Category: Press Release

Daines Joins Bipartisan Call to Expand Mobile Network in Rural America U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan effort urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Mobility Fund, which is aimed at providing broadband service to rural and underserved areas. Daines was joined by 27 Senators in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler calling for the agency to prioritize new mobile broadband deployment in areas that support agricultural activity as well as preserve and upgrade mobile broadband where it is currently available.  “Without the certainty that essential mobile broadband infrastructure

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Montana State Auditor Montana Lindeen announced the double-digit requested rate increases under Obamacare insurance plans.            “President Obama promised Obamacare would drive down the cost of healthcare premiums, instead we are seeing astronomical proposed increases in Montana,” Daines stated. “Obamacare continues to take money out of the pockets of hardworking Montana families with no relief in sight. Obamacare is failing Montanans, and we must repeal it.” The average proposed rate filings for 2017 plans for the individual market is a 34.6 percent increase with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana requesting a 62.1 percent increase.

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Tom Kuntz of Ennis for his dedication to the community and the Ennis Community Children’s School.  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 the Congressional Record:    MONTANAN OF

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke out in support Montana’s hardworking farmers and ranchers against Vermont’s law that could impact Montana jobs and the price families’ pay at the grocery store. Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan compromise with a vote of 63-30 to protect Montana farmers and ranchers. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  “Make no mistake, this Vermont law is an attack on the heart of Montana’s way of life,” Daines stated. “It’s an attack on Montana farm and ranch operations, and I won’t stand for it. I will stand up for Montana and continue to fight

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $7,175,439.00 in funding for critical construction upgrades for Great Falls International Airport. The funding will be used to construct an extension to the existing (16/34) runway, including improvements to runway safety areas, install guidance signs, install miscellaneous NAVAIDS, install runway sensors, rehabilitate runway, rehabilitate runway lighting and remove obstructions. “Air travel is essential to Montana’s economy and I’m proud the funding I secured will be used to upgrade the Great Falls Airport,” Daines stated. “This funding will ensure that Great Falls International Airport can continue to serve the region and operate at the highest

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that four Montana airports will receive $1,465,311.00 for critical construction projects. Grants will be awarded to airports in Havre, Dillon, Laurel and Billings.  “Montana’s airports are a critical piece of our state’s transportation system, because they bolster our local communities and connect us,” Daines stated. “This additional funding will ensure that our airports can continue to support the communities and regions they serve.”  Grants awarded today by the U.S. Department of Transportation include: Havre City-County Airport: $144,900.00 to fund the design phase for the reconstruction of 15,000 square yards of the existing apron pavement that

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today stood up for Montana farmers and ranchers and the number one industry in Montana: Agriculture.                      “There is no reason that Vermont and Bernie Sanders should dictate our way of life in Montana,” Daines stated. “This compromise will protect Montanan jobs, prevent baseless discrimination against Montana agricultural goods and avoid higher prices in the grocery line.” Key provisions of the bipartisan bill include: Pre-emption: immediately prohibits states or other entities from mandating labels of food or seed that is genetically engineered and interfering with interstate commerce. National Uniform Standard: the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today blasted Senate Democrats who blocked consideration of several pieces of commonsense legislation that would protect families from the dangers posted by sanctuary cities, which harbor criminals who are in this country illegally.  “It’s outrageous that Senate Democrats blocked commonsense legislation that would help protect the safety and security of innocent Americans from criminals who violate our nation’s laws,” Daines stated. “Our cities need to uphold the rule of law and go after criminals who are not only the United States illegally, but violate the laws of our nation or repeatedly reenter the country after being

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized the students of Dawson County High School and Industrial Arts teacher Dean Myer. Thanks to their initiative and hard work, children and families in Dawson County will be able to create wonderful memories this summer at Penninger Park.   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

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week pressed the Obama administration on the impact on private property, state and private land use of federal land requirements due to the checkerboard nature of conservation plans to protect the sage grouse.                                             During a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, Daines questioned the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) on the failure to adequately listen to input from Montanans in their planning