As a fifth-generation Montanan, I know the importance our state’s natural resources to our way of life. Natural Resources are an engine to our economy and to job creation. Our pristine glacial peaks and rivers, vibrant forests, wide-open spaces, and rich mineral and energy deposits earn beautiful Montana its name—the Treasure State.
As a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue to work to preserve Montana’s way of life by encouraging responsible environmental stewardship as we continue to develop our natural resources.
In addition, I support an all-of-the-above approach to securing not just American energy independence, but American energy dominance. That includes alternative sources of energy—hydropower, wind, biomass, and solar—along with coal, oil, and natural gas. Montana will continue to lead the way through promoting exploration and sustained development of the Bakken oil shale, continuing to lead in domestic coal production, and expanding our renewable energy production. Montana is setting an example of how domestic energy development can be done in a responsible manner to reduce our dependence on foreign energy while sustaining our resources for generations to come.
Daines and Forest Service Chief Schultz in Senate Energy Committee: Fix Harmful Cottonwood Decision, Pass the America the Beautiful Act
Also Discusses Fix Our Forests Act WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with the United States Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed the importance of passing Daines’ bill, the America the Beautiful Act, as well as addressing forest management and wildfire concerns in Montana. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines on his “America the Beautiful Act:” Daines: Chief Schultz, welcome back. It is really good to have you up here before this committee. Two weeks ago, we had a great discussion with Secretary Burgum on the need to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund and to
Daines, Sheehy, Downing Introduce Bill to Provide Clean Water to Eastern Montana, Authorize Construction of Dry-Redwater Rural Water System
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today introduced a bill to authorize construction of the Dry-Redwater rural water system, which will help provide clean and reliable water to eastern Montana. Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Montanans shouldn’t have to use dirty water for drinking, eating, cleaning, or other basic necessities. The Dry-Redwater rural water system is a critical project that must be completed as soon as possible, and I’ll work with Senator Sheehy and our colleagues to get this bill across the finish line,” said Daines. “The construction of
Daines in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: We Need to Build Nuclear Energy in Montana
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Theodore Garrish, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy and Dr. John Wagner, Director at the Idaho National Lab, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed how Montana can play a role in the Trump administration’s plans to reinvigorate America’s nuclear capacity. Watch Daines’ opening remarks HERE. Daines’ opening remarks: Chairman Risch, thank you. And with your foreign relations hat on here and your nuclear hat for a moment, just to pile on that earlier conversation on microreactors, where this might all head. And as we
Daines Urges Colleagues to Support His Bills Protecting Montana’s Water Security and Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing and urged his colleagues to support four of his bills: the “Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act,” the “Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act,” the “Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act,” and the “Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act.” Watch Daines’ opening remarks HERE. Daines’ opening remarks: Included in today’s agenda are four of my bills, including the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act, the Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act, the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act, as well as the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, with my colleague Senator
Daines, Hickenlooper Introduce Bill to Protect Water Access, Reauthorize CWMP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) today introduced the “Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act.” The bill reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) for four years, which will help address water management for Montana’s local communities and tribal lands. Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Reliable access to clean water is a basic necessity for Montanans. This bipartisan bill provides a common sense solution to water management needs by funding CWMP and will help ensure our communities are equipped to face drought, wildfires, or other natural disasters,”
ICYMI: Daines Op-Ed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: “Thanks to President Trump, We’re Protecting Montana’s Mines”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines penned an op-ed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about the Trump administration’s actions to protect Montana mining. Read it below. Sen. Steve Daines: Thanks to President Trump, we’re protecting Montana’s mines Bozeman Daily Chronicle March 6th, 2026 Montana’s mining industry is critically important to not only our state but the country. Hard rock mining for critical minerals like copper, platinum, palladium, and silver provides more than 18,000 good-paying jobs for Montanans, adds nearly $430 million to the state’s economy, and provides an essential tax base for our local communities. In addition, Montana’s coal mines employ
ICYMI: Daines Joins Interior Secretary Burgum and Congressman Zinke for Exclusive Interview on KBZK
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Montana This Morning last Friday in an exclusive interview with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum alongside U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke to discuss the Stillwater Mine and Made-in-Montana energy. Watch the full interview HERE. Daines on Stillwater Mine visit: “We wrap up here this morning. The Secretary and the Congressman are going to head west to Butte. I’m heading east to Columbus. We’ve got a great story of a win by the Trump administration. What was happening is the Russians were dumping palladium in the country below market price. It forced the layoff
ICYMI: Daines Joins Fox Business for Exclusive Interview at the Stillwater Mine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business at a Sibayne-Stillwater’s Columbus metallurgical complex,, where he met with miners and toured the operations. Daines touted President Trump’s recent anti-dumping duty to counter the flood of Russian palladium into American markets, which will help protect Montana mining jobs. Excerpt Grady Trimble: The Department of Commerce just implemented a preliminary tariff of around 133 percent on palladium from Russia. Russia’s imports [exports] to the U.S. have effectively stopped because of that and now the price of the precious metal has since recovered to levels that are sustainable for the company. Senator Steve
Daines Visits Stillwater Mine: “Thanks to President Trump, Montana Mining is Back”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today visited Sibanye-Stillwater’s Columbus metallurgical complex, where he met with miners and toured the operations. Daines touted President Trump’s recent anti-dumping duty to counter the flood of Russian palladium into American markets, which will help protect Montana mining jobs. “Montana mining is back. The Stillwater Mine is absolutely critical for Montana’s economy and for America’s national security, and I’m thrilled that President Trump has recognized its importance and is fighting to protect Montana jobs. Thank you to all the miners and employees at Stillwater- we can’t commend you enough for your hard work,” said Daines.