We must support the brave Americans stationed abroad who work tirelessly to keep our nation and world safe. We must also maintain a strong partnership with our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel. As your Senator, I have had the opportunity to visit with foreign leaders in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and witnessed firsthand the turmoil in the Middle East. Hearing directly from the leaders of these nations reaffirms the importance of our relationship with Israel and having a coherent strategy in the region.
On a daily basis, we are reminded of the growing threat of a nuclear Iran or North Korea. We see the threats of radical Islamic terrorism with ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Boko Haram in Nigeria and the Houthis in Yemen. The United States must remain vigilant and work closely with our overseas allies to promote global security and eliminate these threats.
It is also critical to recognize that the time has passed where America can be complacent as it relates to its policies towards China. China poses a very real threat to our national security, whether it’s their military investments, economic development via forced technology transfers, outright theft or China’s rapidly developing and innovative tech sector. The United States needs a long-term plan to compete and deal with China’s rising economic and geopolitical influence.
Montana’s rich natural resources not only help power our country, but also contributes to and bolsters our national security. Many of the regions filled with turmoil also supply much of the world’s oil and natural gas. Our energy security isn’t just about jobs and low energy prices– it’s directly tied to our national security.
Daines in Foreign Relations Subcommittee: We Need to End America’s Dependence on Russia’s Critical Minerals
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Jonathan Pratt, the Senior Bureau Official at the Bureau of African Affairs, and Scott Woodard, the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment in a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing. Daines expressed his sympathy for the recent loss of life at Montana’s Stillwater Mine and emphasized the need to end America’s reliance on Russia for critical minerals. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines addressed the recent loss of life at Montana’s Stillwater Mine: Daines: Before engaging on this topic, I want to take a moment to recognize a community at the Stillwater Mine in Montana. That’s a palladium and
A Peace Deal for Armenia and Azerbaijan
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines penned an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal explaining the historic potential of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hisinvolvement in the matter. Excerpts from his piece are below. Senator Steve Daines The Wall Street Journal President Trump is on the cusp of bringing about a peace deal in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This would be a remarkable achievement—another step toward stability that advances regional and international peace as well as economic gains that extend far beyond the countries involved… … This year, I traveled to both countries with members
Daines on Fox Business: Iran’s Nuclear Program Will Never Be Peaceful
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and how it will never be used for peaceful purposes. Daines also discussed trade with China and President Trump’s visit to the Federal Reserve. Watch the full interview HERE. Daines on Iran’s nuclear program: “Look I don’t trust this Iranian regime. I trust them about as far as I can throw them. They have no credibility. There’s no veracity to what they are saying. Why is it that we had to send B-2’s with bunker buster bombs to destroy their capabilities because they were hundreds of feet below
Daines Chairs Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing
Discusses National Security, Trade, and Alliances With Trump Nominees U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines, chairman of the European Subcommittee on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today delivered the following opening statement at a full committee nominations hearing. Witnesses included Lou Rinaldi to be ambassador to Uruguay, Art Fisher to be ambassador to Austria, Roman Pipko to be ambassador to Estonia, Stacey Feinberg to be ambassador to Luxembourg, and Nicholas Merrick to be ambassador to the Czech Republic. Daines’ questions to the nominees are also below. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines’ Opening Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: Nominees, thank you for joining us today and
Daines, Trump Ambassador Nominees Emphasize Need to Put America First Abroad
Discussed Energy Security, National Defense U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with President Trump’s ambassador nominees to the United Kingdom, Turkey and Italy, and discussed the importance of improving trade relations globally, how we can partner with allies to improve America’s energy security, and the importance of defense cooperation. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines and nominee for Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, discussed how to advance U.S.-Turkey trade relations: Daines: One of the primary responsibilities of an ambassador is working to develop a positive trade and economic relationship between the United States and their assigned post. If confirmed, how do
Daines’ Bill to Crack Down on Fentanyl Crisis Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ “Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act” passed the Senate today. The bill restricts and reduces the impact of deadly fentanyl in Montana communities by permanently classifying fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, which is reserved for drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Today, the bill passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. “Under Joe Biden our border spiraled out of control and every state felt the burden, including Montana. Just last week I met with law enforcement in Gallatin County to
Daines, Peters, Sheehy, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Ban Import of Critical Minerals from Russia
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced a bipartisan bill to protect American mining jobs by banning the import of critical minerals from Russia, including platinum, palladium and copper. “There is no reason the United States should run to Russia for critical minerals that can be found right here at home, including in Montana. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, American mines were under attack and Montana workers paid the price. We’re turning a new leaf with President Trump and this bill will put American mines and American jobs first,” said Daines. “We cannot
Daines Introduces Bills to Combat Child Trafficking at the Southern Border
U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week introduced two bills to combat the abuse and trafficking of children at the southern border. The “End Child Trafficking Now Act” requires familial DNA testing at the southern border, and the “Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension (PRINTS) Act” prevents the abusive practice of “child recycling” by giving U.S. Customs and Border patrol (CBP) the authority to fingerprint non-citizens under the age of 14 at the border. “Biden’s failure on the border crisis has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and the exploitation of our innocent children by gangs and cartels,” said Senator Daines.“We must put an end to this
Daines Bill to Prevent Loss of Cell Service, Strengthen National Security Passes Senate
Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) announced that their bill to fully fund the “Rip and Replace” program has passed the U.S. Senate. The legislation was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is expected to be signed into law. This bill will ensure providers in rural areas have the resources they need to implement the congressional directive to replace Chinese manufactured infrastructure in our telecommunications industry, helping protect Americans from espionage and service blackouts. Download Daines’ video statement HERE. “I am glad to see this commonsense legislation included