Category: Press Release

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today questioned President Trump’s nominee for the National Park Service (NPS) Director, David Vela, on the numerous accounts of sexual assault in our national parks, and demanded leadership on the issue going forward. Vela told Daines he is committed to fixing the lack of accountability in the NPS on the accounts of sexual assault throughout the organization.   Watch HERE Download HERE  “Culture change starts at the top… the tone and tenor at the top matters,” said Daines. “We all want a zero-tolerance policy and Park Service employees to feel safe and enjoy

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pushed President Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Ron Vitiello, to ensure the agency prioritizes Montana’s devastating meth epidemic. Vitiello assured Daines he would work to address the growing issue of meth in Montana by establishing federal partnerships with state, local, and tribal groups, enhancing Border Enforcement Security Teams, using technology to trace where the meth is being created and ends up, and more.    Watch HERE Download HERE “Mr. Vitiello, our country is facing an opioid crisis, but in Montana we face a meth epidemic,” Daines said. “The vast majority of this

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Vicki Christiansen urging the USFS to move forward with “Next Generation 3.0” contracts which will provide faster and more cost-effective airtankers to handle the complex wildland fire environment. “Dry conditions, a buildup of hazardous fuels and many other factors resulted in over 50,000 fires nationwide this year,” the letter states. “The Forest Service is the primary Federal agency responsible for providing large airtankers to the wildland fire community… In order to ensure the Forest Service and the broader wildland fire community will have

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Bozeman business Bridger Photonics is receiving $100,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop technology that makes it easier to discover leaks in oil and gas wells. The project is expected to create new jobs in the community, while also better protecting the environment.  “The technology being developed at Bridger Photonics will help oil and gas wells be more efficient while also better protecting the environment,” Daines said. “I’m glad that the EPA recognized the good work being done at this Montana business and awarded them this funding.”   “This

U.S. SENATE — After requests from U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte, President Donald J. Trump today approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Montana counties impacted by this year’s severe flooding. The announcement comes after Daines and Gianforte sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Lock urging the agency to reconsider the denial of impacted counties in Montana. “This is great news, and I’m thankful the President responded to our request,” Daines said. “This year’s flooding devastated communities and infrastructure across our state. This declaration will help expedite cleanup and recovery efforts and will help restore the way

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Congressional Leadership today urging the passage of several bills critical to Montana including legislation to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), combat wildfires, permanently protect the Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin from mining, and restore aging infrastructure in national parks. “As we enter the remaining weeks of the 115th Congress, I urge passage of several Montana priorities in any public lands legislative package or other legislative vehicle that emerges… I find it critical for the Senate and House to produce tangible and meaningful results for

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement on the hoax bomb device found outside of KTVQ News yesterday in Billings, Montana. “I have contacted KTVQ News Director Jon Stepanek, Billings Chief of Police Rich St. John, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, and County Attorney Scott Twito about the hoax device discovered last night outside of KTVQ. I have also requested a briefing from the FBI and will be monitoring the situation as details develop. I am keeping all of those involved in my prayers, and I thank Jon Stepanek for acting swiftly last night and alerting authorities,” Daines said. “The violence in

U.S. SENATE — After U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged them to take action, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted earlier this week on rules that will allow more Montanan wireless carriers to buy spectrum to provide broadband to rural communities.  “Without access to broadband and cell service our rural communities are being left behind,” Daines said. “Access to reliable broadband and cell service is vital for Montana’s future economic growth. I’m glad the FCC listened and implemented a plan that will expand broadband access for more Montanans.”This week, the FCC voted to create county sized licenses for the 3.5 GHz spectrum band. This

MONTANA — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Attorney General Tim Fox announced a $946,981 grant for critical anti-meth enforcement in Montana. The grant was formally authorized in the opioids legislation that was signed into law yesterday by President Trump. Montana is one of just nine states chosen to receive the funds through the CAMP (COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program). The state was selected for its high rate of seized finished meth, meth lab materials, and precursor chemicals for meth production. Over the next two years these funds will help the Montana Department of Justice investigate Meth production and distribution. “I am grateful for the

U.S. SENATE —President Donald J. Trump today signed legislation to help combat the devastating opioid epidemic across Montana and the nation. Daines fought to ensure the now law also includes specific provisions that address the meth crisis in Montana.   Download Video Statement HERE “Far too often we’re seeing stories of Montana tribes, families and communities being destroyed by meth and opioids. Enough is enough,” Daines said. “That is why I worked hard to get this bipartisan legislation across the finish line which will help give our communities the resources they need to curb this epidemic. I want to thank President Trump for signing this important