Category: Op-ed

As U.S. senators representing the Big Sky state and Hawkeye country, we know older Montanans and Iowans keep a watchful eye on spending. Like millions of Americans across the country, they are mindful that they need to stretch their savings in order to pay the bills and uphold their quality of life in retirement. Whenever we hear from folks in Iowa or Montana, we hear widespread concern about the rising costs of prescription drugs. It’s particularly upsetting to find out some patients ration or skip doses of daily medication because they can’t afford the out-of-pocket costs. This issue has struck

In 1977, President Carter signed a law that required the Forest Service to study 973,000 acres in Montana to determine if they were suitable for wilderness. The findings were to be reported in five years and Congress was to take action afterward. The Forest Service completed the study and determined that several of the study areas in Montana were not suitable for wilderness in its final plan. Thirty-five years later — we’re still waiting for D.C. to get its job done and release the study areas. I’ve introduced the Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act, which will take action

Rodeos, barbecues, fireworks, parades — these are what often come to mind when we celebrate the Fourth of July in Montana. In fact, these activities have always come to mind when we think about Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. From the very beginning, people understood the significance of what they had just done. John Adams, our would-be second president, wrote to his wife about his vision for future celebrations of this historic occasion: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary

On Wednesday, June 28th I will host my 17th Telephone Townhall to get your input on the healthcare draft proposal to repeal and replace Obamacare. The draft bill was released on Thursday, June 22nd, and I immediately posted the text on my website for all Montanans to read. I am digging into this legislation myself and look forward to hearing the thoughts of Montanans as we consider this important issue together. While there is an effort to move legislation out of the Senate next week, I’ve been urging my colleagues to get this legislation right – my dad taught me

On June 1, Great Falls was the center of our nation’s agriculture conversation as I hosted the Montana Ag Summit, a conversation about the future of jobs in our state’s No. 1 economic driver, agriculture. We had two of the nation’s top ag leaders at the Montana Ag Summit — the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, and the U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. The day before the Summit, Perdue and Roberts joined me in Cascade, Montana for a listening session at Rick Bogden’s cow-calf operation. We had several ag groups there including the Wool Growers, Stockgrowers,

Freedom. It’s what makes America the greatest country on earth. It’s what drove people to board boats for long voyages, cross stormy seas and enter a strange land with few possessions in hand. It’s what mankind has prayed for, fought for and died for across human history. Freedom is what makes America unique. Our forefathers secured freedom for us long ago, and generations after have taken up the cause to defend freedom from all enemies at great cost. Each year, we set aside a day to honor those who gave their lives to protect our freedom. We remember the men

Can you imagine sitting around the dinner table considering purchasing a car or a new home, but not factoring in the cost of the interest on the loan?  Yet, this is what Congress does with its legislative budget estimates – one more example of why Washington is broken. To restore the public’s trust and improve the budget process, Congress must adopt policies that require accuracy in the budget process. When the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was passed, it did not require budgetary estimates for legislative proposals to account for projected interest costs on borrowed amounts, which add to the

It’s an honor to represent Montana in the U.S. Senate and work on your behalf to make our state and nation a better place to live and work. As we gather together during this time of year, I hope that you will join me in thanking the brave servicemen and women who are giving so much to defend our freedoms – for their service and sacrifice we are especially grateful. I just wrapped up my 56 County Tour last week stopping in every Montana County during the 114th Congress. Throughout the tour I heard Montanan’s concerns and ideas, I heard

On July 17, 2012, while on patrol with his team in Afghanistan, Bo Reichenbach of Lockwood, who is now a retired Navy SEAL from Team Two, stepped on a 20-pound IED buried in a field. He lost both legs above the knee leaving him a double amputee. The loss of his legs did not stop Bo or slow his determination to excel in life, proven by the fact that he is currently the goalie for the US National Sled Team and will be going to South Korea in 2018 to play hockey for the U.S. in the Paralympics. Bo also

The first week in October, I traveled across Eastern Montana – 648 miles to be exact with stops in 14 towns: Malta, Glasgow, Scobey, Westby, Plentywood, Culbertson, Sidney, Glendive, Wibaux, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus, Alzada and Ashland.  Montana is a resource rich state. This includes agriculture as well robust coal, oil and natural gas potential — which directly employs nearly 6,000 Montanans and supports the employment of over 43,000 Montanans, in addition to providing a critical tax base – for our schools, teachers, roads and bridges.  I was on my way from Baker to my first meeting of the day in