Reilly Lowery, Author at Senator Steve Daines

Daines, Gianforte Secure 24-Hour Status at Raymond Port of Entry, Protect Montana Jobs

April 16, 2019

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today secured the reinstating of around-the-clock status at the Raymond Port of Entry. In a call today with John Sanders, the Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Sanders announced his decision to reinstate full hours of operation at the Raymond Port of Entry. This decision came in response to Daines and Gianforte’s requests to keep the Port of Raymond open 24/7 and three of Montana’s other ports of entry operating at full status. On the call, CBP also committed to holding listening sessions to reengage with local communities on the issue.

Daines Fights for Tax Relief for Pregnant Moms

April 15, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today reintroduced the Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act, which allows pregnant moms to claim the Child Tax Credit for their unborn children. This bill builds on the Child Tax Credit provisions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by supporting families and pregnant mothers with the many costs that come with carrying a baby, as well as planning for the care of a newborn baby. For more information on the bill, click HERE. “From stocking up on diapers to taking time off work for their child’s prenatal care, expecting parents begin providing for

Sen. Daines helps Tech celebrate 70 years of petroleum engineering

April 12, 2019

When Montana Tech graduated its first petroleum engineers back in 1949, there were eight of them. This year’s class will include 65. Sen. Steve Daines, who was on the university’s campus Friday to help celebrate 70 years of Tech petroleum graduates, celebrated the growth in the program over that time — but also made a pitch for more of it. “We need more graduates in engineering,” Daines said to an audience of students, faculty, alumni, and industry insiders gathered for the 24th annual spring symposium hosted by Montana Tech Petroleum Department and the student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Daines Celebrates Bernhardt’s Confirmation as Victory for Montana and the West

April 11, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to confirm David Bernhardt as the 53rd U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “David Bernhardt understands the importance of protecting access to our public lands, our commitment to tribal nations, and responsible energy development,” Daines said. “As a fellow westerner, I have complete confidence in David’s ability to lead the Department of the Interior and was glad to cast my vote for him this afternoon along with a bipartisan majority on the floor of the United States Senate. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance Montana priorities.”

Billings cadet nurse closely watching U.S. Senate bill that would grant her veteran status

April 11, 2019

BILLINGS – A Billings World War II-era nurse is hoping a new proposed bill will grant her veteran’s status and allow her to be buried where she wants. Laura Koch-Natvig, 93, said Thursday she wants to be buried in the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, but her role as a cadet nurse during the war didn’t qualify her. “It would be a blessing to be able to know where I’ll be buried, anyway,” Koch-Natvig said from her Billings South Side apartment. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., cosponsored a bill April 3 that would give former United States Cadet Nurse Corps

Daines addresses Bureau of Indian Affairs official during committee hearing

April 11, 2019

During Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., Senator Steve Daines spoke about how the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis needs immediate attention. Daines said that communication between the different law enforcement agencies needs to improve to be able to combat the problem. “The murder rate of native woman are 10 times the national average,” Daines said. Daines added that lawmakers must raise awareness and bring justice to these cases. He asked Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney what they need to be able combat this crisis. Sweeney said they have been working

Daines Pushes for Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Small Businesses

April 11, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to give small businesses permanent tax relief. Daines is pushing to make the small business tax deduction included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 permanent. Currently, the tax deduction is set to expire at the end of 2025. “I championed the effort to make sure small businesses in Montana are on equal tax footing as corporations. Now, we must make this level playing field permanent to protect and grow Montana jobs,” Daines said. Daines championed the tax deduction for small businesses in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The

Daines, King Launch Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors

April 10, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Angus King (Maine) today renewed efforts to protect Medicare benefits by re-introducing the bipartisan Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act. The bill would reverse an unintended policy of the Affordable Care Act that is currently denying millions of seniors and people with disabilities the full measure of their Medicare Advantage benefits. “There are currently 16,000 Montanans being shortchanged the full scope of their Medicare benefits because of Obamacare,” Daines said. “My bipartisan legislation will ensure that seniors and people with disabilities receive the Medicare Advantage benefits they deserve.” “Medicare Advantage is a tried and true program that gives Maine seniors and people with disabilities high-quality, patient-centered

Daines Fights for Mandatory Funding of LWCF

April 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). “The historic bipartisan lands package which permanently maintained our commitment to LWCF was a big win for Montana, but now we must come together again to ensure the program is fully funded,” Daines said. “Expanding access to public lands and preserving the rich outdoor heritage of Montana is one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. I will not stop fighting until we get full funding of LWCF.” Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate

Daines Fights for Increased Transparency, Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Montanans

April 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing grilled Pharmacy Benefit Manager executives (PBMs) on the need to increase transparency and lower prescription drug costs for Montanans. PBMs, which serve as the middle men between insurance companies and patients, are responsible for negotiating drug costs for patients. Daines slammed their current practices as failing Montanans. Click HERE to download Currently, there is a bill moving through the Montana legislature shedding light on PBMs pricing practices. Several of the PBM executives on the panel today oppose the bill. Daines pressed the executives, “Why are you fighting

Author: Reilly Lowery