Indian Affairs Committee

On the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Daines prioritizes the issue of public safety and economic opportunity for Montana’s Indian nations and fostering a better respect for the federal government’s government-to-government trust responsibility with our Indian nations. The Senator continues to advocate for policies to curtail the missing and murdered indigenous persons crisis, focusing on solutions to improve the safety of Montana’s native communities.

Website: https://www.indian.senate.gov/

Daines, Tester Introduce Resolution Designating National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week

Highlighting importance of higher education in Indian Country U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester led a bipartisan group of colleagues in designating the week beginning February 5th as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week” to highlight the importance of higher education in Indian Country. “Montana’s tribal colleges help support young Montanans and equip students with the tools they need to succeed. This week, we’re glad to celebrate and recognize the great work of the students, teachers, and staff at tribal colleges across the Treasure State,” Daines said. “Montana is fortunate to be home to seven outstanding Tribal Colleges and Universities – the most of any state

Daines Lands Critical Committee Assignments for Montana in the 117th Congress

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his committee assignments for the 117th Congress. Daines will serve on the U.S. Senate Committees on Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Banking, and Indian Affairs.   “It’s an honor to serve Montanans in the United States Senate,” Daines stated. “It’s a privilege to represent Montana on four important U.S. Senate committees where I will fight to protect Montana jobs and our Montana way of life. From policies overseeing trade and taxes, small businesses and banks, to energy development, public lands, national parks and forest management, to Tribal communities, I will continue fighting to put Montana first and bring Montana commonsense practices to Washington.” Daines’ committee assignments include

What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law

U.S. SENATE – On Sunday, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, saves taxpayer dollars, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. Several Montana leaders issued statements in support following the President’s signing of this critical legislation.  “After years of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law. This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects

Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Signed Into Law

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today celebrated their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. “After years of a lot of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law,” Daines said. “This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects the water rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, creates jobs, modernizes rural infrastructure, protects Montana

Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act.” The bill will permanently settle the century long CSKT water dispute, support Montana jobs, modernize rural infrastructure and protect the water rights of all Montanans. “After years of hard work, the U.S. Senate just passed our bipartisan bill that permanently resolves the century long CSKT water dispute, and will soon become law. Without our bill, thousands of Montanans would be forced into very expensive litigation and our ag economy would’ve taken over a one billion dollar hit,” Daines said. “That’s why we’ve worked so hard to pass

HHS Responds to Daines’ Demand to Revoke Government Pension of Convicted Pedophile

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to the Senator’s call for action to take away convicted pedophile Stanley Patrick Weber’s government pension. “I’m glad to see HHS respond to my demand and take action in finding a way to prevent this convicted pedophile from receiving a dime of his government pension,” Daines said. “This disgusting situation should never have happened in the first place – that’s why I’ve introduced and am fighting for legislation that would prevent future convicted pedophiles from receiving a government pension.” To read the

Daines, Gianforte Fight for Jobs in Indian Country

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte reintroduced legislation to permanently extend the Indian Coal Production Tax Credit (ICPTC). “This is about bringing economic opportunity and jobs to Indian country” Daines said. “This tax credit will create good, high paying jobs, generate vital local tax revenue to support essential services, and promote tribal self-determination and energy independence.” “The Indian Coal Production Tax Credit benefits the Crow Tribe, its members, and the people of Montana,” said Gianforte. “I am proud to introduce legislation to permanently extend the tax credit, support tribal development, and help strengthen Montana’s economy with

Senate Approves Federal Recognition of Little Shell Tribe After Years-Long Push by Daines & Tester

(U.S. Senate) – The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians is one step closer to achieving federal recognition today, thanks to a legislative push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester. The Senators’ legislation passed today as a Daines amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense bill. “Today is a historic day for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “For the first time in history, our bill to federally recognize the Tribe passed the Senate. This is a major milestone for the Little Shell Tribe, and I’ll continue pushing until we get this done once

Daines Launches Bills to Mitigate MMIW Crisis in Indian Country

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing continued his fight to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis occurring across Montana’s Tribal communities and the West. In conjunction with the hearing, Daines introduced two pieces of legislation, the Finding and Investigating Native Disappearance Act (FIND) and The Tribal Reporting and Accountability to Congress Act (TRAC). Click HERE to download. “I want to thank you all for coming before us today as we continue to work to put an end to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis,” Daines said. “[T]oday I