Daines, Gianforte thank Shining Honor Project workers
KALISPELL, Mont. — Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember Americans who died in active duty in the military, but one group in the Flathead does that year-round. Residents of the Lighthouse Christian Home participate in the Shining Honor Project, which gives jobs to developmentally challenged adults. Their job is to keep veterans’ gravesites clean and tidy at Glacier Memorial Gardens and Whitefish City Cemetery. “It’s a great way to get Memorial Day headstones ready for this important day,” U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) said. “It’s a day of remembrance, and to have these Montanans who have developmental challenge
Border patrol backtracks on plan to cut hours on Montana’s northern ports of entry
BILLINGS- Agriculture and business are the reasons the U.S. Customs and Border Protection decided to not cut hours at ports entries on Montana’s northern border, U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte and Sen. Steve Daines announced jointly Friday. In February, the CBP announced it was decreasing hours that ports would be open. However, after meetings with U.S. citizens living along the border, the agency will hold pat with its original schedule, according to a news release from Daines and Gianforte, both Montana Republicans. The Port of Raymond will be open 24 hours. Ports in Morgan, Opheim and Scobey will be open from 9
Daines Fights for Montana’s Wildland Firefighters
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced The Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act and The Wildland Firefighter Fairness Act. “I have heard the challenges our wildland firefighters face and I am taking action,” Daines said. “The two bills I introduced are aimed at strengthening our preparedness for future wildfires and ensures we are recruiting and retaining the folks who put it all on the line for our safety.” The legislation would direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create a “Wildland Firefighter” job series and would address several technical problems wildland firefighters face. To read The Wildland Firefighter
Daines , Tester Vote to Hang Up on Robocalls
(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester voted to hang up on robocalls today, helping pass the bipartisan Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act?—also known as the TRACED Act—through the Senate today. “Across Montana, folks are being inundated by illegal robocalls,” Daines said. “It’s long overdue that Montanans are protected from these illegal calls. I’m glad my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle supported this important legislation. We must crack down on these bad actors and stop this abuse once and for all!” “We’ve got to stop the incessant ring of robocalls,” Tester said. “The TRACED Act will do that by empowering regulators to identify robocalls before
Daines Fights to Remove Barriers for Montana’s Skilled Workers
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand the education savings plans to skilled workers. To download video, click HERE. “This legislation will lead to more jobs and higher wages for hardworking Montanans,” Daines said. “Those who want to join an apprenticeship program ought to be given the same opportunities afforded to those who go to traditional colleges and universities.” Under Daines’ legislation, skilled workers enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program would have access to the same tax advantaged savings account that those attending colleges and universities receive under Section 529 of the IRS Code.
Daines, Gianforte Urge Agency to Prevent Crisis at Northern Border
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opposing cuts in hours of operation at four Montana ports of entry. “Cuts in hours of service should not be implemented and the current hours of service should continue. While we remain willing to work with you on the needs of your service to protect America and resolve the crisis at the southern border, we encourage you to refrain from causing a crisis at the northern border at the same time,” Daines and Gianforte wrote. To download
In Missoula, wildland firefighters discuss retention, morale, USFS regs with Daines
Those who jump from planes, provide initial attack deep in the forest or staff an engine line all have a common set of issues related to their federal job classification, which mentions nothing about being a firefighter. Retaining qualified crew members and staying within the hours that wildland firefighters are permitted to work have also emerged as problems, according to Montana and Idaho firefighters who met with Sen. Steve Daines on Friday at Neptune Aviation in Missoula. “We need Congress to understand the issues and address them, because we’re having a serious issue of retention among our firefighters,” said Casey
Montana senators say Japan beef deal good for state
Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester reacted favorably Friday on new terms that eliminate Japan’s restrictions on U.S. beef exports, saying it would be good for the Treasure State. It’s a deal the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Friday the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms to eliminate Japan’s longstanding restrictions on U.S. beef exports. The new terms take effect immediately and allow U.S. products from all cattle, regardless of age, to enter Japan for
Senator Daines meets with Wildland Firefighters to discuss upcoming legislation
MISSOULA- Friday morning Senator Steve Daines joined wildfire preparedness officials and wildland rural firefighters for a round table discussion on this coming fire season, as well as new legislation to benefit wildland firefighters. Issues that were heard today ranged from having the proper job classification, to retirement benefits, as well as compensation during an injury. Wildland fighter fighters and Federal Wildland Fire Service association executives had the chance to sit down with Senator Daines to share concerns and desires for Daines to take back to Washington D.C., with him. Currently working on a bill with Washington Senator Maria Cantwell to