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Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Montana Delegation Split On Omnibus Spending Bill

Graphic: Montana Public Radio News, Politics
Montana Politics and Elections News

Before it passed, all three members of Montana’s congressional delegation praised at least some aspects of the federal omnibus spending bill. But in the end, only Democrat Jon Tester voted for the bill, which President Trump signed into law earlier today.

In an emailed statement today, Senator Tester said, "After months of negotiations, Congress has passed a long-term funding bill that will invest in Montana’s infrastructure and schools, bolster border security, improve veterans' lives, and increase access to public lands. Montana wins big with this plan, and I was proud to get it to the president’s desk. It’s the result of Washington using some Montana common sense to work together, put politics aside, and get things done."

Neither Senator Daines nor Congressman Gianforte offered assessments of the bill today. On Wednesday Gianforte put out a press release in which he said he, "secured forest management reforms" in the spending bill, which he then voted against on Thursday.

Eric Whitney is NPR's Mountain West/Great Plains Bureau Chief, and was the former news director for Montana Public Radio.
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