relationships-with-central-asia-passes-u-s-senate/", "Daines Resolution Recognizing Ten Years of Enhanced Relationships with Central Asia Passes U.S. Senate", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his resolution honoring the ten-year anniversary of enhanced cooperation between the United States and Central Asia passed the U.S. Senate last evening. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Dave McCormick (R- Pa.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) are cosponsors of the resolution.\n\n\u201cCentral Asia is a strategically critical region, and since the launch of the C5+1 in 2015, we\u2019ve made substantial progress in deepening the relationships between America and the five Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. I\u2019ve travelled to all five Central Asian countries and have a deep appreciation for our mutual goals, including increased trade and national security. I\u2019m proud that my resolution commemorating ten years of C5+1 passed the U.S. Senate and look forward to the continuation of our partnerships,\u201d said Daines.\n\nRead the resolution HERE. Read more about the C5+1 HERE.\n\nDaines has travelled to all five Central Asian countries- read more on his work HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/05/daines-risch-murphy-shaheen-introduce-bill-to-increase-american-prosperity-repeal-outdated-jackson-vanik-trade-restrictions/", "Daines, Risch, Murphy, Shaheen Introduce Bill to Increase American Prosperity, Repeal Outdated Jackson-Vanik Trade Restrictions", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), member of the Senate Committees on Finance and Foreign Relations, and Chris Murphy (D-Conn) introduced a bill to repeal the outdated Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. Foreign Relations Committee leaders, Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) as well as Representatives Carol Miller (WV-01) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined in introducing the legislation.\n\n\u201cCentral Asia is rich in natural resources and is a strategically critical region for the U.S. Unfortunately, Central Asia is still subject to outdated, Cold War-era trade restrictions that prevent any permanent investment and hinder American trade and prosperity. It\u2019s past time that we get rid of these outdated restrictions and I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues on a bill that will repeal Jackson-Vanik and unleash the full potential of American relationships with Central Asia,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cWhat was once a useful tool to coerce the Soviet Union into improving its treatment of Soviet Jews and minority groups, today the Jackson-Vanik amendment is an outdated policy that is holding back our partnerships with important countries in Central Asia. This bipartisan legislation is an opportunity to redefine our relationship with the region and advance America\u2019s economic and national security interests,\u201d said Murphy.\n\n\u201cAs a volatile Russia and an increasingly aggressive China pursue their own interests across the globe, the U.S. offers Central Asian nations the opportunity to work with an equal partner. Removing outdated Jackson-Vanik restrictions on our partners will pave the way for a new era of economic cooperation in Central Asia. I am proud to introduce this bill in support for President Trump\u2019s efforts to build a secure and prosperous future for the U.S. and our C5+1 partners,\u201d said Risch.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s partnerships with the strategically vital economies of Central Asia are strong and growing, but we also must incentivize long-term U.S. investments as China and Russia continue to pursue malign tactics and predatory programs. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill to terminate trade restrictions that have long hindered America\u2019s engagement in this region. I look forward to helping unlock the full potential of our collaboration with Central Asia,\u201d said Shaheen.\n\n\u201cIt is essential we strengthen America\u2019s trade relationships with Central Asian countries to ensure that all of our nations can thrive economically. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment is a relic of the Cold War that hinders our growing partnerships in the region. Granting Central Asian allies Permanent Normal Trade Relations reaffirms our commitment to building lasting economic agreements grounded in shared prosperity and a collective vision for a more stable and interconnected global economy. I look forward to continuing these conversations with President Trump and my colleagues in Congress,\u201dsaid Miller.\n\n\u201cThe Jackson-Vanik Amendment is an antiquated law that no longer applies to many countries, like Kazakhstan, that could be key to America\u2019s economic and strategic interests in Central Asia. By rolling back this outdated policy, we could modernize our trade practices, promote greater economic cooperation, increase investment opportunities, and strengthen our relationships in the region. It\u2019s long past time we got rid of Jackson-Vanik and brought U.S. trade partnerships in Central Asia into the 21st century,\u201d said Panetta.\n\nBackground:\n\nJackson-Vanik is a set of trade restrictions included in the 1974 Trade Act which denies unconditional normal trade relations to certain countries that had non-market economies and that restricted emigration rights. Senator Daines has long been a proponent of repealing the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. He has spoken numerous times in Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings about the issue- read more HERE. Daines travelled to all five Central Asian countries- read more HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/11/05/icymi-western-montana-news-major-flight-delays-coming-as-shutdown-sets-historic-record/", "ICYMI: Western Montana News: Major Flight Delays Coming as Shutdown Sets Historic Record", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with Western Montana News about the consequences of the Schumer Shutdown. Read highlights from the story below.\n\nDaines: Major Flight Delays Coming as Shutdown Sets Historic Record\n\nWestern Montana News\n\nRoy McKenzie\n\nNovember 4th, 2025\n\nSenator Steve Daines warned Tuesday that major airline disruptions are imminent as what he calls the \u201cSchumer Shutdown\u201d reached day 35, setting up to break the all-time record for longest closure in American history.\n\nSpeaking exclusively with Western Montana News hours after Democrats blocked the 14th attempt to reopen the government, Daines said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is warning of significant flight delays starting next week.\n\n\u201cSecretary Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation, is warning today there are going to be major flight delays starting next week,\u201d Daines said. \u201cWe\u2019re already starting to see delays in major airports, but this is going to continue to cascade and have a domino effect, and we\u2019re going to see significant disruptions for the flying public next week.\u201d\n\n\u2026During the Tuesday afternoon interview, Daines confirmed the vote count had just increased from 13 to 14 blocked attempts by Senate Democrats.\n\n\u201cWe just moved from 13 attempts to actually 14 a few hours ago. We put the same bill on the floor, and they once again blocked it,\u201d Daines said. \u201cKeep in mind, this is the exact same clean CR that Democrats voted for when Biden was president.\u201d\n\nThe Montana Republican suggested Democrats strategically wanted to maintain the shutdown past Tuesday\u2019s major elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City to motivate their base.\n\n\u201cWe knew they wanted to keep the government shutdown pass today, because you have big elections in Virginia and New Jersey for governor, and then, of course, that big mayor race in New York City, and they want to keep their far left base ginned up and motivated to turnout and vote,\u201d Daines said.\n\nWednesday will mark day 36 of the shutdown, officially setting the record for longest government closure in American history, surpassing the 35-day shutdown that occurred during Trump\u2019s first term.\n\n\u201cEvery day this shutdown drags on, it only gets worse for many Montana families,\u201d Daines said. \u201cIt\u2019s insanity that this shutdown has dragged out into November, ahead of the holiday season.\u201d\n\nThe senator placed responsibility squarely on Senate Democrats: \u201cYou can\u2019t shut the government down and use that as a hostage or leverage when you don\u2019t like a particular outcome or policy from an administration.\u201d\n\nRead the full article HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/no-budget-no-pay", "NO BUDGET, NO PAY!", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of Congressman Ralph Norman\u2019s (SC-05) constitutional amendment that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown, with no back pay.\n\nUnlike other federal workers, during a shutdown Members of Congress continue to receive pay due to Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution, which states that \u201cThe Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.\u201d This language does not specify that pay is contingent on the government being funded.\n\nCongressman Norman\u2019s proposed amendment reads: \u201cA Representative or Senator may not receive compensation with respect to any period during which a Government shutdown is in effect. For purposes of this article, a Government shutdown shall be considered to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe have a constitutional duty to do our job and keep government funded,\u201d said Zinke. \u201cAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have continually worked to pass individual appropriations bills out of committee for full consideration of Congress. This regular order of government funding allows members of Congress to have input, creates more certainty, and budget accountability. But Congress has relied on punting and continuing resolutions at best and now shutdowns at worst. Simply put: If Congress fails to do its job, Members shouldn\u2019t get a paycheck.\u201d\n\nThe U.S. Constitution, under Article I, Section 9, requires that \u201cNo Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.\u201d Despite this clear mandate, Congress has repeatedly failed to pass appropriations bills on time, triggering shutdowns that disrupt critical services and leave military members, federal employees, Border Patrol agents, and other public servants without pay.\n\nAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Zinke has played a key role in drafting the 12 appropriations bills that fund the government. Currently, in the 119th Congress, all 12 House appropriations bills have passed out of committee, and four have passed the House floor. Zinke also voted in favor of the clean continuing resolution passed by the House to prevent the current government shutdown and keep essential services running while budget negotiations continue.\n\nRead the full amendment here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-wants-make-montana-cool-again-backs-country-origin-labeling", "Zinke\u00a0wants to Make Montana COOL Again,\u00a0Backs Country of Origin Labeling", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of Congresswoman Hageman\u2019s (WY) \u201cH.R. 5818 Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2025\u201d (COOL Enforcement Act). The legislation would amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to clarify that beef marketed as \u201cProduct of the USA\u201d must be both raised and processed in the United States, not simply packaged or minimally processed in the U.S. after importation.\n\n\u201cAmerica first means American beef first, and to me that means Montana beef first,\u201d Zinke said. \u201cAmericans are becoming more aware of where their food is grown, raised, and produced, and Montana has a great reputation for quality and healthy food. Shoppers should be 100% confident at the point of purchase that what they are getting is what they meant to buy. This legislation ensures transparency at the meat counter and defends the integrity of Montana and U.S. ranching. If it\u2019s marketed as American beef, it should be born, raised, and processed here at home.\u201d\n\nThe COOL Enforcement Act arrives at a critical moment as American beef producers face competition from imported beef that may not meet the same production, processing, or oversight standards. Congressman Zinke\u2019s backing of this legislation continues his track record of strong support of Montana\u2019s ranching community.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/31/daines-honors-montanans-of-the-month-the-montana-army-national-guard-aviation-crews/", "Daines Honors Montanans of the Month: The Montana Army National Guard Aviation Crews", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE\u2014 U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Montana\u2019s Army National Guard aviation crews for their selfless and heroic service during a series of life-saving rescue missions. Through his \u201cMontanan of the Month\u201d initiative, every month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. To recommend a Montanan click HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:\n\nTRIBUTE TO THE MONTANA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AVIATION CREWS\n\nMr. Daines, Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of recognizing the Montana Army National Guard (MTARNG) Aviation Crews as \u201cMontanans of the Month\u201d for their extraordinary courage and dedication during a series of life-saving rescue missions across our state.\n\nIn the rugged backcountry of Montana, where steep cliffs, high altitudes, and unpredictable weather can turn a simple hike into a life-threatening situation, these Guardsmen stand ready, day or night, to answer the call. Their professionalism and heroism exemplify the very best of our citizen soldiers.\n\nOn August 9, 2025, the Helena-based aviation team responded to a rescue near Zortman after a person fell over a cliff and suffered serious injuries. With limited visibility from wildfire smoke and nightfall plus the added challenge of a sheer rock face and heavy timber, the crew conducted a highly technical nighttime rescue. Thanks to their precision and teamwork, the injured individual was safely hoisted and flown to Billings for medical care.\n\nRecognized Crew: CPT Otis Smith (Pilot-in-Command), CW3 Tom Kinyon (Co-Pilot), SGT Ian Montgomery (Crew Chief), SSG Anthony Wright (Crew Chief), and SGT Randy Scales (Flight Paramedic).\n\nOnly a week later, on August 17, 2025, another MTARNG aircrew from Billings sprang into action when three hypothermic hikers became stranded in the Beartooth Mountains. With ground rescue teams unable to reach the group safely, the MTARNG crew braved freezing temperatures and rough terrain to extract the hikers and deliver them to Columbus for emergency treatment.\n\nRecognized Crew: CW3 Zach Lundgren (Pilot-in-Command), CW2 Cameron Olson (Co-Pilot), SGT Justin Asher (Crew Chief), SPC Patrick Northrup (Flight Paramedic), and Rob Gersbach from the Billings Fire Department (Flight Paramedic).\n\nTheir month of service didn\u2019t end there. Between August 24\u201326, 2025, MTARNG crews from both Billings and Helena joined a multi-agency search for a missing 71-year-old hiker in the Beartooth Mountains. After the hiker was located by an Air Force helicopter from Malmstrom Air Force Base, the MTARNG team from Helena performed a high-altitude hoist rescue, successfully recovering both the hiker and the Air Force flight doctor who had stayed with him overnight in the mountains. Their teamwork and coordination with the Air Force and local responders ensured a safe end to a dangerous mission.