Senate Dems Are Putting Montanans First — Federal Delegation Should Do the Same
Montanans take pride in our hard work, our communities, and our ability to look out for one another.
That’s why it’s troubling to see our federal representatives—Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy and Congressman Troy Downing—praise our universities, farmers, firefighters, and infrastructure projects while remaining silent as President Trump’s executive orders threaten these very institutions and the Montana jobs they create.
On January 20, 2025, the President froze federal grants, halted funding disbursements, and imposed a federal hiring freeze. Presidential orders have also resulted in mass firings of Montana workers.
These orders have thrown Montana into uncertainty, jeopardizing education, agriculture, wildfire prevention, and essential services. Yet, our federal delegation has failed to call out this contradiction between their words and the reality Montanans now face.
Federal Orders Hurt Montana’s Universities and Workforce
Montana’s federal delegation touts our universities as hubs of innovation and workforce development. Yet, funding freezes have stalled critical research projects, threatening hundreds of millions in grants that support jobs, JobCorps programs, and scientific progress. How can we invest in Montana’s future if the very programs that create opportunity are on the chopping block?
Montana’s Farmers Are Being Undermined
Our agricultural sector feeds America and drives Montana’s economy. But the President’s orders threaten USDA support programs that keep farms running. Additionally, halting USAID assistance cuts off key markets for Montana’s agricultural exports, hitting local farmers’ bottom lines. If our federal representatives truly supported Montana farmers, they’d be fighting these reckless policies.
Wildfire Season Is Around the Corner—Now Is Not the Time for Layoffs
Every summer, Montanans rely on well-trained, well-funded firefighters to protect our homes and forests. Yet, federal workforce reductions are eliminating hundreds of forest management jobs in Montana. This puts our communities at greater risk of catastrophic wildfires, with fewer resources to combat them.
How can our delegation celebrate Montana’s firefighters while standing by as their funding and jobs are slashed? Their silence is an insult to those who risk their lives for us.
Montanans Deserve Leaders Who Will Fight for Them
It’s time for Montana’s federal delegation to stop paying lip service to our state’s values while failing to take meaningful action. They must push back against these disastrous executive orders, demand restored funding, and fight for policies that protect our workers, students, farmers, and first responders.
Montanans never back down when our way of life is threatened. We expect the same from our elected officials. Our state deserves representatives who put Montana first—not politicians who stay silent while Montana families, jobs, and communities bear the brunt of reckless federal policies.
Hold Them Accountable
We urge every Montanan to demand answers from our federal delegation. Why are they standing by while these executive orders harm our state? It’s time for real leadership—before it’s too late.
Submitted by the following Montana Senators: Pat Flowers (D-Belgrade), Susan Webber (D-Browning), Shane Morigeau (D-Missoula), Laura Smith (D-Helena), Ellie Boldman (D-Missoula), Mary Ann Dunwell (D-Helena), Janet Ellis (D-Helena), Dave Fern (D-Columbia Falls), Derek Harvey (D-Butte), Denise Hayman (D-Bozeman), Jacinda Morigeau (D-Missoula), Sara Novak (D-Anaconda), Cora Neumann (D-Bozeman), Andrea Olsen (D-Missoula), Chris Pope (D-Bozeman), and Jonathan Windy-Boy (D-Box Elder).