Republicans Take an Important Step Back into the Environmental Debate
Conservation and conservatism: The two are rightfully inseparable. Yet it is fair to say that the Republican brand has for many years been divorced from environmental causes in the public imagination. Widely associated with climate-change skepticism, unquestioning support of the fossil-fuel industry, and the blind harvesting of resources, the GOP’s record on conservation is a bit rocky. But as voters become increasingly worried about the environment, Republicans on the Hill have finally realized that there is no time like the present to show some concern for the fate of the natural world. Last Wednesday, a group of Republican senators and
Daines, Gillibrand Demand No Further Delays for Blue Water Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote a letter urging Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie, to reverse his decision to delay benefits by another six months to the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans. “This is a disheartening and unnecessary action,” the senators wrote. “Delaying these benefits for another six month without specific and valid cause only adds insult to these veterans, many of whom have been waiting for these benefits for seventeen years.” To read the full letter, click HERE. Daines and Gillibrand have been leading the fight for Blue Water Veterans in the Senate
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Mike and Tari Conroy
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Mike and Tari Conroy of Ravalli County for their 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. President, Mr.
Trump, Daines press for improved forest management to prevent wildfires
President Donald Trump is pushing better forest management as a big part of his plan to stop the number of large wildfires that have caused devastation in the western United States in recent years. In a speech at the White House this past week, the president touted an executive order signed last December promoting more active forest management. “You can’t have dirty floors. You can’t have fallen trees. After the first 17 months, they say a tree is like a piece of tinder,” said Trump, a Republican. Wildfires have gotten worse in recent years — burning up a large part
Daines, Gianforte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fix PILT for Montana Counties
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte yesterday introduced the bipartisan Small County Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Parity Act. “Far too often our rural communities are pushed aside and not given the resources they need,”Senator Daines said. “These PILT payments deliver critical services to folks in rural Montana, and I’m glad to introduce this important legislation to increase those resources in Montana’s small counties.” “In Montana, 55 of our 56 counties receive PILT funding. As the largest landowner in our state, the federal government must keep its commitment to our communities and make them whole,” Congressman Gianforte said. “The existing
Glacier Park International Airport Receives $5.7 Million for Terminal Expansion
Glacier Park International Airport has received $5.7 million in federal funds to help pay for its ongoing terminal expansion and the purchase of new firefighting equipment. The money was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and comes on the heels of two other major FAA grants GPIA has received in recent years: a $7.5 million grant in 2017 and a $2 million grant in 2018. GPIA is currently in the midst of a three-year expansion project that will add about 40,000 square feet to the terminal area. “This grant is critical to Glacier Park International Airport’s capital
Daines Bill Set to Generate $6.6 Billion in Federal Revenue
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his bill, the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2019, will generate $6.6 Billion in federal revenue, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Tax, by restoring integrity back to the conservation program. “My bipartisan bill will protect this critical conservation tool by stopping abuse from bad actors,” Daines said. “The massive $6.6 billion revenue estimate shows that, despite previous IRS guidance, abuses have continued and it demonstrates the need to bring integrity back to this program so it can be used for years to come.” The bill limits qualifying conservations contributions,
Daines Secures Over $47 Million in Funding for Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $47,798,711 will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure. “It’s critical Montana has the best air travel infrastructure in the country,” Daines said. “These grants will lead to more jobs and development in Montana’s rural communities.” The funding is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) under the Department of Transportation. As a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, Daines was instrumental in securing funding for the Airport Improvement Program. To read which airports the $47,798,711 will be distributed towards, please click HERE. Background: Daines has been active
Billings Logan International Airport to receive $1 million grant
BILLINGS – The Billings Logan International Airport will receive about $1 million of federal grant money to buy new aircraft rescue and fire equipment, as well as partially fund the upcoming terminal expansion project in 2019. “This grant will help us secure new equipment that will be good for the next decade or so,” said Billings Airport Director of Aviation and Transit Kevin Ploehn. This money will allow the Billings airport to purchase about $200,000 worth aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment. Ploehn said some of the current firefighting equipment has expiration dates that are about to be reached. The remaining $800,000 will