Press Release Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines Urges OPM to End Taxpayer-Funded Abortions in Congressional Health Plans

December 5, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) urging compliance with the Smith Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for an elective abortion under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. OPM has long violated the Smith Amendment by offering health care plans to Members of Congress and congressional staff that cover elective abortions. “We urge you to stop the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from administering government contributions for Members of Congress and Congressional staff in connection with health insurance plans that cover elective abortion, in violation of

Daines Announces 2025 Service Academy Nominees

December 4, 2025

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his nomination of four Montana students applying for enrollment to U.S. military academies. “As the son of a U.S. Marine, it is an honor and a privilege to nominate outstanding young Montanans to compete for an appointment to the United States service academies. All of these students demonstrate outstanding leadership, high moral character, and a commitment to excellence. I wish them the best as they seek to serve our country,” said Daines. A congressional nomination is a critical step in the process for Montanans seeking admission to U.S. military academies. Candidates are considered based

Daines’ Bill to Protect Mothers Traveling with Breast Milk Signed into Law by President Trump

December 3, 2025

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill, the “BABES Enhancement Act,” has been signed into law by President Trump. The bill makes it easier for parents to travel with breast milk and formula and is a major win for families in Montana and across the nation. “I’m thrilled to see our bipartisan BABES Enhancement Act officially signed into law by President Trump. Being a mom is already a tough job, and this new law will make it easier for mothers to safely transport breast milk and formula while traveling. This is a big win for families, and I’m proud

Daines’ Bills to Increase Funding for Montana’s Rural Communities Gain Broad Support

December 2, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with State Director Jon Raby of the Nevada State Office Bureau of Land Management in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing about the Small County PILT Parity Act. Daines also discussed the importance of his Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines on his Small County PILT Parity Act: Daines: I’d like to begin with my bipartisan Small County PILT Parity Act. We have discussed the importance of the PILT program in this committee many times. It’s got strong bipartisan support. I can tell you it’s essential for Montana’s rural counties to be

Daines Applauds President Trump, HHS for Supporting Nursing Homes in Rural Montana

December 2, 2025

HHS Overturns Biden-Era “One-Size-Fits All” Staffing Mandate U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services repealing a Biden-era rule that disproportionately burdened Montana’s rural nursing homes. “Today’s announcement from HHS is a massive win for Montana’s senior citizens, who deserve access to quality long-term care. Biden’s “one-size-fits-all” staffing mandate undermined access to care for patients in our rural communities and more than a dozen Montana nursing homes closed during his administration. I’m grateful to President Trump and his administration for putting the needs of our senior citizens first and for

Daines on Fox Business: President Trump Is Taking the Fight to the Narco-Terrorists

December 2, 2025

Illegal Drugs Are A Leading Cause of Death for Americans U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss how President Trump is fighting back against Venezuelan narcoterrorism. Watch the full interview HERE. Daines on President Trump’s strong stand against narcoterrorism: I think it’s really important. As I listen to these reports, just step back and remember why the President has taken this fight to these narco-terrorists. He’s dealing with Maduro, who was an indicted narco-terrorist himself, the leader of Venezuela. We think about the war on drugs affecting the United States of America. 105,000 Americans died in 2023. If you take

Daines, Newhouse Call on U.S. House to Pass Their Bill Increasing American Hydropower

November 25, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) today sent a letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise urging swift passage of their “Build More Hydro” bill. Daines’ bill, which passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent in July 2025, would extend construction deadlines for critical hydropower projects nationwide and increase American energy production. “We write to you to urge the passage of S.1020 (H.R. 2072), our ‘Build More Hydro’ bill, a bipartisan bill that authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for critical hydropower projects

Daines Honors Montanan of the Month: Brigadier General Dale Stovall

November 21, 2025

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Retired Brigadier General Dale Stovall for his courageous actions during the Vietnam War as Montanan of the Month. Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, every month Daines highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. To recommend a Montanan click HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL DALE STOVALL Mr. Daines, Mr. President, today I have the honor of recognizing Brigadier General (Ret.) Dale Stovall of Missoula as Montanan of the Month for

Daines in Senate Finance Committee: Obamacare is Fundamentally Broken

November 19, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Brian Blase, President of Paragon Health Institute in a Senate Finance Committee hearing about the failures of Obamacare. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines on Obamacare’s failures and reforms that are needed: Daines: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important and timely hearing on the rising cost of health care for Americans. At the center of this discussion is the future of the expiring Obamacare COVID subsidies. It is important to note that Democrats established these enhanced subsidies on a temporary and partisan basis during the pandemic under President Biden and elected to

Daines: Biden BLM’s Disregard for Montanans “Shameful”

November 19, 2025

“Those closest to the land should not be ignored or rejected” U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Utah Attorney General Derek Brown and Micah Christensen from the Wyoming County Commissioners Association in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed the Biden administration’s blatant violations of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the need to ensure state and local governments have a say in the planning process on issues that impact them most. Daines also discussed reliable electricity for Montana’s rural communities and the need to remove undue burdens on electricity providers. Watch

Category: Press Release