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 Holding VA Accountable for Misusing Montana Taxpayer Dollars
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined his Republican colleagues in calling out the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee corruption and sending a letter to the VA demanding the department repay nearly $11 million in unjustified bonuses that were distributed to senior executives within the VA and calling for the immediate dismissal of the responsible officials. “The egregious mishandling of Critical Skill Incentives (CSIs) and the subsequent lack of accountability demand immediate and decisive action to restore integrity and trust within the VA. This report has brought to light the improper allocation of CSIs to senior executives within the VA. It has revealed a
Daines Leads Letter to VA Following Recent Report that Veterans are Incapable of Making Their Own Health Care Decisions
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) led Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) in sending a letter today to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) highlighting concerns regarding the VA’s recent “Red Team” Executive Roundtable Report that only serves to reinforce questionable practices by the VA to the detriment of veterans. Discrepancies in the report highlight the VA’s unethical limitation of veteran access to community care networks. “This report’s criticism of the popularity of community care reflects the VA’s mentality that the average veteran is incapable of making their own health care decisions. These findings are indicative of
Daines Lauds Delivery Date for New C-130J Fleet to Malmstrom
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced today that the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls will start to receive the new C-130J model Super Hercules cargo aircraft in 2026. The announcement follows years of Daines advocating for Montana to serve as the home to one of the military’s newest aircraft. Daines paid special tribute to the leadership of Governor Greg Gianforte and Major General J. Peter Hronek, Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard for playing a critical role in the decision. “This is great news for Malmstrom, Great Falls and all of Montana,” said Daines. “The new C-130s will be right at home in Montana
Daines, Peters Bipartisan Bill to Protect Americans’ Privacy Signed Into Law
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today announced their “Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act” was signed into law. The bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove personally identifiable information (PII), which includes Social Security and passport numbers, from cargo manifests before public disclosure. Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kans.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) cosponsored the bill and Congressmen Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) led the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Safeguarding Montanans from identity theft and fraud is one of my top priorities, which is why I’m glad to see my bipartisan
Missoulian: VA policy prohibiting medallions on veterans’ grave markers sparks complaints
Phil Drake Jan 26, 2024 Updated Jan 26, 2024 Sen. Steve Daines is objecting to a federal directive that prohibits medallions on government-issued markers in VA cemeteries, calling it a misguided policy that does “nothing but cause more issues than it fixes.” The Montana Republican, in a Jan. 22 letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, focused on what he said was the removal of medallions honoring World War II veterans who served in the Army’s First Special Service Force, though the rule applies to all branches of the military. “For years, the Montanans who served in the FSSF and
Daines Calls Out Biden VA for Disrespecting Montana Veterans
Sends Letter to VA Secretary Following Removal of Honorary Medallions from Veterans’ Headstones U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough following reports that the VA has directed medallions honoring World War II veterans who served in the First Special Service Forces (FSSF) to be removed from headstones in VA cemeteries across Montana. “For years, the Montanans who served in the FSSF and were buried at VA cemeteries in Montana were remembered for their special service with a medallion located on their headstone. However, now, the NCA – citing ‘long
Daines Slams Biden Administration for Using VA Health Care Resources on Illegal Immigrants Instead of Veterans
Sends Letter to VA Secretary Asking For Accounting of Resources Being Used at Border U.S. SENATE – In a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, U.S. Senator Steve Daines questioned the alarming report that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources are being diverted from our nation’s veterans to process the medical claims of illegal immigrants held in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Daines asked the VA for a full accounting of its use of resources at the border including how many VA personnel are being utilized, how long the VA policy has been in place and
Daines Introduces Bill to Honor Montana’s Last Pearl Harbor Survivor
Bill will rename Butte VA Clinic after Charlie Dowd U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill that would designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie A. Dowd VA 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
Daines Calls out Senate Democrats and Trial Lawyers for Blocking Veterans’ Benefits
“This is a Scandal in Plain Sight” WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Veterans Day approaches, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called out Senate Democrats and their trial lawyer allies for blocking veterans’ benefits, specifically for Marines who were exposed to chemicals at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Senate Democrats continue to block Daines’ “Protect Camp Lejeune VETS Act,” which would close a loophole that allows trial lawyers to charge veterans 40 percent or more to process veterans’ claims. Current law will cost taxpayers $200 billion and leave Marine veterans without benefits. To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. “I’m not a Marine, but I’m the