Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana delivered a speech at the state’s Capitol where he discussed several issues currently affecting the country. He began by criticizing the leadership of President Joe Biden and the Democrats in the Senate.
He accused them of making poor policy decisions, which have resulted in negative consequences, such as the southern border crisis, fentanyl-related deaths, record-breaking inflation, and security risks due to Chinese spy balloons.
Daines contrasted his Montana values with those of the Biden administration. He stated that Biden and the Democrats have brought about chaos on the southern border by allowing millions of illegal immigrants into the country. As a northern border state, Montana is also impacted by the southern border crisis. Mexican cartels are using chemicals from China to make fentanyl in Mexico and smuggle it across the southern border, resulting in the number one cause of death for 18- to 20-year-olds in the United States.
Daines also criticized Biden’s handling of inflation, which is at 0.5% in January 2023 according to the consumer price index (CPI). He accused Biden and the Democrats of reckless spending and their war on “Made in America” energy. He referenced warnings from economists on both the right and left, including Larry Summers, that the Democrats’ nearly $2 trillion spending spree would spark inflation.
Regarding energy policies, Daines accused Biden and the Democrats of being “living in a green hallucination,” which he believes will negatively affect Montana’s economy. He also referenced an incident where Twitter suspended his account for posting a photo of himself and his wife hunting, a multi-generational family tradition in Montana, which he believes is part of their way of life.
Daines spoke about the need to protect Montana’s way of life from the coastal elites who seek to take away Second Amendment rights, lock up forests, shut parents out of classrooms, and push gender ideology onto children. He quoted former President Ronald Reagan, stating that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction and that it must be protected and handed on for future generations.
Senator John Tester, a Democrat from Montana, also spoke at the event, as did Republican Representatives Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale.
In conclusion, Senator Daines’ speech highlighted several issues affecting the country and criticized the leadership of President Biden and the Democrats in the Senate. He contrasted his Montana values with those of the current administration and emphasized the importance of protecting Montana’s way of life.
