Veterans

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: “Biden VA Continues to Fail our Veterans”

Criticizes Agency for Taking too Long to Change Leadership in Montana  U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced changes to the Montana VA Healthcare System. “Montana has one of the highest populations of veterans per capita in the United States yet the Biden administration’s VA continues to fail our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our country. The fact that it took this long for the Administration to make a much-needed leadership change in Montana shows the Biden administration is not prioritizing care for our veterans. Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled

Daines Supports Gianforte’s Call for Funding to Complete Butte Veterans’ Home

Sends letter to Senate Committee on Appropriations requesting funds U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies to ensure an expansion of the Butte Veterans Home.       “I write to request the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies include in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) appropriations robust funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ State Home Grant Construction Program to support the needed expansion of the Southwest Montana Veterans Home in Butte, Montana. “The Southwest Montana Veterans Home (SWMVH) opened its doors

Daines Introduces Bill Demanding Improved Electronic Health Record System For Montana Veterans Before Rollout Continues

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation that would prevent the continued implementation of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities until significant improvements are made to the system.  “Montana veterans put everything on the line in service to our nation – we need to ensure that their access to health care is not jeopardized by the Biden administration’s inability to properly implement the EHRM program. These failures need to be swiftly and thoroughly addressed so the VA can fulfill its commitment to serve our American heroes,” Daines said. Senator Daines co-sponsored the legislation with Senators Moran (Kansas), Boozman (Ark.),

Daines Demands Accountability For Failures of VA Health Record System

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General Michael Missal concerning the systematic failures of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. “My office has explored an increasingly high number of systematic failures at the rollout sites of the EHRM program. There are rampant complications from frequent software failures to incomplete or incorrect patient records that derail access to care and leave afflicted veterans without the resources they need and deserve. Disturbingly, I have received reports from VA staff who indicate that they have no hope that

Daines Demands Biden Administration Investigate Link Between Rare Cancer and Service at Malmstrom

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Biden administration to immediately expand the investigation into the possible link between the nine military officers who were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after serving at Malmstrom Air Force Base. “I write to stress the importance of the ongoing investigation into the possible increased likelihood of cancer for missileers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. I urge the Department of Defense to re-examine previous studies and expand the current investigation, which is monitoring and screening current and former missileers. It must be a priority to ensure that our nuclear readiness is sufficient and

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect, Expand Montana Veterans’ Access to Community Care

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to expand and protect Montana veterans’ access to care in their local communities.  “Montana veterans have served and sacrificed for our state and nation – the VA needs to ensure that serving our veterans with the highest quality of care is at the core of everything they do. I am glad to help protect Montana veterans’ access to health care in their communities,”  Daines said.  The “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to

Daines Delivers Big Wins for Montana Servicemembers, National Security

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to pass several major Montana priorities in the bipartisan “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) including the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemembers, a pay raise for troops and critical support for Malmstrom Air Force Base.  “This year’s bipartisan defense package ends Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers, includes a well-deserved pay raise for our military, protects women from the draft, and strengthens our nuclear triad to ensure America’s military remains the best and most intimidating in the world. This legislation contains a lot of big wins for Montanans who wear the uniform and bolsters our national security. I’m glad to support it,” Daines

Daines Secures Provision to Protect Servicemembers from COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate in 2023 Defense Bill

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines successfully secured a provision in the must-pass defense bill, known as the “National Defense Authorization Act” or “NDAA,” which would rescind the Biden administration’s overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers. “Montana servicemembers selflessly defend our nation and our freedoms——now we’re one step closer to defending their liberties and rights to make personal decisions when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” Daines said.  Background: On May 13, 2021, Daines introduced a bill to counter the Biden administration’s efforts to coerce and punish Montana servicemembers who decline the COVID-19 vaccine, and include accountability measures in response to DoD efforts to undermine transparency. Contact: Rachel Dumke,  Blake

Daines, Colleagues Call Out VA for Politicizing Veterans’ Healthcare

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and a group of Republican senators issued the following statement after receiving a late, inadequate response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that failed to address the senators’ concerns with veterans’ access to community care. “Not only does this weak response show a lack of respect for Congress’ role to advocate on behalf of our constituents, including veterans, it shows that the VA under Biden has no intent to move past political differences to better serve America’s heroes or work in good faith with those of us across the aisle. Our veterans deserve better,” the senators said.  In July, Daines sent a letter