Montana Rep.-elect Gianforte outlines his agenda – and apologizes, again, for action against reporter — Press groups urge congressional probe on assault of reporter

In his first interview since being cited for assaulting a reporter on the eve of winning election as Montana’s only U.S. House member, Republican Greg Gianforte told MTN News Friday that he’s ready to go to work – and repair the damage from the alleged assault.

"It wasn’t right, the way I treated (the reporter), and that’s why I took responsibility," he said in an interview at his Bozeman home. "That’s why I apologized.

"When you make a mistake, you take responsibility, you own up to it. … I think it’s the way we repair relationships and move forward."

He supports President Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate change accord. The accord puts "regulations ahead of jobs," he said, and could harm Montana industries like coal, oil or other fossil fuels.

He wants to impose "fiscal discipline" in Washington, D.C., and look for ways to cut federal spending. But Gianforte also said if budget cuts proposed by the president harm Montana, he’ll "always be on Montana’s side."

He supports reviewing the status of national monuments, including the Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana. Gianforte said he wants to hear more from people living near the monument about its impacts, and whether the designation should be changed.

By Mike Dennison – MTN News

Full Story: http://www.kbzk.com/story/35577513/rep-elect-gianforte-outlines-his-agenda-and-apologizes-again-for-action-against-reporter

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Press groups urge congressional probe on assault of reporter

A national coalition of press groups urged a congressional ethics panel on Friday to consider disciplinary action against Montana’s newly elected congressman, who is charged with throwing a reporter to the ground during a confrontation a day before the election.

Republican Greg Gianforte has yet to face a judge on the misdemeanor assault charge, which further intensified attention on a race that had already garnered wide national coverage.

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN Associated Press

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