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Prediction track record
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Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Consumer Protections for Home Sales Financed Under Contracts for Deed".
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Crossing the aisle
Passage votes where Troy Downing broke ranks with ≥75% of Republicans. Threshold catches substantively partisan splits; unanimous-ish or close votes are excluded.
6
Cross-aisle votes
119-hr-9238·Jun 11, 2026·91% of R voted YES
To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S BILL CROW TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
Position: The release supports enacting the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act, which converts the Crow Tribe's municipal, rural, and industrial water system into smaller localized projects and extends the Tribe's exclusive right to develop hydropower at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam through 2030.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, President Trump signed the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 into law. Senator Steve Daines spearheaded the bill in the Senate, while Congressman Troy Downing championed it in the House of Representatives. The legislation updates the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to provide the Crow Tribe with greater flexibility to develop water infrastructure and keep long-overdue projects on the reservation moving forward.
The original settlement ratified the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana. It authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to rehabilitate the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP) and construct a Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water system.
S. 240 modernizes that framework by converting the MR&I component from a single centralized project into a more flexible, localized approach. Instead of one large system, the legislation allows the Tribe to develop smaller water and wastewater projects tailored to the needs of individual communities across the reservation.
In addition, the legislation extends the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to develop a hydropower project at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam for five years, through 2030, helping support future energy development on the reservation.
“This bill delivers on a long-standing commitment to the Crow Tribe by giving the Tribe more flexibility to move critical water projects forward. It supports needed water infrastructure and preserves the Tribe’s right to pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. I’m proud to see it signed into law by President Trump,” said Downing.
“This bill is a necessity for the Crow Tribe and surrounding communities and will ensure the tribe has the resources they need to deliver safe, reliable access to clean water to the reservation and complete a hydropower project to bring new baseload generation to the region. I’m grateful for everyone who pushed this legislation through, and I look forward to seeing the impacts this will have on water safety and the Crow Tribe community,” said Daines.
“The federal government must ensure tribal water settlements work as intended. S. 240 gives the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to complete critical drinking water and irrigation projects while extending its exclusive right to pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. I commend Senator Daines and Rep. Downing for championing a practical solution that strengthens tribal self-determination and supports long-term economic growth on the Crow Reservation,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.
“Today’s legislation unties the Tribe’s hands and allows us to use previously appropriated funds to construct a more efficient system of regional water treatment and improved wells," said Chairman Frank Whiteclay, Crow Tribe of Indians
Read the full bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
Energy
DOWNING’S FLOODPLAIN ENHANCEMENT AND RECOVERY ACT PASSES SENATE
Position: The release supports streamlining federal floodplain rules to allow ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodways through an expedited approval pathway for low-risk projects certified by a professional engineer, and urges House passage of the bill. It criticizes FEMA's No-Rise Rule as blocking conservation work.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy Downing’s (MT-02) bipartisan Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act took a major step toward becoming law this week after the U.S. Senate passed companion legislation led by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Patty Murray (D-WA).
The legislation cuts red tape for ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodways by creating a streamlined approval pathway for low-risk projects while maintaining flood safety standards. Under current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) policy, any proposed development in a regulated floodway must prove that it will not increase the area’s base flood elevation (BFE). This requirement, known as the “No-Rise Rule,” has created unintended consequences for conservation work in Montana and across the country.
Many conservation districts have been forced to scale back, delay, or abandon stream restoration projects because of the cost of the required engineering analysis.
The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act amends the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 to allow communities to permit ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodways if a professional engineer certifies that the project will not raise the base flood elevation by more than one foot and that no insurable structure or critical infrastructure is located in an area that would be adversely affected by the increase. This would allow qualifying conservation projects to avoid the traditional, drawn-out FEMA approval process.
The bill is supported by the National Association of Conservation Districts, among other organizations.
“I applaud Senators Daines and Murray for getting this commonsense, bipartisan bill through the Senate. FEMA’s No-Rise Rule is blocking critical conservation work in Montana and across the country,” said Congressman Downing. “My bipartisan bill cuts needless bureaucracy and puts more power in the hands of local communities to restore and protect our lands. I’m grateful for the strong bipartisan support behind this effort, and I urge my House colleagues to take it up quickly and send it to the President’s desk.”
