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) |
Steven David Daines (born August 20, 1962) is an American politician. He is a U.S. Senator for Montana. He has served in this role since 2015.
Before becoming a senator, he was a corporate executive. He also represented Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party. In 2023, he became the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This group helps elect Republican senators.
Contents
About Steve Daines
Early Life and Education
Steve Daines was born in Los Angeles, California. His family moved to Montana in 1964. He grew up in Bozeman. He went to school there from kindergarten through college.
He graduated from Bozeman High School. He was the student body president there. He then earned a degree in chemical engineering from Montana State University.
Starting His Career
Daines was one of the youngest people at the 1984 Republican National Convention. He was a big fan of President Ronald Reagan. He also led the Montana State University College Republicans.
He worked for Procter & Gamble for 13 years. He managed operations in the U.S. and then helped open factories in Hong Kong and China. Later, he joined RightNow Technologies, a software company in Bozeman. He helped the company grow and become a major employer.
Running for Office
In 2008, Daines ran for Lieutenant Governor of Montana. He was the running mate for Roy Brown, the Republican candidate for governor. They lost the election to the current governor, Brian Schweitzer.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Election to the House
In 2012, Steve Daines ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the Republican primary with 71% of the votes. In the main election, he defeated Democratic candidate Kim Gillan. He won with 53% of the votes.
What He Did in the House
In 2013, Daines introduced a bill called the North Fork Watershed Protection Act. This bill aimed to protect over 400,000 acres of federal land in Montana. It would stop new mining and resource development in areas near Glacier National Park. Both environmental groups and energy companies supported this bill. The House passed the bill, but it did not get a vote in the Senate.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
Election to the Senate
In 2013, Daines announced he would run for the U.S. Senate. The seat was becoming open because Senator Max Baucus was leaving. Daines won the Republican primary in June 2014.
His opponent, John Walsh, later left the race. The Democratic party then chose Amanda Curtis to run against Daines. Daines won the general election with 57.8% of the votes. He became the first Republican to win a Senate seat in Montana in the 21st century.
Reelection in 2020
Daines was reelected as senator in 2020. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Steve Bullock, with 55% of the votes. This was one of the most expensive Senate races that year.
Key Actions as Senator
Protecting Forests
In 2016, Daines supported a law called the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act. This law helps manage forest resources and supports rural schools.
Views on Immigration
In 2017, Daines supported a temporary ban on people entering the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries. He also believes that the DACA program, which protects young immigrants, is an overreach of executive power.
Supporting Judges
In 2018, Daines supported changing Senate rules to make it faster to approve President Trump's judicial nominees. He was absent for the vote on Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination because he was at his daughter's wedding.
Government Shutdown and Border Wall
During the 2018–2019 government shutdown, Daines voted for a bill that included money for a U.S.–Mexico border wall. He voted against bills that would fund the government without money for the wall.
Views on Impeachment
In 2020, Daines voted to clear President Trump in his first impeachment trial. He said Trump had not committed a crime. He also said the trial was very partisan.
Capitol Attack
Before the 2021 Electoral College vote count, Daines said he would object to certifying the results. He was at the Capitol when Trump supporters stormed the building. During the attack, he condemned the violence. He then changed his mind about objecting to the certification. He called the attack "a sad day for our country."
Leading Republicans
In November 2022, Daines was chosen to be the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This committee works to elect Republican senators. Under his leadership, Republicans gained four Senate seats in the 2024 election.
Political Beliefs
Steve Daines is considered a conservative politician.
Budget and Taxes
Daines introduced a bill in 2013 to make Congress pass a balanced budget. If they didn't, their pay would stop. He also opposes a tax on internet sales, saying it would hurt small businesses.
Education
Daines has suggested getting rid of the United States Department of Education. He also supported a law that would let states control their own education rules more.
Energy and Environment
Daines does not agree with the scientific idea that climate change is mostly caused by humans. He has said that "to suggest that [climate change] is human-caused is not a sound scientific conclusion."
He has supported Montana's coal industry and oil production. He also helped create the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. This group of Republicans focuses on environmental issues like reducing plastic pollution and improving access to public lands.
Gun Policy
Daines is against stricter gun control laws. He does not believe that expanded background checks or "red flag laws" would reduce gun violence.
Health Care
In 2017, Daines voted to cancel the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Internet and Technology
Daines opposes net neutrality. He supported the FCC's decision in 2017 to end net neutrality rules. He also voted against bringing net neutrality back.
Personal Life
Daines and his wife, Cindy, have four children. He enjoys mountain-climbing. He has climbed Granite Peak and Grand Teton. He is a Presbyterian.
Images for kids
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Daines visiting the aftermath of the Lolo Peak Fire, August 2017
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Daines watching President Donald Trump sign into law the Great American Outdoors Act on August 4, 2020
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See also
In Spanish: Steve Daines para niños
