Category: Press Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), co-chairs of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, along with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-WA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) today introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the cybersecurity of Internet-connected devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2017 would require that devices purchased by the U.S. government meet certain minimum security requirements. Under the terms of the bill, vendors who supply the U.S. government with IoT devices would have to ensure that their devices are patchable, do not include hard-coded passwords that can’t be changed, and are free of known security vulnerabilities, among other basic requirements. The bill, drafted

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced two Montana airports have received $2,099,654 in funding for critical upgrades and maintenance.   “The Great Falls and Deer Lodge airports play critical roles in our state’s connectivity and economy,” Daines stated. “I’m excited to secure these funds to keep these airports operational and growing for both Montanans and folks who want to visit our great state.”   The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Details on each grant are below:   Great Falls International Airport: $1,896,964.00 This grant will provide federal funding for the Great Falls International Airport associated with

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize our nation’s privacy laws and update warrant requirements for electronic communications to reflect the technological realities of the 21st century.   The current law that governs protections afforded to electronic communications was passed in 1986, a time when Congress could not have anticipated the prevalence of email and digital communication.     The Email Privacy Act updates this law and shows how outdated laws can be improved through bipartisan, commonsense reforms. The bill protects Americans’ email and other data by requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant based

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Skip Walters of Great Falls for a tremendous radio broadcasting career.   Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here.   Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.   Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following is the statement submitted to

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Senate fell short of advancing the effort to repeal Obamacare: “Montanans have made it clear in election after election, they want Obamacare to be repealed and replaced,” Daines stated. “These families have paid far too much and have faced an increase of 133 percent in their premiums over the past five years. We must help these families and not let them suffer under this broken law anymore.” ###

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte today requested emergency relief to farmers and ranchers severely impacted by the Lodgepole Complex Wildfire in Eastern Montana.   In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, Daines and Gianforte urged Zinke to grant farmers and ranchers the ability to graze livestock on retired grazing allotments within the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge (CMR).   “We write to request that the Department of the Interior provide emergency relief to farmers and ranchers severely impacted by the Lodgepole Complex Wildfire in Eastern Montana however possible and urge your

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured a vote on his amendment to the healthcare bill, currently being debated on the U.S. Senate floor, to put U.S. Senators on the record on whether or not they support socialized medicine.    While Democrats have consistently championed this proposal, today they shielded their true views from their constituents and the American people on their real support for a single payer system.    Daines’ amendment is consistent with U.S. Representative John Conyers’ bill and has 115 Democratic cosponsors– an impressive sixty percent of the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House.   “Sixty percent

U.S. SETNATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important funding to help improve Montana’s transportation services including for roadways, highways, runways and the big sky.   This afternoon, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bipartisan FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.   “Improving our roadways, bridges and runways is critically important for Montana’s connectivity and economic activity,” Daines stated. “I am thrilled to secure important resources for Montana and look forward to continue working to improve Montana’s infrastructure.”   Daines secured the following resources for Montana:   Enhancing Pipeline Safety:   Pipeline and Hazardous Material

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important funding to support Montana’s commerce, justice and science systems including new forest products, outdoor recreation economic impact and countering the drug epidemic in Montana. This afternoon, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bipartisan FY2018 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.    We need to prioritize spending to support efforts most important to protecting Montana families, freedoms, and jobs,” Daines stated.   Daines secured the following priorities for Montana:   Prohibiting Funds for Implementing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), until the Senate ratifies – Daines secured this language to protect our

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Greg Gianforte and U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare Montana eligible for emergency funds. Gianforte and Daines sent a letter to Brock Long, Administrator of FEMA, requesting reconsideration of Montana’s request for eligibility for fire management assistance. The Lodgepole Complex fires have already consumed more than 270,000 acres, and the devastating disaster threatens the livelihood of thousands of Montanans.   “We are writing today to urge you to reconsider the State of Montana’s request for a Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration of eligibility for fire management assistance on the