“This is huge news for Montana. Critical ecosystem restoration projects across our state have been abandoned due to FEMA’s onerous and costly ‘No Rise’ rule. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce unnecessary burdens on important conservation and restoration work, while continuing to keep our communities safe from flooding, and I’m glad to see it pass the Senate. Next step: the U.S. House!” said Senator Daines.
Read the bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
DOWNING’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXPAND CAPITAL ACCESS FOR RURAL JOB CREATORS PASSES SENATE, HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK
Position: Supports H.R. 1190, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, which would require the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to report annually on capital access challenges facing rural small businesses and add rural small businesses to its list of applicable entities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1190, Congressman Troy Downing’s bipartisan Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. The legislation would help rural small businesses overcome barriers to accessing capital.
The bill updates the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by requiring the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to report annually on the unique challenges rural businesses face when seeking investment. These reports will give Congress better information as it considers ways to improve access to capital for rural job creators.
“Rural small businesses are essential to communities across Montana, but too many still face unnecessary barriers when trying to access capital,” said Congressman Downing. “I’m proud of our legislation, which will help make sure rural businesses are no longer overlooked when Congress considers how to expand access to capital and support job creation.”
"Rural small businesses shouldn’t have to work twice as hard just because of their ZIP code,” said Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05), the bill’s co-lead. “The Senate passing this bill gets us one step closer to changing that. Rural entrepreneurs have the ideas and the hustle. They deserve a fair shot to grow them into something bigger."
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA.) led the U.S. Senate companion bill to passage.
“Rural small businesses are the backbone of many communities across America, but too many face challenges accessing capital. I’m glad the Senate passed our bill to make sure Congress understands those challenges and help rural job creators grow their businesses, create jobs and serve their communities,” said Senator Kennedy.
Read the bill HERE.
Background:
The SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation is required to identify problems that small businesses face when securing access to capital and submit an annual report to Congress.
Currently, the Office’s list of applicable entities are minority-owned, women-owned, and disaster-stricken small businesses.
This legislation would require the SEC’s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to add rural small businesses to its list of applicable entities.
###
Issues:
Congress
Economy
CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S BILL TO EXTEND FORT PECK RURAL WATER SYSTEM AUTHORIZATION SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT TRUMP
Position: The release announces that H.R. 7250, which extends Bureau of Reclamation authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028, has been signed into law, and expresses support for continued construction of water infrastructure in northeastern Montana.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Trump signed H.R. 7250 into law, Congressman Troy Downing’s legislation extending authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028. The law allows critical water infrastructure projects across northeastern Montana to continue moving forward.
The Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 was enacted to provide safe and reliable municipal, rural, and industrial water through two interconnected systems: the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System. Together, these systems serve tribal and non-tribal communities across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley counties.
H.R. 7250 extends the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to support construction of essential water infrastructure serving the Fort Peck Reservation and surrounding communities through December 2028.
"I’m proud that the President has signed my bill, H.R. 7250, into law. This legislation will help keep critical water projects moving forward and provide greater certainty for families and communities across northeastern Montana," said Congressman Downing. "Reliable water infrastructure is essential to the future of this region. I’m grateful to the Montana delegation for working together to get this bill through Congress and signed into law.”
“This is a major win for the Treasure State. Montanans should never have to worry about whether or not their water is safe to drink. Now that President Trump has signed our bill into law, we’ll be able to continue critical construction on water infrastructure on the Fort Peck reservation and throughout the northeast region. I’m grateful for everyone who helped get this bill across the finish line and look forward to seeing the impacts this will have for the health and future of our communities,” said Senator Steve Daines.
“Clean, reliable water is a basic necessity, and Montanans in our rural and tribal communities deserve nothing less. I’m proud to see this commonsense bill cross the finish line, and I thank President Trump for signing it into law so we can keep critical water projects moving forward in Fort Peck and across northeast Montana,” said Senator Tim Sheehy.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman praised the passage of H.R. 7250 and Congressman Downing’s work to strengthen water infrastructure in northeastern Montana.
“Where reliable water flows, opportunity and prosperity follow. H.R. 7250 reauthorizes the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, helping ensure families, farmers, and businesses in northeastern Montana continue to have access to dependable water supplies," said Chairman Westerman. “I commend Rep. Downing for his commitment to strengthening critical water infrastructure and supporting Montana’s future.”
Read the bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S BILL CROW TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS, HEADS TO PRESIDENT’S DESK
Position: The release supports S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, which modifies the 2010 Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement to allow localized water and wastewater projects and extends the Tribe's exclusive hydropower development right at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam through 2030. The bill has passed the Senate and is described as heading to the President's desk.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, passed the U.S. Senate. Senator Steve Daines spearheaded the bill in the Senate, while Congressman Troy Downing championed it in the House of Representatives. The legislation updates the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to provide the Crow Tribe with greater flexibility to develop water infrastructure and keep long-overdue projects on the reservation moving forward.
The original settlement ratified the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana. It authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to rehabilitate the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP) and construct a Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water system.
S. 240 modernizes that framework by converting the MR&I component from a single centralized project into a more flexible, localized approach. Instead of one large system, the legislation allows the Tribe to develop smaller water and wastewater projects tailored to the needs of individual communities across the reservation.
In addition, the legislation extends the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to develop a hydropower project at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam for five years, through 2030, helping support future energy development on the reservation.
“Today, S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, passed the U.S. Senate. This legislation gives the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to develop critical water infrastructure and keep long-overdue projects moving forward on the reservation. We must continue honoring our commitments to the Crow Tribe and strengthening Montana’s water infrastructure," said Congressman Downing. "Thank you to Senator Daines for leading this bill in the Senate and sending it to the President’s desk."
“This bill is a necessity for the Crow Tribe and surrounding communities and will ensure the tribe has the resources they need to deliver safe, reliable access to clean water to the reservation and complete a hydropower project to bring new baseload generation to the region. I’m grateful for Representative Downing’s work to get this passed in the House and am thrilled to see it pass the Senate- let’s get it across the finish line!” said Senator Steve Daines.
“The federal government must ensure tribal water settlements work as intended. S. 240 gives the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to complete critical drinking water and irrigation projects while extending its exclusive right to pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. I commend Senator Daines and Rep. Downing for championing a practical solution that strengthens tribal self-determination and supports long-term economic growth on the Crow Reservation,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.
Read the bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
ICYMI: DOWNING OP-ED IN THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Inherit a million? You can invest. Have an economics doctorate? The SEC says you’re too dumb
Position: The release describes H.R.9574, the Informed Investor Access Act, which would create a new route to accredited-investor status for a specific transaction when an individual receives personalized investment advice from a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer, and argues that the current wealth-based accredited-investor framework excludes ordinary investors from private markets.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Troy Downing penned an op-ed in the Washington Examiner highlighting his new bill, H.R.9574, The Informed Investor Access Act. The legislation would break down barriers to capital markets by creating a new route to accredited-investor status for a specific transaction when an individual receives personalized investment advice or a recommendation from a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer.
Read the Washington Examiner op-ed HERE.
September 22, 2026
Are some people simply not rich enough to build the American dream?
America’s capital markets are the most dynamic in the world. They are ripe with opportunity. Our nation’s business ecosystem is better because of them.
The American dream of entrepreneurship and prosperity is possible through our robust capital markets. Too many people are locked out of important parts of those markets for one simple reason: They are not rich enough.
Most investors can only directly invest in publicly traded companies, which make up less than 1% of all U.S. businesses. They have virtually no access to nonpublic, or private, investment opportunities. In other words, they have no access to investments that help the rich get richer.
The number of publicly available stock investment options has declined by nearly 50% since the 1990s, which means fewer investment opportunities for hardworking Montanans. That is the effect of the outdated “accredited investor” framework.
