Downing, Daines Bill to Unlock Montana Mining Signed into Law by President Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Ryan Zinke (MT-01) today announced that President Trump signed their bill that unlocks Eastern Montana mining into law. The bill removes the harmful Biden-era Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which will further help unleash Made-In-Montana energy.
“Now more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age,” said Congressman Downing. “With the signing of my bill to permanently roll back burdensome restrictions on coal leasing for the nation’s largest deposit, we aren’t just meeting the demands of today, we’re ensuring that we can power our country’s future. We are also making sure that subsequent administrations cannot undo the good work of the current one, safeguarding American energy independence. I thank Senator Daines and the entire Montana Congressional Delegation for their leadership and look forward to seeing this legislation bring revenue and jobs back to the Treasure State.”
“Today marks a massive win for both Montana and the nation. Biden’s disastrous Miles City RMPA was an anti-coal rule that would’ve blocked future coal leasing on two million acres of land, stifled job growth and caused the loss of over $4.3 billion in future revenue to our state,” said Senator Daines. “But now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden’s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back. Thank you President Trump for fighting for Made-In-Montana energy and for protecting America’s energy dominance.”
“Thanks to President Trump for signing this bill into law and putting an end to radical Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support,” said Senator Sheehy. “Together, we are delivering the America First, commonsense policies Montanans voted for to achieve American energy dominance, create jobs, and make energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again. I’ll continue working alongside President Trump and the Montana delegation to unleash Montana’s resource economy, protect Montana jobs, and bring prosperity to rural Montana communities.”
“This legislation will lower energy costs by unlocking Montana’s vast natural resources and brings security to the jobs of the hardworking men and women who mine in Montana,” said Congressman Zinke. “The Biden administration’s Miles City MRPA would have restricted coal leasing on over two million acres, driving up energy prices and costing Montana millions in revenue. Thanks to President Trump and our Montana delegation, that won’t happen. This is another success in the fight to make energy more affordable and protect the families who depend on it.”
Background
Downing and Daines introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution with Sheehy and Zinke in July 2025. Read the release here. See Downing and Daines’ video statement here.
The bill has widespread support, including from Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. Read Governor Gianforte’s letter of support here. See additional quotes of support here.
The Biden administration’s Miles City RMPA made nearly two million acres unavailable for coal leasing within the Miles City Field Office planning area and prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. It also would have caused the loss of over $4.32 billion in future revenue to State trust land beneficiaries.
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