U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following video statement after attending President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union Address with special guest nine year-old Danielle (Dani) Highley of Deer Lodge, Montana.
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Full Transcript Below:
I want to thank Dani Highley for being my guest tonight at the President’s first State of the Union. Dani’s from Deer Lodge. She is 9 years old and suffers from juvenile arthritis. Dani, like so many Montana children, depends on a critical children’s health program called CHIP.
Unfortunately, there were some who thought we should shut the government down and not fund CHIP. I voted repeatedly to keep the government up and running. I’m honored to have Dani and her mom Glory as my guests.
Tonight, we heard the President speak of a nation that is strong and secure.
Together we will secure our borders, improve our crumbling infrastructure, pass a Farm Bill that works for Montanans and address the National Park’s maintenance backlog.
I look forward to working with President Trump, Vice President Pence and the Administration on these priorities. Let’s continue to Make America Great Again.
Daines Priorities Highlighted in State of the Union:
President Trump touted the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which Daines championed. The President specifically mentioned the 20 percent deduction for Main Street businesses and the elimination of Obamacare’s poverty tax, both initiatives Daines helped secure in the Tax Cuts bill. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has already increased wages and grown jobs in Montana and across the country.
President Trump applauded Republicans’ support of six years’ worth of funding for children’s health insurance, which Daines fought for and Dani and 24,000 Montana children depend on for access to health care.
President Trump emphasized the importance of vocational skills, which Daines has championed through legislation.
President Trump mentioned legislation Daines sponsored, the Right to Try Act, which gives terminally ill patients access to experimental drugs.
President Trump reiterated Daines’ efforts to fight America’s drug epidemic.
President Trump called for nuclear modernization, which Daines has secured funding for.
President Trump promised to end the war a clean coal, which Daines has fought for and protects Montana jobs.
President Trump highlighted the importance of a bill Daines sponsored, the VA Accountability Act.
President Trump announced plans to meet Daines’ request to address the National Park maintenance backlog.
President Trump announced an executive order to keep Guantanamo Bay open, an initiative Daines has long called for.
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