Publicly traded companies are subject to the highest degree of disclosure requirements from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The strict requirements, along with their direct costs to the investor, create a transparent but also very expensive option, which is why everyone has access.
Nonpublic companies are not subject to these same rules, so the federal government has long held that only “sophisticated” investors are allowed to participate in these markets. The problem is the false equivalency between sophistication and wealth. This foreclosure on access by anyone but the wealthiest among us is one reason the rich get richer and ordinary people are often left behind.
Under current SEC rules, anyone can access the private markets by being an accredited investor, which is defined by having more than $1 million in net worth, not including one’s residence, or by earning more than $200,000 per year for two consecutive years. The rules include other qualifications, but for most people, wealth remains the gatekeeper.
This leaves many “ordinary” people on the sidelines — many of whom understand the risks of investing and have built strong portfolios or financial plans either independently or with a financial adviser. A high net worth does not automatically make someone a knowledgeable investor, just as falling below an arbitrary threshold does not make someone incapable of understanding risk. In other words, a person who inherits $1 million but has no idea about how money works may qualify, but someone with a doctorate in economics with only $100,000 to invest is generally not qualified.
I have seen our capital markets from nearly every angle. I began my career as an educator and research scientist before founding a tech company that later merged with Yahoo. I went on to build multiple businesses, structure alternative investments, and raise capital through independent broker-dealers. Later, as Montana state auditor and commissioner of securities and insurance, I served as our state’s chief securities regulator. Today, I serve on the House Financial Services Committee.
Those experiences taught me that capital formation and investor protection should not be seen as competing goals. Well-designed rules can advance both.
That is why I introduced the Informed Investor Access Act. My legislation would create a new route to accredited-investor status for a specific transaction when someone receives personalized investment advice or a recommendation from a registered investment adviser or registered broker-dealer.
This is not an invitation to throw open the doors without guardrails. Registered investment advisers are bound by a fiduciary duty, and broker-dealers must comply with Regulation Best Interest. These professionals are required to consider a client’s financial circumstances and risk tolerance when making recommendations.
The current framework creates a self-reinforcing barrier: Often, people are required to meet the wealth threshold to access investments that may help them build wealth. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs in private businesses lose potential sources of capital that could help them innovate and expand.
Access must improve on both sides of the marketplace. I recently led a congressional letter urging SEC Chairman Paul Atkins to finalize the commission’s Registered Offering Reform proposal.
Among its provisions, the proposal would remove duplicative state registration and qualification reviews for certain public companies, reducing unnecessary costs while maintaining disclosure and anti-fraud protections.
This matters across the country, but especially in rural states such as Montana. Entrepreneurs and growing businesses should not be forced to move their business to a major financial center to find capital. Likewise, Montanans who work, save, and plan responsibly should not be excluded from considering an investment simply because they don’t meet the wealth threshold.
Modernizing these rules does not guarantee returns, eliminate risk, or make every investment suitable. Nor should it. These are investments without training wheels, and they should be carefully scrutinized.
Giving everyday people access gives them an opportunity to make informed choices with professional guidance, while allowing businesses to reach a broader pool of potential investors.
Building wealth should not be reserved for those who were given a head start or who are already wealthy. Congress and the SEC can preserve strong protections while replacing outdated barriers with standards that recognize individual circumstances. This is how we strengthen capital formation in America and keep America’s markets the strongest in the world.
###
Issues:
Congress
Economy
CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S BILL TO EXTEND FORT PECK RURAL WATER SYSTEM AUTHORIZATION PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS
Position: Supports extending the authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028 via H.R. 7250, which has passed both chambers and awaits the President's signature.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 7250, Congressman Troy Downing’s legislation to extend authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028. The bill now heads to the President’s desk, allowing critical water infrastructure projects across northeastern Montana to continue moving forward. H.R. 7250 amends the existing authorization by extending its expiration from 2026 to 2028.
The Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 was enacted to provide safe and reliable municipal, rural, and industrial water through two interconnected systems: the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System. Together, these systems serve tribal and non-tribal communities across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley counties.
H.R. 7250 extends the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to support construction of essential water infrastructure serving the Fort Peck Reservation and surrounding communities through December 2028.
“Access to clean, reliable water is essential for families and communities across northeastern Montana,” said Congressman Downing. “I’m proud the Senate passed my bill to extend authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System after the House approved it earlier this year. This legislation is now headed to the President’s desk and will help keep critical water infrastructure projects moving forward for the Fort Peck Reservation and surrounding communities.
“This is huge news for northeast Montana! Access to safe and reliable water infrastructure is an absolute necessity, and reauthorizing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act will help provide clean water for Montana communities. Thank you Representative Downing for your work to get this through the U.S. House- now let’s get it signed into law!” said U.S. Senator Steve Daines.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman praised the passage of H.R. 7250 and Congressman Downing’s work to strengthen water infrastructure in northeastern Montana.
“Where reliable water flows, opportunity and prosperity follow. H.R. 7250 reauthorizes the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, helping ensure families, farmers and businesses in northeastern Montana continue to have access to dependable water supplies," said Chairman Westerman. “I commend Rep. Downing for his commitment to strengthening critical water infrastructure and supporting Montana’s future.
Read the bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S CROW TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT PASSES HOUSE
Position: The release supports passage of S. 240, which amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to allow localized water and wastewater projects in place of a single centralized MR&I system and extends the Tribe's exclusive right to develop hydropower at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam through 2030.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, legislation led by Senator Steve Daines in the Senate and championed by Congressman Troy Downing in the House. The bill now heads to the President’s desk.
The legislation updates the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to provide the Crow Tribe with greater flexibility to develop water infrastructure and keep long-overdue projects on the reservation moving forward.
The original settlement ratified the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana and authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to rehabilitate the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP) and construct a Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) water system.
S. 240 modernizes that framework by converting the MR&I component from a single centralized project into a more flexible, localized approach. Instead of one large system, the legislation allows the Tribe to develop smaller water and wastewater projects tailored to the needs of individual communities across the reservation.
In addition, the legislation extends the Crow Tribe's exclusive right to develop a hydropower project at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam for five years, through 2030, helping support future energy development on the reservation.
“Access to clean and reliable water is critical for the Crow Tribe and the communities it serves,” said Congressman Downing. “I’m proud the House passed this legislation and sent it to the President’s desk. I want to thank Senator Daines for leading this effort in the Senate and helping move it across the finish line. The bill gives the Tribe greater flexibility to develop water and wastewater projects that meet local needs, while also allowing for hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. This bipartisan legislation honors our commitments to the Crow Tribe and invests in Montana’s future.”
“The federal government must ensure tribal water settlements work as intended. S. 240 gives the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to complete critical drinking water and irrigation projects while extending its exclusive right to pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. I commend Senator Daines and Rep. Downing for championing a practical solution that strengthens tribal self-determination and supports long-term economic growth on the Crow Reservation,” said House Committee of Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.
Read the bill HERE.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
ICYMI: DOWNING OP-ED IN THE WASHINGTON REPORTER — THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS IN NEED OF REFORM
Position: Congressman Downing states the Affordable Care Act needs reform, arguing that rising premiums are driven by adverse selection and rising care costs rather than the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits. He also calls for federal action on pharmacy benefit manager transparency and oversight, including review of ERISA preemption.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) penned an op-ed in the Washington Reporter on the need to reform the Affordable Care Act. Read the full op-ed HERE.
"Access to affordable health care is one of the most critical issues facing Montana today. The Affordable Care Act needs reform. Costs keep rising, fewer healthy people are staying in the market, and coverage gets more expensive every year.
When I was Montana’s Insurance Commissioner, I oversaw the rate filings for the plans sold in our state, year after year. My job was to make sure premiums were actuarially sound. It is a delicate balance between what it costs to deliver care, reimbursement rates for providers, and premiums families can afford to pay. I worked hard to understand all sides of that equation.
You have probably heard some say that insurance premiums in Montana increased due to Congress not extending the enhanced premium tax credits and allowing them to expire. Those credits were a temporary fix passed during the COVID pandemic, aimed at a small set of the individual market and never meant to last beyond the COVID crisis. These insurance company credits expired, as designed.
