After passing the largest tax cuts in our nation’s history, our economy is booming. The unemployment rate in the United States is at an all time low, and small businesses across Montana and the country are seeing their businesses grow like never before. With this economic growth, Montanans are landing good-paying jobs that allow them to provide a better life and future for their families for generations to come.
While much progress has been made, there is still much left to accomplish. I will continue to work to reduce regulation on our small businesses and entrepreneurs, and tackling our nation’s escalating debt crisis. I will also continue support efforts to increase production of American-made energy and natural resources in Montana and throughout our country. Further, I believe Congress should repeal Obamacare and all of its job-crushing tax and regulatory burdens. With these actions, Congress would lay a foundation where Americans can continue to create and find good-paying jobs.
Daines Slams Biden’s 2022 Draft Budget as Liberal Agenda, Wasteful Spending
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement upon President Biden submitting his draft FY22 budget request to Congress. “President Biden’s budget is a progressive’s dream with top priorities including billions for Planned Parenthood, gun control, the anti-energy agenda, a massive expansion of the federal government, and zero funding for the border wall. A budget that increases domestic spending by 16 percent, on the heels of $6 trillion in spending over the past 12 months, combined with a separate $2.5 trillion ‘infrastructure’ proposal is reckless,” Daines said. “I am committed to protecting Montana taxpayers, fighting against this wasteful spending, and bringing accountability and commonsense
Daines Announces Over $12 Million for Rural Montana Counties
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $12,197,140 will be allocated to rural counties across Montana through the Secure Rural Schools program to support public schools, roads and specific county programs. “Montanans are the best stewards of our forests and our resources, so I am glad to see our rural, forested counties receive these critical funds,” Daines said. “I’ll continue working to secure a long-term solution for this funding and to increase timber harvests in Montana to promote healthier landscapes and rural economies.” For full information on the grants, click HERE. To see the county-by-county breakdown of these grants, click HERE.
Daines Helps Secure Nearly $12 Million for Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $11,946,626 will be allocated to various airports across Montana to strengthen air travel infrastructure. “As air travel begins to pick up and Montana prepares for a busy summer season, I’m glad to see local airports receive this support,” Daines said. “These grants will help Montana airports with important infrastructure upgrades and expansions necessary for the rapidly growing demand.” For full information on the grants, click HERE. The $11,946,626 will be distributed to the following airports: $1,193,410 to Bowman Field in Anaconda, MT $1,800,000 to Billings Logan International in Billings, MT $3,751,261 to Bozeman Yellowstone
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Burdensome Regulations on Montana Agriculture, Livestock Haulers
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan “Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act,” which would delay enforcement of the Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) regulations until reforms are proposed by the Transportation Secretary. The bill creates a solution for Montana ag and livestock haulers that will help keep our roads safe and remove burdensome regulations from their operations. “Montana’s ag haulers should be able to transport their products efficiently and safely. Providing this needed certainty and flexibility to our ag and livestock haulers will help to remove unnecessary burdens that negatively impact our ranchers while also keeping our roads safe,” Daines said. In addition to Daines, the legislation is cosponsored by
Daines Introduces Bill to Create and Protect Montana Coal Jobs, Reduce Emissions
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today reintroduced legislation to help create Montana coal jobs while reducing emissions. The bill, the “Carbon Capture Modernization Act,” supports the use of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology by modernizing the Section 48A tax credit for coal facilities. “With American innovation, we can support our coal jobs and still reduce our carbon footprint. As the Biden Administration launches attack after attack on traditional American energy, it’s important we support Montana coal facilities and provide incentives to use this technology,” Daines said. Background: Daines has been an outspoken supporter of carbon capture technologies during his time in Congress. Last September, Daines
Daines Introduces Bills to Support Montana Rural Counties
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure Montana’s rural communities get a fair opportunity to apply for federal grants to help them support local economies. “This legislation will help ensure Montana’s rural counties have better access in competing for, and securing, federal resources that are important to help grow their local economies,” Daines stated. The federal government manages roughly 28 percent of the 2.27 billion acres of land in the United States, the majority of which is found in Western states, including in many counties in Montana. This can limit localities’
Daines: Amtrak is Critical for Montana Jobs, Montana Travel Sector
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored legislation to restore daily long-distance Amtrak service and reinstate employees who have been furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Amtrak supports Montana jobs, helps connect Montanans across the state and brings visitors from all over the country to Big Sky Country. The Empire Builder is critical to the Hi-Line and I will continue fighting to restore this much needed service,” Daines said. Read the full text HERE. Background: In December, Daines supported the COVID-19 relief package that included $1 billion in emergency funding for Amtrak. In September, Daines sent a letter to Senate leadership to stop
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Energy Manufacturing Jobs
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan “American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act” that would incentivize American manufacturing facilities to expand to energy producing communities that have suffered from economic turndown. “This bipartisan bill will support Montana jobs and increase investment in coal and other energy producing communities in Montana. We must protect and grow Made in Montana and Made in America energy,” Daines said. Read the full text HERE. This bill will revive the Section 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit by investing $8 billion in American manufacturing. $4 billion of the $8 billion will be set aside for communities where coal mines
Daines Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Making Tax Relief for Small Businesses Permanent
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to make the 20 percent pass-through small business tax deduction permanent. His bill, the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act,” will support small businesses, help create jobs and strengthen our economy. Without congressional action the tax deduction will expire at the end of 2025. “Montana small businesses help our communities thrive and prosper–they’re what make our hometowns feel like home,” Daines said. “Making this main street tax relief permanent will provide the certainty needed to help Montana small businesses stay afloat, create more jobs, and expand their operations.” Read the full text HERE. The 2017 Tax Cuts