GOP senator urges Biden to withdraw support for COVID vaccine patent waiver
GOP opposition is building to the Biden administration’s move to support waiving World Trade Organization patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines. Ahead of a Wednesday Senate Finance Committee hearing with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) sent a letter to Tai and President Biden, urging the administration to withdraw its support. “Waiving IP protections under this proposal runs counter to long standing American values and will not enable faster vaccination globally,” the senator wrote. He also expressed concern that countries like China and Russia would take the protected data and undermine the market for U.S. vaccine manufacturing. “Moreover,
Watch now: Daines cosponsors the “Back to Work Bonus Act”
Daines cosponsored the “Back to Work Bonus Act,” which would give currently unemployed workers who return to work a one-time payment similar to a hiring bonus, and he introduced the “Get Americans Back to Work Act,” which would end the federal unemployment pandemic enhancement payments.
Daines Helps Secure Over $12 Million For Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $12,031,247.00 will be allocated to various airports across Montana to strengthen air travel infrastructure. “These grants will help local Montana airports with infrastructure projects and improve their ability to accommodate the high travel demand that Montana faces each summer. I’m glad to see these airports receive the support that they need,” Daines said. The $12,031,247.00 will be distributed to the following airports: $708,363.00 to Bozeman Yellowstone International in Bozeman, MT to acquire aircraft rescue & firefighting safety equipment, acquire aircraft rescue & firefighting vehicle $2,475,968.00 to Frank Wiley Field in Miles City, MT to install airport beacons, rehabilitate taxiway,
Daines Announces $250K Grant for the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula will be receiving a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of $250,000. “I’m glad to see the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula receive resources that will contribute to community outreach and education on the importance of our forests, timber jobs and timber products. This funding will help support and maintain Montana’s rich timber legacy,” Daines said. The funding was secured in the spending package which passed in December 2020.
Daines pressing Biden Administration to reach agreement to re-open Canadian border
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Noting the rising vaccination rates in Montana, Senator Steve Daines wants the Biden Administration to be more aggressive about reaching an agreement to re-open the Canadian border to regular traffic. There’s still no sign of a breakthrough in efforts to resume anything but commercial, “essential” travel through Montana’s ports of entry with Canada. And as we’ve shown you before, it’s keeping cross-border families separated by the COVID restrictions. “Well, this is going to take leadership from the top and the hypocrisy that we’re seeing at the moment from the Biden Administration is frustrating many Montanans,” says Daines.
Daines Announces $185K Grant for Glendive’s Dawson Community Airport
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Glendive will be receiving $185,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct a new terminal building at the Dawson Community Airport as part of funding from the CARES Act. “The pandemic has placed extra burdens on local governments and their budgets, so I am glad to have helped secure this grant for Glendive to fund the final phase of construction of the Dawson Community Airport’s new terminal building,” Daines said.
Daines, Tester Bring Awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester’s resolution marking May 5th, 2021, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate. “It’s important to keep the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis at the forefront of the national conversation. On May 5 we remember Hanna Harris, who would be celebrating her 29th birthday, and the countless other lives that have been lost due to this crisis. Shedding a light on this tragic issue is a way to effectively address and protect our native communities,” Daines said. “I will continue to advocate for public safety as we look
Daines, Tester Bring Awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester’s resolution marking May 5th, 2021, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate. “It’s important to keep the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis at the forefront of the national conversation. On May 5 we remember Hanna Harris, who would be celebrating her 29th birthday, and the countless other lives that have been lost due to this crisis. Shedding a light on this tragic issue is a way to effectively address and protect our native communities,” Daines said. “I will
Daines Applauds New Return-to-Work Program in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced the creation of a new return-to-work bonus program and a return to pre-pandemic unemployment insurance requirements. “Across Montana we’re seeing small businesses put up ‘help wanted’ or ‘now hiring’ signs. We’re even seeing some Montana small businesses close because they can’t find enough workers to fill openings,” Daines said. “Governor Gianforte’s commonsense decision will help incentivize Montanans getting back to work. Montanans can safely return to work and small businesses throughout Montana have plenty of job openings. This is a great decision for