Category: News Article

The congressional GOP’s protracted efforts to repeal Obamacare could exact a heavy toll on the rest of Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. If repeal in the House is successful, action on some of the president’s top legislative priorities is expected to be pushed back to late this year or even next year, when lawmakers will be up for reelection and more reluctant to cast tough votes. The delay also threatens to sap whatever Republican momentum remains from the election, in the midst of what’s often the most prolific stretch of a new presidency. Tax reform is the most prominent issue expected

MISSOULA — Upward Bound remains on the financial ropes and at risk of shuttering at the University of Montana and around the country despite calls this month from lawmakers to keep the college preparation program for disadvantaged students alive. The U.S. Department of Education, which funds Upward Bound, ruled some programs ineligible for funding for the next five years, but it estimated the decision affects only 5 percent of the grant applications. Elle Cook, an Upward Bound student at UM, is among those affected. Last week, Cook said she probably wouldn’t be enrolled in college at all if it weren’t

Leadership from the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Public Lands Council and the Montana Cattlewomen were in Washington, D.C. March 28 through 30. They met with cabinet members of the Trump administration, lawmakers and agency officials on issues important to the Montana ranching sector, including public lands grazing, sage grouse, beef checkoff legislation, environmental regulations, trade and taxes. “We have an opportunity to move on many key priorities under the new administration and this Congress.” said Bryan Mussard, MSGA president. “Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke was gracious to meet with our delegation to discuss the Interior’s land and wildlife

Jamie Jo Lynch, formerly of Butte, recently was selected by the Montana State Society to represent Montana in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Lynch, the daughter of Jim Lynch and Lauren Kippen, was born and reared in Butte and graduated from Butte High. She graduated in May 2016 from Boise State University, where she studied Environmental Science and Political Science with Sustainability. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she works for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester as executive assistant to the chief of staff and legislative director. When home in Montana she likes to be outdoors running or

Montana Sen. Steve Daines announced Wednesday that newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will deliver a keynote address at the 2017 Montana Ag Summit in Great Falls five weeks from now. The Montana Ag Summit, co-sponsored by Daines and the Montana Chamber Foundation, will take place in Great Falls on May 31 and June 1. It will bring some of the nation’s highest-profile agricultural leaders to Montana’s Golden Triangle to meet with the public and discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen Montana agriculture’s international relationships, showcase current technological advancements and examine the challenges of federal policies and regulations for

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says he’s optimistic U.S. beef producers will soon be able to sell their products in China. Sen. Daines says that as one of the world’s largest beef importers, China is a key market for Montana producers. But the country banned U.S. beef imports in 2003 after a case of Mad Cow Disease. Sen. Daines recently returned from a trip to China and Japan. While in china he met with some of the country leaders about opening up beef imports from the United States. Chinese officials said last fall they intended to lift the ban, but Sen. Daines says they are waiting for the

When Sen. Steven Daines, R-Mont., traveled to China last week, he took with him a special gift from northeastern Montana. That gift was four steaks from the ranch of Fred Wacker of Miles City, Montana, packed inside a cooler, hand-carried by the senator.    These were ultimately presented to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as part of efforts to seal a deal to open Chinese markets to American beef. China closed its markets to U.S. beef after a Washington dairy cow was identified in 2003 with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly referred to as mad cow disease, and they have been

The express goal of the congressional delegation’s trip to the Far East was to open U.S. export opportunities in China, Tibet, Hong Kong and Japan. But recent global events have largely overtaken that agenda, with an intensifying confrontation between the U.S. and North Korea over missile launches and nuclear testing grabbing the world’s attention. On Monday, Montana Sen. Steve Daines hosted a telephone news conference with more than a dozen regional news outlets to discuss his, and a host of other export-hungry congressmen’s efforts to expand U.S. trade opportunities in the Pacific Rim. “I’ve just returned from a congressional delegation

Montana Senator Steve Daines says he thinks Asia respects President Donald Trump’s recent hardline stances in North Korea and Syria. “In other words, the peace through strength doctrine of Ronald Reagan is starting to be heard a bit more over in Asia,” says Daines. “We have a president now that I think is regaining the respect of the world to its leadership.” Daines is fresh off a congressional delegation trip to China, Tibet, Hong Kong and Japan. Last fall, China announced it would end its 13-year ban on U.S. beef imports after a Mad Cow disease scare. Daines, a Republican, says he

U.S. Senator Steve Daines recently returned from a trip to Asia, where he discussed trade, in particular—beef. Daines is hopeful China will soon resume U.S. beef imports the Republican announced during a press call with Reporters.   China banned U.S. beef in 2003 after an incident with mad-cow disease in Washington State. Mad cow disease or BSE, short for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, was responsible for significant losses in U.S. international beef trade.   Daines said that while China has agreed in principal to lift the U.S. ban, there’s been a delay over details of making sure there’s a tracking system