Montana has a rich legacy of service, and I’m proud to represent our state’s veterans in Congress. I’m dedicated to ensuring that our veterans receive the care and benefits that they fought for and greatly deserve.
As the son of a United States Marine, I believe the United States must honor the commitment we’ve made to the men and women of the armed forces, active duty troops and older veterans alike. While we can never repay the debt we owe to those who fight for our freedoms, we must ensure that we uphold the promises we’ve made. I’m dedicated to opening up new employment prospects for returning service members, improving medical care for wounded warriors, and ensuring support for veterans in need of assistance.
Daines Honors Montanan Charlie Dowd at Butte VA Clinic Renaming Ceremony
U.S. SENATE – Ahead of Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Steve Daines attended a ceremony at the Butte VA Outpatient Clinic, which was renamed today to the “Charlie Dowd Veteran Affairs Clinic.” Charlie Dowd passed away in March 2023 and was Montana’s last survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Dowd was an advocate for his fellow veterans and dedicated to preserving the memory of the events of World War II and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Dowd was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and spoke for civic groups and at museums across Montana. During the course
Daines Introduces Bill to Honor Fallen Service Members, Keep National Cemeteries Open on Federal Holidays
U.S. SENATE – Ahead of Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that requires national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays. The legislation will allow families and friends to visit their loved ones on special remembrance holidays, and will also allow veteran organizations to perform ceremonies like wreath-laying and memorial services on federal holidays. “Federal holidays like Memorial Day give us the opportunity to remember all those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Our national cemeteries should be open on these special days, so that family and friends can pay their respects to
Daines, Grassley, Lummis Introduce Bill to Protect Health Care for Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) today introduced a bill to hold the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) accountable and support our nation’s service members. The “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” would strengthen the VA’s existing Community Care program and hold the VA accountable to Congress to ensure they prioritize veterans, not bureaucracy. “Our nation’s veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and the last thing they should have to worry about is mismanagement and delays at the VA. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on
Daines, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Pension Benefits for Veteran Families
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) today introduced the “Next of Kin Collections Protection Act” to improve the pensions payments process for veteran families after the death of the beneficiary. “Our veterans have served our country bravely and were willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. The least we can do is ensure that their families are not burdened with prorated benefits programs in their time of grieving. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to support our military families by improving the pension benefits payment process,” said Daines. “Our debt
Daines, Kim Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Pension Benefits for Veteran Families
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) today introduced a bill to prohibit the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) from retroactively collecting pre-approved pension benefits from a veterans’ family following the death of the beneficiary. “Our veterans have served our country at the highest level and deserve our full support. Their families should not be concerned about VA collections calls in their time of grieving because of the VA’s bureaucracy. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to improve the pension benefits payments process and ensure that our veteran families are not encumbered with
Daines Applauds House Passage of Bill to Name Butte VA Clinic in Honor of Charlie Dowd, Montana’s Last Pearl Harbor Survivor
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to rename the VA Outpatient Clinic in Butte, MT in honor of Charlie Dowd, Montana’s last Pearl Harbor survivor, who passed away in March 2023. The bill will now go to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Charlie Dowd was a Montana hero who fought with outstanding bravery in World War II and dedicated his life to advocating for veterans,” said Daines. “I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for passing S. 2385, which will continue Charlie Dowd’s legacy as a patriot and defender of freedom by renaming
Daines Applauds House Passage of Bill to Name Butte VA Clinic in Honor of Charlie Dowd, Montana’s Last Pearl Harbor Survivor
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to rename the VA Outpatient Clinic in Butte, MT in honor of Charlie Dowd, Montana’s last Pearl Harbor survivor, who passed away in March 2023. The bill will now go to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Charlie Dowd was a Montana hero who fought with outstanding bravery in World War II and dedicated his life to advocating for veterans,” said Daines. “I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for passing S. 2385, which will continue Charlie Dowd’s legacy as a patriot and defender of freedom by renaming
Daines Urges VA to Correct Policies Affecting Veteran Access to Care
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a group of Republican senators in urging Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to quickly correct policy initiatives that are making it harder for veterans to receive care. “Congress has never failed to provide VA with the resources required to fulfill its mission,” wrote the Senators. “If you believe that VA lacks the funding to provide the level of access to care that veterans deserve in VA and in the community, it is incumbent on you to reprioritize resources from non-patient care areas and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, not to unilaterally implement purported cost-savings
Daines, Zinke, Rosendale Call Out Biden for Frontline Job Cuts
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) highlighting concerns regarding the VA’s recent elimination of frontline care providers, despite the VA’s previous declaration that such positions would be protected from job cuts. “Too many people in Washington, including some of our colleagues in the U.S. Congress with direct influence over policies impacting veterans, will make empty promises about fighting for veteran care and will use this report as an opportunity to call for more spending and more legislation that will only add to the