Steve Daines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Daines
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Official portrait, 2019
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| United States Senator from Montana |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2015 Serving with Tim Sheehy
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| Preceded by | John Walsh |
| Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Leader | Mitch McConnell |
| Preceded by | Rick Scott |
| Succeeded by | Tim Scott |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Denny Rehberg |
| Succeeded by | Ryan Zinke |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Steven David Daines
August 20, 1962 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Cindy Daines
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Jay Owenhouse (brother-in-law) |
| Education | Montana State University (BS) |
| Website | |
Steven David Daines (born August 20, 1962) is an American politician and former business leader. He serves as a U.S. Senator for Montana, a role he has held since 2015. Before becoming a senator, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Montana from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Daines was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Bozeman, Montana. He worked for large companies like Procter & Gamble and RightNow Technologies before entering politics. In 2008, he ran for Lieutenant Governor of Montana but did not win. He later successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. In 2014, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Republican in the 21st century to win a Senate seat for Montana. He was reelected in 2020. Since 2023, he has been the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a group that helps elect Republican senators.
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Early Life and Education
Daines was born in Los Angeles in 1962. His family moved to Montana in 1964, and he grew up in Bozeman. He attended school there from kindergarten through college.
He graduated from Bozeman High School, where he was the student body president. He also took part in policy debates. Daines earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University. While at Montana State, he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity.
Early Career and Business Experience
Daines was one of the youngest people to attend the 1984 Republican National Convention. He was a big supporter of President Ronald Reagan. He also led the Montana State University College Republicans.
Daines worked for Procter & Gamble for 13 years. He managed operations in the United States and later helped expand the company's business in Asia by opening factories in Hong Kong and China.
In 1997, Daines joined his family's construction business in Bozeman. Later, he joined RightNow Technologies, a software company. He became a vice president there, helping the company grow and become a major employer in Bozeman. He left the company in 2012 to focus on his political career.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
In 2008, Daines ran for lieutenant governor alongside Roy Brown, who was running for governor. They lost the election to the Democratic candidates, Governor Brian Schweitzer and Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives is one of the two parts of the U.S. Congress. Members of the House represent specific areas within their states.
Winning a House Seat
In 2010, Daines first considered running for a U.S. Senate seat. However, when U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg decided to run for Senate, Daines changed his mind. He then ran for the House seat that Rehberg was leaving.
In 2012, Daines won the Republican primary election with 71% of the votes. In the main election, he defeated Democratic state senator Kim Gillan, winning 53% to 43%.
Key Work in the House
In 2013, Daines introduced a bill called the North Fork Watershed Protection Act of 2013. This bill aimed to protect about 430,000 acres of federal land in Montana. These lands are next to Glacier National Park. The bill would stop new mining and resource development in these areas to protect the environment. Both environmental groups and energy companies supported this bill. The House of Representatives passed the bill, but it did not get a vote in the Senate.
House Committee Roles
While in the House, Daines served on several important committees:
- Committee on Homeland Security: This committee deals with protecting the country from threats.
- Committee on Natural Resources: This committee focuses on public lands, energy, and environmental issues.
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: This committee handles issues related to roads, bridges, aviation, and other transportation systems.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate is the other part of the U.S. Congress. Each state has two senators, who represent the entire state.
Becoming a Senator
In 2013, Daines announced he would run for the U.S. Senate seat that was becoming open. The previous senator, Max Baucus, resigned in 2014 to become an ambassador.
Daines won the Republican primary election in June 2014. His opponent in the general election was Amanda Curtis, a state representative. Daines won the election with 57.8% of the votes. This made him the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate seat in Montana in the 21st century.
Reelection in 2020
Daines was reelected to the Senate in 2020. He defeated the Democratic candidate, then-Governor Steve Bullock, with 55% of the vote. This election was one of the most expensive Senate races that year.
Key Work in the Senate
Protecting Forests and Public Lands
In 2016, Daines supported the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. This law aimed to help manage forest resources and support rural communities.
Supporting the Great American Outdoors Act
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In 2020, Daines was present when President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act into law. This important law provides funding to maintain national parks and public lands, and to increase access for outdoor recreation.
Environmental Focus
In 2019, Daines helped create the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. This group of Republican lawmakers focuses on environmental issues. Their goals include reducing plastic pollution in oceans and improving access to public lands for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.
Senate Committee Roles
As a U.S. Senator, Daines serves on several important committees:
- Committee on Appropriations: This committee decides how the government spends money.
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: This committee handles issues related to energy, public lands, and natural resources.
- Committee on Finance: This committee deals with taxes, trade, and health care programs.
- Committee on Indian Affairs: This committee focuses on issues affecting Native American tribes.
Political Views
Steve Daines is considered a conservative politician.
Budget and Taxes
Daines has supported ideas that would require Congress to pass a balanced budget. He has also opposed an internet sales tax, saying it could harm small businesses.
Energy and Environment
Daines supports Montana's coal industry and oil production. He has called for changes to allow more logging in Montana's forests. He has also expressed concerns about the impact of some environmental regulations on energy production.
Gun Policy
Daines generally opposes new gun control laws. He believes that such laws would not effectively reduce gun violence.
Health Care
In 2017, Daines voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare).
Immigration
Daines has opposed allowing certain young immigrants, known as DACA recipients, to apply for permanent protection. He has also supported temporary bans on entry to the U.S. from some countries.
Internet and Technology
Daines opposes net neutrality, which is the idea that internet service providers should treat all data on the internet equally. He supported the decision in 2017 to end net neutrality rules.
Judiciary
Daines has supported the quick approval of judges nominated by Republican presidents. He believes that the president should be able to choose judges who share their views.
LGBT Rights
Daines opposes same-sex marriage. He expressed disappointment when the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage bans were unconstitutional.
Personal Life
Daines is married to Cindy Daines, and they have four children. He enjoys mountain-climbing and has climbed Granite Peak and Grand Teton. He is a Presbyterian.
See also
In Spanish: Steve Daines para niños