\n\nRecognized Crew: CW3 Brett Normandeau (Pilot-in-Command), CW3 Pat Rickar (Co-Pilot), SPC Sydney Stephenson (Crew Chief), and SPC Zach Blank (Crew Chief).\n\nEach of these operations demanded split-second decision-making, advanced flight skill, and immense courage. Even through flying in wildfire smoke, over jagged terrain, or in the dead of night, these crews embody the Montana spirit of bravery, selflessness, and a steadfast commitment to saving lives.\n\nTo the men and women of the Montana Army National Guard aviation teams: thank you for your service to our state and your unwavering dedication to the people of Montana. Your courage in the face of danger makes us proud to call you fellow Montanans.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/31/daines-joins-kbzk-in-studio-for-halloween-special-segment/", "Daines Joins KBZK In-Studio For Halloween Special Segment", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined KBZK in studio for a special Halloween segment and gave the latest updates on the Schumer Shutdown.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on the Schumer Shutdown:\n\nThis will be the longest shutdown in American history. It looks like the Democrats want to keep it shut down into the next week. There\u2019s a big election on Tuesday in New York for that mayor race, there\u2019s a New Jersey governor\u2019s race. There\u2019s Virginia\u2019s governor\u2019s race. We\u2019re told they\u2019re going to keep it shut down at least through Tuesday because they want to stir up their folks to get out and vote, unfortunately, because there\u2019s real people getting hurt. As you mentioned here earlier in the news stories, 77,000 Montanans loose their SNAP benefits starting this weekend. It\u2019s about 40 million Americans lose their SNAP benefits. So, this is should not be about political gamesmanship. This should be about coming back together again. And I\u2019m cautiously hopeful that because of some talks that just began yesterday, maybe we\u2019ll get a handful of Democrats to join us. We need five democrats to join us. The democrats have voted against a clean CR, that means temporary funding bill, 14 times. [A clean CR is] something they did 11 times when Joe Biden was President. I think they\u2019re angry with President Trump. Don\u2019t express that anger by shutting the government down. Let\u2019s get deal done and move forward\u2026we\u2019re going to see air traffic delays. Our troops aren\u2019t going to be getting paid. Your TSA agents, air traffic controllers. This is political gamesmanship. It shouldn\u2019t happen. Don\u2019t take the government hostage as part of the negotiations here to try and get an outcome because you\u2019re upset about the elections last year.\n\nDaines explained his Halloween Bobcats Jersey:\n\nGood to be back in my hometown. Happy Halloween- go Cats! 41 is the legacy uniform of the Bobcats. We [Montana] were the 41st state admitted to the union. In fact, our birthday\u2019s coming up- November 8th. The 136th year, since 1889. every year the Cats assign a Montanan who gets to wear this jersey and Paul Brott, of Billings West High, defensive end is it wearing this year. So, I thought it would be the right jersey to wear.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/31/daines-tours-msus-state-of-the-art-quantum-research-facility/", "Daines Tours MSU\u2019s State-Of-The-Art Quantum Research Facility", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with Montana State University President Brock Tessman and toured MSU\u2019s new state of the art quantum research facility.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a blast to be back at my alma mater, MSU, on Halloween, and see all the great additions made to the university. Quantum research is at the forefront of today\u2019s technological advancements and supports hundreds of Montana jobs. This quantum research facility at MSU will help our students learn critical skills for the workforce and helps contribute to America\u2019s position as a global leader in technology, and I was glad to visit,\u201d said Daines.\n\nBackground:\n\nDaines is a leader in supporting quantum research, both in Montana and across the nation. In February 2025 he introduced the DOE Quantum Leadership Act to authorize more than $2.5 billion for quantum research at the U.S. Department of Energy- read more HERE. In June 2025 he introduced and the Senate unanimously passed his resolution celebrating 100 years of American quantum innovation-read more HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/30/daines-on-newsmax-theres-nothing-more-made-in-america-than-cattle/", "Daines on Newsmax: There\u2019s Nothing More Made-In-America Than Cattle", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Newsmax to discuss supporting America\u2019s farmers and ranchers.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines: There\u2019s nothing more Made-in-America than cattle. You think about our heritage, the cowboys of our country\u2026there\u2019s nobody who gets up earlier in the morning to start their day than our cow-calf producers. I literally start getting phone calls and text messages starting at about 5 a.m. Montana time, Montana time. [That\u2019s] 7 a.m. here in Washington, D.C., because they\u2019re up early, they go to bed late. They\u2019ve had a period of drought. We\u2019ve had five to 10 years of drought in farm and ranch country. It\u2019s severely depressed prices. These ranchers were concerned they couldn\u2019t make their payments on their loans for their land and for their equipment. Equipment prices have soared, particularly after COVID. They\u2019re feeling the impact sometimes of tariffs on equipment coming in the United States. And so we recommend the administration to remember, these cowboys and these cowgirls are the strongest Trump supporters there are. They\u2019ve been with him since the beginning of time. Let the markets recover. Don\u2019t flood the market with imported beef.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/29/daines-calls-for-expanded-market-access-for-montana-beef-producers-in-senate-finance-committee-hearing/", "Daines Calls for Expanded Market Access for Montana Beef Producers in Senate Finance Committee Hearing", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Julie Callahan, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, in a Senate Finance Committee hearing. They discussed the need to expand market access for farmers and ranchers and protect America\u2019s beef industry.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines asked Callahan about increasing U.S. market access in China:\n\nDaines: Dr. Callahan, thank you for your years of service at USTR and your willingness to serve in this position. You will hit the ground running, which will we need at this moment here on behalf of our producers across America. I do greatly appreciate the work you\u2019ve done alongside Ambassador Greer as well as President Trump to put American agriculture at the forefront of these ongoing and encouraging trade negotiations that we\u2019re hearing about as we speak here over in Asia. Dr. Callahan, you were the senior director of Agricultural Affairs at USTR when we finally lifted the ban on beef with the China market and opened that China export market up to American producers in 2017. I remember well when I went over to China, brought along some wonderful steaks from one of my producers from the Miles City, Montana area, and gave them to the premier and told him, this is the best beef in the world. In fact, I told him that Australian beef, which was in the market there, had a distinct kangaroo flavor, and he\u2019ll really enjoy when he finally gets to taste Montana beef and U.S. beef. By opening up that market, the second largest beef import market in the world, ranchers were able to export cuts that were not as valuable in the United States, but do that at a premium. And after years of negative margins, of drought, of challenges during COVID, Montana cattlemen have just started to finally turn a profit, finally be able to make their payments to the banks for the loans they have for some of the land that they own. This is a win for producers. It\u2019s also a win for consumers. Profitability helps ensure that we have a secure and durable food supply and will help grow our herd size that will bring down consumer costs over time. Enhanced export markets and not market distorting imports from Argentina are a large part of that equation. Unfortunately, China has put in place serious trade barriers and beef exports to China have plummeted since March. Foreign competitors, sadly, are filling that void in our absence, and they\u2019re undercutting our American ranchers. Dr. Callahan, are we making any progress in reopening the China market, the second largest beef export market in the world, or finding additional markets for U.S. beef?\n\nCallahan: If confirmed, I am committed to reopening China\u2019s market to U.S. beef.\n\nDaines: I remember distinctly, then-Senator David Perdue and I went to Beijing and were helping President Trump and the administration finalize that Phase One trade deal. And I\u2019m very happy to see Ambassador Purdue on the ground there in Beijing. He understands the markets there and, of course, is a huge advocate for the President and his policies.\n\nDaines and Callahan also discussed market access in Japan & South Korea:\n\nDaines: I want to just close with Japan and South Korea. They are some of our staunchest allies in East Asia. They\u2019re also major purchases of Montana wheat. Our wheat farmers are struggling. They tell me time and time again they need more access to the export markets. 95 percent of the world\u2019s consumers live outside the United States. The future of American agriculture is access to these markets. Dr. Callahan, has the U.S. wheat benefited in the recent framework agreement with Japan, and can we expect more positive results with South Korea?\n\nCallahan: In terms of our agreements on reciprocal trade negotiations, we\u2019re really pushing for three areas of progress. One is lowering tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. The second is eliminating unjustified non-tariff barriers. Those are really the core areas of negotiation. And the third is seeking purchase commitments from countries that choose to do so. And U.S. wheat is one of the commodities that a number of countries are committing. They\u2019re signing MOUs with the private sector and making plans to import more U.S. wheat to benefit U.S. wheat growers.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/29/daines-cantwell-introduce-bill-to-improve-treatment-access-for-adults-with-chronic-pain/", "Daines, Cantwell Introduce Bill to Improve Treatment Access for Adults With Chronic Pain", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today introduced the \u201cRelief of Chronic Pain Act,\u201d which will increase access to non-opioid pain management options under Medicaid Part D for those living with chronic pain.\n\n\u201cOne in five adults in the U.S. live with chronic pain, like arthritis, nerve pain and fibromyalgia. The last thing they should have to worry about is access to safe and reliable treatments. I\u2019m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Cantwell to help ease the burden on those who deal with chronic pain by expanding access to non-opioid therapies,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cOpioids were involved with over 60% of drug overdoses in Washington state in the last two decades. That\u2019s why we must invest in pain-management options that do not involve addictive drugs. This bill will allow seniors to access non-opioid pain management options to treat chronic pain and help with longer term recoveries,\u201d said Cantwell.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn the United States, one in five adults live with chronic pain. Of the 50 million adults living with chronic pain, almost half experience high-impact chronic pain, limiting productivity and contributing to over $550 billion in direct healthcare costs annually.\n\nThe opioid crisis remains an active public health emergency, underscoring the ongoing risks of prescription drug addiction. The danger is especially pronounced for older adults and people living with chronic pain. Among Medicare beneficiaries, diagnosed opioid use disorder is both among the highest and the fastest-growing in the nation. Given the heightened risks to older adults and the availability of effective alternatives, prescription opioids should not be first line treatment for chronic pain. Yet plan design and the very low cost of generic opioids create barriers to effective non\u2011opioid therapies. With the costs of opioid use disorder and overdose having exceeded $1.5 trillion in 2020 and a growing pipeline of non\u2011opioid options, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have access to non\u2011opioid therapies is critical.\n\nThe \u201cRelief of Chronic Pain Act\u201d would address gaps in Medicare Part D coverage for people with chronic pain and the heightened risks associated with long-term opioid use by:\n\nWaiving deductibles for qualifying non-opioids for chronic pain;\n\nPlacing such drugs in the lowest cost-sharing tier; and\n\nProhibiting step therapy and prior authorization practices for such drugs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-scholten-introduce-legislation-help-small-businesses-develop-ai", "Downing, Scholten\u00a0Introduce Legislation to Help Small Businesses Develop AI Literacy", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises (AI-WISE) Act, legislation that would require the Small Business Administration to develop AI-literacy resources on its existing e-learning platform.\n\nAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 1 in 4 businesses do not know whether they will or will not use AI in production during the next six months. This bill would help small business owners considering adopting AI tools to critically evaluate and assess their capabilities and help remedy any related drawbacks.\n\n\u201cAI holds the potential to be a force multiplier for the small businesses that drive Montana\u2019s economy forward,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cI am proud to be leading this legislation with Congresswoman Scholten to provide resources for Main Street regarding the practical ways AI can be implemented to support our small business leaders. I look forward to seeing its positive impacts in the Treasure State.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are eager to embrace AI, but they need quality education and support to do so effectively,\u201d said Congresswoman Scholten. \u201cIt is our responsibility to ensure they have access to the resources and training needed to harness AI\u2019s potential while avoiding pitfalls. As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I\u2019m proud to be introducing this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to make sure small businesses aren\u2019t being left behind as AI reshapes our economy.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/24/daines-sheehy-applaud-senate-confirmation-of-william-mercer-to-serve-as-federal-judge-for-the-district-of-montana/", "Daines, Sheehy Applaud Senate Confirmation of William\u00a0Mercer\u00a0to Serve as Federal Judge for the District of Montana", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released the below statement applauding the Senate confirmation of William Mercer to serve as U.S. Judge for the District of Montana.