Transportation and Infrastructure

Across Montana’s 56 counties, our state’s roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, waterways and runways are vital to the prosperity of local communities. Our state’s transportation system promotes economic growth and secures our quality and way of life in Montana, but especially across our rural communities. As Chair of the Senate Western Caucus, I’ve pushed hard for strong and secure infrastructure across our state and I will continue to do so to drive economic growth.

Daines Fights for Continued Air Service in Montana

Calls on Biden administration to review SkyWest’s Airlines’ request to operate certain flights in rural Montana, including Butte U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to urge the agency to expeditiously review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for commuter authority. Rural Montana relies on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has sat unresolved at the agency for over a year. It is past time for the DOT to take action. “I write today to express my concern with the pressing situation facing small community air service in Montana.

Daines, Colleagues: Federal Broadband Projects Must Prioritize Rural America

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and several of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) expressing the importance of reliable broadband service for rural America. They requested that Federally-funded broadband projects prioritize unserved areas instead of overbuilding existing broadband infrastructure in areas with reliable broadband service. “NTIA has an opportunity to make substantial impact on connecting rural America. However, doing so will require that your agency outline rules that specifically prohibit overbuilding and that set clear criteria to ensure projects targeted at unserved areas are actually prioritized. The regulations and methodology for

Daines, Tester Call for Hearing on St. Mary’s Reinvestment Act

U.S. Senate – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are calling on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) to hold a hearing on their St. Mary’s Reinvestment Act to make rehabilitating the St. Mary’s Diversion Dam more affordable. In a letter to ENR Chair Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Daines and Tester said the project is critical to ensuring the Milk River Project can continue providing water to farmers, ranchers, and Tribes in Northcentral Montana that depend on it. “The St. Mary’s Diversion Dam is the headworks of the Milk

Daines Introduces Montana Witness at Senate Hearing on Amtrak

U.S. SENATE – Today in a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Senator Steve Daines introduced Paul Tuss, a Havre resident and Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation as a witness to speak on the importance of Amtrak services along the Hi-Line.  To watch Daines’ introduction, click HERE.  “In Montana, the Empire Builder is essential to the local economy and provides folks along the Hi-Line their only access to the national transportation network. Like Paul, I am deeply concerned about the impact Amtrak’s reductions in staff and service will have across the network and I led a bipartisan effort opposing the reductions

Daines: We Must Support Amtrak Employees

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged Senate Leadership to stop the reduction of services and staff for Amtrak along the Hi-Line. Daines stressed the need to protect jobs and the local economy that Amtrak supports in Montana. “Amtrak’s plan to cut staff by twenty percent, and reduce service on the Empire Builder from daily to tri-weekly on October 19, would decimate rural economies in Montana and leave tens of thousands without daily access to the national transportation network,” Daines wrote. “The Empire Builder provides rural Montanans a safe and reliable mode of transportation to and from major cities, giving them greater access to necessities

Daines Secures Over $4 Million to Bolster Montana Housing Infrastructure, Community Development Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $4,039,203 will be directed to Montana through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to support housing needs and infrastructure development for Montana communities during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. “This critical funding is about supporting Montana’s housing infrastructure needs and community development during the ongoing COVD-19 pandemic,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have worked to secure this critical support for our communities and I will continue working to ensure the needs of Montana are met during these challenging times.” Daines fought to secure $5 billion for the CDBG in the

Daines Secures Over $2.9 Million for Rail Infrastructure Project in Butte

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Economic Development Administration will be directing $2,974,333 for the construction of a new rail line within Butte-Silver Bow Industrial Park to support jobs and growth in Southwest Montana. “This new rail line in Butte will help improve Montana’s transportation infrastructure needs and support jobs in the local community,” Daines said. “I’m grateful to have worked with the Administration to secure this much needed boost for the Port of Montana in Butte Silver-Bow County.”  The additional rail space will provide opportunities for Montana businesses lacking direct rail access to ship and

Daines Secures $7 Million to Support Montana Infrastructure Needs in Powder River County

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will be directing $7 million to Powder River County to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to support economic growth in the face of natural disasters. “This funding will update the critical infrastructure needs of Powder River County and help sustain jobs in the local community,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have partnered with the Administration to secure the funding needed for this project.” The EDA grant will be matched with $1 million in local investment and is expected to support 48 jobs and spur nearly $7

Daines Secures Senate Passage of Bill to Designate Areas for Nursing Mothers at Small Hub Airports

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured Senate passage of his bipartisan bill that would require small hub airports maintain areas for nursing mothers. “It is important that Montana moms have a private, clean, and safe place to nurse their newborn babies when they are traveling,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see this bipartisan effort clear the Senate today and I will continue working to support Montana mothers.” Background: Daines has been a leading voice in the Senate pushing for policies to help Montana mothers. On July 26th, 2019, Daines celebrated his bipartisan legislation, the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers