For the record, it is Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to declare war, not the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

The 1973 Resolution was an attempt by Congress to reassert that authority after it had been eroded, while still recognizing the President’s role as Commander in Chief to respond swiftly to immediate threats.

The Resolution has provided a workable balance: it allows the President to act quickly, when necessary, but requires congressional involvement for prolonged engagements.

As your next Congressman, I will fight to defend Congress’s constitutional war-making powers and ensure the executive branch does not bypass them. At this time, I do not see a need to revise, replace, or discard the War Powers Resolution. It strikes a reasonable balance that should be respected and enforced by both branches.

Congress should support rural healthcare through targeted, flexible funding rather than one-size-fits-all mandates.

Montana recently received a significant $233 million federal investment grant to stabilize and modernize healthcare in our rural and frontier communities. This is a strong step toward addressing the financial pressures facing our hospitals and clinics due to low patient volumes and tight margins.

I support continuing this approach: providing block grants to states whenever possible. Block grants give Montana the flexibility to design innovative, locally tailored solutions without excessive federal restrictions. States know their communities best and can create effective programs to sustain access to care.

As your Congressman, I will work to secure additional flexible funding while fighting unnecessary regulations that drive up costs. Our goal must be sustainable rural healthcare that serves Montana families effectively.

1. Reforming the CSKT Water Compact: The CSKT Water Compact, which is a federal law, has disrupted water rights across Western Montana.

I intend to amend it by

• Determining the actual water needed to fulfill the purposes of the CSKT reservation as determined by the Hellgate Treaty of 1855. There is plenty of water available on-reservation. Off-reservation water rights need to be returned to their rightful owners.

• Resolving the breach of contract with Flathead Irrigation and Power Project users by returning paid-off liens, irrigation water rights, and beneficial ownership of the power dam.

• Compensating Montanans who have spent time and money defending their water rights.

• Blocking the transfer of 36,808 acres of public lands to the CSKT to protect public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreation for all Americans.

2. Responsible Development of AI Data Centers: Massive data centers threaten Western Montana’s limited water and energy supplies. I will push for targeted federal and state regulations that guide responsible development while protecting water and energy resources so Montanans can afford to live here, raise families, and remain free.

As your Congressman, I will focus on root causes rather than temporary subsidies.

I will work to restore fiscal responsibility. The federal government must stop deficit spending that devalues the dollar through inflation. By cutting wasteful spending and balancing the budget, we can stabilize prices, protect savings, and make mortgages more affordable for Montana families.

We must expand access to federal lands for responsible development. Montana has vast federal lands. I will work to open them to sustainable natural resource opportunities, especially responsible timber, mining, and energy production. This will create high-paying jobs so Montanans can afford home mortgages and raise families here in the Treasure State.

Finally, we must promote affordable, abundant energy. I will support policies that ensure all forms of energy (traditional and renewable) are low-cost and readily available. Cheap energy lowers the price of goods, construction materials, heating, and transportation. This is critical in rural Montana to make overall living costs more manageable.

These pro-growth, pro-opportunity strategies will deliver lasting affordability and economic strength for Montana.

I have a proven voting record in Montana that is more conservative than our current Congressman. Voters can count on me to reliably fight for limited government, fiscal responsibility, strong national defense, and the core values of Western Montana.

Additionally, I will be far more present and available to you. I am committed to regularly holding public town hall meetings and listening sessions across the entire First District. The people of Western Montana deserve direct access to their representatives in their own communities. My service will be defined by principle, transparency, and being truly accountable to the folks I represent.