U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Apr. 29, focusing on the passage of the America the Beautiful Act and key water infrastructure projects in Montana.
The discussion highlighted bipartisan support for national parks and rural water initiatives, issues that impact communities across Montana. Daines said, “Our national parks should always be one of the most bipartisan issues we have here on Capitol Hill. They’re the gems of our public lands.” He emphasized that President Trump supports reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund, which he described as crucial to maintaining park infrastructure ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
Daines noted growing support for his bill: “As of this morning, we have 52 cosponsors, evenly divided. We bring them on like Noah’s Ark, two by two. We’ve got 26 Republicans. We’ve got 26 Democrats.” When asked if he would work to reauthorize the fund by July 4th, Burgum replied, “100 percent agree.” The senator also addressed rural water needs in Montana’s semiarid regions and outlined several bills aimed at improving drinking water access and irrigation systems for agricultural communities.
On local priorities such as completing Indian water settlements, Daines said it is essential to finalize agreements like those affecting Fort Belknap to secure future agricultural production: “I cannot stress enough the need for the Northern Montana Water Security Act to pass… If we don’t finish this settlement, that production’s at risk.” Burgum responded positively: “Well, President Trump loves to get deals done!”
Daines supports public safety and economic opportunities for Montana’s Indian nations according to his official website. He focuses on assisting Montanans with federal matters while advocating for jobs in energy, mining and forestry sectors according to his official website. Daines brings prior private sector experience to his role as U.S. senator according to his official website, maintains deep roots as a fifth-generation Montanan according to his official website, represents Montana in Washington with offices across the state according to his official website, and advances pro-growth tax policies along with sustainable forest management through committee assignments according to his official website.
Looking forward, both Daines and Burgum indicated willingness to collaborate further on these legislative efforts aimed at supporting public lands management and critical infrastructure development.
