We recently had a chance to catch up with Montana’s newly elected Senator Tim Sheehy and talked to him about his experience in office so far. The following are excerpts from our conversation. 

What inspired you to pursue public service?

There is no higher calling in life than serving your country. My wife, Carmen, and I met at the Naval Academy and were both proud to serve our country: Carmen as a Marine and me as a Navy SEAL. We both know how rewarding it is to live a life of service.

After I was wounded, I was blessed to live the American Dream — starting a business with an all-veteran team, creating hundreds of Montana jobs, protecting communities from wildfires, and donating millions across Montana to increase access to critical health care.

After 9/11, thousands of us volunteered to serve our nation. When I saw Joe Biden’s disgraceful Afghanistan retreat, I knew we were in a tough spot as a country. I never considered entering politics until Biden’s disastrous withdrawal washed away the sacrifices made by our family and closest friends. It was heart-wrenching looking into my children’s eyes, knowing this failure marked an inflection point for America. That’s when I realized something was seriously wrong with our leadership back in D.C. and decided it was time to get involved in politics.

I’ve been proud to serve our country since I was 18 years old, and it’s the honor of my life to serve each one of you as Montana’s U.S. Senator. My solemn promise to you is that, just as I did on the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan and on the frontlines of wildfires across the American West, I will never tire in my commitment to fight for you and the future of your kids and grandkids.

As a newly elected Senator, has anything surprised you about working in D.C.?

In such a polarized time in our nation, I think most people would be surprised at the willingness of many of my Senate colleagues to work across the aisle to get stuff done.

For example, with the tragic January wildfires in southern California, we saw a culmination of modern wildfire dysfunction, and since then, I’ve been working with a number of Democrats — from New Jersey to California — to introduce a slate of bills to improve our federal wildland firefighting apparatus.

Behind closed doors, many of my colleagues’ focus is on getting stuff done, not the political theater you often see on TV. I came to D.C. to solve problems and deliver results. That’s why I will work with Republicans and Democrats to deliver common sense solutions for Montanans.

Americans nationwide made it clear they expect more out of their government, and it’s time we seize the moment and deliver on the mandate voters gave us.

What are your thoughts on the direction of the new administration and how it has been to work with President Trump?

Since January, we have seen the America First agenda at work, and the results are clear: We have a secure border, safe streets, cheap gas and lower prices. All it took was a new president.

President Trump is a tough negotiator and bold leader who will make great deals for Montana and put our people first, and I’m proud to stand with him in the mission to revive the American Dream.

I intend to strap rocket boosters to President Trump’s America First agenda and get our country back on track by unleashing our economy, reining in our runaway federal bureaucracy, and building a transparent government that is actually accountable to everyday Americans.

It’s a new day in America, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside President Trump to bring back prosperity and restore common sense for the American people.

What are the main issues you’re currently working on?

One of my top priorities in the Senate is using my expertise to build widespread, bipartisan support for comprehensive wildfire reform legislation to prevent future tragedies. So far, I’ve proudly led or co-sponsored more than 15 wildfire bills and became the only first-year senator to pass a bill through the Senate — the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act. Americans deserve better, and I’m proud to lead the charge on comprehensive wildfire reform.

We must also keep working to unleash American energy and Montana’s resource economy to bring down prices for families and boost real wages for the hardworking Americans — farmers, miners, loggers, truck drivers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters — who put food on our tables and keep our economy running.

I’m also focused on providing certainty in the tax code and reducing burdensome regulations on Montana businesses. With budget reconciliation coming up, we’re working hard to make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent to prevent a $4 trillion tax increase and ensure that small business owners and operators are not burdened by unnecessary taxes that penalize them for doing business here in America.

Most of all, we must put America first in everything we do. It’s not too much for taxpayers to ask their government to put their core interests first, and that’s at the center of my mission. 

How do you balance the demands of public service with your personal life?

Now that I have a cross-country commute and spend the bulk of my time working in D.C., this new life certainly takes a toll on my family, but it is an honor to serve and do the job.

My wife and I have four young kids, and as any parent knows, those early years of your children’s lives are precious. My most important job is being a dad, so I make sure to spend as much time with them as possible.

Some of my favorite memories from my time in the Senate thus far were helping my son, Bruce, do homework in the Capitol and having my daughter, Evelyn, with me for a sleepover during an overnight voting session on the Senate floor.

What message would you like to give to Montana auto dealers?

As an entrepreneur myself, I know what it takes to start and grow a business. In fact, my wife, Carmen, and I started our business in a barn with all our savings and an all-veteran team. Together, we grew it into a major Montana employer and one of only a few publicly traded companies in the state.

Montana is one of the best states in the country to do business because we are a national leader in fiscal responsibility, eliminating waste, cutting red tape, balancing a budget and lowering taxes. But growing a business isn’t easy, and it’s even tougher when a crushing federal bureaucracy is standing in the way.

That’s why, back in D.C., I am committed to helping you keep more of what you earn and getting government out of the way so you can continue investing in growing your operations, creating jobs, boosting Montana’s economy, and strengthening communities across our great state.

My promise to every Montanan is simple: As your senator, I will always fight for you and do the right thing in office because it’s the right thing for Montana and America. Know that my door is always open to you, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.