113th Congress: Steve Daines, R-Mont. (At Large)

By Ambreen Ali, CQ Staff

Three decades of private sector experience inform Steve Daines’ views on Washington, D.C.: He wants the federal government to downsize and focus on job growth by simplifying tax rules for both companies and individuals.

The former Procter & Gamble executive expects other members of the incoming freshman class will arrive with backgrounds and priorities. “That kind of experience is needed in Congress,” he says.

Daines explains that his primary goal is to enact a simplified income tax structure that would include only two rates. He would also like to reduce the corporate tax rate and eliminate subsidies for all industries, including those for the oil and gas sector that he hopes will continue to explore domestic energy sources in his home state of Montana and across the United States.

“We’re going to have to look at every sector, and I think we need to directionally move towards reducing and eventually removing subsidies for businesses in general, for the energy sector or others,” he says.

He also favors a balanced budget amendment and repeal of the 2010 health care overhaul.

Given his fiscal focus, Daines says, he would like to sit on committees that deal with taxes. He rejects traditional partisan labels and says his goal is to “stand for free markets and the force of competition. That’s what has made America exceptional.”