Daines Honors Montanan of the Week Jessica Cochran of Blaine County
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Jessica Cochran of Blaine County for her entrepreneurship and innovative spirit. 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 JESSICA COCHRAN Mr. DAINES. Mr. President,
Daines Fights to Support the U.S. Postal Service for Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill to provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) with $25 billion in funding to keep their operations afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect Postal workers. “The postal service supports Montana jobs and provides critical access to supplies like life-saving prescription drugs and medicines for Montana’s rural communities,” Daines said. “This bipartisan bill will ensure the postal service has the resources it needs to continue its operations and support rural Montanans who depend on them.” To read the full bill, click HERE. Daines
Montana Water Protection Act creates jobs, protects farmers and ranchers from $1.3B in costs
At a hearing Wednesday Sen. Steve Daines presented his Montana Water Rights Protection Act to the members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester, will define the federally reserved water rights of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and settle the legal claims of the Tribes against the federal government. The Montana Water Rights Protection Act marks a historic move towards settling the century-long dispute by providing protections for existing water users across Montana and preventing costly litigation. The legislation also invests much needed financial resources into Montana infrastructure projects and updates
Daines Continues to Push to Fix St. Mary’s Milk River Project
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced an amendment to a major defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to repair the St. Mary Canal and Conveyance Works system. “I’m fighting to repair the St. Mary River project however I can,” Daines said. “This is about supporting jobs and ensuring Montana farmers, ranchers, and communities on the Hi-Line have this critical water infrastructure project fully restored. Montanans need this project done.” On Monday, Daines sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee urging quick consideration and passage of his bipartisan St. Mary’s Reinvestment Act
Daines Secures $3 Million for Great Falls Transit District
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Transit Administration will be directing $3 million to the Great Falls Transit District to support transit operating assistance and preventative maintenance during the COVID-19 health emergency. “This critical funding will help support the transportation infrastructure needs of the Great Falls community and ensure our transit system in the city has the resources needed to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak,” Daines said. “I will continue working to support Montana infrastructure as we safely reopen the economy.” Daines fought to secure this funding through the CARES act which passed through
Bert Mooney Airport receives $1 million federal grant
Bert Mooney Airport received a much-needed lift on Wednesday. A grant of over $1 million from the CARES Act and Airport Improvement Program was earmarked for the Butte airport, one of five Montana airports cleared to receive a total of over $5.5 million in federal funding as COVID-19 continues to hamper the airline industry. Jim Kambich, Bert Mooney’s assistant manager, said that the airport has seen a precipitous drop in revenue since the coronavirus outbreak, with April being particularly damaging with a 90% decline. Things have slowly picked up, Kambich said, with Skywest reviving its second daily flight to Salt
Great Falls Transit District receives $3M in COVID-19 aid
GREAT FALLS – The Great Falls Transit District received $3 million from the Federal Transit Administration to cover transit operations and preventative repair costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said the following statement in a release: “This critical funding will help support the transportation infrastructure needs of the Great Falls community and ensure our transit system in the city has the resources needed to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak,” Daines said. “I will continue working to support Montana infrastructure as we safely reopen the economy.” According to Daines’ release, the funding is coming from the CARES
Daines Calls for an Investigation on the Mishandling of Montana Veteran’s Remains by USPS
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter requesting the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General investigate an incident where the remains of a Montana veteran, Donald Tyler, were lost in the mail. “While his remains were eventually returned to Mrs. Tyler and the USPS will reimburse her for the damaged urn, it is unacceptable that a federal agency misplaced the human remains of an American citizen,” Daines wrote. “I urge you to conduct a full and thorough investigation into this matter to identify the cause and identify any reforms necessary to ensure that a
Daines Statement on Montana School Choice, Religious Freedom SCOTUS Ruling
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision ruling in favor of the three Montana mothers, a major win for Montana families, in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case—one of the most important equal protection and religious freedom cases in recent history. To download the full video, click HERE. “I’m very glad the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn the State of Montana’s discriminatory action and support three Montana mothers who were trying to do what’s best for their children’s education,” Daines said. “Today is a major victory