\n\n\u201cWe congratulate William Mercer on his long-awaited confirmation to serve as U.S. District Judge for Montana. Bill will have a lasting impact on both our state and the nation, and his experience at the U.S. Department of Justice, as U.S. Attorney for Montana, and as a state legislator have uniquely prepared him for this role. We are confident Bill will continue to zealously defend the rule of law and the original interpretation of the Constitution as he serves the people of Montana and the nation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/23/daines-lauds-historic-armenia-azerbaijan-peace-deal-in-keynote-address-at-the-hudson-institute/", "Daines Lauds Historic Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal in Keynote Address at the Hudson Institute", "2025-10-23", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Lays Out Roadmap for Future U.S. Relations with the South Caucuses and Central Asia\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered the keynote address at the Hudson Institute\u2019s conference on the future of U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus.\n\nWatch his remarks here.\n\nRead Daines\u2019 remarks as prepared for delivery below.\n\nThank you to the Hudson Institute for inviting me to be here with you all today, and to Mike Dolan for that introduction.\n\nFor more than 60 years the Hudson Institute has stood at the forefront of policy battles here in Washington and I am grateful for your work as both a resource to members and staff on the Hill and also the media and other thought leaders around DC.\n\nAs we turn our attention to foreign policy today, it really is an almost surreal time to address you all. There\u2019s an old saying, \u201cone day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.\u201d\n\nThat saying could describe Washington and the world with Donald Trump as President of the United States.\n\nAs I have often said, \u201cEvery hour is a new day in Washington.\u201d\n\nJust look at his accomplishments so far on the world stage: peace agreements between Cambodia and Thailand, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.\n\nOf course the monumental achievement over the past few weeks of getting the living Israeli hostages out of Gaza. Not to mention the Abraham Accords from his first term.\n\nBut what I want to focus on today is an agreement many didn\u2019t see coming and that\u2019s the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.\n\nIt caught many of the Beltway media by surprise. Punchbowl was talking about it on their podcast the morning it was signed and were in complete shock.\n\nThey went so far as to say that the CODELs we take are a joke and just couldn\u2019t believe we could lay the groundwork for a major peace agreement on the solo CODEL I took to the region.\n\nIt\u2019s always great to prove the cynical Beltway media wrong so let me tell you how it happened and then focus on the future of American involvement in the South Caucasus, and the opportunities the region holds.\n\n\u2026\n\nTo understand the magnitude of the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, we must first briefly look to the historical context of the conflict.\n\nThe two sides have been locked in a state of conflict since the late 1980s, with multiple wars and very little progress on reconciliation.\n\nThe initial conflict between the two sides lasted from 1988 to 1994, and nine additional active conflicts from 2008 to 2023.\n\nThe Soviet Union, and subsequently Russia, typically acted as the regional power broker and purposefully prolonged the conflict to maintain their control and influence over the region by ensuring that both countries could not achieve their own goals and were instead stuck in a cycle of violence.\n\nEvery President since H.W. Bush pursued their own peace initiatives, trying to find a resolution to the issue, but all came up short.\n\nSome did not properly resource or prioritize the talks, while others simply could not get the two sides to see eye to eye.\n\nThat brings us to this year, when the Trump administration prioritized finding peace in the South Caucasus; with members of his team engaging both sides of the conflict from the beginning of the year.\n\nRussia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine has diverted Putin\u2019s attention and pulled Russian resources further west and provided an opening for greater American involvement and influence.\n\nArmenia and Azerbaijan countries shed the yoke of Russian coercion and turned toward an independent future in partnership with the United States.\n\nSteve Witkoff\u2019s team was immediately on the ground, tackling the thorniest issues in the deal head-on.\n\nPrevious negotiation efforts tried to separate out individual issues, creating an incredibly complex diplomatic network and unintentionally downplaying the complexities of the region.\n\nThis administration tackled the negotiations with a holistic approach, recognizing that each issue is connected to the other, and that their resolutions are mutually reinforcing, not exclusive.\n\nAmerican negotiators came up with the innovative concept of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, which would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan while creating a new trade route that Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other regional states would benefit from.\n\nThe connection between the two had long been the trickiest aspect of peace talks, and the TRIPP was a completely new way of framing a solution that was amenable to both sides.\n\nI traveled to the region in May of this year, in the middle of the Trump administration-brokered negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.\n\nAt the time peace was certainly not guaranteed and negotiations were still fragile.\n\nDecades of conflict had taken a toll on trust between the two countries, and while talks were progressing, they were not quite complete.\n\nWhile in the region, I met with both President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan.\n\nI traveled with members of my team, embassy officials, as well as some administration staff.\n\nOur meetings offered an opportunity to present a fresh perspective on the negotiations, a perspective both leaders seemed eager to hear.\n\nThey both sincerely wanted to resolve this conflict permanently.\n\nThey both saw the opportunities the future could hold, and that the violence had to end before they could pursue those opportunities.\n\nWe were able to discuss practical solutions to intractable problems that had plagued the peace talks for decades prior.\n\nBoth Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev have demonstrated tremendous courage and fortitude throughout this process, putting their reputations and legacies on the line in pursuit of peace.\n\nTheir courage combined with President Trump and his team\u2019s creative diplomacy and problem solving have brought us to where we stand today.\n\nOn that same trip, I also traveled to the third nation of the South Caucasus: Georgia.\n\nWhile in Tbilisi, I met with members of both the ruling Georgian Dream party as well as the opposition.\n\nThe message I delivered to them was that any antagonism between our countries could end tomorrow.\n\nThat visit provided a remarkable split screen: Armenia and Azerbaijan have chosen to work with the United States to build the multilateral framework that will propel their nations into the future, while Georgia has unfortunately moved in the wrong direction in recent years.\n\nThe United States stands ready to work with Georgia to provide a better future for their people.\n\nBoth leaders were receptive to my message, but there have since been some negative developments.\n\nThe Trump administration is right to push Georgia to behave responsibly, but I would continue to stress to Georgia that our relations need not continue down the track they are on now.\n\nThere is no reason Georgia cannot be a part of the newly emerging regional partnership and benefit the same as its neighbors, all they need to do is reach out and grasp the United States\u2019 outstretched hand and redouble their commitment to a pluralistic, democratic governance system.\n\nThat brings us to August 8th, when both Aliyev and Pashinyan traveled to Washington to sign an agreement and joint declaration on peace in the South Caucasus.\n\nI was in attendance on that momentous day.\n\nThe agreement is not the end of the road for this process but instead offers a roadmap for the future.\n\nIt outlines the principles of peace, commitments both sides have made, and the U.S.\u2019s role as the deal\u2019s guarantor.\n\nNow that the deal has been signed, the U.S. can get to work with our partners on implementation.\n\nUnsurprisingly, the Trump administration is moving quickly, they have already provided $145 million in funding for development in Armenia, and more will come as needed.\n\nThe United States is making hard dollar, concrete investments in regional peace that will benefit all our countries.\n\nThe economic potential as a result of this deal is massive.\n\nArmenia and Azerbaijan have considerable natural wealth in their own rights; Baku is one of the world\u2019s most important gas and oil exporters with infrastructure carrying their product all the way across Turkey to Europe, while Armenia has major copper, lead, zinc, antimony, and other critical mineral deposits.\n\nAzerbaijan has also been an integral partner to Israel, providing much of the gas they use to power their economy, ensuring steady energy flows through its direct confrontation with Iran.\n\nArmenia\u2019s \u201cCrossroads of Peace\u201d initiative is also promising, seeking to make major infrastructure investments to better connect the Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia to Western markets.\n\nFurther to the East, Central Asia\u2019s riches for the first time have hope for a Central Corridor, an unimpeded path to travel west, allowing European and American firms to make longer-term investments with the certainty of long-term transport capability.\n\nCentral Asia\u2019s energy, mineral, and agricultural wealth can help strengthen fragile supply chains to the West, offering new sources for the building blocks of national power and economic growth.\n\nThese resources can also support the nations they pass through and provide steady revenues to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.\n\nToday\u2019s environment offers a new opportunity to complete the last 20 miles of the long-theorized Trans-Caspian interconnector pipeline, bringing Turkmenistan\u2019s gas west through existing pipeline infrastructure and to significantly reduce, or potentially end, Europe\u2019s reliance on Russian gas.\n\nThe Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement is a diplomatic breakthrough and an instance of truly mutually beneficial peacemaking.\n\nThrough innovative problem solving, courageous commitment to peace, and dogged determination, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States are collectively walking towards a new, more prosperous, more secure future.\n\nDecades ago, Jimmy Carter\u2019s National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzesinski dreamed of uncorking the riches of the Caspian Basin, and this deal gets us one step closer to that goal.\n\nAll it took was a determined President and a team of talented diplomats to get it done.\n\nGone are the days of endless negotiations and empty promises; American diplomacy is back under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio.\n\nI look forward to continuing to work towards finalizing this peace agreement and to bringing that bright future to fruition.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-fedorchak-house-gop-colleagues-send-letter-president-trump-following", "Downing, Fedorchak, House GOP Colleagues Send Letter to President Trump Following Reports of Potential Beef Imports from Argentina", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congressman Downing joined Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and six of his House Republican colleagues in a letter to President Trump urging him to give American producers an opportunity to meet increased demand following reports that the United States may import beef from Argentina.\n\nDowning and Fedorchak were joined by Representatives Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), and August Pfluger (R-TX).\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers highlight how American ranchers supply the world\u2019s highest-quality beef and should not be undercut by foreign imports produced under lower standards. They call on the administration to ensure that any future trade decisions are made with \u201cfull transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry.\u201d\n\nRead exclusive reporting from Fox News here.\n\n\u201cMontana beef is the envy of the world and a keystone of Montana's economy,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cOur ranchers take pride in their work, and our people crave the quality beef they know and love. Developing strong trade relations is important, but more important is nurturing the American agriculture we have right here at home. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in cattle country in this effort to ensure the voices of our ranchers are heard loud and clear.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve all received a number of questions and calls from our constituents over the last few days, so we are asking for clarity on the administration\u2019s long-term plans. Our farmers and ranchers stand ready to deliver on the President\u2019s America-First agenda,\u201d said Congresswoman Fedorchak. \u201cNorth Dakotans take great pride in producing the safest, highest-quality beef in the world\u2014and we should be building on that success. When it comes to beef, no one does it better than the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cSouth Dakota's cattle producers set the standard for quality and safety in beef production,\u201d said Congressman Johnson. \u201cI understand the President's efforts to strengthen trade and keep food affordable, but those efforts should not undermine the farmer and ranchers who put dinner on our tables. Any decision to import foreign beef must hold countries to the same gold-standard regulations our producers meet every day. American ranchers play by the rules, produce the best beef in the world, and they deserve a fair shot to compete.\u201d\n\n\u201cWeld County leads Colorado and ranks among the top in the nation for agricultural production, raising some of the highest quality beef in the world,\u201d said Congressman Evans. \u201cWhile Republicans and the Administration have worked to support our producers through efforts like the Working Families Tax Cut Act, the proposal to purchase Argentinian beef raises serious concerns. Colorado farmers and ranchers deserve leaders who will stand with them, especially in the face of Governor Polis and state Democrats\u2019 relentless anti-ag policies. That\u2019s why I\u2019m working with the President to reduce grocery prices and tirelessly advocate for U.S. beef.\"\n\n\u201cOur American ranchers have dedicated their lives to delivering the highest\u2011quality beef while upholding the gold standard in food safety,\u201d said Congresswoman Fischbach. \u201cNo one creates a better product at a better value than American farmers and ranchers. Prioritizing America\u2019s food producers is essential to an American-First agenda, which I will continue to support.\"\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nRead key excerpts from the letter below:\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s cattle producers are among the most resilient and hardworking in the nation. They\u2019ve endured droughts, blizzards, and volatile markets while continuing to raise safe, high-quality beef that feeds families across America and around the world. Their work is a source of immense pride to our districts and to the broader U.S. agriculture community\u2026\n\n\u201cThe United States maintains the gold standard for food safety and animal health. These safeguards are enforced daily by USDA inspectors and are a key reason consumers trust American beef. Any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards. Introducing beef from countries with inconsistent safety or inspection records could undermine the confidence that U.S. ranchers have worked decades to earn\u2026\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s producers can compete with anyone in the world. If given an opportunity, they will continue to respond quickly to the market demand for more quality American beef in our grocery stores.