Reilly Lowery, Author at Senator Steve Daines

Montana’s senators, representative prioritize coronavirus precautions as state sees first cases

March 13, 2020

As Congress waited to vote on its second multibillion-dollar coronavirus bill in less than three weeks, Montana’s delegation called for bipartisanship and cautioned constituents not to panic and be smart about public exposure. U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester returned to Montana on Thursday as the state was shutting down on several fronts. State universities were shifting to online-only classes, and public events across Montana were being rescheduled or canceled to minimize the spread of the virus. Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency. None of the steps being taken were excessive, the lawmakers said, urging

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation To Provide Unemployment Assistance To People Unable To Work Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

March 12, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the Coronavirus Worker Relief Act. The new bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide disaster unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak. Assistance will be available to individuals, including self-employed individuals and independent contractors, who are sick, quarantined, furloughed, or whose family circumstances keep them from working or reduce their pay as a result of the coronavirus outbreak or government containment efforts. “Montana’s working families shouldn’t have to compromise their health or the health of their loved ones over the fear of missing a paycheck and

Daines says he’s seeking relief for people in wake of coronavirus outbreak

March 12, 2020

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Thursday he offered several proposals in the congressional pipeline he said will help the country during the coronavirus outbreak and said the Senate needs to remain in session next week despite some scheduled time off to deal with the pandemic. The Montana Republican said via telephone that his proposals are to ensure impacted families and businesses have paid leave, temporarily waive payroll taxes, provide relief from tariffs and guarantee access to affordable testing. Daines said he has made proposals that include temporarily suspending the payroll tax so employees can keep more money in their pocket. The

Gardner, Daines propose bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act

March 11, 2020

U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on March 9 introduced a bipartisan bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and decrease the multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog plaguing America’s national parks and forests. “Yesterday I introduced the Great American Outdoors Act to fully and permanently #FundLWCF,” tweeted Sen. Gardner on March 10. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our public lands for many years to come.” Sen. Gardner sponsored S. 3422 with 54 cosponsors, including Sen. Daines and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to establish, fund and provide for

Daines Secures Action from Trump Administration to Remove Barriers, Lower Costs of Coronavirus Testing and Treatment

March 11, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the Trump administration adopted his proposal to remove barriers and lower the costs of testing and treatment for the Coronavirus. Today’s announcement is a direct response to Daines’ letter sent to the Administration yesterday urging this action. “Montanans shouldn’t be faced with barriers and high costs for Coronavirus testing and treatment,” Daines said. “That’s why I urged the Trump administration to take this action that will help lower the costs for Coronavirus testing and treatment for Montanans. I’m glad to see President Trump act on my request and I will continue working

Daines Secures Over $15 Million for Malmstrom Infrastructure Project in Great Falls

March 10, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $15,077,162 will go to the renovation of an existing 3-Bay hangar at Malmstrom Air Force Base to facilitate the storage of the new MH-139 helicopter. “This is good news for Montana and will help modernize our defense infrastructure at Malmstrom,” Daines said. “We must ensure that our men and women serving in uniform have access to the best equipment available for our national security. I’m proud to have helped secure resources and push for this important project for Malmstrom.” This news follows Daines’ February 28th meeting with 341st Missile Wing

Daines Urges Mnuchin to Lift Financial Barriers to Coronavirus Testing

March 10, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to take swift action to eliminate monetary barriers to testing for the Coronavirus disease. This follows Daines’ rollout yesterday of several proposals he’s working on with the Trump administration to protect Montana families and their finances during the Coronavirus outbreak. “I write to you today regarding the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to encourage the Treasury Department to take swift action to eliminate financial barriers to testing for this disease. As insurance commissioners, plans, and Congress work to ensure patients are able to

Pulse Growers Hopeful Trade Resumes with India

March 10, 2020

An ongoing trade war with India has caused market prices for peas, lentils and chickpeas to crash. But, pulse growers remain hopeful that recent efforts with India will help secure this important export market again. India is the world’s largest consumer of pulse crops, contributing to approximately 27 percent of the world’s consumption. And for Montana pulse growers like Jillien Streit from Chester losing this important export market as hurt their bottom line. “The U.S. market value to India for lentils, dry peas and chickpeas dropped 86 percent from the year 2016-17 to 2018-19” said Streit. “Our prices have plummeted

Daines Introduces Historic Bipartisan Bill to Fully and Permanently Fund LWCF, Address National Park Backlog

March 9, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act, which will provide full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address the maintenance backlog in our national parks and forests. The introduction of the legislation follows a meeting Daines held with President Trump and Leader McConnell to secure their support for the historic conservation effort. “As Montana’s voice in the U.S. Senate, I’ve made it one of my top priorities to protect and expand access to our public lands and our Montana outdoor way of life,” Daines said. “This

Daines Unveils Proposals to Protect Montana Families, Improve Economic Stability During Coronavirus Outbreak

March 9, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today unveiled a slate of proposals and priorities he’s working to advance that will help protect Montana families and their finances during the Coronavirus outbreak. Daines is working to ensure impacted families and businesses have paid leave, temporarily waive payroll taxes, provide relief from tariffs, and ensure access to affordable testing. “Montanans and Americans shouldn’t have to choose between their paycheck, their personal health and the health and safety of others,” Daines said. “I will be working with the Trump administration, Congressional Leadership, and Republicans and Democrats in both Chambers to ensure these priorities

Author: Reilly Lowery