Happy new year! I hope the new year brings you good health, joy, and prosperity. We’re looking ahead to 2020 and reflecting on 2019. In recent weeks, I’ve looked back on what we accomplished in 2019, and thought I’d share some of it with you.
It was a productive year. I met with Montanans in each of our 56 counties, many more than once. I listened to the concerns and got feedback from thousands of Montanans during my nine statewide town halls. And I’ve personally responded to over 110,000 letters, calls, and emails from Montanans who reach out to let me know what’s important to them.
Looking back, here are 19 highlights from 2019:
1. Expanding access to health care in our rural communities
I’ve advocated for the expansion of telehealth to serve our communities, maintain critical access hospitals, and preserve rural access to care.
2. Securing federal recognition for the Little Shell tribe.
On December 20, President Trump signed a measure I worked on to provide long overdue federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe. It was an honor to stand with and work on behalf of Chairman Gerald Gray and the Little Shell people.
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| Gianforte meets with Chairman Gray and members of the Little Shell Tribe about his bill to provide federal recognition to the tribe |
3. Creating a national suicide hotline
I introduced bipartisan legislation to create a National Suicide Hotline. Our nation and our state face a tragic epidemic, and a simple national hotline can make a different. I’ll continue working to get this bill across the finish line this year.
4. Lowering prescription drug prices
Far too many Montanans can’t afford the prescription drugs they need. The U.S. House of Representatives passed my bipartisan bill to increase transparency in our health care system and bring down prescription drug prices.
5. Protecting our way of life and hunting heritage
After Google rejected an pro-hunting ad from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), I got to work on RMEF’s behalf, and Google quickly reversed its decision. In October, I pressed a Google official to come to Montana to meet with folks who can explain how hunting is part of our heritage.
6. Securing our borders
In January 2019, I toured the southern border in Arizona, and I saw the crisis firsthand. Drug cartels, violent gangs, and human traffickers are exploiting our open borders. We need to give the border patrol the tools they need and have asked for, including a wall.
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| Gianforte listens as a U.S. Border Patrol agent describes security measures on the southern border in Arizona |
7. Ending illegal robocalls
Too many robocalls are from scam artists who scheme to steal hardworking Montanans’ personal information and their money. My bipartisan legislation, which provides consumers the tools they need to fight back and increase penalties for scammers, passed the House and Senate, and President Trump signed it into law.
8. Fighting fraud, protecting Montanans
I hosted Fighting Fraud Workshops in Missoula and Kalispell with local aging services, law enforcement, and federal officials. The open, public workshop provided Montanans with guidance about how to protect themselves against fraud.
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| Gianforte holds a Fighting Fraud Workshop in Kalispell, discusses federal efforts to crack down on fraud |
9. Securing Montana priorities in trade deals
On December 19, the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It’s better late than never. USMCA will create 176,000 new jobs, grow our economy by over $68 billion, and increase ag exports by more than $2 billion, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission.
10. Honoring outstanding Montana veterans
On Veterans Day, I was honored to announce the 27 recipients of the 2019 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation. Their continued service makes our country and communities a better place. Since creating the annual award in 2017, we’ve recognized 60 Montana veterans.
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| Gianforte honors recipients of the 2019 Montana Congressional Veteran Commendation in Dillion |
11. Ending surprise billing
Too many Montanans get their mail and find an unexpected, outrageous bill for health care. The bipartisan bill, which prohibits surprise medical billing and hold patients harmless in emergency situations, passed the House Energy and Commerce committee and includes my amendment to take care of rural communities.
12. Protecting our Second Amendment rights
Earlier this year, House Democrats introduced and passed a gun control measure, H.R. 8. The highly-partisan bill targets law-abiding gun owners and wouldn’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals. I stood up for the rights of gun owners and voted against H.R. 8.
13. Expanding broadband access
About 1 in 3 Montanans in rural areas lack access to broadband. I‘ve been working lawmakers and officials at the Federal Communications Commission to fix broadband maps to provide a more accurate picture of where there is work to be done.
14. Keeping our points of entry open
In May, we learned of proposed cuts to the hours of service at points of entry along the Hi-Line. The ports are important to our farmers, ranchers, and business owners. With Senator Steve Daines, I successfully pushed Customs and Border Protection to reverse its decision, keeping the Raymond Port of Entry open around the clock.
15. Having a seat at the table
This year, I continued using my seat at the table with the Trump administration to push Montana priorities. U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, Federal Communication Committee Commissioner Brendan Carr, and Vice President Mike Pence all joined me in Montana to hear firsthand about what’s important to Montanans.
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| Gianforte and Secretary Bernhardt visit a ranch to see the impacts of a growing grizzly population, discuss federal measures to address the issue |
16. Protecting Colstrip and Montana energy producers
In April, Washington Governor Jay Inslee testified before a congressional hearing about his agenda to ban coal-fired electricity. I emphasized how such efforts would undermine trade and America’s role in the world. To close my questions to Inslee, I invited him to Montana to see the impact his policies would have on us. He’s yet to respond.
17. Securing Montana’s interests in public lands bill
In March, President Trump signed into law a sweeping public lands package, S. 47, with Montana priorities in it. The new law provides a permanent withdrawal of mineral rights on public lands in the Yellowstone Gateway, which I sponsored with H.R. 426, and the permanent reauthorization of LWCF.
18 Keeping Anaconda Job Corps open
In May, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a plan to close the Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, which helps provide young people with the training and tools they need to succeed. After urging the U.S. Labor Secretary to reverse the decision, an announcement was made that the Job Corps center in Anaconda would remain open.
19. Honoring Jeannette Rankin’s legacy
Montana’s Jeannette Rankin was a trailblazer for women’s rights in America and was the first woman elected to Congress. On December 13, President Trump signed into law my bill to designate a Missoula post office in her honor. Naming a Missoula post office after Jeannette Rankin will serve as a reminder of her legacy and leadership.
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| Gianforte visits the Jeannette Rankin Statue at the U.S. Capitol, promoting his bill to name a Missoula post office after her |
Please, contact any of my offices if I can help you. I am honored to serve you.
Greg
