Daines Works to Stop President Obama’s WOTUS Rule
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today successfully worked to stop President Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that seeks regulate virtually every ditch and pond that may be occasionally wet across the United States. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, of which Daines is a member, approved a bill that would prohibit the WOTUS rule. This bill is set to be taken up by the full Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thursday. “The WOTUS rule is a clear effort by the Obama administration to gain control over
Politico: Senators Want Cyber Command Language in Final Defense Policy Bill
Sens. Steve Daines and Mark Warner are asking the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services panels to include a provision in the final defense authorization bill that would elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a full, unified command. “At a time when ISIS is rapidly recruiting online and the cyber battlefield is evolving at a rapid rate, the United States needs to ensure cyber warfare is at the top of our priorities,” the duo said in a letter today addressed to Sens. John McCain and Jack Reed and Reps. Mac Thornberry and Adam Smith . The pair originally planned
KTVH: Sen. Daines and Tester express condolences to the families in Orlando
On Monday, Montana Senator Steve Daines expressed his condolences to the families of those involved in the horrific Orlando shooting on the Senate floor. “My deepest condolences are with the victims and the families of this appalling attack. I am grateful for the law enforcement and first responders who bravely put their lives on the line to save others,” said Sen. Steve Daines. Senator Jon Tester released this statement on Sunday saying in part, “we must come together to put an end to this terrorism, intolerance and senseless violence that is attempting to steal our freedom.”
Fox Montana: Orlando shooting prompts talk of legislation in Senate
Sunday morning’s Orlando attack has renewed conversation in the Senate about proposed firearm legislation. Democratic Senators are pushing for a new vote on the “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act,” which would keep any suspected terrorist from buying firearms in America. This isn’t the first time this legislation has come up. Neither Senator Jon Tester or Senator Steve Daines acted as co-sponsors when the bill was defeated last December, but Senator Tester voted to support it while Senator Daines voted against it. On Monday, several Democratic Senators from California, New York, Connecticut and Florida revisited the idea and
E&E: Daines touts conservative conservationism
Earlier this spring, Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines drew loud applause from a crowd of union activists — traditionally a Democratic constituency — with his stinging attack of U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan. “You talk to our unions back in Montana, they sometimes wonder if [EPA] shouldn’t stand for the Employment Prevention Agency,” Daines told the North America’s Building Trades Union at its Washington, D.C., convention. He warned that thousands of “good-paying union” jobs would disappear because of the administration’s efforts to limit carbon emissions from power plants. Only a few days later, Daines was speaking out on the other
Daines Announces Grants for MSU for Rural Healthcare & Asbestos Research
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced Montana State University (MSU) received $190,000 to increase quality healthcare services and for asbestos research. MSU received $172,000 for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare for rural Montana. “I look forward to seeing Montana State University use this funding to expand their healthcare services to increase the quality of services for rural Montanans,” Daines stated. Kristin Juliar, Director of Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health: “We find inspiration every day in the work of the healthcare organizations that serve rural and
Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Legislation
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. The NDAA passed 85-13. “Authorizing the funding our military needs is more important now than ever as we witness radical Islam continue to take root around the world, and in our backyards,” Daines stated. “The tragedy in Orlando was another act of war on our homeland – and it is critical we provide our military the tools to destroy our enemies overseas and strengthen our security at home. I am proud this bipartisan legislation takes important steps towards improving our nation’s
Daines Statement on Abhorrent Net Neutrality Decision
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sustained the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality rules: “This decision is an affront to hardworking Americans who rely on the internet for economic opportunity and access to critical communication services,” Daines stated. “Net Neutrality remains a solution in search of a problem that kills jobs, chills innovation and slows investment. I will continue working in the Senate to maintain a free and open internet to rein in the Obama administration’s regulatory overreach.” Before serving in Congress, Daines worked in the
Great Falls Tribune: Defense bill includes Huey provisions for Malmstrom
The U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act with a 85-13 vote. The bill included a provision from Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., requiring that the Department of Defense certify any security shortfalls of the UH-1N helicopter currently used to support nuclear security at missile bases, including Malmstrom Air Force Base. The provision also requires DOD to report to Congress how it will mitigate those shortfalls with outside resources until the acquisition process for new helicopters is complete. The Air Force announced in May that it would use a normal acquisition process to replace the Hueys flown at missile bases.