Author: Reilly Lowery

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect Montana small businesses from burdensome regulations found in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 317-page “net neutrality” rules.  “Hardworking small business owners are already facing uncertainty and more red tape because Washington can’t get its act together,” Daines stated. “The last thing small businesses need is bureaucrats hundreds of miles away telling them what they need to do – it harms the bottom line and job creation.”  Daines led the effort in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to extend a temporary exemption

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President-elect Donald J. Trump’s designee for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), General John Kelly. “General Kelly is a straight shooter who knows what it takes to secure our borders, protect Americans and will Make America Safe Again,” Daines stated.  Daines and Kelly discussed securing the southern border, robust refugee vetting, enhancing cybersecurity and increasing security at the northern border. Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which has jurisdiction for DHS including nominations subject to Senate confirmation.  ###

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today implored Health Net to address long-standing concerns of Montana veterans and ensure timely care and payment. In a letter to Billy Maynard, President and CEO of Health Net, Daines expressed concerns that he has heard from Montana veterans of their lack of confidence in Health Net’s ability to fulfill their obligations.   “It is unacceptable that over a year later, I continue to hear concerns from Montana providers and veterans that Health Net’s performance remains woefully deficient,” Daines wrote. “I am also greatly concerned that numerous payments for tens of thousands of dollars have been misrouted throughout

Tester, Daines Nominated both Montana Seniors for Prestigious Appointments  (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today congratulated Max Sechena of Great Falls and Evan Morris of Bozeman on their appointments to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.  “These two young men embody Montana values through and through,” Tester said. “They’re leaders, scholars, and athletes who strive every day to make their communities—and this nation—better. I know they will excel as midshipmen at the Naval Academy and I know our country will be better off for their service.” “Max and Evan are leaders both inside the classroom and

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that U.S. Army Major Brad Caton has been selected to serve as a Defense Fellow in Daines’ Washington, D.C. office through 2017.  Most recently, Caton served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G8 (Financial Management) for the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, and deployed to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as the J8 for CENTCOM Forward – Jordan. “I am excited to welcome Major Caton to our team to help serve Montana’s military members and work to make our nation safer and more secure,” Daines stated.     “I look forward to working

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized John and Stephanie Hekkel of Anaconda in celebration of the rebuilding of Club Moderne.    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’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following is the statement submitted to

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the U.S. Social Security Administration to continue processing Montanans Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. Recently, Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge Nicholas LoBurgio suspended all hearings for SSDI and SSI claims in the state of Montana until at least the summer of 2017 unless there is a dire need.  In letters to Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin and Judge LoBurgio, Daines implored her to find an alternative solution to reduce the backlog of Region 8 cases while still processing claims for the state of Montana.  “Montanans deserve a timely hearing and

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act, a bill to facilitate greater local input and require state approval before national monuments can be designated on federal lands and waters. The bill requires, before any national monument can be declared on public land or within the exclusive economic zone, that the following be met: Specific authorization by an Act of Congress; Approval by the state legislature, and for marine monuments, approval by each state legislature within 100 miles of the proposed monument; and Certification of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.  “As a

(U.S. Senate)—Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines kicked off the 115th Congress by introducing bipartisan legislation to grant the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Cree federal recognition. The Little Shell Tribe has sought federal recognition for nearly four decades, and has been recognized by the State of Montana since 2000. “The federal government can’t fulfill its trust responsibility to Montana’s Little Shell Tribe until it recognizes their sovereignty,” Tester said.  “These folks have been waiting long enough for what they deserve, and we won’t stop fighting until we get this bill across the finish line.”   “The Little Shell Tribe has waited far