Author: Reilly Lowery

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured a 30-day extension to the comment period of proposed fee increase for our National Parks, following a letter sent to the Acting Director of the National Park Service, Mike Reynolds.  “It is critical that Montanans and Americans can afford to enjoy Montana’s national treasures,” Daines stated. “A fee increase of this magnitude needs enough time for Montanans and our visitors to have their voices heard.” On November 14, Daines sent a letter to the Acting Director of the National Park Service, Mike Reynolds, asking for an extension of the public comment

 U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s announcement regarding plans to dismantle harmful internet regulations implemented under the Obama Administration and return to a light-touch regulatory system that allows the internet economy to thrive. “Some of America’s greatest companies were born on the internet,” said Daines. “By dismantling harmful internet regulations, American companies will have an open internet that allows their business, and our economy, to grow.”  Daines introduced the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act in both the 114th and 115th Congress, which exempts small businesses from enhanced transparency requirements.  He also led a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging the FCC to take

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded United Airlines’ announcement to offer direct flights from Missoula (MSO) and Glacier Park (FCA) in Montana to Los Angeles (LAX). “Tourism is a critical part of the Montana economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs,” said Daines. “Having more flight options means less expensive airfare for Montana families and more businesses opportunities for the Treasure State.”   “This new flight is an excellent opportunity for travelers to access Los Angeles, in addition easy access for southern Californians to witness the beauty of Montana,”said Cris Jensen, airport director at Missoula International Airport. We are thankful

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led seven Senators from the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest in sending a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, urging them to address India’s unfair trade practices affecting American dry pea producers. The letter calls on Indian Prime Minister Modi to reverse or delay the implementation of a 50 percent tariff on all dry pea imports and requests that until such actions are taken, USDA take appropriate steps to mitigate the negative impacts of the tariff on farmers.   “India is the top export market for U.S. dry peas,” the Members wrote. “Unless this decision

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Ray Hageman of Garfield County for the bravery and leadership he demonstrated while fighting the Lodgepole Complex Fire this past wildfire season.  Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here.  Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’

U.S. SENATE —Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (MT), was joined by 15 Senators in leading members of the Senate Western Caucus in urging U.S. Senate leadership to prioritize confirmation of nominees important to the West. In a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, the Senate Western Caucus drew attention to the languishing nominations of Joseph Balash to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Susan Combs to be Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, Ryan Nelson to be Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Brenda Burman to be Commissioner

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act to accelerate badly needed and locally supported forest management projects that will improve the health of National Forests and get loggers back to work.  Daines’ bill establishes a pilot arbitration program authorizing the U.S. Forest Service to use binding arbitration in Region 1 (Montana, parts of Idaho, North Dakota) as an alternative dispute resolution process for certain forest restoration projects. Litigation against forest management projects frequently take many years to resolve. Pilot arbitration authority would bring swifter resolution to disputed projects. In doing so, hazardous fuels reduction projects developed through a collaborative process that are