In reality, extending these credits would not have affected most Montanans and would have moved the Montana premiums by only single digits, and only for a small part of our market. The increases we saw across the board this year came from a much larger and older problem.
That problem is adverse selection. In other words, premiums go up every year, and every year some people decide the coverage is no longer worth the cost.
Those who leave the market are often younger and healthier. When they leave, the concentration of higher-cost individuals gets larger, the costs to the insurer rise, and premiums rise for everyone still paying for the plan.
Young, healthy Montanans increasingly do not see value in the coverage they are being asked to buy at the prices available. We need to win them back with coverage that is worth the price.
We cannot subsidize ourselves out of this underlying problem.
Premiums also climb because of the rising cost of care. Prescription drugs alone now account for more than 25 percent of every premium dollar. That is a huge number. A prescription drug can pass through multiple layers of middlemen before it reaches the patient, with costs and rebates often hidden along the way.
In my first legislative session as Insurance Commissioner, my office sponsored the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Transparency Act, carried by Senator Greg Hertz, to make those PBMs report their costs, rebates, and fees. There is more to do, and most of it has to happen at the federal level. Regarding PBMs, federal ERISA preemption, which governs employer health plans, is one area we need to look at closely, so states have more power to regulate the entire PBM market rather than just a subset.
One of the clearest places to start is the 340B program. It is a critical source of affordable medication for many of our rural hospitals and the patients they serve. We need to protect this program for the providers and patients who depend on it. We also need reforms that prevent abuse and ensure the program serves the patients and providers it was designed to help. It is a significant program, and taxpayers deserve accountability.
I make it a point to visit as many of our critical access hospitals and rural clinics as I can. Some of them get as much as 80 percent of their income from Medicare and Medicaid, which tells you how much those programs matter in rural Montana.
Two of the biggest challenges I hear about are workforce shortages and housing. Time and again, a facility gets good applicants who cannot find a place to live and withdraw their applications.
In many rural communities, there simply are not enough workers to fill critical health care jobs. Last year, Congress set aside $50 billion for rural health transformation, and Montana was one of the largest recipients in the country. That investment is good for Montana, but it also reflects the scale of the challenge facing rural health care.
There is no single fix here, but there are good ideas we need to put to work. First, we should expand Health Savings Accounts; let people put more into them, and let them use the money for premiums, deductibles, direct primary care, and healthy living, not just for high-deductible plans.
When patients have more control over their health care dollars, they become more engaged in what care costs and what value they are receiving. This helps re-establish traditional patient-provider relationships.
Second, we should allow people to buy the plans they actually want, including short-term and catastrophic coverage.
Third, we should create a dedicated way to cover the highest-cost patients instead of forcing the entire individual market to function like a high-risk pool.
There are real challenges ahead. We need to protect rural and critical access hospitals while making sure the system remains sustainable. We need to give young and healthy Montanans a reason to value their coverage, so we can spread the risk. We need to bring down prescription drug prices and add transparency to the prescription drug supply chain. We need reimbursement rates that keep our providers open for business.
This work requires a serious conversation focused on what actually lowers costs and improves access. That means listening to the people delivering care and the Montanans who depend on it. I have spent years working on these issues from both the state and federal level, and I will keep working with Montanans to get it right."
###
Issues:
Congress
Health
Downing Introduces the Accelerating Forest Management Act
Position: Congressman Downing supports streamlining federal environmental review processes for timber salvage and thinning projects on Bureau of Land Management lands through categorical exclusions under NEPA, arguing this will reduce wildfire risk and support rural economies.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Troy Downing introduced the Accelerating Forest Management Act, legislation to codify the Bureau of Land Management’s proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusion for timber salvage projects in order to speed up active forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural economies.
The legislation would permanently authorize streamlined environmental reviews for routine timber salvage projects up to 5,000 acres on BLM lands, helping federal land managers remove dead and dying timber before it fuels catastrophic wildfire.
