Daines Secures Historic Senate Passage of Major Conservation Bill, the Great American Outdoors Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for and secured Senate passage of his bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act. Daines' bill requires full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the maintenance backlog facing the nation's national parks and public lands.

"Today, we passed the most important conservation bill for Montana and the nation in decades - one that will increase public access to our public lands, support our national parks and importantly, protect our Montana outdoor way of life," Daines said. "I look forward to seeing it pass the House and getting it onto President Trump's desk for his signature."

Ahead of the vote, Daines spoke on the Senate floor highlighting the importance of the bill.

"Today, we make history in the United States Senate. Today, we will vote on one of the most important conservation bills not in years, but in decades. Today, we get one step closer to protecting our outdoor heritage for our children, and grandchildren… for future generations of Montanans and for all Americans," Daines said. "Today, we will vote on the historic, bipartisan bill, the "Great American Outdoors Act." Today, for the first time ever in the United States Senate, we will vote to make funding for a critical conservation program, the Land and Water Conservation Program, full and mandatory."

Daines received significant support from conservation, sportsmen and public lands advocate groups across Montana and the country for his work on GAOA, including from: MT Nature Conservancy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, MT Lodging and Hospitality Association, MT Wildlife Federation, MT Wilderness Society, Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation, Glacier County Tourism, MT Trout Unlimited, MT Contractors Association, MT Association of Land Trusts, and Mountain Bike Missoula.

Last month, Daines announced that the U.S. Senate will be voting on his bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act, when the Senate returns from the state working period in June. Daines' bill requires full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the national park maintenance backlog.

In February, Daines met with President Trump and Leader McConnell to highlight the importance of these conservation priorities for Montana. During the meeting, President Trump agreed to support and sign Daines' legislation into law.

Daines' Great American Outdoors Act provides full, mandatory funding of LWCF at $900 million and addresses the approximate $12 billion maintenance backlog facing national parks across the nation, including over $700 million in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. The bill also addresses the maintenance backlog on forest lands and other public lands across the country.

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