Lawmakers push to extend tax filing season to July 15
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has proposed giving taxpayers until July 15 to submit their 2019 income tax returns – 90 days from the original April 15 due date. The Tax Filing Relief for America Act, which Senators Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Angus King, I-Maine, are joining Thune in introducing, aims to have the filing deadline coincide with the new July 15 deadline for taxpayers to pay the IRS taxes owed for 2019. Senators Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., are co-sponsors. Earlier this week, the Treasury Department announced it would give taxpayers more time to pay what they owed, due
Daines Calls On DOJ to Investigate Price-Fixing, Market Manipulation Within Cattle Market and Meatpacking Industry
U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the ongoing allegations of price-fixing and market manipulation within the cattle market and the beef meatpacking industry. “At a time when cattle producers are seeing record losses and bankruptcies, now exacerbated by the COVID-19, compared to the shelf price of meat at record highs – these margins fail to make sense. We ask that the Department of Justice Antitrust Division evaluate these dual concerns thoroughly and expeditiously in order to protect the integrity of America’s failing beef industry,” Daines wrote.
Daines Votes for Coronavirus Relief Bill
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for a Coronavirus relief bill which requires free testing for the Coronavirus, ensures paid and sick family leave for Montana’s families and workers and provides emergency nutritional assistance for seniors, women, children and low income families. This bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, is Phase Two of Congress’ response to the Coronavirus outbreak. “My top priority is protecting the health and finances for Montanans during the Coronavirus outbreak,” Daines said. “This bill ensures Montana families don’t have to choose between their health and a paycheck, waives costs for testing and
DAINES TALKS STIMULUS, CORONAVIRUS FUNDING
The House didn’t even send a bill to the Senate until early Tuesday morning. Nonetheless, Montana’s Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says he’s ready to stay and get the job done when it comes to addressing the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Daines joined us on Wednesday’s Montana Talks statewide radio show with Aaron Flint from Capitol Hill. He’s been working closely with the White House over the past several days to deliver economic assistance. Daines says the lodging industry is particularly being hard hit right now. They had occupancy rates of 80% two weeks ago, and now they’re at like 20%. There’s layoffs
Daines Introduces Bill to Require Insurance Companies to Cover COVID-19 Vaccines
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to require private health insurance plans to cover treatments or vaccines for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, with no cost sharing. Once a vaccine is available for coronavirus, this critical legislation will ensure it is available to Montanans and Americans across the country as soon as possible. “This bipartisan bill mitigates the coronavirus outbreak by ensuring that folks have access to testing and vaccines without costs,” Daines said. “Montana families need access to these important preventive services, and financial barriers should not stand in the way during this national emergency.”
Daines: Trump Admin Expanding Medicare Telehealth Services During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the Trump administration will be expanding access to Medicare telehealth services during the coronavirus outbreak. Daines has been vocal in advocating for the expansion of telehealth services to serve Montana seniors and folks across the state, including those in rural communities. “This decisions is about ensuring Montana’s most vulnerable, our senior citizens, are able to visit with their doctor without leaving their homes and risking exposure to coronavirus,” Daines said. “I’m happy the Trump administration acted to increase access to care for Montana’s Medicare patients during the coronavirus outbreak. I will
Daines Calls on FEMA to Coordinate with USDA, DOI on Emergency Response in Rural Communities
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to enable thousands of federal civil servants, who have experience with rapid emergency response, to assist rural communities that are increasingly overwhelmed by the challenge of responding to the Coronavirus outbreak. “We write to request your immediate assistance in mobilizing your agencies to offer coordinated support for rural counties, municipalities, and tribal communities as they respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” Daines wrote. “Rural communities are working to
Daines Announces Montana Counties Eligible for Economic Disaster Relief Funding During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the Small Business Administration (SBA) declared that Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Wheatland, Beaverhead, Broadwater, Daniels, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Park, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Roosevelt, Sanders, Sweet Grass, and Teton counties will be eligible to apply for additional funding under the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Declaration. “This is about giving our counties and working Montanans additional tools for relief they need during the Coronavirus outbreak,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have voted to secure this critical
Daines Doubles Down on Push For REAL ID Extension During Coronavirus Outbreak for Montana, America
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill that directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to delay enforcement of REAL ID for at least one year in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Daines has been proactively working with the Trump administration on a delay of REAL ID for Montana. “Montanans need to put their health and safety priorities first. Delaying the REAL ID requirements for one year will remove any additional burdens on Montanans while we work to overcome the coronavirus outbreak,” Daines said. Currently, over 90% of Montana ID’s issued are not yet compliant according