Author: Reilly Lowery

U.S. SENATE —Today, at a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, U.S. Senator Steve Daines voiced the concerns of Montana farmers and ranchers to the President by urging the President to expand access to markets critical to the agriculture community. In response to Daines’ request, the President expressed interest in reengaging in a trade agreement with Asia-Pacific countries that works for farmers and ranchers. This also follows a letter to President Trump that Daines led with 25 Senators urging him to consider improving and re-entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Director of the National Economic Council

U.S. SENATE – Today during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to work with U.S. Senator Steve Daines to improve the agency’s effectiveness in assisting Montana in fighting wildfires. Daines highlighted the unique challenges Montana faces while applying for Fire Management Assistance Grants, and the need for FEMA to provide clear eligibility guidance to Montana’s rural communities. Last year, following Senator Daines’ call for additional fire management assistance, FEMA provided grants to reimburse the state with emergency funds. “Wildfires from last wildfire season devastated Montana communities and cost our state

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairman, John Barrasso (R-WY), will speak at the 2018 Montana Energy Summit.  “I want to thank Senator Daines for inviting me to be a part of this important energy summit,” said Barrasso. “Wyoming and Montana have led the way with the responsible development of our energy and natural resources. I look forward to discussing ways to maintain American energy dominance while increasing jobs across the West.” “I am excited to welcome Senator Barrasso to Billings for the 2018 Montana Energy Summit,” said Daines. “As a fellow Westerner,

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced a $350,000 Department of Transportation grant to repair federally owned roads in Mineral County that were impacted by severe storms, flooding and landslides. “This important grant will repair roads in Mineral County so they are safe and efficient for the local community to use,” said Daines.   ###

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced a $50,000 federal grant to repair roads for tribal communities in Hill, Choteau, Blaine, Big Horn and Yellowstone Counties. “Flooding, severe storms and landslides have devastated Montana’s tribal lands,” said Daines. “This critical funding will help restore roads and fund infrastructure projects important to Montana’s tribal communities.”

U.S. SENATE – On the same day Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committees after a data leak on the social network that is estimated to have impacted 87 million users, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure proper safeguards are in place to protect students’ privacy. Daines spoke on the Senate floor to urge his Senate colleagues to support the bill. Download the video HERE. “Today our children’s most personal information is stored on their computers and smart devices,” said Daines. “As a father of four children, I understand

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte today announced academy nominee Jackson Redmon’s offer of appointment from the United States Military Academy. Jackson lives in Bozeman, Montana. “Jackson’s love of country, commitment to protecting our freedoms and proven leadership skills makes him a great candidate for West Point,” said Daines. “I look forward to following Jackson’s future successes.” “As a Senator, one of my greatest honors is appointing some of Montana’s best and brightest to service academies,” said Tester. “I have no doubt that Jackson will excel at West Point, just like his father did.

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today signed an amicus brief, Amici Curiae South Dakota v. Wayfair, which urges the Supreme Court to rule against allowing states to implement an internet sales tax that would harm small businesses and consumers.  “The Internet sales tax is a misguided policy that would raise costs for consumers and harm small businesses that are trying to break into new markets and create jobs,” said Daines. Background: On March 13, 2018, Daines led a bipartisan coalition in opposition to ongoing attempts to sneak the Internet sales tax, which would mandate small businesses to collect sales tax

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to allow construction of a new Intake Diversion Dam. Construction of the dam was previously halted by a lower court’s ruling against the Yellowstone Irrigation Project. “This is a win for the four hundred farms that depend on the Yellowstone Irrigation Project to irrigate their over 50,000 acres of cropland,” said Daines. “The actions of environmental extremists should not be put before our farmers and the countless families they feed.” Background: On July 20, 2017, Daines secured language in the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations