Category: Press Release

Bipartisan Legislation Targets High-Speed Internet Deployment to Nation’s Farms & Ranches U.S. SENATE — Montana U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced legislation to promote precision agriculture and rural broadband deployment. The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, S. 2343, would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a task force to identify gaps in high-speed internet connectivity for the nation’s cropland and ranchland. The measure also instructs the agency to develop ways to help encourage broadband adoption and precision agriculture in areas where it is currently unavailable. “Montana farmers and ranchers need access to the farming tools of

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the shipment of drugs through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), questioned witnesses about the Postal Service’s shipment of methamphetamine in rural America. Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE. “Methamphetamine use has become an epidemic in Montana,” said Daines. “We must do more to protect the families and communities this terrible drug has torn apart by disrupting its distribution.” Last week, the Flathead Beacon reported that a couple employed by the USPS in Polson, MT was caught distributing methamphetamine through postal shipments.

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that nine year-old Danielle (Dani) Highley from Deer Lodge, one of the 24,000 Montana children who will benefit from the six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), will be his guest at this year’s State of the Union Address. This is the longest reauthorization in the program’s history. “Dani and the other 24,000 Montana children who depend on CHIP are the reason I fought so hard for the longest reauthorization in the program’s history,” said Daines. “I couldn’t think of anyone better to bring as my one guest to the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Walmart announced 3,340 Montanans will benefit from $3.8 million in wage increases and bonuses of up to $1,000 due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress last December. “It’s simple, tax cuts equal more jobs and bigger paychecks,” said Daines. Click HERE to see a list of major U.S. companies increasing pay and giving bonuses due to tax reform. Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Walmart will: Increase starting hourly wage from $9 to $11 Expand maternity and parental leave Offer financial assistance

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today highlighted the critical role Colstrip Power Plant plays in all-of-the-above approach to meet energy demands. His remarks were made during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the importance of reliable and affordable energy during cold winters. Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE.   During his opening remarks, Daines mentioned his plans to host his second Montana Energy Summit in Billings, Montana on May 30th and 31st. At the summit, attendees will discuss energy infrastructure and the good-paying jobs energy creates. Excerpt from Daines’ prepared remarks: “One critical piece

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed legislation that ends the government shutdown and provides a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana kids depend upon. The legislation will keep the government funded until February 8th. “After several days of a pointless Democrat-led shutdown, the families of the 24,000 Montana children who depend on children’s health insurance can finally have certainty their kids will continue to have access to health care,” said Daines.  Background:  On January 22, Daines and 81 Senators voted to reopen the government and reauthorize the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to end the government shutdown and reauthorize a critical children’s health care program. The bill passed with 81 votes – only 18 Senators voted no. The bill includes a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana kids depend upon, and will keep the government open until February 8th. The U.S. House of Representatives will now vote on the bill and if it passes, the bill will move to the President’s desk to be signed into law. To watch Daines’ statement click HERE. To download Daines’ statement click HERE. 

U.S. SENATE — Today U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to end the filibuster and end the government shutdown. The bipartisan bill passed with 81 votes. The bill is expected for final passage in the Senate later this afternoon. The government funding bill includes a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which 24,000 Montana kids depend upon, and will keep the government open until February 8th.  “This afternoon Senate Democrats joined us and we were able to pass a bill to end the filibuster, setting us up to reopen the government and ensure our national security needs are

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines made the following statement after Senate Democrats rejected efforts to bring the end of the government shutdown to a vote. This decision continues to put the 24,000 Montana children who depend on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at risk due to an unrelated immigration issue that only impacts 72 Montana residents. “Tonight Senate Democrats were given another chance to fund the government. But yet again, they chose to continue the government shutdown, due to a controversial immigration policy.” said Daines. “Montanans and the American people will continue to suffer. Enough is enough.” Background: On January 20, Daines spoke on the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate after Democrats refused to fund the government over an unrelated controversial immigration policy that impacts 72 – or .00007 percent – Montanans at the expense of the 24,000 Montana children who depend on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for access to critical health care. To watch the video click HERE. To download the video click HERE. Also featured on Fox News.  Text as prepared: Mr. President, I’m here to make one point crystal clear for those Montanans who are wondering what is going on