“Montanans know firsthand the devastation catastrophic wildfires can bring to our communities, forests, and economy,” said Congressman Downing. “For too long, burdensome red tape and delayed environmental reviews have prevented timely forest management projects from moving forward. The Accelerating Forest Management Act restores commonsense tools to quickly remove dead and hazardous timber, reduce wildfire fuel loads, and support the rural communities, mills and jobs that rely on healthy forests.”
This legislation also includes a 7-year reauthorization of the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund, ensuring BLM has the resources needed to effectively respond to wildfires and support proactive forest health and risk reduction activities.
Background:
In 2024, the Biden administration removed longstanding timber harvest authorities from the Bureau of Land Management, limiting the agency’s ability to efficiently conduct salvage harvesting and thinning projects following severe wildfire seasons across the West.
The Bureau of Land Management recently proposed two new categorical exclusions under NEPA to restore and expand streamlined review authorities for routine timber salvage and thinning projects. The proposed exclusions would apply to projects up to 5,000 acres, replacing current limits of 250 acres for salvage projects and 70 acres for thinning projects.
Categorical exclusions apply to categories of actions determined not to have significant environmental impacts, eliminating the need for lengthy environmental reviews and helping projects move forward more efficiently.
Over the past three decades, forests across the western United States have experienced widespread die-offs caused by wildfire, insect infestations, drought and disease. Since 2000, wildfires have burned an average of 7.3 million acres annually nationwide, including more than 236,000 acres annually on BLM lands.
By streamlining routine forest management projects, the Accelerating Forest Management Act would help reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, preserve timber value, sustain rural timber jobs and support local forest product industries across the West.
###
Issues:
Congress
Natural Resources
Source: GDELT 2.0 GKG, filtered to a curated list of national outlets. Inclusion is not endorsement; opinion pieces and reported news are mixed.
Recent stock activity
Periodic transaction reports filed under the STOCK Act — disclosed by the rep, sourced from public filings.
No disclosed trades on record.
Source: open-data mirrors of the Senate eFD and House Clerk financial-disclosure systems. Disclosure within 30 days of trade is required by law (45 for spouse/dependent trades).
Top PAC donors · 2026 cycle
Political action committees that gave the most to this rep's principal campaign committee this cycle. PAC giving is direct organizational support — industry, ideological, or leadership.
1.PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE IFinance5 contributionsAccounting and professional-services PAC — supports candidates aligned with business-friendly tax policy, financial regulation, and corporate governance standards.AI$12,000
2.FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (FICO PAC)2 contributions$10,000
3.THE COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS PAC3 contributions$10,000
4.SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL PAC (SCI-PAC)2 contributions$10,000
5.BIPARTISAN VOLUNTARY PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE PNC FIN3 contributions$10,000
6.BIG SKY OPPORTUNITY PAC2 contributions$10,000
7.NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE5 contributions$10,000
8.BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY RAILPAC (BNSF RAILPAC)4 contributions$9,500
9.FMR LLC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FEDERAL (FIDELITY PAC)4 contributions$9,000
10.AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN PAC2 contributions$8,500
Source: OpenFEC (api.open.fec.gov) Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “committee.” Aggregated by contributing committee. Self-transfers from joint-fundraising / victory committees are excluded.
Top individual contributors · 2026 cycle
Itemized individual contributions over $200 to this rep's campaign committee, aggregated by donor employer. PAC giving is shown above; this section is people, not organizations.
1.INFORMATION REQUESTED PER BEST EFFORTS$25,300
2.YELLOWSTONE BANK$14,000
3.COINBASE$11,500
4.ARNOLD VENTURES$10,500
5.OPENTECH$10,300
6.PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS$10,000
7.FX SOLUTIONS INC$10,000
8.MDS ENERGY DEVELOPMENT$10,000
9.BIG SKY TACTICAL SOLUTIONS$10,000
10.TILLEMAN MOTOR$8,218
Source: OpenFEC Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “individual,” aggregated by the donor's self-reported employer. This is a geographic / industry correlation, not a corporate endorsement.
