Daines Hails Passage of Medical Innovation Bill
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of bipartisan legislation to bring medicine into the 21st century: “Around every kitchen table in Montana are moms and dads worried about healthcare,” Daines stated. “This bill helps folks gain access to life saving drugs, provides help for family members struggling with depression and gain access to equipment needed for an elderly parent. Working together in a bipartisan fashion we took an important step in helping these families.” S. Kevin Howlett, Director, CSKT Health Department: “We are pleased that the Senate has recognized and supported the need for resources to address the epidemic of
Flathead Beacon: Lumber Coalition Files Petition Against Canadian Imports
A month after a 10-year trade agreement on lumber from Canada expired, a coalition of U.S. lumber producers has filed a trade complaint over those imports from our northern neighbor. The U.S. Lumber Coalition filed the petition with the federal Commerce Department and International Trade Commission on Nov. 25, seeking duties imposed on Canadian softwood lumber that the coalition says is dumped into the U.S. market. The term “dumping” in this case refers to lumber sold at less than market value, and the coalition says duties would offset the harm that these imports have caused mills in the U.S. and
Bloomberg: Trump’s Pick of EPA Foe to Lead Agency May Spark Senate Fight
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of a chief opponent of the Obama administration’s climate agenda and a staunch oil industry ally to lead the Environmental Protection Agency prompted vows to battle the nomination. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt — who sued the EPA to overturn some of President Barack Obama’s signature initiatives — is Trump’s pick to lead the agency, according to people familiar with the decision. It is a major victory for oil, gas and coal companies that have complained about a heavy hand at the agency. Pruitt relishes his role as its chief antagonist; an official bio on the 48-year-old Republican’s
Daines Congratulates Two Montana Students on Appointments to U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Cade Wessel of Bozeman and Travis Catina of Whitefish on receiving an offer of appointment from the U.S. Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland. Daines called Wessel and Catina today to inform them of the offer and give his congratulations. Wessel, a senior at Bozeman High School is a four-year letter winner on the football team, varsity football team captain and starting linebacker for the state championship football team. Wessel is also the throwing captain for varsity track. He has volunteered as a coach for youth basketball, Special Olympics and organized the
Daines Pushes Army Corps on Spread of Invasive Mussels
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pushed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to expedite the deployment of funds for watercraft inspection stations to combat the spread of adult mussels wreaking havoc on Montana’s ecosystem. Daines met with the Commander of the Northwest Division Brigadier General Scott Spellmon, Director-Programs Directorate, Northwestern Division Dave Ponganis and Engineering Officer, Aide-de-Camp, First Lieutenant Eric Chu. “It’s important we get these watercraft inspection stations up and operating – its one of the most effective ways we can stop the spread of invasive mussels,” Daines stated. “We need to cut through the bureaucratic chatter and talk about what we
The Hill: GOP senator points to Iran deal, immigration as targets for Trump
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is detailing a wide-ranging list of Obama administration policies for Donald Trump to roll back when the president-elect takes office in January, including the Iran nuclear deal and immigration. “In addition to enacting harmful policies, the current administration has failed to support commonsense reforms needed to improve the lives of hardworking Americans and protect our way of life,” Daines wrote in a congratulatory letter to Trump on Tuesday. The seven-page letter covers national security, agriculture, energy, privacy, innovation, protecting taxpayers and small business. Among the recommendations is renegotiating the Iran deal, which Daines said was “poorly formed and
Great Falls Tribune: Helena couple survived Pearl Harbor in 1941
HELENA — Andy Kim, then 15, a self-proclaimed “rascal,” and some of his buddies were having their usual Sunday morning fun in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when he noticed a tiny black speck in the sky. The Navy had been out on maneuvers a few days earlier, most of the Navy ships had returned to the port and U.S. military planes had been flying drills so no one was suspicious when that small dot appeared above. Soon, the small speck got closer and passed the boys as they were standing on a railroad trestle. It was a Japanese fighter with what
Daines Outlines Montana Priorities for President-Elect Trump
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today outlined specific priorities that could bring jobs back to Montana. In a letter sent to President-elect Donald J. Trump today, Daines enumerated 49 executive actions he would like to see President-elect Trump take starting on Day One. “One of your driving principles is rolling back the countless Obama administration regulations and policies that have stifled job creation, economic growth, and innovation,” Daines wrote. “I could not agree more that reversing such misguided policies is critically needed. In addition to enacting harmful policies, the current administration has failed to support commonsense reforms needed to improve the
Daines, Booker Introduce Bill to Increase Transparency in Air Travel
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced legislation to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) measure performance goals for new technology shaping America’s air traffic control system. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) will make air travel safer by moving from a radar-based system with radio communication to a satellite-based one. NextGen deployment has been bogged with delays and cost overruns since it was first congressionally mandated in 2003. The final implementation is to be completed by 2025. Daines’ and Booker’s bill would create measurable performance goals and hold federal officials liable annually for