Category: Press Release

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the release of an Amtrak report on developing passenger rail service in the Bakken Region. This report was required by language drafted by Daines in the Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, reported out of Committee on June 25, 2015.  “Amtrak plays a critical role in connectivity along Montana’s Hi-Line.  Reinstating the stop in Culbertson will increase the transportation options for people in northeastern Montana” Daines stated.  “I am glad Amtrak has publicly agreed to this concept and recognizes the net positive benefit of this stop to their budget.”  “I’m excited to see

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his nominations for 25 Montana students who are applying for enrollment into U.S. military academies. A congressional nomination is a critical step in the process for Montanans seeking admission to one of the nation’s four military academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.  “One of my greatest honors as Montana’s U.S. Senator is nominating committed young Montanans to compete for an appointment to one of our nation’s military

U.S. CONGRESS —U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today released the following statement on the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) draft request for proposal (RFP) for the UH-1N Replacement Program.  The USAF intends to conduct a full and open competition to procure up to 84 replacement helicopters. “It’s welcome news to see forward movement in replacing the Vietnam-era helicopters to enhance the security of our nuclear weapons,” Daines stated. “These aircraft are a much needed tool in protecting our ICBMs and I will continue pressing the Air Force to complete this process as expeditiously as possible.” “After years of delays, I’m

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Royce Perrett of Wibaux County, a true American cowboy, who will celebrate his 93rd birthday this weekend. 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

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the inclusion of his amendment to provide security for nuclear sites in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “This will improve accountability and bring needed security improvements for our nuclear arsenal,” Daines stated. “We have an obligation to secure our nuclear weapons at Malmstrom and this will begin doing so.” Daines’ amendment requires the Department of Defense to certify what security shortfalls the UH-1N has created, and how it will alleviate those risks with outside resources until the acquisition process for new helicopters is complete.  Daines has long been pushing the Air Force to

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded bipartisan passage of a bill to provide a long-term extension of the Iran Sanctions Act: “These sanctions are an important tool in holding Iran – the world’s leading state sponsor of terror – accountable in maintaining our strength in the region,” Daines stated. “Iran is not a friend to our country or our allies and it’s critical they aren’t treated like a normal country until they behave like a normal country.”  The Iran Sanctions Extension Act: Extends sanctions on Iran for 10 years Targets Iran’s energy sector Pressures Iran to cease developing weapons of mass

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the unanimous passage of a resolution to mark October 6, 2016 as National Manufacturing Day.  Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.  “Manufacturing plays an integral role in supporting hardworking families across our state,” Daines stated. “Manufacturing jobs pay an average of 17 percent higher wages than non-manufacturing jobs and I’m proud to support funding to create more of these high-paying jobs.”   Paddy Fleming Center Director Montana Manufacturing Extension Center: “This is great to news to the 2,841 manufacturers of Montana, who provide 23,931 high paying jobs

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $1,402,200.00 for the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) to study how best to improve accessibility and efficiency of rural public transportation.   “It’s great to see additional funds being sent to an organization that has been an advocate for rural transportation efficiency and safety for over 20 years,” Daines stated.  “As a graduate of MSU’s College of Engineering, I am proud their contributions are recognized and these funds will be used to improve mobility in Montana and rural America.” The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) is a department within Montana State University’s (MSU) College of Engineering.  They

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the inclusion of his amendment to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command.  “The elevation of CYBERCOM will ensure that we are always one step ahead of the enemies who seek to destroy us and our way of life,” Daines stated. “As radical Islamic extremists continue to recruit online, it is imperative now more than ever that CYBERCOM has the tools to react quickly and defeat the enemy.” Congress established U.S. Strategic Command

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill to promote the use of telehealth today passed the U.S. Senate.  The Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration, to study technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and the ability of those models to improve patient care and provider education.   “Geographic location should not dictate quality of care,” Daines stated. “This bill will promote opportunities to increasingly open up access to high-quality care in rural communities that is not currently available, such as access to specialists; support