News

Sen. Daines in Missoula: ‘If you can’t pass a balanced budget, you shouldn’t get paid’

Montana’s Republican lawmaker in the U.S. Senate touted Monday his bipartisan work to a crowd in one of the state’s most Democrat-voting cities. Sen. Steve Daines spoke at City Club Missoula’s monthly luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel about everything from gun control to public land ownership to the federal deficit to Mexican meth during a question-and-answer session. He was met with protesters outside the building who want him to work toward funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund fully with $900 million instead of just $600 million, and he was asked by a local high school student who endured a

Daines Continues 56 County Tour

MONTANA —This week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines continued his 56-county tour of the Treasure State for the 116th Congress, with eight stops across Montana. Every Congress, Daines visits all 56 counties. This week, Daines visited Red Lodge, Clancy, Toston, Deer Lodge, Baker, Miles City, Plentywood and Scobey. Red Lodge: On Monday, Daines met with the folks of Red Lodge to discuss everything from lowering the national debt to ensuring folks have access to care in our rural communities.  Clancy: On Wednesday, Daines visited Marks-Miller Post&Pole in Clancy to discuss the forest management practices and the great work they are doing to

Daines Applauds EPA’s Proposal That Will Lead to More High Paying Montana Jobs

U.S. SENATE– Today, U.S. Senator Steve applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal regarding the water quality certification process. The proposal would reform implementation of the water quality certification process under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. “This is great news for Montana’s energy economy,” Daines said. “Today’s announcement will help stop activist bureaucrats from abusing the law to limit the potential of Montana’s booming energy economy. Common sense regulation will lead to more high paying jobs for Montanans and strengthen our nation’s energy independence.” EPA’s issuance of proposed regulations is the agency’s next step to implement President Trump’s

Daines Announces $86 Thousand Grant to Strengthen Fish Habitation and River Flow in French Creek

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $86,610 will be directed towards the Big Hole Watershed Committee based in Divide, Montana to complete the Lower French Creek Sediment Reduction Project.  “This is great news for the folks in Silver Bow County,” Daines said. “This funding is about preserving our great outdoor heritage and will ensure better flow to the French Creek for all Montanans to enjoy.”   The project will reroute a 4,000 linear foot reach of French Creek that is currently pinned between an eroding bank and linear gravel piles, leading to an annual deposition of an estimated 800

Daines Leads U.S. Senate Field Hearing on National Parks at Grant-Kohrs

DEER LODGE, Mont. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today brought together members of the community and leaders from the National Park Service for an official U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources field hearing at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. Serving as the Chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee, Daines held the hearing to examine opportunities of expanding visitation at lesser-known National Park System Units.   Daines said, “We know that over 5.5 million people visited national parks in Montana last year. Those guests spent approximately $633 million in local gateway regions supporting over 9,500 jobs and generating over $880 million

Daines promotes wildfire protection bill on tour of Helena fire that led to 500 homes evacuated

NORTH HILLS — Standing yards above the makeshift range where a person shooting exploding targets sparked a wildfire last month, Tri-Lakes Fire Chief Bob Drake grabbed the top of one of the 3 ½-foot tall Ponderosa pine saplings populating the area that he said presented a huge problem when trying to fight the fire. “It was a really difficult initial attack,” Drake said. “ … (Firefighters were) doing everything they can, and this is what they’re dealing with and they can’t even get through that. You can’t stop it in this. I don’t care what you’ve got.” The North Hills fire grew to

Sen. Steve Daines holds Senate subcommittee hearing live at Grant-Kohrs Ranch Thursday

Wanting to highlight Montana’s lesser visited national parks, Sen. Steve Daines will host a National Parks Subcommittee Senate hearing live at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site north of Deer Lodge. The Republican senator has invited a list of officials, from Powell County Commissioner Ralph E. Mannix, Jr., to Toby O’Rourke, president and chief executive officer of Kampgrounds of America Inc., to hold a conversation about how to increase visitation at all of Montana’s national parks. Others who will be there to talk will include Palmer “Chip” Jenkins, Intermountain Region National Park Service acting regional director, and Sarah

Daines pushing forest management reform measure

MISSOULA — US Senator Steve Daines says new forest management reform legislation will take “concrete, meaningful steps” to improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires. The Republican also hopes teaming up with veteran Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California will convince Congress the issue is critical and needs to be addressed across party lines. Word came late last week that Daines and Feinstein are working on legislation that would protect public safety by expediting and expanding the removal of dead, dying and hazardous trees in national forests. The pair had jointly authored a letter in 2016, even before

Daines Announces $300,000 to Spur Economic Development for Colstrip Communities

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $300,000 will be directed towards Rosebud County to strengthen Colstrip and support the economic infrastructure of the local community. “This is about making sure the folks at Colstrip aren’t left behind,” Daines said. “These grants will strengthen the local community in Rosebud by creating good paying jobs and spurring economic development for Rosebud County’s small businesses.”    Colstrip was granted two grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for $300,000.  $250,000 will be directed provide financing to the coal industries in the counties impacted by the imminent closure of the power plant