Sen. Steve Daines Reacts to Congress’s Decision to Avert Government Shutdown

Congress approved a $1.1 trillion spending deal on Friday that avoids a government shutdown and funds federal agencies through next fall.

But Sen. Steve Daines said the package fails to rein in the national debt.

"Once again, Washington’s inaction and govern-by-crisis strategy is getting in the way of providing the American people with the long-term solutions they deserve," Daines said. "We need an open discussion about how to support our nation’s priorities while also cutting wasteful Washington spending and reining in the nation’s debt. This 2000-page backroom deal fails to do either and only takes our nation further down an unsustainable path of more unbridled spending and more debt."

NBC Montana reports the House overwhelmingly approved the measure in a 316-113 vote. The Senate later backed the bill 65-33, sending it to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.

"I am pleased to see that several Montana priorities I worked for were included in this final package — a three-year reauthorization of LWCF, a lifting of the oil export ban and permanent tax relief provisions for Montana families, farmers, tribes and small businesses. However, this same bill fails to address critical wildfire funding challenges facing the Forest Service and does nothing to secure much-needed reforms to the way our forests are managed," Daines said. "And it includes CISA — a controversial cybersecurity bill that threatens Montanans’ privacy and civil liberties. It’s irresponsible for Washington to continue increasing government spending and our national debt, while doing nothing to to secure necessary savings and long-overdue reforms to Washington’s broken culture."