News

Daines proposes fund for ‘very small’ businesses

A bipartisan bill introduced this week by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., aims to ease some of the economic pains facing mom-and-pop sized businesses across America. The legislation is intended to assist “very small” businesses with fewer than 20 workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The RELIEF for Main Street Act would create a $50 billion fund, operated by the Treasury Department, to seed and scale small business relief funds at the city or county level, according to information from Daines’ office. The assistance would be directed toward businesses with fewer than 20 employees,

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to create a Small Business Local Relief Fund to provide economic relief for very small businesses with fewer than 20 workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “This bipartisan legislation is about taking the decision making powers out of the hands of Washington D.C. and putting it in the hands of our local communities who know their own needs best,” Daines said. “We need more targeted action that strengthens local response and empowers our local economic development leaders to provide relief for our most vulnerable small and rural businesses in the

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Darcy Schindler of Granite County

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Darcy Schindler of Granite County for his tremendous impact on the state of Montana. 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:  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this

President Trump Singles out Steve Daines in Coronavirus Fight

In a recent White House Rose Garden announcement, President Trump singled out Montana Senator Steve Daines’ work in helping industry leaders and scientists get the materials they need to develop treatments and a vaccine for COVID 19. “Through an historic series of funding bills my administration is providing roughly $10 billion to support a medical research effort without parallel,” said President Trump. “I especially want to thank Senator Steve Daines of Montana for his incredible work. He has worked so hard to secure additional funding for vaccine development, where he has been right at the forefront.” In addition, Daines was

Daines Pushes to Protect National Guard Members Retirement During Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging Senate leadership to temporarily lower the minimum requirement for a satisfactory year of service to accommodate National Guard personnel who are unable to drill and acquire points towards retirement because of the COVID-19 outbreak. “Many guardsmen and women who have dedicated a life of service, face the very real possibility of being a couple points short of retiring with 30 years due to no fault of their own. This is a retirement that, under normal circumstances, would have been assured but is currently in question,” Daines wrote. Currently,

Meatpacker struggle exposes challenges for Montana consumers, ranchers

It wasn’t long after grocers began running low on meat that a little processing shop in Shepherd saw a surge in customer demand. Customers who never before graced the parking lot of Project Meats were stopping beneath the reader board. In all caps, the sign along U.S, Highway 12 read, “Never out of beef. Gotta Love Montana.” The 23-pound, “Home Sweet Home” packages were selling fast during Montana’s stay-home order. Then, the state order was lifted. Restaurants closed by the pandemic started opening back up. Those unable to get meat from their usual vendors also came calling on the local

Daines Secures Over $200,000 to Expand Telehealth Services in Montana During Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be directing $264,641 to the University of Montana System and Montana State University to support increased telehealth capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In Montana, telehealth is a powerful tool for our providers to expand access to care, especially in vulnerable communities during this public health crisis,” Daines said. “I am glad to have secured these funds to enable more health professional on the front lines of this pandemic to deliver safe and effective care. I will continue working

Daines: We Must Prioritize Made in Montana Beef, Support Montana Ranchers

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution that would urge the President and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef in trade negotiations. “During these unprecedented and challenging times, Montana producers and ranchers are struggling to keep their operations going,” Daines said. “That’s why it is important we pursue negotiations with our trading partners to include country of origin labeling. We must support ranchers in Montana and across the U.S. and ensure that only beef made and slaughtered in America receive the Product of the USA label.”  Additionally, Daines cosponsored

Daines Pushes for PPP Relief Eligibility for Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging the Trump administration to allow qualifying veteran service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) perform services to veterans and their families in states across our nation, and this is certainly the case in Montana,” Daines wrote. “When times get tough, the Montana VFW is there for Veterans. To help local VFWs meet their obligations and continue serving their communities, I urge you to swiftly find a