Montana Democratic Party: Daines Won't Stand Up for Montana Farmers in Desperate Need of Disaster Relief

HELENA, Montana, Oct. 3 -- The Montana Democratic Party issued the following news release:

A year has passed since farmers in Northeastern Montana got hit by a devastating season of crop losses, yet their much-needed disaster relief from the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) has yet to be delivered. This week, Senator Jon Tester sent a letter demanding answers from the Trump Administration as to why they have failed to deliver these crucial payments. Notably missing from the letter is Senator Steve Daines.

But this isn't the first time Daines has failed to stand up for Montana's farmers.

After a devastating 2019 crop year of heavy spring rains and early snowfall, Senator Jon Tester championed the expansion of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to give Montana producers in 17 counties much-needed relief as they worked to stay on their feet.

On the other hand, Senator Steve Daines voted against the bill that expanded the WHIP+ program and the accompanying $1.5 billion in relief for Montana's farmers and ranchers. Then, keeping with his long tradition of taking credit in Montana for things others got done in Washington D.C., Daines touted the very funding he voted against.

"Montana farmers are still awaiting critical funding, yet Steve Daines can't be bothered to fight for them," said MDP Communications Advisor Christina Wilkes. "Instead, Daines is busy looking out for his corporate backers and kowtowing to his party bosses."