Montana’s senators decry expiration of $600 jobless benefit
With the U.S. Senate deadlocked as the additional $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits meant to supplement state benefits expires at midnight Friday, both of Montana’s senators called for action while placing blame on the other party. In Montana, the enhanced federal pandemic unemployment compensation to eligible Montanans totaled $549 million, according to the state Department of Labor and Industry. Total unemployment payments made in Montana were $769.6 million from April 13 to July 24, meaning the $600 federal payments made up 71% of everything paid out. On Friday, a spokesperson for Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, said the senator
Great Falls VA clinic hosts grand opening of new facility
GREAT FALLS — The new Great Falls Veterans Affairs clinic hosted a grand opening Friday morning with a ceremony dedicated to veterans and clinic staff. The event, which was open to vets and the public, had remarks from Montana VA Health Care System representatives, as well as Governor Steve Bullock, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and Clarence Sivertsen, the vice chairman of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe. Small groups were offered tours to see the new facility, which is the first in the Montana VA system to implement the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model. “Now we have
Daines secures major Montana priorities in next COVID-19 Relief Package
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the following Montana priorities that are included in the initial Phase Four Coronavirus Relief Package in the Senate. Daines fought for funding for a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic drugs, Montana jobs and workers, and support for Montana child care providers and working parents. “As Montana experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases, I will continue fighting for the health and economic livelihoods of Montana families. This latest COVID-19 relief package includes my provisions to increase funding for a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as supporting getting Montanans back to work and providing support for Montana child care
Cable provider bringing high-speed Internet to Cascade
CASCADE — Cable TV and Internet provider Spectrum announced Friday that it will be bringing high-speed Internet and related services this fall to Cascade, a town of 800 people south of Great Falls. Spectrum, which serves Montana’s major cities and many other smaller cities, has brought high-speed Internet to 11,000 previously unserved homes in Montana the past two years, a company official said. Residents of Cascade already have cable TV from Spectrum, but the new service will include Internet with download speeds of 100 megabytes per second (mbps), wireless, telephone and high-definition channels. U. S. Senator Steve
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week Keith Salthe of Musselshell County
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Keith Salthe of Musselshell County for his bravery and selflessness. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: TRIBUTE TO KEITH SALTHE Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this
Daines Fights for Greater Financial Support for Montana Families in COVID-19 Relief Package
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the “Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act” to provide a second round of COVID-19 relief direct checks to Montanans, doubling the amount Montanans with dependents, including children and individuals with disabilities, receive. Under Daines’ proposal, a Montana family of four would receive an additional $600 more than under the “CARES Act.” “This is about putting more money in the hands of Montana families who are struggling to get by because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Daines said. “This will increase the amount of money Montana moms and dads can receive in their
Daines, Gianforte Call on DOJ to Investigate JBS Acquisition of Lamb Processing Facility
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation on JBS USA Holdings’ acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen (“MSR”) lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. This acquisition could have a major impact on sheep ranchers in Montana and their ability to get lamb to market, as well as result in an increase in lamb imports. “We urge you to immediately open an investigation into this acquisition and demand that JBS cease from any irreversible actions that might harm the ability of American sheep ranchers to
Daines Secures $50,000 for Firefighters in Butte
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program will be directing $50,000 to the City and County of Butte-Silver Bow to support the fire departments ability to respond to fires and other public safety hazards. “This critical funding will provide the resources needed to help our firefighters in Butte respond to any fires or public safety emergencies,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have helped secure this funding and I will continue working to ensure our Montana firefighters have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.” For
Daines Secures $7 Million to Support Montana Infrastructure Needs in Powder River County
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will be directing $7 million to Powder River County to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to support economic growth in the face of natural disasters. “This funding will update the critical infrastructure needs of Powder River County and help sustain jobs in the local community,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have partnered with the Administration to secure the funding needed for this project.” The EDA grant will be matched with $1 million in local investment and is expected to support 48 jobs and spur nearly $7