It’s Friday! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• Montana & Domestic Violence
• Defend the Guard Act
• Remarks by the President
• Department of Government Efficiency
• One More Thing

MONTANA & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 

Lee Newspapers reported this week that Montana’s distinction as the only state where people convicted for misdemeanor domestic violence can carry guns will likely continue for at least two more years after lawmakers and lobbyists abandoned efforts to close the legal loophole.

That is pretty pathetic. 

Lee Newspapers also reported that the state legislative committee (House Judiciary Committee) could present an uphill battle for any bill implicating Second Amendment rights. Pro-gun Republicans on the panel have recently advanced proposals to prevent Montana cities and counties from passing red-flag laws and to let crime suspects keep their firearms until after a conviction.

I’ve heard for years how Democrats were going to take my guns. I have had the same number of guns since Reagan was President. That scare tactic is getting old. 

DEFEND THE GUARD ACT: 

I was happy to hear that House Bill 404 was defeated in the Montana Legislature this week. HB 404 is a bill to block Montana’s National Guard from being deployed into combat without a congressional declaration of war. (Source)

From reading the article, it is apparent that there are too many armchair Generals in the Montana legislature. 

The people who know best, like Adjutant General for the State of Montana, Major General John Hronek said in a Lee Newspaper article:

“It will have a catastrophic impact on our members and our national security,” he said. “If there is a conflict with the constitution, I really believe it should be held at the national level, at the Supreme Court.”

It was also reported A fiscal note prepared for HB 404 suggests Montana would lose $132 million in federal funding if the bill were to be signed into law.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT:

The White House has finally published the transcript of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night. Read it HERE. 

The transcript even contains the comments from U.S. Representative Al Green, who was removed from the chamber due to his outburst. Speaking of Green, he was censured by the U.S. House on Thursday. The vote was 224-198. There were 10 Democrats who voted for censure. (Source) 

The outburst by Green happened Tuesday night and the censure was voted on Thursday at 10:28 a.m.  Wouldn’t it be great if Congress moved this quickly on the important stuff? 

DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: 

In case you were wondering, you can check out the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) website HERE.  

I noticed that several Federal offices in Montana had their leases terminated. 

The website claims they have an estimated savings so far of $105 billion and the amount saved per taxpayer is $652.17.

Is this a great country or what?

ONE MORE THING:

I just bought a pen that writes underwater. It writes other words too. 

## HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ##