Sen. Daines outlines upcoming priorities in Congress
HELENA – Drug prices was one of the topics U.S. Senator Steve Daines discussed with lawmakers on Friday. The Republican addressed the legislature and spoke briefly with reporters about his priorities for Congress. When asked what solution he would like to see for border security — and keeping the government open, in two weeks — Sen. Daines said he still thinks a partial wall along the Southern border is a reasonable request. But, above all, he wants both sides to compromise. “The right answer is to come up with a bipartisan solution,” Daines said. “Nancy Pelosi said we’re not going to negotiate until the
Legislation including mineral withdrawal north of Yellowstone, LWCF to get vote in U.S. Senate next week
Permanently banning new mining claims north of Yellowstone National Park and renewing a popular conservation fund are closer to reality, as the U.S. Senate plans to take up a broad lands bill including the two measures next week. The bill, S. 47, contains a variety of public lands legislation across the country including two measures that have been important to the Montana congressional delegation — the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Representatives from the offices of Montana’s two senators have told the Chronicle the bill will hit the Senate floor early
Daines says Montanans want less government
HELENA – Sen. Steve Daines told state lawmakers Friday that Montanans don’t want a government that reaches “deeper” into their pockets and wanted courts with judges without political agendas. The Montana Republican spoke to state House members during a 30-minute speech in which he discussed topics such as the honor of public service, a memorial being approved for a slain Broadwater County deputy, job creation, term limits, lower prescription drug prices and the Keystone XL Pipeline. “I will not stop fighting for common sense solutions on issues that mean the most to Montanans,” he said. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester spoke
Daines Secures Vote on Bipartisan Public Lands Package
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured a vote on a landmark bipartisan public lands package, which includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. The public lands package moves forward to the floor of the United States Senate just one day after Daines urged Senate Leadership to bring the package up for a vote. “I’m pleased Senate Leadership is bringing this critical bill for Montana to the floor for a vote,” Daines said. “From permanent reauthorization of LWCF to the passage of the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, it’s
Daines cosponsors bill to repeal death tax
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R.Mont., has announced that he is cosponsoring the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019. The bill would fully repeal the federal estate tax, also known as “the death tax.” “The death tax hits Montana’s farming and ranch families the hardest and often results in the break-up of family farms,” Daines said. “Families who are dealing with the death of a loved one shouldn’t have to worry about what is going to happen to their land. I’m glad that were able to double the death tax exemption in the last Congress. Now it’s time for full repeal.”
Daines: We Need to Lower Prescription Drug Prices for Montanans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines yesterday discussed the need to lower prescription drug costs for Montanans and for all Americans at the first official U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing this Congress. Download video HERE “The high cost of prescription drugs is an issue that folks back in Montana call me about frequently and write to me about a lot,” Daines said. “Mr. Chairman I look forward to working with you and Members of this Committee to make sure consumers can afford medications they depend on… I want to ensure that we protect access to critical medications and continue to support
Daines Applauds new VA Access Standards for Community Care
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of new access standards for community care for veterans. The new standards were required under the VA Mission Act which Senator Daines cosponsored and President Trump signed into law into 2018. “The VA Choice Program was riddled with mismanagement and bureaucracy. It simply did not work for Montana’s Veteran population, which is why I cosponsored the VA Mission Act,” Daines said. “I’m hopeful that, with these new access standards, veterans will have more certainty about what care they get closer to home and avoid administrative hassles. This should also
Daines to Leadership: Bring Bipartisan Public Lands Package Up for a Vote
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Senate Leadership to urge a vote on a landmark bipartisan public lands package, which includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Last Congress, Daines fought for several Montana conservation and lands priorities to be included in a legislative bipartisan public lands package. At the end of 2018, Daines secured commitment from Senate Leadership that the package would be brought to the floor of the Senate early in the 116th Congress. “Notably, passage of S.47 would enact permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which will provide certainty to local
Daines Votes to Advance Slate of Priorities for Montana Tribes
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to advance a variety of priorities for Montana’s tribes, including the federal recognition of the Little Shell tribe, TLOA, and SURVIVE Act, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act grants the Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa federal recognition. Daines reintroduced the bill earlier this year. Quote below: “It’s long overdue that the Little Shell Tribe receives federal recognition. I’m pleased with this progress today and I’ll continue to push with my colleagues to finally get this done so the people of Little Shell