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/22/daines-sheehy-applaud-president-trumps-nomination-of-brian-gootkin-for-u-s-marshal-for-montana/", "Daines, Sheehy Applaud President Trump\u2019s Nomination of Brian Gootkin for U.S. Marshal for Montana", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released the below statements applauding President Trump\u2019s recent nomination of Brian Gootkin to serve as U.S. Marshal for the District of Montana.\n\n\u201cBrian Gootkin is an exceptional choice by President Trump to serve as Montana\u2019s U.S. Marshal. As Director of Montana\u2019s Department of Corrections and Sheriff of Gallatin County, Brian demonstrates a sincere commitment to public safety and the rule of law, and his leadership in our state leaves no doubt that he will continue to serve the people of Montana with excellence. I look forward to his confirmation by the U.S. Senate,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cBrian Gootkin has served Montana proudly for years, and I\u2019m glad to hear he\u2019s been nominated by President Trump to continue to serve and keep our streets safe as Montana\u2019s U.S. Marshal. Senate Republicans have overcome historic obstruction to get President Trump\u2019s picks in place, and we are eager to add Brian to list of fantastic nominees that have been confirmed,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\nBackground:\n\nBrian M. Gootkin was appointed by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to serve as the director of the Montana Department of Corrections in 2021. Gootkin came to the department from the Gallatin County Sheriff\u2019s Office where he served as sheriff. Also throughout his 27-year tenure with that office, Gootkin held positions including patrol deputy, detective with the Missouri River Drug Task Force, jail administrator, and undersheriff.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/22/daines-urges-colleagues-to-support-william-mercer-as-federal-judge-for-the-district-of-montana/", "Daines Urges Colleagues to Support William Mercer as Federal Judge for the District of Montana", "2025-10-22", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the vote to confirm William Mercer as U.S. Judge for the District of Montana.\n\nWatch his remarks here.\n\nRead Daines\u2019 remarks as prepared for delivery below.\n\nThank you Mdm/Mr. President.\n\nI rise today to speak in support of my friend, Mr. William Mercer, and his nomination to serve as the next Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. President Trump made an excellent choice when he picked Bill, and I was thrilled to see him quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, today, the U.S. Senate will vote on his final confirmation, and I urge my colleagues to join Senator Sheehy and I in supporting his nomination.\n\nBill is a lifelong Montanan, born in Billings. We\u2019ve known each other for a long time. We went to rival high schools and competed against each other in speech and debate. This is what makes America great. Two kids from Montana dreamed big and worked hard, and now we have the opportunity to serve the state we love.\n\nBill received his undergraduate degree from my rival college, the University of Montana. He later went on to receive a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and his law degree from George Mason University.\n\nBill served his state and country in various roles over the past three decades. In Montana, he served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana from 2001 to 2009 and represented Billings in the Montana House of Representatives for the past seven years. Bill also worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and Acting Associate Attorney General during the George W. Bush administration. He has also been actively engaged in his community, serving on five non-profit boards of directors in Montana.\n\nBill has been a member of the Montana Bar for 32 years. He has appeared in state and federal court in Montana as lead counsel in numerous cases.\n\nHe has also represented clients in appellate courts, which resulted in oral argument in 15 cases in the Courts of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, D.C. Circuit, and the Montana Supreme Court. Bill has been recognized by his peers in the legal community for his outstanding track record, being rated among the best lawyers in Montana for environmental and commercial litigation.\n\nThroughout his extensive legal career and years of public service, Bill has represented Montana\u2019s interests well. He is committed to the rule of law and original interpretation of the Constitution.\n\nBill also understands Montana-specific laws and issues. His experience as a widely-respected and effective member of the Montana House of Representatives has helped him understand the needs of our state, our families and our communities. I believe his time in Helena has given him an important perspective on the law and the importance of judicial impartiality.\n\nFederal judges play a critical role in our government, and it\u2019s important that we pick servant leaders who are committed to our founding ideals and to protecting the role of the judiciary. These are lifetime appointments, and they will have a lasting impact on both Montana and the nation.\n\nI have no hesitation when I say that Bill is the top choice to serve as Montana\u2019s next federal judge. I\u2019ve seen his commitment to our state firsthand, and his time at the Department of Justice, as U.S. Attorney, and as a state legislator have prepared him well. I can\u2019t think of a better pick to represent the great state of Montana.\n\nI urge my colleagues to join me in voting favorably for Bill\u2019s confirmation, and I look forward to seeing the profound influence that Bill will have on Montana and the nation as he steps into this new role.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/16/daines-on-fox-business-democrats-are-mad-they-lost-the-2024-election-and-are-taking-it-out-on-the-american-people/", "Daines on\u00a0Fox Business:\u00a0\u201cDemocrats Are Mad They Lost the 2024 Election and\u00a0Are\u00a0Taking It Out on the American People\u201d", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss the \u201cNo Kings\u201d rally, the trade war with China and what it means for American famers, and President Trump\u2019s historic peace deal in Gaza.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on the \u201cNo Kings Rally\u201d:\n\nWe\u2019ve known about that for about two weeks from some of our Democrat colleagues who have quietly told us that. In fact, there\u2019s 250 different far-left progressive groups that are part of this No Kings rally on Saturday. You can go on their website, and you can see it. Their logos are prominently displayed. As Speaker Johnson correctly said, this is a \u201cWe hate America rally\u201d and the bottom line is the Democrats and the far left are very upset at the fact they lost the election last November. President Trump won in a landslide, we reclaimed the United States Senate, and we have the House. They are frustrated. They are angry. But sadly they are expressing their anger and frustration by shutting down the government and hurting the American people.\n\nDaines on how President Trump is helping American farmers:\n\nOur farmers are struggling right now, and the President understands that clearly. The farmers are big fans of President Trump. These are his people, but they\u2019re struggling. They\u2019ve got high fertilizer costs. Fuel costs are starting to come down. That\u2019s good news. But you\u2019ve got great big markets like China that have shut down their soybean exports. That is the biggest export market for the United States that we have. And the farmers need some help. I\u2019m pleased to see the administration looking at ways they could help out our farmers. The reason this is important now is they\u2019re starting to get ready actually for spring season, for planting. We\u2019ve got to go to the banks here soon and get their loans. They\u2019re struggling. I\u2019m glad to see President Trump is going to try to work to help something here for the farmers.\n\nDaines on the disarming of Hamas to secure peace in Gaza:\n\nWell, the folks that will disarm Hamas will be the Israelis\u2026 I was standing on the Gaza border a month ago yesterday. I could hear the Israeli F-16s overhead. The next day, Bibi launched that major ground offensive into Gaza City. That is what brought Hamas to the negotiating table. It wasn\u2019t because they [Hamas] wanted peace, it\u2019s because the Israelis will destroy them if they don\u2019t come to the table. This is all about peace through strength. You don\u2019t really negotiate with these terror groups like Hamas that slaughtered 1,200 innocent Israelis on October 7th of 2023. But we don\u2019t need U.S. troops there, by the way. The Israelis can take care of this. I hope they don\u2019t have to do that. I hope Hamas will come to their senses and fulfill their part of this agreement. But until Hamas either leaves Gaza or is eradicated, you will never see peace in Gaza.\n\nDaines on Democrats who support Hamas:\n\nIt\u2019s chilling to think that there\u2019s parts ofthe Democrat Party and a growing segment of the Democrats who support Hamas. Thiswould be the equivalent of the Democrats supporting Al-Qaeda after they took downthe Twin Towers on September 11th. It\u2019s chilling, it\u2019s sickening, it\u2019s evil,and we need to confront it. We need to keep this contrast on who the goodguys are and who the bad guys are. I can tell you what, Hamas are the bad guys.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/16/daines-on-fox-news-president-trump-is-taking-the-fight-to-venezuelan-narco-terrorists/", "Daines on Fox News: President Trump is Taking the Fight to Venezuelan Narco-Terrorists", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox News to discuss President Trump\u2019s strong response to narcotrafficking and the situation in Venezuela.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how President Trump is countering Maduro\u2019s illegitimate regime of narco-terrorism:\n\nI\u2019m very proud and grateful for President Trump\u2019s bold and decisive leadership as our Commander in Chief. You can\u2019t win by only having your defense on the field. You\u2019ve got to put the offense on the field if you\u2019re going to win. You think about why the President is taking this decisive action. You know, 100,000 Americans die every year because of drug overdoses. In fact, it\u2019s the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds. Cocaine deaths in this country are up 85 percent while Joe Biden was president. He had, something has to be done, and President Trump has taken the fight to these narco-terrorists. And as it has been stated, Maduro is an illegitimate leader. It was a stolen election. He\u2019s running and facilitating a narco-terrorist organization, the drugs are flooding into our country, combined with the criminals, the Tren de Aragua, the organized criminal gangs, opening up the jail cells, flooding into America. In fact, we arrested a handful of these TDA members in Montana a few months ago.\n\nDaines on President Trump\u2019s bold leadership:\n\nWell, we\u2019ll wait and see what happens because we\u2019re not sure exactly what the operation looks like. But I would tell you this, I have incredible confidence in President Trump\u2019s bold leadership, his decision-making, his wisdom, and you\u2019re seeing he is resetting the world order because of his peace through strength. You don\u2019t negotiate with terrorists or narco-terrorists. You\u2019ve got to take them out. And that\u2019s what you\u2019re seeing with this bold action, taking out the boats full of drugs coming to our shores. These drugs are killing our children, adults, our neighbors. It\u2019s got to end. Joe Biden allowed it to happen on his watch. President Trump is going to stop it on his watch\u2026 I\u2019m sure it is not a good day for Maduro. As President Trump said in his interview, other countries are watching. You know who else is watching what\u2019s going on right now? Mexico. You\u2019ve got these cartels that are terrorist organizations that are flooding our southern border with fentanyl, a very deadly drug. He [Trump] is putting the world on notice that it\u2019s going to end. You can\u2019t allow these narco-terrorists to have unfettered access into the United States. I\u2019m grateful, as a father of four and grandfather of seven for President Trump protecting our family and families across America.\n\nDaines on President Trump\u2019s decisive action against drug cartels:\n\nThat image is a pretty strong deterrence to what\u2019s happening right now in the oceans there between the United States and South America. But when you go into a battle, it\u2019s immoral not to go in with use of overwhelming force. Every tool in the toolbox. Otherwise, you don\u2019t want to be risking American lives unless we\u2019ve got overwhelming force. President Trump is leading with bold decisiveness and the use of overwhelming force. That\u2019s the fastest way to achieve the outcome the President desires.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/zinke-statement-president-trump-stepping-pay-americas-servicemembers", "Zinke Statement on President Trump Stepping in to Pay America\u2019s Servicemembers", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-introduces-bill-democratize-access-alternative-assets-401k-investors", "Downing Introduces Bill to Democratize Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors", "2025-10-14", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced the Retirement Investment Choice Act which codifies President Trump\u2019s Executive Order (EO) 14330, democratizing access to alternative investments for 401(k) investors. This bill directs the Department of Labor (DOL) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reduce regulatory barriers prohibiting investments like private equity, real estate, and digital assets from being eligible for inclusion in 401(k) retirement plans.\n\nRepresentatives Byron Donalds (FL-19), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Buddy Carter (GA-01), and Barry Moore (AL-01) are original cosponsors of Congressman Downing\u2019s bill. The American Securities Association (ASA) has expressed support for the legislation.\n\nRead text of the Retirement Investment Choice Act here.\n\n\u201cAlternative investments hold the transformative potential to supercharge the financial security of countless Americans saving for retirement,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cI applaud President Trump for his leadership to democratize finance and am proud to be leading the effort in Congress to codify his EO and enshrine this move for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cASA applauds Rep. Downing\u2019s leadership in Congress to codify President Trump\u2019s 401(k) Executive Order into law which will expand investment opportunities for every American retirement saver and retiree,\u201d said ASA President and CEO Chris Iacovella.\n\nBackground:\n\nPresident Trump signed Executive Order 14330 to democratize access to alternative assets for 401(k) investors on August 7, 2025.