Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), along with U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, and Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01), announced that President Trump has signed their bill aimed at reopening mining opportunities in Eastern Montana. The legislation overturns the Miles City Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) introduced during the Biden administration, which had restricted coal leasing on nearly two million acres of land.
According to Congressman Downing, “Now more than ever, America needs affordable, reliable energy to fuel our new golden age. 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.”
Senator Daines commented on the economic impact of reversing the RMPA: “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. But now, thanks to the hard work of our Montana delegation, Biden’s rule is repealed and Montana energy is back.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.”
Senator Sheehy added: “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. 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.”
Congressman Zinke highlighted potential benefits for workers: “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. 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.”
The Congressional Review Act resolution was introduced by Downing and Daines with support from Sheehy and Zinke in July 2025. The bill received backing from various state officials including Governor Greg Gianforte.
The Miles City RMPA had made almost two million acres unavailable for coal leasing within its planning area—particularly affecting new leases in regions such as Powder River Basin—and was projected to result in a loss exceeding $4 billion in future revenue for state trust land beneficiaries.