Downing Supports Bill to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program

Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) released a statement following his vote supporting passage of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.

"Montana's students and teachers lost out on millions in funding when Congress failed to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Program," said Congressman Downing. "As a former educator, I understand that every penny counts when it comes to the classroom. I was proud to support this measure today that ensures rural communities in central and eastern Montana have the funds they need to provide the best education for our next generation."

Background

• The first SRS program was authorized in 2000 with the enactment of the SRS and Community Self-Determination Act.

• This legislation specifically assists counties containing tracts of federally owned forest land that are tax-exempt.

• The program provides payments to county governments in areas where those forests are located because counties do not receive tax revenue from federal land; the payments come through timber receipts and other revenue generating activities within U.S. national forests.

• Congressman Downing joined Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa and several of his colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to House leadership requesting urgent reauthorization of the SRS program. Read the full letter here.

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