U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with Katie Pavlich on NewsNation about recent developments in Iran and the SAVE America Act. Daines discussed the potential for regime change in Iran, referencing his recent attendance at the Munich Security Conference where he observed large protests against the Iranian government.
“It’s up to the people of Iran to do that [regime change]. I was at the Munich Security Conference, in fact, a week and a half ago. There were over 250,000 people protesting for the overthrow of the regime in Iran. It was amazing. Lindsey Graham spoke in front of that group. It was quite the moment. It was right after Marco Rubio’s great speech there in Munich. But I remember the days when the Shah was in power in Iran. We used to have an ally and a friend in the Middle East in Iran. It would be a game changer. This is a Berlin wall moment for the Middle East. I hope this regime changes. You’ve got these brave Iranians losing their lives as the current regime is slaughtering innocent Iranians. We’ll see what happens, but clearly President Trump has got enough force in the area to take action if they decide to. The administration has issued additional sanctions against Iran. That doesn’t always work, but it has worked as the broader pressure campaign against the Iranian regime. In terms of the American interest here, you have a number of administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance today saying that the Iranians are continuing to pursue a nuclear program. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State said that they will not even talk about their ballistic missile program with the United States or others in these negotiations, and that’s a huge problem.”
Daines also voiced skepticism regarding trust toward Iran’s current leadership:
“…Well, I don’t trust this regime, and why should we? This is a regime that it calls out death to America, calls America the big Satan, Israel, the little Satan, the primary sponsor of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis. They are disruptors of the world order. They are a threat to the homeland. This would be a game changer. And I hope the Iranian people succeed in overthrowing the current regime.”
On domestic policy issues during his interview on NewsNation, Daines addressed election integrity through support for voter identification requirements under what he referred to as common sense legislation:
“We should put it on the floor and take an up or down vote. It is the most common sense, basic part of election integrity. This is an 80 -20 issue for the American people.You think about,you know,we both enjoythe outdoors,we enjoy hunting and fishing.You wantto buy awhite-tailed doe tagin Montanaat Walmart.You’ve gotto presentavalid IDto shoot adeer,to get afishing license,you should haveto presentavalid IDtovote.We should putthe billonthe floorofthe U.S.Senate.I thinkyou’re goingtosee mostDemocrats opposeit,mustRepublicans supportit,and calloutthe Democrats fortheir failuretosupportthe mostbasic80-20 issue.”
Daines commented further on Democratic opposition:
“Well,I hope there’s enough pressureonThe Democrats becauseI can’t answerthat question whythey would opposeit.But clearly,theydon’t wanttoseeit happen.Theywill likely stopit,and weneedtoholdthe Democrats accountableforstoppingthe mostbasic requirementsinour elections system.That isa valid ideatovote.”
“…We would havea majorityonThe Senate,but you’d need60 votestopass it.That’s whatwe’ve gottohave probablyeight ornine Democratstojoin us.WeneedtocalloutThe Democrats fortheir failuretosupportthis mostcommon sense requirementshowingthe voter showinganID thereto vote.”
Senator Daines represents Montana in Congress and has spent much of his life involved with public service activities such as constituent assistance and committee work according to his official website. He grew up attending public schools as a fifth-generation Montanan from Bozeman (source) and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University (source). In addition to legislative work he provides services such as helping constituents navigate federal agencies (source). His office has received recognition from organizations like Congressional Management Foundation for transparency efforts (source).