\n\nCongressman Downing joined Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02), Chair of the Capital Markets Subcommittee Ann Wagner (MO-02), and six other members of the Financial Services Committee in a letter of support for the executive order.\n\nAmong other provisions, this EO directs the Department of Labor to reexamine its guidance regarding the Biden Admin's 2021 supplemental statement on alternative assets in 401(k) plans which it subsequently rescinded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/10/daines-lauds-pay-raise-for-military-personnel-in-defense-authorization-bill/", "Daines Lauds Pay Raise for Military Personnel in Defense Authorization Bill", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Daines\u2019 Bill to Increase Economic Prosperity for Rural Businesses Also Passes Senate\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the below statement after the Senate passed a military pay raise and his bill to increase economic prosperity for rural businesses as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026:\n\n\u201cWe owe our servicemen and women and their families a debt of gratitude that is impossible to repay, so the least we can do is give them a pay raise. In addition, my bill to increase economic prosperity for rural communities was included, which will have an enormous impact in Montana. Senate Republicans are delivering on their promises and we\u2019ll keep fighting to advance the commonsense America-first policies the American people voted for,\u201d said Daines.\n\nThe NDAA includes several Montana-specific wins:\n\n3.8 percent pay raise for military members\n\nProtects Sentinel construction from Congressional budget fights and shutdowns by making multi-year funding.\n\nPushes for modernizations to military BAH to help recognize Montana housing costs.\n\nProtects Malmstrom ICBM mission from missile/force reductions.\n\nIn addition, Daines\u2019 bill to improve accountability of the CDFI Fund and expand capital access for rural and underserved communities passed as part of the NDAA. Daines introduced the CDFI Fund Transparency Act with Senator Mark Warner to require annual testimony by the Department of Treasury regarding the performance and operations of the CDFI Fund to enhance transparency and ensure taxpayers dollars are used to improve economic prosperity for small businesses in rural Montana. There are 12 CDFIs and 3 Native CDFIs headquartered in Montana, and the bill is supported by all of Montana\u2019s credit unions and community banks. Read more HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/09/daines-on-newsmax-president-trump-is-the-peace-president/", "Daines on Newsmax: \u201cPresident Trump is the Peace President\u201d", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Newsmax to discuss President Trump\u2019s historic Gaza peace deal.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how President Trump is the President of Peace:\n\nPresident Trump is the President of Peace. He is the Peace President. What a remarkable moment, and hats off to President Trump\u2019s bold leadership. Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, working with the Israelis, with Bibi Netanyahu and our Arab friends to bring us to this moment of the release of the hostages. And I\u2019m reminded those words of \u201cblessed are the peacemakers,\u201d those are words spoken by Christ in northern Israel over 2,000 years ago, and President Trump has blessed the world with his peace-making ability\u2026\n\n\u2026I was in Israel three weeks ago. In fact, I was on the border with Gaza standing there. In fact, I could hear F-16s overhead, Israeli F-16s, that were taking the fight to Hamas. And then later, that same day, I went to Jerusalem and had a one-hour meeting with Bibi Netanyahu talking about this exact goal, and that is to get the hostages released, to bring them home safely, back to their families. [It\u2019s] just a remarkable resolve of Bibi Netanyahu, of President Trump, of our Arab friends who are working with us in the Middle East to bring us to this moment. This was risky for leaders. It\u2019s something that Joe Biden could never have done. But it is really about peace through strength. It\u2019s about resolve. That\u2019s respected in the Middle East, and I\u2019m thankful today that because of President Trump\u2019s leadership, working with great leaders like Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, these hostages are going to be coming home. What a wonderful celebratory moment for those families who kept hope alive and now they\u2019re going to see those hopes and prayers realized.\n\nDaines on the future of Israel and Gaza:\n\nWell, this is an important first step, certainly the release of the hostages. That was always the number one goal. But now, more difficult work begins, and that will be securing Gaza to ensure that there\u2019s not a threat to the safety of Israel. Hamas needs to relinquish their weapons, and we need to have a different governing structure and authority in Gaza, and to rebuild Gaza, to get back to the root cause, the poverty, the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza. It\u2019s going to require the right leadership to restore peace and prosperity to Gaza. That\u2019s the long-lasting solution that we will need to ensure that Gaza remains safe and Israel remains safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/09/daines-statement-on-situation-in-georgia/", "Daines Statement on Situation in Georgia", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the European Subcommittee, issued the following statement today regarding the political situation in Georgia. Daines traveled to Georgia in May and met with Prime Minister Kobakhidze.\n\n\u201cThe recent developments in Georgia are extremely troubling, especially the false accusations that former U.S. government employees are undermining Georgia\u2019s government. When I met with Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze in May I encouraged him to work closely with President Trump and his administration to advance our mutual security and economic interests and I reiterate that message today. The Georgian people deserve the right to free and fair elections and to chart the course for their country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/08/daines-downing-bill-supporting-montana-mining-passes-u-s-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk/", "Daines, Downing Bill Supporting Montana Mining Passes U.S. Senate, Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cMontana Energy Is Back\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today applauded the Senate passage of their bill that removes the harmful Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which will further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy.\n\n\u201cMontana energy is back. Biden\u2019s Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that stifled mining in eastern Montana and would have cost many hard-working Montanans their jobs. Mining is a vital part of Montana, providing nearly a thousand well-paying jobs and contributing nearly $3 billion to our state\u2019s economy. That\u2019s why I introduced a bill along with the rest of our Montana delegation to remove this anti-energy rule and support Montana\u2019s coal miners. I\u2019m thrilled to see our resolution pass the U.S. Senate today and look forward to President Trump signing it into law,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cMontanans voted to make America energy dominant, and we are delivering by putting an end to disastrous Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support. As your Senator, one of my top priorities is supporting Montana\u2019s resource economy so we can create jobs, power America, and make Montana energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again. I\u2019ll continue to work alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to make America energy dominant, protect Montana jobs, and unleash prosperity in Montana\u2019s rural communities,\u201d said Sheehy.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to see my bill to overturn the Biden Administration\u2019s outright ban on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin pass the Senate today. H.J. Res. 104 will unleash Montana-made energy, bolstering our national security and ensuring Montanans have access to the affordable, reliable energy they need to thrive for generations to come. I am grateful to Senator Daines for his leadership and to my fellow delegation members for standing side by side with me in championing this legislation. I look forward to watching President Trump sign this bill into law and usher in a new age of American energy dominance,\u201d said Downing.\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s Miles City Resource Management Plan hurt Montana workers and put America\u2019s energy security at risk. True energy dominance requires an all-of-the-above approach that includes Montana\u2019s clean coal. Our economy runs on reliable, abundant, and affordable power, and that need will only grow with increased demand from AI and data centers. This bill puts Montana back in the driver\u2019s seat to protect jobs and secure our energy future. I look forward to seeing the President sign it into law,\u201d said Zinke.\n\nThe bill has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. Read Governor Gianforte\u2019s letter of support HERE. See additional quotes of support HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nDaines introduced the Congressional Review Act Resolution with Sheehy, Downing and Zinke in July 2025- read the release HERE. Read Daines\u2019 statement from when the resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives HERE and see Daines\u2019 and Downing\u2019s video statement HERE.\n\nThe Biden administration\u2019s Miles City RMPA made nearly 2,000,000 acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. It also would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/08/daines-on-fox-business-the-shutdown-is-pressured-by-the-left/", "Daines on Fox Business: \u201cThe Shutdown is Pressured by the Left\u201d", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss how the Republican Party is the party of law and order, and how the Democrats are manufacturing the Schumer Shutdown.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how the left supports Antifa and threatens public safety:\n\nIt\u2019s exposing where the center of gravity is today with the Democrat Party. They have moved so far to the left. They\u2019re wrong. They\u2019re profoundly wrong on virtually every major policy debate we have in this country, starting with keeping our country secure. The President designates Antifa, rightfully so, as a domestic terror organization. You\u2019ve got the Democrats not only propping them [Antifa] up, supporting them, and not being willing to stand with law enforcement and ICE, and the President of the United States, who\u2019s sending in National Guard and trying to restore law and order into our cities. The Democrats on the wrong side of these very important issues is a father of four, grandfather now of seven, I fear for the safety of this country and our children if the Democrats ever have control of this country.\n\nDaines on how Republicans are restoring law and order:\n\nOne of the primary responsibilities of the federal government is to secure the nation and to keep us safe. I think that\u2019s one of the reasons why you\u2019re seeing this flood of American citizens leaving states like California, Oregon, and Washington on the West Coast, and coming to states like Montana, Idaho, Utah. Of course on the East Coast they\u2019re leaving New York and headed to Florida. Thank God for Republican governors. It\u2019s not just the quality of life these citizens are leaving for, it\u2019s the quality of leadership and safety and security and common sense and frankly sanity in leadership.\n\nDaines on how the Democrats are manufacturing the Schumer Shutdown:\n\nI was listening while I was standing by here for this interview to your polling data there in New York. When they find out who\u2019s supporting Mamdami, it flips that gubernatorial race. And I think that\u2019s an example of where this all will be headed if the Democrats continue down this path of anarchy. The American people reject that no matter what their political stripes are. They don\u2019t want to see what the left side of the Democrat Party is selling. And I\u2019ll tell you what, that\u2019s where the center of gravity is moving towards, as evidenced by this shutdown in Washington, this Schumer Shutdown. It is absolutely manufactured and pressured by the far-left part of the Democratic Party.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/08/daines-on-senate-floor-today-we-are-unleashing-montana-energy/", "Daines on Senate Floor: Today We Are Unleashing Montana Energy", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Removing Biden\u2019s Anti-Coal Rule is \u201cRighting A Wrong\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate ahead of the final vote on his legislation to remove Joe Biden\u2019s anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment.\n\nWatch Daines\u2019 remarks HERE.\n\nRead Daines\u2019 remarks as prepared for delivery below.\n\nMr/Mdm. President, in the final days of President Biden\u2019s Administration he quickly and quietly issued a rule that had massive impacts on Montana\u2019s economy.\n\nBiden\u2019s BLM issued an amendment to the Miles City Resource Management Plan that prohibited all new coal development in Eastern Montana.\n\nThis means the BLM prohibited all new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin \u2013 the home of the nation\u2019s LARGEST coal reserves.\n\nThey did this despite strong opposition from the local counties, local elected officials, the Montana congressional delegation and the Governor.\n\nIn fact, Governor Gianforte specifically requested the BLM Director withdraw the proposed amendment during the BLM\u2019s official \u201cGovernor\u2019s Consistency Review\u201d and Biden\u2019s BLM ignored him.\n\nAnd when the Governor submitted an official appeal to Biden\u2019s BLM Director, he was rebuffed.\n\nThis lack of respect for Montana\u2019s local and state-wide elected officials cannot be ignored.\n\nLet\u2019s be clear what this Resource Management Plan Amendment is and what we are doing today with the Congressional Review Act.\n\nThe RMPA is an attack on Montana jobs, an attack on Montana communities, an attack on Montana\u2019s energy production and an attack on Montana\u2019s economy.\n\nToday\u2019s resolution to officially roll back Biden\u2019s war on Montana coal does NOT affect the underlying Resource Management Plan.\n\nToday we are disapproving Biden\u2019s ill-conceived amendment, and nothing else.\n\nThe CRA does NOT prohibit the BLM from issuing a new amendment.\n\nThe CRA simply prohibits the new administration from issuing a substantially similar coal amendment, and in this case that means they can\u2019t permanently prohibit new coal development.\n\nToday you may hear from the other side of the aisle that the sky is falling.\n\nThat\u2019s not true.\n\nToday we are righting a wrong.\n\nA midnight Biden rule that was issued without the support from the State.\n\nTaking this action today will lead to more Montana jobs, more Montana energy, and stronger communities in Eastern Montana.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/08/in-the-news-senate-gop-nukes-biden-era-rule-smothering-coal-production/", "IN THE NEWS: Senate GOP Nukes Biden-Era Rule Smothering Coal Production", "2025-10-08", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the passage of his legislation overturning Joe Biden\u2019s anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan. Read reporting in the Daily Caller below:\n\nSenate GOP Nukes Biden-Era Rule Smothering Coal Production\n\nThe Daily Caller\n\nOctober 8th, 2025\n\nRepublicans in the Senate voted Wednesday to blow up a Biden-era rule that locked up thousands of acres for future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, a region home to an arsenal of the nation\u2019s coal reserves that spans across Montana and Wyoming.