Daines, Downing Bill Supporting Montana Mining Passes U.S. Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

• October 8, 2025

"Montana Energy Is Back"

U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Representatives Troy Downing (MT-02) and Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today applauded the Senate passage of their bill that removes the harmful Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which will further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy.

"Montana energy is back. Biden's Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that stifled mining in eastern Montana and would have cost many hard-working Montanans their jobs. Mining is a vital part of Montana, providing nearly a thousand well-paying jobs and contributing nearly $3 billion to our state's economy. That's why I introduced a bill along with the rest of our Montana delegation to remove this anti-energy rule and support Montana's coal miners. I'm thrilled to see our resolution pass the U.S. Senate today and look forward to President Trump signing it into law," said Daines.

"Montanans voted to make America energy dominant, and we are delivering by putting an end to disastrous Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support. As your Senator, one of my top priorities is supporting Montana's resource economy so we can create jobs, power America, and make Montana energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again. I'll continue to work alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to make America energy dominant, protect Montana jobs, and unleash prosperity in Montana's rural communities," said Sheehy.

"I'm proud to see my bill to overturn the Biden Administration's outright ban on coal leasing in the Powder River Basin pass the Senate today. H.J. Res. 104 will unleash Montana-made energy, bolstering our national security and ensuring Montanans have access to the affordable, reliable energy they need to thrive for generations to come. I am grateful to Senator Daines for his leadership and to my fellow delegation members for standing side by side with me in championing this legislation. I look forward to watching President Trump sign this bill into law and usher in a new age of American energy dominance," said Downing.

"The Biden administration's Miles City Resource Management Plan hurt Montana workers and put America's energy security at risk. True energy dominance requires an all-of-the-above approach that includes Montana's clean coal. Our economy runs on reliable, abundant, and affordable power, and that need will only grow with increased demand from AI and data centers. This bill puts Montana back in the driver's seat to protect jobs and secure our energy future. I look forward to seeing the President sign it into law," said Zinke.

The bill has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. Read Governor Gianforte's letter of support HERE. See additional quotes of support HERE.

Background:

Daines introduced the Congressional Review Act Resolution with Sheehy, Downing and Zinke in July 2025- read the release HERE. Read Daines' statement from when the resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives HERE and see Daines' and Downing's video statement HERE.

The Biden administration's Miles City RMPA made nearly 2,000,000 acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. It also would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.

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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins