Senator Max Baucus
Senator Max Baucus has dedicated his life to serving the people of Montana. He was born and raised in Helena – the fifth generation of his Montana ranching family – and graduated from Helena High School in 1959. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a law degree from Stanford University.
After graduating from Stanford Law School, he opened a law practice in Missoula in 1971. He then served as both Executive Director and Committee Coordinator for Montana's 1972 Constitutional Convention, which crafted what was considered one of the most farsighted state constitutions in the nation.
In 1973, Baucus was elected to the Montana State Legislature. He served as a state representative from Missoula until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. He was re-elected in 1976. Senator Baucus was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 and has served consecutively ever since.
Senator Baucus is currently chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee, a panel on which he has served for 26 years. The committee has jurisdiction over taxes, Social Security, Medicare, health care programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and international trade. The Finance Committee is also responsible for examining all budget and tax plans that come before Congress.
In 2001, Senator Baucus co-wrote and passed tax relief for millions of Americans, including major expansions for working Americans in the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit and savings vehicles.
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Baucus led Congress in passing an essential stimulus package that restarted the American economy and helped rebuild lower Manhattan.
In 2003, Senator Baucus co-wrote and passed major prescription drug and health care legislation to provide prescription drug benefits for millions of seniors.
In response to WTO rulings, which turned America’s international tax system upside down, Senator Baucus co-wrote and passed the Jump-start Our Businesses Act of 2004. This legislation provides important incentives to keep good-paying jobs in America.
In 2005, Senator Baucus worked to strengthen Social Security for future generations and opposing a plan to privatize the retirement program that millions of Americans rely on. Also, he co-wrote and passed a new highway bill that will help create jobs all around the country. And Senator Baucus included tax incentives in the Energy Bill that the President signed into law. He also worked hard to raise awareness regarding America’s global competitiveness, and the need to take steps now to maintain our economic leadership in the world and retain work opportunities for Americans here at home.
In 2007, he led the Senate in passing landmark, bipartisan legislation to renew and improve the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which brings health coverage to children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid, but who cannot afford private health insurance. In 2008, he led the passage of an economic stimulus package and wrote and passed strong Medicare reform legislation to ensure that seniors can see their doctors and that rural and poor seniors get the health care they need. This year, Senator Baucus played a central role in writing and passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which cuts taxes for families and businesses, creates jobs and helps out-of-work Americans keep their health coverage, and invests in alternative energy and health care. Senator Baucus is known in the U.S. Senate as a moderate who works together with both sides of the aisle to do what’s right for Montana and America.
