For Me But Not For Thee: MT Freedom Caucus Members Personally Pocket Almost $5 Million from Government Programs, While Demanding “Small Government” for Others.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

CONTACT
hadley@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT – Montana’s “Freedom Caucus,” led by extremist Republicans advocating for so-called ‘small government’ and waging a war on individual privacy, have been the beneficiaries of at least $3,997,335 in USDA Farm Subsidies and more than $637,239 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to analysis of public records. 

Members of the ‘Freedom Caucus’ have railed against these programs in the past. Rep. Bob Phalen (R - Lindsey) called the pandemic relief funds “fiscally irresponsible,” all-too-happily taking over $50,000 in two PPP loans (both forgiven in full). Sen. Carl Glimm (R - Kila) voted against using pandemic relief funds to help fund a child care program, questioning “the wisdom of “pouring” one-time money into child care without having enough data about working parents.” Glimm said the money was “artificially propping up an industry.” He received over $10,000 in two PPP loans– both forgiven in full. 

Rep. Matt Rosendale, their U.S. House counterpart, will be joining the Montana Freedom Caucus for an event this Thursday, during which they’ll lay out their reckless agenda to strip Montanans of their individual freedoms, invade our right to privacy, destroy Montana’s public institutions under the guise of ‘cutting government,’ and generally denounce against the federal government – hypocrisy be damned. 

“May we remind the members of the press and the public not to fall for their grift,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Seven members of the self-proclaimed Freedom Caucus have pocketed at least $4,634,574 in federal funds to help buoy their businesses. Now they’re trying to pull up the ladder behind them. Their stunning lack of irony does not distract us from the simple fact that the ‘Freedom Caucus’ is extremist, advocating for an extremist agenda and committed to hobbling a government that they’ve benefited from themselves.” 

Vice Chair Jerry Schillinger (R - Circle) has taken home $1,514,395 in U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Subsidies for his company Anken Inc. 

Treasurer Barry Usher (R - Billings) has pocketed $216,700 in PPP loans for his company Usher Enterprises. 

Carl Glimm (R - Kila) has received $10,081 in PPP loans for his company Glimm Homes Corporation. 

Mark Noland (R- Bigfork) has pocketed $272,000 in PPP loans for his company Flathead Janitorial & Rug Services, Inc. 

Steve Hinebauch (R- Wibaux) took home $1,435,819 in USDA Farm Subsidies for WSC Livestock Inc. and $296.12 in PPP loans. 

Steve Galloway (R - Great Falls) pocketed $86,500 in PPP loans in total – all forgiven – for his companies Galloway Inv Inc and Galloway Inc. 

Bob Phalen (R - Lindsey) pocketed $51,662 in PPP loans – all forgiven – and $1,047,121 in USDA farm subsidies.