Agriculture is Montana’s top industry, and the hard work of our farmers and ranchers puts food on the table for families across the country and the world. Protecting and promoting Montana agriculture is one of my top priorities in Congress.
On the Senate Agriculture Committee, I worked hard to pass the 2018 Farm Bill for our farmers and ranchers. It includes Montana agriculture priorities such as protecting crop insurance, expanding broadband access in rural Montana, securing funds for land grant universities, and supporting important conservation programs such as EQIP and CSP. The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2018.
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Montana Farms, Ranches, Businesses from Immoral Tax
Bill Would Permanently Repeal Death Tax U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and 44 Senate colleagues in reintroducing the “Death Tax Repeal Act.” The bill would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, a punitive tax that threatens Montana farms, ranches and businesses. “When Montanans lose a loved one, the last thing they need to worry about is what will happen to their family farm or ranch,” said Daines. “I’m glad to join this effort to protect Montanans from this unfair and unnecessary tax.” Read the full text of the bill HERE. The bill is supported by more than 190 members of the Family Business Coalition and
Daines to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: We’re Making HHS the “Gold Standard of Science”
Secures Commitments to Support MT Agriculture U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for his commitment to make HHS the gold standard of science. Daines and Kennedy discussed the need to support Montana’s crops and the food supply, as well as the dangers that chemical abortions pose to women. Watch Daines’ and Kennedy’s full exchange HERE. “Mr. Kennedy, I’m glad to see you here this morning. I listened to your opening remarks, and you mentioned that you wanted to make HHS the gold
Senator Daines Signs Bipartisan Letter to Protect Montana’s Potato Crops
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a bipartisan group of senators urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase efforts in protecting crops from the potato wart disease. “If potato wart should enter the United States, our farmers and the communities they support will be economically devastated,” the senators wrote in a letter. “Given that twenty percent of our potato crop—valued at over $2 billion—is exported, we cannot allow introduction of a disease that would shut off access to international markets, and also curtail domestic production and sales.” Potato wart is a highly destructive disease that reduces crop yields and makes potatoes
Daines Blasts Biden Administration for Climate-Driven Land Use Rule
“Nothing is Safe from the Biden Administration’s Climate Agenda” U.S. Senator Steve Daines blasted the Biden administration’s new Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule today, which violates the statutory multiple use requirements on federal lands, effectively making them unusable and hurting Montana farmers and ranchers. “Nothing is safe from the Biden administration’s climate agenda. First they came for our gas stoves then they told us they wanted us to drive electric cars and semis and now they are taking grazing land from Montana farmers and ranchersand it’s all in the name of climate change. Despite the Administration’s claim, this rule is anything but balanced. It violates the ‘multiple-use
Daines Urges Biden Administration to Support Montana Farmers and Ranchers, Increase Agricultural Exports
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined his colleagues in urging U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to increase U.S. agricultural exports and improve the competitiveness of the U.S. products abroad. “We expect trade to fluctuate in response to macroeconomic factors and market conditions,” wrote the senators. “However, the current sharp decline in U.S. agricultural exports is directly attributable to and exacerbated by an unambitious U.S. trade strategy that is failing to meaningfully expand market access or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. While the Biden administration continually refuses to pursue traditional free trade
Daines Bipartisan Resolution to Establish National FFA Week Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan resolution to establish February 17-24, 2024 as National FFA Week unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. Daines issued the following statement and video. “Montana’s FFA students are some of the best and brightest in our state, and they’re the future leaders of the ag industry in Montana and across the country. Each year I’m proud to help introduce a resolution to recognize the amazing work FFA does across Montana to continue our rich heritage.” The resolution highlights the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders by providing educational and career
Daines’ Bipartisan Effort to Prevent China from Buying American Farmland, Ag Businesses Included in NDAA
U.S. SENATE – U.S.Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bipartisan bill to blacklist China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from investing in, purchasing or otherwise acquiring land or businesses involved in agriculture was officially included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Food security is national security and folks across Montana are rightfully concerned that China and our adversaries are buying up American farmland near critical military operations,” Daines said. “In order to protect our national security interests, especially after the Chinese spy balloon floated over Montana’s ICBMs and used American technology against us, we must stop our adversaries in their tracks before they threaten
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Bring Integrity, Transparency to MT Cattle Markets
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines helped introduce a bipartisan bill to return fairness and transparency to the cattle markets that are currently dominated by four major meat packers. “It’s high time we put an end to the price gouging and manipulation plaguing Montana cattle markets. Restoring competition and transparency to our cattle markets will make certain that Montana ranchers are competing on a level playing field and help ensure Montana families are paying fair prices at the grocery store. I will always support the Montana farmers and ranchers who feed our great state, nation, and the rest of the world,” Daines said. The “Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act”
Daines, Rosendale, Zinke Push for Local Engagement in American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal
Call on Biden Administration to Hold Appeals Hearing in Malta, Montana U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke today sent a letter urging the Biden administration to hold its appeals hearing concerning the American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal in Malta, Montana, instead of Billings, which is over 200 miles away from Phillips County. This would allow Montanans most affected by the proposal to easily attend the hearing. “The American Prairie Reserve’s proposal, if implemented, will open nearly 70,000 acres in Phillips County to grazing by non-production livestock, eliminate interior fencing, and modify the season of use.