Author: Reilly Lowery

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the “Restore Public Health Institution Trust Act,” which would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) decision making surrounding its reversal on mask guidance for fully vaccinated Americans. “The CDC’s flip flop on mask guidance sends a confusing message to Montanans and the American people, and has not been clearly justified with data,” Daines said. “The CDC needs to improve its communications with the public and stop undermining vaccine confidence.”   Read the bill text HERE. This follows the CDC’s Tuesday announcement of new mask guidance to require

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Helena Regional Airport will receive $1,004,743.00 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help with airport improvements and the creation of an incentive package for attracting a direct service route to Phoenix. “I’m glad to see the Helena Regional Airport receive the resources they need to continue their expansion, meet the traveling needs of Montanans, and to help support Montana jobs, economy and tourism sector.” Daines said. In January, Daines wrote a letter in support of Helena Regional Airport to receive Small Community Air Service Development grant funds.  ###  Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler

U.S. SENATE — At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to listen to the science of her own agency officials, delist the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), and return management back to the state of Montana. Click HERE to watch and download the exchange. “While these two recovered populations languish on the Endangered Species list, conflicts with grizzlies are on the rise—Montana has seen two tragic fatalities already this year,” Daines said. “Montana has a proven track record of conserving recovered predators and is more than ready to assume responsibility of managing the grizzly bear.

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to support Yellowstone Airport and Sidney-Richland Airport to benefit Montana jobs, tourism sector and the economy. “Airports across the country experienced reduced flights and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local airports should not be penalized for this,” Daines said. “As Montana tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, we must support local jobs and protect funding for Montana airports.” Department of Transportation funding for Sidney-Richland Airport and Yellowstone Airport, which are currently planning or undertaking numerous expansion projects, are being threatened due to the reduction in flights caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced number of flights in

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against President Biden’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Tracy Stone-Manning, during a United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources meeting. Daines’ “NO” vote follows new information uncovered about Stone-Manning’s involvement in a 1989 tree spiking crime including obstructing a federal investigation for four years. To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery: “Mr. Chairman, before proceeding with this vote, as Montana’s voice on this Committee, I want to provide you all with the Montana perspective on the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning to lead the Bureau of Land Management.