Daines, Tester, Gianforte Bill to Designate Three VA Facilities in Honor of Montana Veterans Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte’s legislation to designate three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation recognizes the commitment to duty and personal courage of three Montanans by naming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be designated in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be designated in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow (Dakaak
Daines Calls for Greater Flexibility for Montana Agriculture and Livestock Haulers
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter signed by a bipartisan group of Senators to Administrator Raymond Martinez of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), calling for greater flexibility within hours of service (HOS) regulations for commercial motor vehicle drivers, which help maintain the safety on Montana’s roadways. Daines and the bipartisan group of colleagues wrote, “The trucking industry provides for over three million jobs in the U.S. and is the backbone of our economy, ensuring our nation’s goods get to market. It is important that HOS regulations provide for a commonsense framework for drivers, rather than
Daines Applauds President’s Nomination of Robert Wilkie to Lead VA
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced Robert Wilkie, the acting secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as his next nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. “Robert is a friend and I know he will do what it takes to put our veterans first in a department that has not been giving our heroes the treatment they deserve,” said Daines. “I look forward to putting my full support behind his nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.” ###
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Amanda Bedford of Chouteau County
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Amanda Bedford for her positive impact on the Chouteau County community as the owner of the Wake Cup Café. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. 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’
Daines, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Injured First-Responders are Fairly Compensated
U.S. SENATE – During National Police Week, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester introduced the bipartisan Putting First-Responders First Act. This legislation would clarify the current tax code to ensure injured first-responders do not have to pay taxes on injury-related compensation. In addition, this bill prevents injury-related compensation from becoming taxable when injured first-responders reach retirement age since their injuries and associated costs remain. The legislation was inspired by the story of the now retired Billings police officer, Ladd Paulson. In 2002, Mr. Paulson was hit by an impaired driver while he was conducting a routine traffic stop on
Great Falls Tribune: ‘Piano Pat’s’ honor part of Congressional Record
Pat Spoonheim, better known as Piano Pat, plays on a recent Wednesday night at the Sip ‘n’ Dip. She has played piano at the bar since 1963. Two Montanans were cast into the national spotlight Friday when two federal lawmakers honored a famed Great Falls piano player and a Fort Benton coffee shop owner for making differences in their communities. Patricia Spoonheim, better known as “Piano Pat,” was honored by Rep. Greg Gianforte with his Spirit of Montana award for “entertaining countless patrons from Montana and across the globe at the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge since 1963.” The iconic Tiki bar
KTVH: Daines fights against Amtrak ticket-agent cuts along Hi-Line
During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) urged Amtrak officials to reconsider cutting ticket agent jobs at Amtrak’s Havre and Shelby stations and to take action to ensure the transportation needs of rural Montanans are met, including adding a stop in Culbertson. “The Empire Builder is critically important to keeping our rural communities connected, transporting out-of-state visitors to some of Montana’s pristine landscapes and supporting local economies,” said Daines. “Amtrak must take action to ensure the needs of Montanans and rural travelers are met.” During
Great Falls Tribune: Daines: Bring B-12 bomber to Malmstrom
Sen. Steve Daines is urging U.S. Air Force officials to consider Malmstrom Air Force Base as a future site for the B-21 bomber. The Montana Republican made his suggestion Thursday to U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the Air Force budget. He said Gen. David Goldfein spoke in September about the strategic advantages and budgetary efficiencies of having Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) assets and long-range bombers both located at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. “I find that argument very compelling and believe the same advantages could be
After Urging Pruitt, EPA Works to Lift Gag Order on Cleanup Plan at Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site
U.S. SENATE – Just a day after U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to lift a court gag order on the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund site cleanup plan, Daines announced today that the Department of Justice in conjunction with the EPA and the Atlantic Richfield Company filed a motion to lift the confidentiality order. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies hearing, Daines secured Administrator Pruitt’s commitment that EPA staff would quickly go to Butte to hear the community’s input once the details of the plan are released.