Senator Steve Daines On Repeal of Obamacare And Coal Policy of BLM

Montana Senator Steve Daines took part in a preliminary vote on Wednesday to begin the process of repealing President Obama's signature achievement in office, the Affordable care Act, also known as 'Obamacare'.

"Repealing and re[placing this disastrous law is one of the top jobs that citizens elected us to get done," Daines began on the floor of the Senate. "In many ways, it's why Donald J. Trump will be sworn in next week as the 45th President of the United States."

Daines went on to list some of his reasons why the ACA has failed.

"Montanans were promised that they could keep the health plan they liked, but millions of Americans lost their plans," he said. "We were assured that coverage under Obamacare would be affordable, but for Montanans, nothing could be further from the truth."

Daines acknowledged the criticism that Republicans wanted to repeal the act without a suitable replacement.

"I believe there are policies that are fundamental to any healthcare system, so I'll be working on policies that will provide access to affordable insurance," he said. "That will protect people with pre-existing conditions and that return decision-making authority back to the states, and that will empower the American people with greater access to health savings accounts, and that will make it easier to purchase health insurance across state lines."

Daines also urged the confirmation of Dr. Tom Price as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, whom Daines served with as a Congressman.

In addition, Daines slammed the U.S. Department of the Interior and the BLM as it released what it termed ' a comprehensive road map to reform the federal coal program.

"Despite our best efforts that Montanans' voices would be heard, the Obama administration has denied our input for reforms to the federal coal program that jeopardizes good paying jobs, and tax revenues that support our schools, our roads and essential services for our rural communities, including the Crow Tribe," Daines said. "I very much look forward to President-Elect Trump assuming the office of the Presidency, and Secretary Zinke, who will reverse the moratorium on coal leasing that will unleash American energy and innovation, and will expand good high-paying energy jobs."

Daines said Montana has the nation's largest estimated recoverable coal reserves.