News

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

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Master Sergeant Jesse Edinger

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Master Sergeant Jesse Edinger of Fort Harrison 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.

Daines Fights for LWCF Funding

U.S. SENATE — On the heels of House Interior Appropriations plus-up of LWCF, U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote a letter to U.S. Senate Interior Appropriations Committee Leadership urging the full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and to build on momentum for stronger funding in the Senate bill. The letter also highlighted the importance of the program to Montana. “Earlier this Congress, we took a historic step to permanently authorize the LWCF,” Daines said. “As we work towards full, dedicated funding for the program, I encourage you to allocate at least $600 million of LWCF in FY 2020.”

Daines Pushes for B-47 Ridge Naming in Honor of Fallen Servicemen

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged lawmakers for swift passage of the B-47 Ridge Designation Act in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. Daines introduced the bipartisan bill that names the ridge after four servicemen who lost their lives in February.   Click HERE to download video “That is why I introduced the bipartisan B-47 Ridge Designation Act to tell the story of these brave men and to make sure the sacrifice is not forgotten,” Daines said. “So their families, friends and visitors to this ridge will see what happened that day. After over half a

Daines’ pro-coal bill signals move toward ‘American energy dominance’

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on May 9 proposed a bicameral Republican measure that would extend the tax credit for production of refined coal to protect critical energy jobs in Montana and around the country. “This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and reduce emissions,” Sen. Daines said on May 10. “This is a win for Montana, this is a win for the environment, and this is a win for American energy dominance.” Sen. Daines introduced S. 1405 with lead cosponsors including U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Cory Gardner (R-CO). The companion bill, H.R.

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Jo Laughlin and Doris McCorkindale of Fergus County

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines Jo Laughlin and Doris McCorkindale of Fergus County for their tremendous impacts on Fergus County and the surrounding areas. 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, Gianforte Fight for Montana Energy Jobs

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte introduced a bill to support and create Montana energy jobs by extending a refined coal production tax credit. The bill will help improve the economics of Colstrip, promote clean coal production and reduce emissions. “Colstrip and energy jobs are a critical part of our Montana way of life,” Daines said. “This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and reduce emissions. This is a win for Montana, this is a win for the environment, and this is a win for American energy dominance.”     “For too long, IRS inaction has

Daines, Gianforte support refined coal tax credit with Colstrip in mind

Montana’s congressional Republicans are backing a tax break on refined coal, in hopes of sparking investment in Colstrip Power Plant. Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte are among several lawmakers calling for an extension of a tax credit for “refined coal,” meaning coal that’s been screened or pre-treated to lower pollutants when burned. The two Republicans mentioned Colstrip specifically Thursday in an email calling for a renewal of the tax credit. “Colstrip and energy jobs are a critical part of our Montana way of life,” Daines said. “This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Gold Star Families, Remove Taxes on Military Survivor Benefits

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation providing tax relief for children receiving benefits who have lost a parent serving in the military. This bipartisan legislation effectively removes these benefits form the special 1986 tax, resolving the unintended tax treatment of survivor benefits. “Families of those who have lost a loved one while serving in the military should not be forced to pay burdensome taxes,” said Daines. “This bipartisan bill would protect family members of brave men and women from unnecessary taxes, and I’m glad so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are supporting this