Greg's Treasure State Update

Looking Back on 2017

As a new year approaches, many Montanans are looking ahead to 2018 and reflecting on 2017. I’ve had some time to consider what we’ve accomplished this year.

We've had a productive year in the U.S. House of Representatives. As I write this, the House has passed more than 450 bills. More than 350 of them are sitting in the Senate, waiting to be considered.

Looking back on the year, here are 10 priorities I worked on this year.

• Putting Montana First. In my first two months in office, I visited all of our 56 counties, traveling more than 3,700 miles and meeting with Montanans to discuss issues before Congress that are important to them. 

Greg meets with constituents in Ekalaka to discuss ways Congress can help rural counties

• Managing Our Forests Again. As you know, we had a devastating fire season this year. In the face of that, I helped lead the effort to reform how we manage our forests to make them healthier and wildfires less severe. The Resilient Federal Forest Act (H.R. 2936) waits for the Senate to take action.

• Securing Disaster Funding for Wildfires. With Montana burning, I drew Washington’s attention to wildfires in our state. I worked with colleagues and secured $576.5 million in disaster funding for wildfires (H. Res. 569). 

Greg speaks on the House floor about Montana’s wildfires

• Cutting Taxes for Hardworking Montanans. Recently, I voted to cut taxes for hardworking Montanans (H.R. 1). Montanans of all income levels will see their tax rates cut. Montana families will see relief. Small businesses will have more incentives to invest and grow, creating Montana jobs and jumpstarting our sluggish economy.

• Giving Our Troops a Raise, Rebuilding Our Military. In November, we gave our men and women in uniform, including thousands of service members in Montana, the largest pay raise they’ve had in eight years. We also began the process of rebuilding our military and restoring our readiness (H.R. 3354). 

• Taking Care of Our Veterans. Montana is home to the second largest veteran population per capita in our country. To ensure our veterans are taken care of, we provided the highest level of funding at the VA ever (H.R. 3354) and preserving their benefits (H.R. 3218). 

• Honoring Our Veterans. This year, I created the Montana Congressional Veterans Commendation to recognize outstanding Montana veterans who have honorably served our nation and our communities. Montanans responded enthusiastically to the call, and 14 Montanans received the commendation. 

Greg thanks a WWII veteran in Dillon while discussing ways Congress can improve veteran services

• Protecting Our Way of Life from Federal Overreach. I have worked to review, reform, or repeal burdensome, unnecessary regulations. I’ve worked to put guardrails on the Endangered Species Act (H.R. 717, H.R. 1273), which has been twisted from its original purpose of preserving and recovery species into a tool for frivolous lawsuits. I’ve also worked to delay the Electronic Logging Device rule (H.R. 3282).

• Cleaning up Washington. On my very first day, I started working to make Washington more accountable and transparent. I introduced a bill to withhold pay from members of Congress if they don’t pass a balanced budget (H.R. 2977). I also supported legislation to ban members of Congress from lobbying (H.R. 796), impose term limits (H.J. Res. 6), and require a balanced budget (H.J. Res. 2).

• Bringing Accountability and Transparency to the VA. While increasing funding to the VA was important to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve, Congress continues to reform the VA after its recent history of mismanagement. This year, I voted to increase transparency and accountability at the VA (H.R. 1690, H.R. 2006).

I am honored to serve you,

Greg