National Security

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: Joe Biden Made Everything Worse

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference highlighting President Biden’s failures on the southern border, economy and national security since taking office. Watch Daines’ remarks HERE. “We weren’t here on Groundhog Day, but I was having some Jimmy Carter flashbacks on Groundhog Day because you start looking at the numbers… Joe Biden’s approval numbers are now the worst of any president, even Jimmy Carter. In fact, you have to go back 75 years to find a president with lower approval numbers. “NBC had him at 37 percent this past week. Gallup at 39

Daines Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Spy Balloon Debacle

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Montanan Larry Mayer spotting the Chinese spy balloon over Billings, Montana. For a year, Daines has been working to hold the Biden administration responsible for this egregious breach of national security. “One year ago today the country became aware of a Chinese spy balloon flying directly over our country, including over Malmstrom’s missile fields housing the most powerful nuclear weapons on the planet. Despite the Biden administration’s attempts to cover it up and hide it from the American people, Larry Mayer of Billings spotted the

Daines Introduces Bill to Require DHS To Report Monthly on Terrorist Watch List Encounters at Southern Border

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide a monthly report to Congress on terrorist watch list encounters at the nation’s southern border. Under the Biden administration, we have seen historic numbers of individuals on the FBI’s terrorist watch list encountered at the southern border. “Since October 1st, hundreds of individuals from Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria – all state sponsors of terror – have entered the United States through our southern border,” said Daines. “We need real policy changes at our wide-open southern border to prevent potential terrorists from putting Americans

Daines: Secure Our Border, Enforce the Rule of Law

“If Joe Biden and the Democrats won’t secure the border now, when are they ever going to do it?” U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference implored the Biden administration to secure the southern border amid Hamas’ terrorist attacks in Israel last week.  To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. “Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, Yemen.  “Why did I just name off those countries? This is not an exhaustive list. I was at the southern border on Wednesday,

Daines Leads Bill to Ban DOD from Funding, Hosting Drag Queen Performances

Calls Administration’s Explanation “Inadequate,” Asks for Further Clarification U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a group of his Republican colleagues in introducing a bill to stop the Department of Defense (DOD) from using taxpayer funds or taxpayer-funded facilities from hosting drag queen performances. The bill follows recent reports that Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, hosted a “Drag Story Time” targeted at children at the base library. In addition, Daines sent another letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking for further clarification regarding the situation at Malmstrom. “Our military’s mission is clear: to provide the military forces needed

Prior to Security Briefing, Daines Releases List of Questions for Biden Administration Officials

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following list of questions that remain unanswered regarding the Chinese spy balloon that crossed the United States from January 28 to February 4, 2023, spending eight days in American airspace. Daines will receive a security briefing later today from Biden Administration officials where he hopes the questions below will be answered. Daines viewed Top Secret information from the administration earlier this week but many of his questions still remain unanswered. “This situation raises a number of national security concerns and has been a tremendous embarrassment for the United States. The Biden administration’s

Daines Slams Biden Admin for Putting Woke Agenda Over National Security

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called out the Biden administration for allowing the TSA to no longer consider gender when checking the identity of travelers. Daines is demanding answers as to why Biden’s choosing to put wokeness over national security.  “Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the federal government has made significant progress in securing domestic air travel. Whether through the creation of TSA or improved screening practices, the federal government has taken significant steps in regard to securing air travel and protecting American citizens. Now, it appears that the current administration has shifted its focus to advancing “wokeness” at the expense of

Daines Introduces Slate of Bills to Combat Sanctuary Cities in Montana

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced several bills to help combat sanctuary cities in Montana. The bills better equip law enforcement and will help protect innocent Montanans from illegal aliens harboring in Montana. “Violent criminals and illegal aliens are using sanctuary cities as a safe haven in Montana and across the country. This must be stopped,” Daines said. “It’s simple. Sanctuary cities are against the law, and innocent Montanans are dealing with the dangers that come with them. We need to help our law enforcement combat these illegal safe havens and hold individuals who are supporting them accountable.” A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or locality that forbids its local law enforcement from: Sharing information with

Daines: Violence Will Not Be Tolerated

U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement: “Last week’s attacks on our Capitol were an assault on our democracy. There is an ongoing investigation, and there is no evidence Antifa instigated the attacks. The FBI believes Antifa was not involved. Those who took part in the violence and destruction are criminals and must be brought to justice.  “We are a nation that believes in the right to peacefully protest—we must rise above the violence. To all who plan to exercise First Amendment rights over the coming days, do know violence will not be tolerated.”