While the deadline to pass full and permanent funding for the critical Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is quickly approaching, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) — a supposed advocate for the Fund — spends his time instead continuously voting in favor and voicing support of Pres. Trump’s extremist and highly conflicted political nominees.
“Sen. Steve Daines has used his pro-public lands talking points for long enough. We’re not seeing any action that protects our outdoor heritage. We’re only seeing Pres. Trump’s swamp team grow bigger,” said Jayson O’Neill, Deputy Director of Western Values Project. “Between the confirmation of special interests ally Aurelia Skipwith and the vocal support of anti-public lands zealot William Pendley, Sen. Daines has shown time and again where his true loyalties lie — and it’s not with America’s public lands.”
A failure to pass the LWCF spending bill would mean that it would have to be reintroduced next year — a guaranteed uphill battle in what is shaping up to be a contentious election and legislative year. Full and permanent funding for this critical public lands and parks fund has been routinely promised by key Western Senators, like Sen. Daines. But he has ultimately failed to convince Senate leadership to bring the LWCF legislation up for a full floor vote.
Sen. Daines’ vote for confirm Aurelia Skipwith signals his lack of concern for or understanding of America’s public lands. As Interior Secretary Bernhardt continues to stack the department with anti-public lands extremists, former lobbyists, and special interest alumni, Sen. Daines continues his unabashed support for extremist nominees who have publicly promised to decimate America’s public lands protections in favor of special interests and corporate lobbyists.