U.S. senator and representative outline federal priorities: energy, wildfires, veterans and economic policy

U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and U.S. Rep. Troy Downing told a joint session of the Montana Legislature that they will press federal priorities related to energy, wildfire response, veterans' housing and rural economic development, and invited state lawmakers to coordinate on overlapping goals.

"I will work every day to... deliver you lower grocery prices, cheaper gas, and a secure border," U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy said after being introduced to the joint session. He described legislation he supports in Washington, including the Lake and Riley Act and a proposed National Wildfire Service Act that would consolidate wildland firefighting capacity under a single agency or director.

Sheehy described bills he said he introduced or backed: the VA Home Loan Awareness Act to improve veterans' access to home loans, the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act to expand homeowner energy choices, and a bill to repeal the federal estate tax. He also cited bipartisan support for wildfire response bills and said food security is national security.

U.S. Rep. Troy Downing urged lawmakers to use his office as an amplification of their work and described priorities including capital formation for small rural businesses, digital assets and artificial‑intelligence policy, and constituent services. "If you have a problem where we can help — veterans issues, Social Security issues, passport issues — I want you to lean on our office," Downing said.

Both visitors described Montana priorities they said they will press in Washington and invited collaboration with state officials on energy, infrastructure and public‑safety issues. Their remarks were general policy overviews rather than requests for specific state action in the transcript.