\n\nThe Powder River Basin provided about 43% of U.S. coal in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Though the Biden administration blocked coal leasing in the key region through a last-minute rule, the Senate passed legislation Wednesday that overturns former President Joe Biden\u2019s ban on coal development opportunities in the Basin.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s passage of my legislation to remove Biden\u2019s anti-coal rule is a massive win for Montana that sets a precedent for the nation,\u201d Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines told the Daily Caller News Foundation. \u201cThe American people have rejected the left\u2019s radical climate hysteria and removing this harmful rule will help protect our energy dominance and our national security.\u201d\n\nRead the full story in the Daily Caller HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/07/daines-commemorates-anniversary-of-oct-7th-terror-attacks-in-israel/", "Daines Commemorates Anniversary of Oct 7th\u00a0Terror Attacks in Israel", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Introduces Resolution Condemning Attacks and Supporting Israel\u2019s Sovereignty\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the below statement commemorating the second anniversary of the terror attacks in Israel by Hamas on October 7th, 2023:\n\n\u201cAs we remember the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks we mourn for those who lost loved ones and those who are still in captivity at the hands of the Hamas terrorist regime. I remain hopeful that Hamas will accept and implement the details of the peace deal proposed by President Trump and that all the hostages will be released. There can be no lasting peace in the Middle East until Hamas is dismantled and the Palestinians recognize that the Jewish state of Israel has every right to exist,\u201d said Daines.\n\nDaines joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and 24 of his Republican colleagues in introducing a resolution that condemns the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of October 7th. The resolution also states support for Israel\u2019s sovereignty and condemns antisemitism in the United States.\n\nDaines has been a staunch supporter of Israel\u2019s war against Hamas- read more HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/07/daines-sheehy-congratulate-kurt-alme-on-senate-confirmation-to-be-u-s-attorney-for-the-district-of-montana/", "Daines, Sheehy Congratulate Kurt\u00a0Alme\u00a0on Senate Confirmation to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released the below statement following the news that Kurt Alme has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana.\n\n\u201cKurt Alme is an excellent pick to serve as our U.S. Attorney for Montana. Kurt has already done an incredible job in his interim capacity and we are thrilled to see his final confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Kurt will crack down on drug trafficking and crime, protect our indigenous communities, and uphold the rule of law, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact that he will have on our great state,\u201d they said.\n\nStatements of Support:\n\nAustin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General: \u201c[I] personally worked with Kurt while I served as the elected County Attorney in Roosevelt County, Montana. I can personally vouch for his work ethic and his desire to aggressively pursue crime and drugs in Montana. Montana is facing an unprecedented pandemic of Mexican cartel illicit drugs. . . . As Montana Attorney General, I need an aggressive U.S. Attorney to partner with my efforts to combat these evils. Kurt Alme is that U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download Knudsen\u2019s letter.\n\nJosh Racki, Cascade County Attorney and President of the Montana County Attorneys Association: \u201cOn behalf of the [MCAA], we are writing to express our strong support for the recommendation of Mr. Kurt Alme as the nominee for United States Attorney for the District of Montana. . . . The MCAA firmly believes that Mr. Alme\u2019s comprehensive understanding of Montana\u2019s unique challenges, his collaborative approach, and his unwavering dedication to justice make him the ideal candidate for U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download the MCAA\u2019s letter.\n\nMike Linder, Yellowstone County Sheriff and President of the Montana Sheriff\u2019s and Peace Officers Association: \u201cDuring his previous tenure as Montana\u2019s U.S. Attorney, Kurt worked tirelessly to bring Montana\u2019s law enforcement partners together in the fight against the proliferation of methamphetamine in our communities. In addition, Kurt\u2019s commitment and success in bringing local, state, and federal law enforcement officers together through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, has been instrumental in reducing violent crimes, and holding local criminals accountable for their actions.\u201d Click HERE to download Linder\u2019s letter.\n\nShelly Fyant, HD 91 Representative to the Montana House and former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairwoman: \u201cWhen I served on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council (2014-2021), I saw the work the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office did focusing on reducing methamphetamine and opioid related overdoses and violent crimes, which not only plague the Flathead Indian Reservation, but reservations throughout Montana and the Nation. Mr. Alme\u2019s hands-on approach was greatly appreciated as he frequently visited Montana reservations and met directly with Tribal leaders about specific drug abuse and trafficking, public safety and Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) issues including victim services. . . . U.S. Attorney Alme\u2019s leadership was informed, dedicated and heartfelt, qualities Indian Country citizens value to address these complicated issues.\u201d Click HERE to download Fyant\u2019s letter.\n\nPeter Habein, former Partner at Crowley Fleck and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the State Bar of Montana: \u201cFor nearly 30 years or so, I served as our firm\u2019s general counsel, and for the last 17 years, I have served as a member and chair of the Ethics Committee of the State Bar of Montana. I hope, therefore, that when I say Kurt is one of the most conscientiously ethical lawyers I know, it carries some weight. Kurt is scrupulous in his observance of ethical standards, both for himself and for the organizations he has led. His adherence to high ethical standards in no small measure contributes to the integrity and honesty for which he is universally admired.\u201d Click HERE to download Habein\u2019s letter.\n\nBryan Lockerby, former Administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Department of Justice; and former Captain of the Great Falls Police Department: \u201cHaving had the privilege of working with Mr. Alme professionally over the years, both at the state and federal levels, I can confidently attest to his exceptional qualifications, steadfast integrity, and unwavering commitment to public safety. . . . Mr. Alme\u2019s demonstrated commitment to supporting law enforcement and recognizing the sacrifices they make for our communities is further illustrated by his advocacy efforts. His leadership, expertise, and dedication to justice make him an exceptional candidate for the role of U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download Lockerby\u2019s letter.\n\nLiz Moore, former Executive Director, Montana Nonprofit Association: \u201c[Mr. Alme] prioritizes effectiveness and results, with no regard for who gets the credit. If I were to search Montana for an individual I believe fitted for this role \u2013 someone with a strong legal background, a deep, holistic understanding of the serious mental health issues and substance addictions and their impact on Montana\u2019s peoples and communities, who is reasoned, smart, a servant to Montana and most important, leads with integrity \u2013 I would recommend Kurt Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Moore\u2019s letter.\n\nKen Bray, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: \u201cIn my 27-year federal law enforcement career, I have seen very few professionals in the criminal justice system with the breadth of working knowledge of virtually all issues that face law enforcement. . . . Kurt\u2019s ability to both understand the issues and lead others in the implementation of a solution is among the best I have ever seen. . . . His reputation as a prosecutor, manager, and individual is above reproach. He is respected throughout all quarters of the criminal justice system in Montana.\u201d Click HERE to download Bray\u2019s letter.\n\nStacy Zinn, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration: \u201cEnforcement was not the only area where Mr. Alme dedicated his time. . . . Mr. Alme arranged partnerships between parties that worked in prevention, treatment, and enforcement in order to reduce substance abuse and substance abuse related crime. . . . The above are just a few examples of Mr. Alme\u2019s outstanding work as the Montana U.S. Attorney and the timing is right for the return of Mr. Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Zinn\u2019s letter.\n\nBrian Gootkin, Director of Montana Department of Corrections, former Gallatin County Sheriff: \u201c[I] always found Mr. Alme\u2019s dedication and service for Montana to be unwavering. His vigor for tackling the drug epidemic and violent crime in Montana is well respected by our citizens and law enforcement. His work to seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous persons in our state is exemplary. You would be hard pressed to find a citizen and public servant more dedicated to protecting the people of our great state than Mr. Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Gootkin\u2019s letter.\n\nErnie Weyand, former FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Montana, U.S. DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Coordinator, and U.S. Army Veteran: \u201cAs an AUSA, Kurt was an exceptional prosecutor who effectively managed a diverse caseload and aggressively prosecuted deserving criminals. . . . While Kurt served as First Assistant and U.S. Attorney, federal [Indian Country] prosecutions rose dramatically, as did support services for victims of assault, sexual abuse, and drug trafficking. . . . Kurt has demonstrated great skill in collaborating with local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement officials, and he is widely respected by law enforcement officers throughout Montana and beyond.\u201d Click HERE to download Weyand\u2019s letter.\n\nKirsten Pabst, former Missoula County Attorney: \u201cIn my thirty years in criminal justice and three terms as the Missoula County Attorney, I have yet to encounter a more dedicated and effective leader.\u201d Click HERE to download Pabst\u2019s letter.\n\nAbout Kurt Alme:\n\nAlme is a Great Falls native who grew up in Dillon, Victor, and Helena before graduating high school in Miles City. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado with his bachelor\u2019s degree in business, cum laude from Harvard Law School, and is a Harry S. Truman Scholar.\n\nAlme served as U.S. Attorney for Montana from 2017-2020. In that role he chaired the DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons working group, vice-chaired the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General\u2019s Advisory Committee, and vice-chaired the four state Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Task Force Area. He previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then First Assistant in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office where he prosecuted cases in federal district court and argued them before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He started his legal career as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell before joining the Crowley Fleck law firm where he rose to partner.\n\nHe served as Budget Director for the state of Montana and Director of the Montana Department of Revenue where he oversaw all of its major civil litigation. Alme was the President and General Counsel of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, which supports the treatment of Montana youth suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.\n\nAlme has also volunteered with the Billings Gazette Editorial Board; St. Vincent Healthcare Board of Directors; Attorney General\u2019s Intelligence Advisory Board; University of Montana Law School Tax Institute Advisory Committee; St. John\u2019s Lutheran Ministries Board; MSU-Billings Law and Justice Advisory Committee; Mental Health Association and Rotary International.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/07/daines-urges-overturn-of-biden-anti-coal-rule-to-unleash-montana-energy/", "Daines Urges Overturn of Biden Anti-Coal Rule to Unleash Montana Energy", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate urging his colleagues to vote for his pro-mining legislation that would remove a harmful Biden-era rule that restricts coal mining in Eastern Montana.\n\nWatch Daines\u2019 remarks HERE.\n\nRead Daines\u2019 remarks as prepared for delivery below.\n\nMr/Mdm. President, today the Senate will vote to proceed to my joint resolution to congressionally disapprove and officially roll back President Biden\u2019s anti-coal rule in Montana.\n\nH.J.Res.104 is supported by the entire Montana delegation.\n\nI want to thank Congressmen Downing and Zinke for leading this resolution in the House and Senator Sheehy for joining me in the Senate.\n\nThe Resolution is also supported by many, many Montanans, including:\n\nGovernor Gianforte\n\nThe Mayor of Colstrip\n\nMontana Coal Council\n\nMontana Electric Cooperatives\n\nNorthwestern Energy\n\nLocal Counties\n\nBoth of the affected coal mines\n\nAnd many more.\n\nI want to explain quickly what we are doing today.\n\nToday we will take the first step in overturning the Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment that prohibits new coal leasing in Eastern Montana.\n\nI want to be clear, this resolution only overturns the anti-coal amendment issued by the Biden Administration in the final days of his term.\n\nNo action taken today affects the underlying Miles City Resource Management Plan or how the BLM manages recreation, conservation, and other energy development in the state.\n\nFuture coal development will be managed under the existing RMP as it had for years before Biden added his amendment.\n\nNow why is this important for Montana?\n\nThe Biden amendment prohibits all new coal leasing in eastern Montana.\n\nEastern Montana and Wyoming are home to the Powder River Basin \u2013 the largest coal reserves in the United States.\n\nThe Biden Administration prohibited new coal development in the America\u2019s largest coal reserve.\n\nBLM\u2019s resource management plans are meant to be a bipartisan process, taking in feedback from folks on the ground and implementing the multiple use mission of the BLM.\n\nThe Biden administration took this process and flipped it on its face, disregarding Montana voices.\n\nWe are going to right that wrong now.\n\nWe are going to give Montana a voice in the process.\n\nOverturning this partisan rule will grow Montana energy jobs and help our rural communities.\n\nAccording to the Montana Coal Council, coal supports over 890 high paying jobs in Montana and has provided $2.7 billion in federal, state, private, and tribal royalties.