News

Daines Brings EPA Administrator Wheeler to Montana, Tour Kalispell Brownfield Sites

KALISPELL, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today brought U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to Kalispell to visit multiple Brownfield sites including Glacier Rail Park, the former CHS Country Store, the CHS Agronomy Center, and SunRift Restaurant. Daines secured funding for cleanup of the contaminated sites which allowed for redevelopment of the areas boosting the local economy and supporting jobs.   To download the Senator’s full statement, click HERE  “It’s great to have Administrator Wheeler here from the EPA, who came from Washington, D.C. out to Montana to see an example of what we can do with

Daines Fighting to Help Montana Families, Expand Access to Affordable Child Care

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week cosponsored a bill to provide assistance for Montana child care providers to help them offer critical, affordable services for working parents during the COVID-19 outbreak. “During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Montana’s working moms and dads need access to affordable child care services so they can work to put food on the table,” Daines said. “My bill provides the critical support needed for Montana child care providers to ensure that their essential services are readily available and affordable for Montana families.” The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 supports the economic recovery

Daines tours Kalispell brownfields sites

Sen. Steve Daines and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler were in Kalispell Friday visiting multiple brownfields sites. Brownfield land is any previously developed land that may potentially be contaminated or land that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes with suspected pollution due to hazardous waste. The tour included Glacier Rail Park, the former CHS Country Store, the CHS Agronomy Center and finished at the SunRift Beer Company in downtown. According to a press release, The EPA’s Brownfields Program provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, environmental job training, technical assistance, training and research. “What

EPA Administrator visits Brownfields sites in Kalispell

KALISPELL — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler joined Montana Sen. Steve Daines on Friday for a tour of Brownfields grant sites in Kalispell. “This is an example of how we work together with our communities and the EPA to restore, reclaim and redevelop lands that previously weren’t able to be used for anything that’s economically viable,” said Sen. Daines. Administrator Wheeler and Senator Daines toured the Glacier Rail Park, the CHS-Agronomy Center and SunRift Brewery and Restaurant. The EPA’s Brownfields Program provides direct funding for assessment, cleanup, environmental job training and more. Since 2010, Kalispell has received more

Daines Working to Improve PPP Program to Help Montana Restaurants, Food Supply Chains

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged Senate leadership to increase flexibility for restaurant owners and food supply chain workers under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). “By matching PPP forgiveness to the needs of restaurants, Congress will ensure that these cornerstones of our communities are ready to welcome us back when we all can be together again,” Daines wrote. “Additionally, PPP forgiveness for material costs will support the people who work hard to grow and raise the food that we eat. We urge you to support our food supply chain workers and the restaurants that serve their products.” To

Daines Secures Nearly $6 Million for Public Transportation in Missoula

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be directing $5,941,992 for public transportation in Missoula in response to the impacts of COVID-19.  “This critical funding will support the transportation needs of Montanans in Missoula during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Daines said. “I will continue working to ensure we support public transportation routes for Montanans.” The funding will be for operations associated with providing fixed route and paratransit. Daines voted to secure funding for this grant in the CARES Act. Daines is committed to ensuring the infrastructure and transportation needs of Montanans are met during this crisis.  Background: Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress

Senate Democrats Block Daines’ Bill to Protect Montana Veterans from Scam Artists

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to advance his bipartisan bill to protect Montana veterans and their families from scam artists known as pension poachers. Unfortunately, it was Senate Democrat opposition that blocked Daines’ bill from moving forward.   To download Daines full remarks, click HERE. On the floor, Daines said: “…right now, we can take an important step to do everything in our power to ensure our veterans and their families keep their benefits… not lose them to scammers… I will always stand by Montana’s veterans, and I will continue fighting this fight until we get this done.” When blocking

Daines Secures Senate Passage of Critical Montana Priorities in Defense Bill

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for and secured Senate passage of critical Montana priorities in the Senate defense bill called the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA). Daines secured a 3% pay raise for the military, relief for service members impacted by COVID-19 and support for the Montana Army and Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.   To download full video, click HERE. “This bipartisan bill strengthens Montana’s defense priorities, supports Malmstrom Air Force Base and gives our brave men and women serving our nation a much deserved pay raise,” Daines said. “I will

Daines Pushes to Expand Benefits for Service Members Who Pass Away or Become Disabled Due to COVID-19

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sponsored a bipartisan bill that ensures military personnel and their families will be adequately compensated should they pass away or become disabled from COVID-19 during the pandemic. “Our men and women in uniform who are putting their lives on the lines to keep our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic deserve to know their families will be taken care of if they pass away or are severely disabled as a result of contracting COVID-19,” Daines said. “I will always work to ensure our military members and their families get the care and support