Steve Daines — Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, 2026

Steve Daines advocates for securing the southern border, emphasizing national security and stopping drug trafficking. He supports building a border wall and believes President Biden possesses existing executive authority to address the border situation. Daines voted against the Senate's emergency supplemental funding bill and voted NAY on a motion to proceed to H.R. 7147, an appropriations bill associated with continued funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

““President Biden could have secured the border on Day One of his presidency and chose not to and the disastrous results speak for themselves. Reversing the effective policies of President Trump turned the southern border into one of the biggest national security risks in our country’s history with illegals streaming across who are on the FBI’s terror watch list as well as from countries that are designated as state sponsors of terror. Fixing this crisis demands more than the ‘border never closes’ approach of this administration.” — Senator Steve Daines, from "Daines Opposes Senate Border Bill" section, daines.senate.gov.”

Steve Daines did not vote on health care bills in December 2025, specifically on measures related to extending Obamacare subsidies and a Republican counter-proposal. An aide indicated that Daines would have supported the Republican bill, which aimed to address healthcare affordability. This suggests a position aligned with the GOP's legislative approach to healthcare.

Steve Daines has an 8% voting record on protecting public lands, the environment, and wildlife over 12 years in Congress, according to the League of Conservation Voters. He advocates for eliminating Montana's Wilderness Study Areas. However, Daines supported the Great American Outdoors Act, which fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund for public land maintenance, citing its importance for conservation priorities and expanding access for recreation.

““The Great American Outdoors Act provides full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the maintenance backlog facing national parks and public lands,” Daines is attributed as saying on his website. “I met with President Trump in February of 2019 to highlight the importance of these conservation priorities for Montana. During the meeting, President Trump agreed to support and sign this historic conservation bill into law if we could get a bill through Congress. This major bipartisan victory is the result of years of hard work and I am grateful to have gotten this done for Montana.””

Steve Daines supported the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also co-sponsored a bill that aimed to limit access to contraception. These actions align with a position opposing abortion rights and supporting related restrictions.

Steve Daines voted to fund the military, Department of Homeland Security, and other critical agencies, stating this action was taken to avoid a government shutdown and ensure national safety. He has also emphasized the need to provide law enforcement officers with resources to secure the nation. Additionally, Daines served on the House Committee on Homeland Security, indicating a focus on national security matters.

“I voted for the appropriations bill that avoided a government shutdown and funds our military, the Department of Homeland Security, and important agencies like FEMA and TSA. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines, January 30, 2026, statement after voting to fund military, Homeland Security, and other critical agencies.”

Steve Daines supports education, emphasizing school choice and funding for rural schools. He introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program through Fiscal Year 2026, stating that rural counties rely on this program for school funding and resources. Daines believes education is crucial for the future and values the work of Montana educators.

““Montana’s rural counties rely on SRS for school funding, road maintenance and more. This bipartisan legislation will give our rural communities that have large amounts of federal lands the support and resources they need to continue operating and it is crucial that the program is reauthorized,” said U.S. Senator Steve Daines, on February 4, 2025, from daines.senate.gov.”

Senator Steve Daines voted against a gun safety bill that proposed toughening background checks for individuals aged 18-21 and supporting state "red flag" laws. He introduced the "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act," stating the right to carry a firearm for self-defense should not end at state borders. Daines also supported the "Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act" (RIFLE Act) to remove a firearm tax, considering it an undue burden on owners and emphasizing his commitment to preserving the right to self-defense.

“I have always fought to preserve the right to self-defense for law-abiding citizens and I will continue to do so in the Senate." --Sen. Daines”