\n\nAnd in a letter from the Governor, he states the Biden RMPA, \u201camounts to a loss of $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries, which include K-12 public education.\u201d\n\nI urge my colleague to support Montana jobs and communities and vote yes on today\u2019s motion.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/03/daines-commends-trump-administration-for-supporting-montana-mining/", "Daines Commends Trump Administration for Supporting Montana Mining", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "Approval of Libby Exploration Project Will Unlock World Class Copper & Silver Deposits\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the below statement commending President Trump and the U.S. Forest Service for approving the advancement of the Libby Exploration Project, a copper and silver deposit in Lincoln County, Montana.\n\n\u201cThe Libby Exploration Project will provide good-paying Montana mining jobs without harming our beautiful lands and will help unlock the high value of world class copper and silver. President Trump\u2019s administration has proven yet again that they are committed to protecting Made-In-Montana energy and supporting Montana miners. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts this project will have on our state and our nation as we continue to unlock America\u2019s full mining potential,\u201d said Daines.\n\nBackground:\n\nThis decision comes after Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service in February 2025 urging the approval of the Libby Exploration Project. Read the letter HERE. Daines spoke in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the importance of the project- watch it HERE.\n\nThe Libby Exploration Project (formally the Montanore project in Lincoln County) is operated by Hecla Mining Company. The project will provide the necessary information to advance the project and ultimately unlock the value of a world class copper and silver deposit southwest of Libby, Montana.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/03/daines-on-newsmax-the-schumer-shutdown-is-political-theater/", "Daines on\u00a0Newsmax:\u00a0The Schumer Shutdown is Political Theater", "2025-10-03", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Newsmax to discuss the ongoing Schumer shutdown.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how Democrats are keeping shutdown going:\n\nDaines: Well, we\u2019re going to find out for sure in the next 90 minutes when these votes begin. Last night, I think there was some hope. There was some pretty good dialogue going on between some Democrat senators and Republicans, common sense type discussions about how we could move forward to get this clean CR passed, but I\u2019m afraid the far left has captured that now, and I\u2019m not as optimistic as I was last night. I\u2019ve not seen such political theater here in Washington since Hamilton. I mean, this really is all about theatrics. It\u2019s about the far-left side of the Democrat Party taking hostages within Democrat Senators. They really have. If you look at all the polling data, even Democrats, they\u2019re split pretty evenly about this shutdown.\n\nDaines on Democrats are keeping the government shut down for political points:\n\nDaines: Well, certainly Chuck Schumer is in a terrible position. That Washington Post article, I\u2019ll bet it was exactly right, they have flown into a box canyon. They\u2019ve taken out hostage Now they don\u2019t know what to do. They\u2019re in difficult position these shutdowns as I\u2019ve seen in the past, they start with a big bang they end with a whimper at some point. They\u2019re going to realize there\u2019s not a political objective or policy objective to be obtained. This is a very easy problem to solve all we need is five Democrat senators you join the rest of us as Republicans and vote yes here in 90 minutes and then you can start the negotiation moving forward in these spending bills between now and November 21st. This is exactly what is the standard mode of operation in Washington over many, many years, except for one thing has changed. Chuck Schumer is afraid of his political future. That\u2019s why this truly is a Schumer shutdown.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/02/daines-on-fox-business-president-trumps-peace-through-strength-approach-is-working-abroad/", "Daines on\u00a0Fox Business:\u00a0President Trump\u2019s Peace Through Strength\u00a0Approach is Working Abroad", "2025-10-02", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss President Trump\u2019s leadership in the ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on how President Trump\u2019s peace deal will help end the war between Israel and Hamas:\n\nDaines: I just returned from a swing from the Middle East. I was in Israel, I was on the border with Gaza in Egypt at the Kerem Shalom port of entry where the humanitarian aid is going through with groups like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Samaritan\u2019s Purse, they\u2019re doing a great job to help the plight of the Palestinians. But boy, big credit goes to President Trump, to Steve Witkoff, to Marco Rubio, for framing this incredible peace deal that\u2019s on the table and a big shout out to our Arab partners, the Arab nations. I was in Qatar and UAE as well last week. They\u2019ve been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work to actually bring an end to this conflict. What Greta Thunberg is doing, I mean, she is a climate activist. She\u2019s pro-Hamas. She is undermining and risking this fragile peace deal at the moment that Hamas must accept. Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump, they\u2019ve gone out on a limb right now with a 20-point peace plan. But this would do it. It releases all the hostages, the IDF withdraws out of Gaza, and then we put in place this peace board that President Trump would lead with Tony Blair, the Arab nation supporting. This is a moment we can\u2019t miss, and this will really reveal the true colors of Hamas. If they want peace, they will accept this deal.\n\nDaines on why Hamas needs to accept President Trump\u2019s peace deal:\n\nDaines: At this point, those details remain somewhat on the sensitive and quiet side. But I just cannot overemphasize the important role that Steve Witkoff has played, our Arab partners have played, behind the scenes to get to this point, the ball is entirely in Hamas\u2019s court. They need to accept this peace deal. If they do not, you know what Prime Minister Netanyahu is going to do. He\u2019s going to finish the job and eradicate Hamas because we will never have true peace in Gaza until Hamas either leaves or is eradicated forcefully.\n\nDaines on how Putin respects President Trump\u2019s strength:\n\nDaines: Well, look, if you think about a football analogy, how many times could a football team win if they only had their defense on the field? You\u2019ve got to have your offense on the field. And Vladimir Putin is not responding to any of the peace talks. He is not negotiating good faith. Putin understands one thing, and that\u2019s force. He respects strength. The Ukraine war will only come to an end when Ukraine is in a position of strength. As you see, Putin has only escalated the tempo of this war following the Alaska meetings with President Trump. And so, I think it is an appropriate option to put on the table. That will be up to the Ukrainians to decide if they want to exercise it, but they need to have all the force needed to bring an end to this war.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/01/daines-discusses-need-certainty-in-taxcode-for-u-s-cryptocurrency-during-senate-finance-committee-hearing/", "Daines Discusses Need for Certainty in Tax Code for U.S. Cryptocurrency During Senate Finance Committee Hearing", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Lawrence Zlatkin in a Senate Finance Committee hearing about U.S. leadership in and taxation of cryptocurrency. Read the highlights below.\n\nWatch the full exchange HERE.\n\nDaines on U.S. leadership in cryptocurrency:\n\nDaines: Our country has played such an important role in the advancement of the digital asset industry. However, the uncertainty our digital asset industry now faces risks chilling innovation here at home and displacing U.S. leadership in cryptocurrency abroad. This is a global race and whoever goes the fastest is going to win. Without clear rules of the road, these taxpayers and innovators face ambiguity and are forced to rely on general tax principles and sub-regulatory guidance. If we don\u2019t get our tax code right, we will lose our lead in this space. We\u2019re going to push jobs and money overseas and stall any growth from this industry. When I fought for permanency in the One Big Beautiful Bill, American leadership was one of the main motivators. We won that battle a few months ago, and I\u2019m going to ensure we win on this battle as well. More than 50 million Americans are invested in cryptocurrency, and as this number grows, the more important it becomes to deliver certainty and stability to the American people. Given the progress my colleagues and this Congress have made this year with passage of the GENIUS Act and the ongoing development of digital asset market structure legislation, this Committee needs to do our part to address the tax side of the ledger. That is why I am proud to announce that I\u2019ve started working on putting together a framework that will provide much-needed clarity to protect American jobs, revenue, and competition.\n\nDaines on clarity for taxpayers:\n\nDaines: The SEC recently issued guidance allowing for exchange traded products, ETPs, to stake the crypto they hold. This follows other regulatory efforts this year by the SEC to increase access to crypto for everyday investors through cryptocurrency ETPs. These regulatory developments will result in more American taxpayers holding investments and ETPs, which I commend. As popularity around crypto ETP products grows, so too does the imperative of providing clarity and certainty to U.S. taxpayers by ensuring our tax code accommodates this unique and innovative feature offered by crypto focused products. For example, staking is a feature that underlies much of the value proposition for investing in proof of stake crypto and is an important incentive for investors. However, the current rules and limitations for grantor trusts do not contemplate novel concepts such as the staking of digital assets, leaving many taxpayers relying solely on advice from well-meaning accountants as to whether these tax structures are viable investment vehicles in the first place. Mr. Zlatkin, given your expertise in digital assets, can you explain why it\u2019s important that any comprehensive crypto tax package that will cement U.S. leadership and innovation in digital assets provides certainty and clarity around the use of structures like grantor trusts for crypto ETPs?\n\nZlatkin: This is actually a relatively simple fix.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/01/daines-on-america-reports-its-time-to-reopen-the-government-and-end-the-schumer-shutdown/", "Daines on America Reports: It\u2019s Time to Reopen the Government and End the Schumer Shutdown", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cShutdowns begin with a bang. They end with a whimper.\u201d\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined America Reports to discuss the Schumer Shutdown and how the American people agree that it is time to end the shutdown.\n\nWatch the full interview HERE.\n\nDaines on the public opinion of the government shutdown:\n\nDaines: If you look at that poll and dig a little deeper, you\u2019ll see that Democrats polled by the New York Times are divided about this shutdown, let alone independents and the American people. Two to one are saying a shutdown is a bad idea. But as further evidence, this is truly a Schumer shutdown. Chuck Schumer is worried about his political future. He\u2019s worried about what happened last March when he voted to support a clean CR to prevent a shutdown. And now he\u2019s against a clean CR. So, this is one of the greatest political stunts that I\u2019ve seen in Washington, but sadly it comes at tremendous cost, in terms of disrupting services to the American people, stopping pay to our troops. But let\u2019s be clear, President Trump wants to keep the government open. J.D. Vance wants to keep the government open. Senate Republicans do as well. It was good to see three Democrats join us in this last vote to open it up. Now, we just need five more Senate Democrats to join us, and we\u2019ll put this mess behind us.\n\nDaines on internal disagreement within the Democrat party:\n\nDaines: The fact we\u2019re just five Democrats away already shows the cracking that\u2019s going on within the Democrats under incredible pressure. Look, I\u2019ve been through a couple of shutdowns. I was here during the 2013 shutdown, the 2018 shut down. They begin with a bang. They end with a whimper. At some point, they realize keeping the hand on that hot stove is not a good idea. It becomes very painful. They\u2019ve got to stop yielding to the radical left part of the Democrat Party, come to their senses and join us to be the adults in the room to have the clean CR that\u2019s past the house. We have bipartisan support in the Senate. Five more Democrats and we\u2019ll have this and then we can get back to negotiating between now and November 21st with your regular appropriations process to return to regular order and common sense back in Washington.\n\nDaines on the need to get rid of government shutdowns:\n\nLook, I remember that very well going back to 2013 when we had to endure a similar kind of pain. And that\u2019s why we really should pass the legislation that Ron Johnson had on the floor this week and that is to eliminate government shutdowns. We should not allow a shutdown to be a hostage taken in negotiations when you\u2019re upset about some policy outcome. You know we should do is we just suspend pay for members of Congress. If we get to a point where we can\u2019t get all the appropriation bills done by the end of the fiscal year, put the pain back on members of Congress, not on the American people.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/09/30/daines-chairs-senate-foreign-relations-subcommittee-hearing-on-the-importance-of-central-asia-black-sea-for-u-s-energy-security/", "Daines Chairs Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee Hearing on the Importance of Central Asia and Black Sea for Global Energy Security", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today chaired a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing where he discussed the need for Europe to decrease dependence on Russia, energy security and the importance of the Black Sea.\n\nWatch his full opening remarks HERE.\n\nDaines: First I want to thank our three witnesses for being here today to share their expertise on such an important topic. And I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank the Ranking Member Senator Murphy, for his partnership on these issues as well as our work to repeal Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions on Central Asia. It is time to put these antiquated Soviet-era trade restrictions to bed and further strengthen U.S. relations with the region. I am very appreciative of his work on this issue and am looking forward to continuing to work with him on it.