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 Slams Biden Administration for Continuing to Fail Montana Veterans

Votes against Biden’s pick to oversee EHRM program U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Biden’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tanya Bradsher, who will oversee the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM). “This confirmation will cost taxpayer dollars, is bad for our Montana heroes and bad for the VA. Since President Biden took office, he has shown our Montana veterans time and time again that their needs are not his priority. Not only does Ms. Bradsher not have the experience or managerial skills

Daines Statement on Second Anniversary of Kabul Terrorist Attacks

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of 13 U.S. servicemembers.  “Two years ago today we lost 13 brave servicemen and women during President Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal. The service and sacrifice of these American heroes must never be forgotten, and we owe it to the families they left behind to hold this administration accountable for the disastrous policies that led to this tragedy,” Daines said.  Last year, Daines’ bipartisan bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 13 servicemembers killed in Afghanistan

Daines: Biden Admin Failing to Serve Montana Veterans

Daines slams new VA labor agreement for lacking needed reform U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after President Biden’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) signed a master collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) that fails to address significant labor concerns and protects poor-performing employees. “The Biden administration is once again putting Montana veterans last. As veteran confidence in the VA continues to plummet, this new labor agreement will maintain the status quo of poor service and employment difficulties,” Daines said. “I hear from veterans across the Treasure State that they are fed up

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