Staff Reports
Senator Steve Daines is on a mission—an all-out campaign to make President Trump’s first-term tax cuts permanent. As the December deadline for the 2017 tax cuts looms like a dark cloud over small businesses and individuals, Daines is treating this issue as his top priority in the Senate, especially through the budget reconciliation tactics that Republicans love to employ when they want to ram something through. The message is clear: Americans want stability in their finances, and Daines is ready to give it to them.
Daines understands the pulse of small businesses, who are clamoring for permanence over the uncertainty that currently hangs over their heads like a financial Sword of Damocles. The senator firmly believes that having 80% of a benefit that’s guaranteed is far better than 100% of a benefit that will disappear like a magician’s rabbit. While his predecessors were able to secure permanent corporate tax cuts, they failed note that families and small businesses have to make financial decisions that last longer than a fleeting five-year plan.
The Montanan’s quest for tax permanency has gained traction, gathering a choir of support from other Republican heavyweights. Those joining Daines’ cause include Majority Leader John Thune, Majority Whip John Barrasso, along with Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo. It seems that once Daines hit upon the idea last summer, others could see the logic as well. Apparently, tax cuts that come with an expiration date are as popular as a root canal—nobody wants them.
‘As loud as I can’: Sen. Steve Daines rallies Congress to make Trump’s tax cuts permanenthttps://t.co/5AahfDzI7e pic.twitter.com/diUSMAjUW9
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 27, 2025
Daines is clear that the stakes are high, especially in the face of competition from China. His recent trip there underscored the urgent need to reinstate tax breaks for research and development expenses, as well as bonus depreciation provisions that help businesses invest in new equipment. The senator’s cautionary tale is simple: without proper tax incentives, American businesses risk falling behind in the race for innovation—a race that should be fought on a level playing field, not bogged down by archaic tax policies.
As the Republican party huddles to negotiate a budget resolution, the debate is heating up over how to fund these tax cuts while also addressing the growing deficit, currently at a staggering $36 trillion. While some House Republicans are skittish about the potential for increased spending, Daines is optimistic that with collaboration, a solution can be reached. The tension is palpable; the stakes are high but so is the potential reward if they can align their visions for tax reform. The focus might just shift if enough fiscal conservatives warm up to the idea of raising the spending cut floor, which could bring everyone on board for a long-term tax strategy that benefits the average American.
If all else fails, Daines has a backdoor strategy: a direct line to President Trump. The past collaboration between them has built a trusting relationship that can undoubtedly influence the final outcome. With Daines ready to bring home the bacon for taxpayers, the pressure is on Congress to ensure that Trump’s promises, hinging on tax cuts, do not fade into the ether. After all, one thing conservatives can expect is that when it comes to fulfilling campaign promises, Trump is all about keeping his word.
