U.S. Senator Steve Daines appeared on several national news networks to discuss President Trump’s State of the Union address and recent developments in Iran.
During an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Daines contrasted the current administration’s policies with what he described as potential outcomes if Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election. He said, “I thought for a moment, what if Kamala Harris would have won the 2024 election? What if she was giving that speech last night? Where would we be at? Millions of illegals continuing to come across our southern border. As the president said, he’s sealed the southern border. Fentanyl flows are down 56 percent over the course of the last year because of the work this administration has done to keep our communities safe. Think about taxes. We’d be talking right now about a 30 percent tax increase for most businesses across the United States because the Democrats would have let the Trump tax cuts expire. Instead, we made them permanent. Think about capital investment, R&D investment, interest costs. Those are all now 100 percent expensed as a result of what we’ve done, working with President Trump. That would be jet fuel for the economy as we move forward.”
On Fox News, Daines discussed U.S.-Iran relations and historical context regarding American hostages in Tehran in 1979: “The Iranians understand force, they understand strength. You go back to 1979, and we had the overthrow there, the Ayatollah overthrew the Shah. You had American hostages there in Tehran. Jimmy Carter couldn’t solve that problem. Who solved that problem? Ronald Reagan. Why? Because they feared the strength of America. What President Trump is doing is exactly right. You put all options on the table. But this regime is a regime that says ‘Death to America,’ says, ‘we are the big Satan and Israel, the little Satan.’”
He continued by expressing support for President Trump’s approach: “I’m grateful for President Trump’s moral clarity in this difficult time, knowing that this is a Berlin Wall moment, perhaps, for the Middle East. This regime needs to go. It’ll be the Iranian people that do that. But you think about what this would do to reset the Middle East, as the president said last night, the leading sponsor of terror in the world, John, this is a moment. And I’m sure President Trump is going to do what’s right for our country and for the people of this nation.”
Speaking with Bloomberg TV about economic issues affecting Americans’ daily lives and new tax laws starting in 2026—including measures such as no tax on tips or overtime—Daines stated: “Number one, President Trump has unleashed certainly more Made-In-America energy. We’ve seen gas prices now the lowest in five years. That’s an important win for the American people, something you’re reminded of usually weekly when you’re gassing up your vehicle.” He added: “Number two, when you address affordability… getting more money in pockets… Working Family Tax Cut bill is just now starting to go into effect… The average U.S taxpayer is going to see about a $3,700 a year benefit from lower taxes… There’s also no tax on tips… These are just some benefits yet to be realized by American people… So affordability is not just reducing prices but also providing more dollars in paychecks…”
On Fox Business’ Varney & Co., Daines addressed ongoing tensions with Iran: “The regime…is calling America ‘the big Satan,’ and Israel ‘the little Satan.’ They chant ‘death to America.’ There’s only one thing this current regime respects and understands—and that is force; it is strength.” He continued: “That’s why you’re seeing president upping military presence right now around Iran…But this could be an unprecedented shift in Middle East if there were regime change…Because you and I both remember days when Iran was friend of United States…”
Daines represents Montana as its U.S Senator and has roots in Bozeman where he attended public schools as a fifth-generation Montanan (official website). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University (official website) and engages actively through constituent assistance and Senate committee work (official website). His office provides services including help with federal agencies and veterans resources (official website), while being recognized by awards from Congressional Management Foundation for transparency (official website).