\n\nThe Black Sea holds many of the keys for European security and U.S. national interests. A clearly defined Black Sea strategy is imperative to the United States effectively countering Russian aggression in Europe and elsewhere\u2026\n\n\u2026Energy security is national security. And this fact was made even more abundantly clear in the wake of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. In some respects, Europe has made some positive changes, but the fact of the matter is that significant steps need to immediately be taken to protect Europe\u2019s future. Reliance on Russia for energy supply is a recipe for European acquiescence to Russian influence and aggression. The Western side of the Black Sea presents a warning for the rest of the continent. The nations who border the Black Sea face profound challenges to their national security due to unreliable energy flows and lack of baseload power. They are all taking positive steps towards rectifying this situation, and their proactive action to address their insecurity should motivate the rest of Europe and encourage them to take steps to avoid a similar outcome.\n\nNow is the moment for practical energy solutions, which countries like Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria are pursuing. The recent peace deal in the Caucasus uncorks Central Asia\u2019s vast energy resources and creates a future wherein these resources as well as other sources of power, be it gas, oil, nuclear, hydro or others to build the reliable baseload power necessary for their economies and national security.\n\nThe eastern side of the Black Sea holds many of the solutions to problems found on the western side. Now is the moment for further engagement and for the Western world to stand together and facilitate reliable energy flows that will help ensure a bright and more secure future for the region.\n\nBeyond energy, the eastern shore of the Black Sea promises huge opportunities for western commerce. The Caucasus and Central Asia contain large amounts of natural resources, much of which has not yet been fully utilized or even developed. Joint investment and westward trade flows will create a rising tide that truly lifts not just the countries of origin, but those along the trade route as well as Europe and the broader western world.\n\nWhat happens in Europe does not stay in Europe. Two World Wars have proven that fact. The United States must lead the rest of the world in fighting back against the encroachment of our adversaries. Without U.S. leadership and a secure Europe, we may once again find ourselves fighting a war, Cold or otherwise, to protect the values of democracy and universal human freedom.\n\nMy sincere hope for this hearing is that we can openly and honestly discuss U.S. Black Sea strategy, the importance of the region for global security, and work towards truly a more cohesive, comprehensive U.S. policy towards the region. This critically important part of the world needs more attention from the United States and our allies, and I hope today serves as the beginning of that new conversation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/09/30/daines-statement-on-schumer-shutdown/", "Daines Statement on Schumer Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the below statement after Senate Democrats voted to shut down the federal government:\n\n\u201cChuck Schumer and Senate Democrats showed their true colors when they ignored the best interests of the American people and voted to shut down the federal government tonight. Shutdowns do nothing but hurt our country- our brave service members will not get paid and millions of Montanans, including our veterans, will lose access to services they depend on. This shutdown is nothing but an attempt by Senate Democrats to score political points from their radical base, but the American people see right through it. I\u2019ll keep fighting to reopen the government, so we can get back to work delivering wins for Montana and the nation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/09/30/icymi-daines-op-ed-in-the-washington-times-supporting-made-in-montana-energy/", "ICYMI: Daines Op-Ed in the Washington Times: Supporting Made-In-Montana Energy", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote an opinion piece about how to support Made-In-Montana energy. Read the highlights below.\n\nSEN STEVE DAINES: Supporting Made-In-Montana Energy\n\nSenator Steve Daines\n\nWashington Times\n\nSeptember 30th, 2025\n\n\u201cUnleashing made-in-America energy has been a hallmark priority of the conservative movement for years. It bolsters our economy and provides millions of jobs. Most importantly, having strong domestic energy production decreases our reliance on foreign nations and protects our national security. The demand for U.S. energy is expected to grow at least 50% over the next 25 years. It\u2019s critical that we do everything we can to support more made-in-America energy, so we are prepared for this growth in demand and maintain our energy dominance in an increasingly competitive global market and continue to bolster our workforce\u2026\n\n\u2026Montana is rich in natural resources and a net supplier of energy to the rest of the nation. We have more recoverable coal than any other state in the U.S. as well as abundant sources of crude oil and natural gas. Montana also has abundant renewable energy like hydropower, which provides the second largest share of electricity generation in our state\u2026\n\n\u2026Thanks to Montana\u2019s unique geography, hydropower is an affordable and reliable source of baseload power in the Treasure State. Six of our ten major electric power plants run on hydropower. And uniquely, Montana is home to the first tribally owned electric plant in the U.S., on the Flathead River. It\u2019s clear that hydropower is a critical source of energy produced in Montana and powering the nation\u2026\n\n\u2026But unfortunately, the relicensing program for hydropower dams can take nearly a decade- a product of D.C. bureaucracy that slows the process and harms Montana as a result\u2026\n\n\u2026Earlier this year I introduced S. 1020 with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.), as well as my Republican colleagues Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Tim Sheehy (Mont.), to approve six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. The bill will end construction delays due to supply chain shortages and keep these critical projects running\u2026\n\n\u2026I am confident that under the leadership of President Trump and his administration, and with a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, we will be able to get these important permitting reforms in place. I look forward to working with my colleagues to further made-in-America energy and increase effective energy production.\u201d\n\nRead the full op-ed in the Washington Times HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-daines-sheehy-zinke-applaud-appointment-bill-warden-state-director", "Downing, Daines, Sheehy, Zinke Applaud Appointment of Bill Warden as State Director of Rural Development in Montana", "2025-09-23", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), as well as Senator Steve Daines. Senator Tim Sheehy, and Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) released the below statements applauding the recent appointment of Bill Warden to serve as State Director of Rural Development in Montana. Warden was appointed to the role by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.\n\n\u201cBig Sky Country is gaining a real advocate in Bill Warden,'\" said Congressman Downing. \"A lifelong Montanan, Bill understands the Treasure State and its people. I look forward to working with him to ensure the rural communities I represent have a seat at the table in Washington and access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.\"\n\n\u201cBill Warden will be a huge asset for Montana\u2019s rural communities,\" said Senator Daines. \"With his experience in the private sector and in the Montana State Legislature, Bill brings a well-rounded perspective to the role and I am confident that he will help address many of the issues that our rural communities face. I applaud Secretary Rollins for choosing such a qualified appointee and I look forward to working with Bill to serve the Treasure State.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a new day in America, and working alongside the Trump Administration, we are focused on reviving the American Dream in Montana\u2019s rural communities,\" said Senator Sheehy. \"I am grateful for Bill\u2019s willingness to step up and serve our state and hardworking people proudly and am eager to work with him to make life more prosperous, safe, and affordable for all Montanans.\"\n\n\u201cCongratulations to Bill Warden on his appointment as USDA State Director of Rural Development in Montana,\" said Congressman Zinke. \"Rural development is vital to our state\u2019s future, especially as many small communities are struggling with aging water systems, limited housing, and mismanaged land. Supporting these communities is essential to ensuring Montana families have the tools they need to thrive. Bill and I have been working together since our time at the state legislature. Bravo Zulu soldier, I know he will do a great job serving the people of Montana.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nBill was raised in Montana, served in the U.S. Army, and graduated from Montana State University. Bill comes from the private sector and was a state legislator.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/09/23/icymi-daines-op-ed-in-lee-newspapers-the-abortion-pill-is-harmful-to-women/", "ICYMI: Daines Op-Ed in Lee Newspapers: The Abortion Pill is Harmful to Women", "2025-09-23", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote an opinion piece about the dangers of the abortion pill that ran in Montana newspapers this week. Read highlights below.\n\nSEN STEVE DAINES: The Abortion Pill is Harmful to Women\n\nSenator Steve Daines\n\nLee Newspapers\n\nSeptember 23rd, 2025\n\n\u201cThe abortion pill, easily sold over the counter at the local drug store or shipped out by mail, causes traumatic adverse effects for the women who take it. Yet the federal government lauds the pill as safe. Pro-abortion advocates call it \u201csafe as Tylenol,\u201d despite overwhelming evidence showing otherwise\u2026\n\n\u2026There is evidence that proves mifepristone is not safe, with numerous women reporting experiences of hemorrhaging, sepsis and infection. But because of lies pushed by pro-abortion advocates, what was once looked at as taboo is now performed on demand at any cost, flaunted, and even deemed a triumphant advance of our society. By repeating these claims, the very people who claim to care about women\u2019s health endanger the lives of countless women in Montana and throughout the country\u2026\n\n\u2026A new study by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) assessed the health insurance claims of 865,727 mifepristone prescriptions from 2017-2023. The insurance claims showed that nearly 11% of women who used mifepristone experienced serious adverse effects. This is 22 times higher than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates. The data is a reflection of real-world insurance claims from real women who have used mifepristone. Clearly, the evidence shows this pill can have devastating impacts\u2026\n\n\u2026Unfortunately, the Lee Montana newspapers ignored these facts in a recent article (Sen. Daines cites \u2018flawed\u2019 abortion pill study during RFK Jr. hearing) and instead chose to use pro-abortion sources to denounce this evidence from EPPC as \u201cflawed.\u201d By doing so, they misrepresent the dangers of the abortion pill to thousands of Montana women\u2026\n\n\u2026I am encouraged by President Trump and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy\u2019s promises to look into this issue and I\u2019ll continue to work with the administration to protect women and fight for the most vulnerable in our society\u2026\n\n\u2026I am confident that with continued advocacy about the dangers of mifepristone coupled with the efforts of pro-life groups across Montana, we will once again return to a point where our culture respects the dignity in every life, born and unborn, and where abortion is unthinkable.\u201d\n\nRead the full op-ed in the Billings Gazette HERE, the Missoulian HERE, the Montana Standard HERE, the Ravalli Republic HERE, and Helena Independent Record HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/downing-secures-23-million-shodair-childrens-hospital", "Downing Secures $2.3 Million for Shodair Children\u2019s Hospital", "2025-09-22", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Like many healthcare organizations, Shodair Children\u2019s Hospital, is still dealing with the lasting impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted bed availability and staffing. During that time, Shodair leadership made a strong commitment to retaining employees, even taking temporary pay cuts to avoid layoffs.\n\nFive years later, Shodair received a $2.3 million check from the Internal Revenue Service through Employee Retention Credits (ERC) thanks to the support of Congressman Troy Downing\u2019s office.\n\n\u201cThis outcome is a shining example of the impact constituent services can make in our communities,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cShodair\u2019s mission to provide comprehensive pediatric mental healthcare services is setting the next generation of Montanans up for success, and I\u2019m thrilled that we were able to claw back these funds from the IRS so that they can be redeployed where they\u2019re needed most\u2013Big Sky Country, not Washington. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Shodair Children's Hospital for bringing this issue to my attention and to my team for putting in the hard work that made this result possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more thankful for the assistance of Congressman Downing\u2019s office,\u201d CEO Craig Aasved said. \u201cHis commitment to Shodair\u2019 s mission means a great deal to our team, and more so families in need of our services across the state.\u201d\n\nAasved said these dollars will allow Shodair to better serve our patients and their families.\n\n\u201cThis is an uncertain time in healthcare, and the industry faces tremendous challenges without clear, tangible solutions on the horizon. We are forced to be creative and pivot, which we continue to do. These dollars directly benefit patients and their families, and the least we could do is hold a proper thank you.\u201d\n\nCongressman Downing visited Shodair, spent time talking with staff, took a tour of the new hospital and even did a group activity with some of the hospital\u2019s youngest patients.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe ERC was created to support organizations whose services and operations were negatively impacted by COVID-19.\n\nShodair applied for the credit in late 2023. It pertains to the first quarter of 2021 during the height of the pandemic.\n\nProcessing times vary from just two weeks to more than two years depending on IRS approval.\n\nIt took Downing's office about 50 days to secure the funds after they had been pending for almost two years.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 366, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "MT", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 366, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 264, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}, {"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 102, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "MT", "label": "MT", "count": 366, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 366, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-22,https~3A~2F~2Fdowning~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fdowning-secures-23-million-shodair-childrens-hospital", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=MT&year=2025&_next=2025-09-22%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fdowning~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fdowning-secures-23-million-shodair-childrens-hospital&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 217.38517004996538, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}