In The News
Guest column: Addressing the challenges of Yellowstone's next 150 years
In March of 1872, a groundbreaking idea was born in the West. The world's very first national park was established right in our backyard and became part of our Montana way of life. Its impact would forever change how we protect our most beautiful landscapes, not only across America but around the world. As Yellowstone National Park commemorates its 150th anniversary this week it's worth remembering what it took to establish this icon of conservation. Yellowstone's wonders have been att… Continue Reading
02.27.22
Opinion: Ranchers need support
In Montana, cattle outnumber people by nearly three to one, so it's no wonder that Montana beef plays such a large role in our rich legacy of agriculture and our economy. Montana ranchers take pride in producing the best cattle and highest-quality beef in the world. The last thing they should have to worry about is getting a fair price for their product. I'm hearing concerns from hardworking Montana cattle producers who are struggling to compete with the four biggest packers who currently d… Continue Reading
12.18.21
Daines introduces bill to increase pay for people with disabilities
Wages grew in Montana during the pandemic, but a group of workers in the state - and across the country - are still being paid below minimum wage. A decades-old federal law allows businesses to legally pay people with disabilities below the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour. There are 16 businesses in Montana - including one in Bozeman - that pay below minimum wage, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. That standard could change. Montana Republican Sen. St… Continue Reading
12.14.21
Guest view: Working Montanans can't afford 'Build Back Broke' plan
Montana families across the state are feeling the pain in their pocketbooks from inflation and higher prices on everything from gas to groceries to heating their homes. What's causing this? President Biden and Congressional Democrats' wasteful spending problems, and their multitrillion-dollar reckless tax and spending spree bill will only make matters worse. Last week, inflation hit a nearly 40-year high, backing estimates that families will spend an extra $4,600 more this year alone. In fa… Continue Reading
12.05.21
Daines offers alternative to Biden's 30x30 land plan
A group of GOP Congress members released an alternative to President Joe Biden's 30x30 land conservation initiative on Tuesday, pushing for more attention to productive management of working lands. "Conservation is part of our Montana way of life - we know how to be good stewards of our lands," Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, wrote of the proposal. "I believe it's a conservative principle to conserve," Daines wrote. "That's why I'm pushing a new 'Western Conservation Principles' initiat… Continue Reading
11.03.21
Senate Republicans, led by Daines, move to block reported $450k payments to illegal immigrants
Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., on Wednesday moved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which would bar a reported plan by the Biden administration to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to illegal immigrants who were separated at the border - just as President Biden strongly denied the report. The amendment would prohibit cash settlements resulting from the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy -- which in some cases led … Continue Reading
10.20.21
Daines: Working to protect Montanans from Democrats’ tax and spend
Democrats, led by President Biden, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders and Nancy Pelosi, are rushing a reckless $3.5 trillion tax and spending spree bill through Congress that would reshape the very foundation of America and push the U.S. down the path of socialism. The Democrats' massive bill is the largest spending bill in our nation's history and will create all sorts of new entitlement programs. To pay for it, Democrats plan to hike taxes across the board, making this bill the largest tax inc… Continue Reading
09.01.21
Stefanik and Daines demand Pelosi, Schumer advance bill to reopen Canadian border as Biden keeps it closed
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Elise Stefanik are urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call votes on a bill that would force the Biden administration to open the Canadian border, citing economic harm to their constituents who rely on cross-border commerce to make a living. Daines, R-Mont., and Stefanik, R-N.Y., said they "urge immediate action" on the bill "to reopen the U.S.-Canada border for nonessential travel and revitalize American jobs an… Continue Reading
08.30.21
Vets to Daines: U.S. withdrawal needs accountability; Afghan nationals need security
A panel of veterans on Monday expressed dismay over the handling of the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan and urged Sen. Steve Daines to hold commanders accountable. They also urged the senator, who spent the afternoon in Missoula, to ensure those left behind are brought home, including the Afghan nationals who served alongside American forces. "There's going to be accountability," Daines told members of the panel. "We'll find out what decisions were made, why they were made and heads will roll. … Continue Reading
08.25.21
From the 'Middle of Nowhere' to the 'Heart of the Nation'
In what could be considered a once in a lifetime experience, Dalton Sand of Glasgow and Cole Taylor of Larslan recently found themselves touring the halls of Congress With Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). "I don't think it would be as cool as it was being there without Senator Steve Daines," Sand told The Courier, recounting his time in the United States Capitol rotunda, surrounded by larger than life statues of great American statesman. "It was just us, [Daines] and his staff. It was amazing becau… Continue Reading
08.19.21
Republican senator calls on Biden to reappoint Powell to top Fed job
Aug 19 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden should keep Jerome Powell at the helm of the Federal Reserve for another four years to build confidence in an improving economy that still faces significant risks, Senator Steve Daines said in a letter to the president on Thursday. "Changing the top leadership at this sensitive time could foster uncertainty across the financial system and undermine our economic recovery," Daines, a Montana Republican, wrote. His letter was the first formal call for Powell… Continue Reading
07.22.21
A Bill to Halt Chemical Abortion on College Campuses
Across America, pro-abortion activists are currently working around the clock to increase access to abortion in any way they can - whether cheering on do-it-yourself chemical abortions in the New York Times opinion section, or tossing out common-sense safety procedures such as risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS). The abortion movement's number one goal has become to ensure universal access to dangerous forms of abortion, including chemical. Now, they are particularly interested in t… Continue Reading
07.16.21
Daines, local officials talk rising crime rates in Billings
U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined local law enforcement, elected officials and a district judge to tour the Billings Police Department's evidence facility Friday to talk about concerning levels of crime in the region. Daines sat down with Billings city administrator Chris Kukulski, Police Chief Rich St. John, County Commissioner John Ostlund, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder, County Attorney Scott Twito, District Judge Mary Jane Knisely, and director of the state's Department of Correc… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Sen. Daines warns Biden ahead of Putin meeting: 'If you go in with weakness, the bully comes out on top'
President Biden is facing strong warnings from Republicans about his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines, said in an interview on "Your World with Neil Cavuto" Tuesday that Biden must approach the Wednesday meeting in Geneva from a position of "strength" or "the bully will come out on top." "He's showing weakness towards Russia and being tough on America. President Biden needs to go in with strength," Daines said. "Remember President Reag… Continue Reading
05.28.21
Daines introduces Bipartisan Package to promote retirement security for Montanans
U.S. Senator Steve Daines is helping lead bipartisan efforts in the U.S. Senate to help Montanans prepare for retirement. The package includes Daines' bipartisan "Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act" that helps Montanans track their retirement accounts as they move between jobs. "Montanans work hard to build their savings in preparation for a worry-free retirement - their efforts and savings should be secure," Daines said. "I'm glad to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in worki… Continue Reading
05.27.21
National parks gear up for biggest year yet; Daines leads hearing on congestion
(CN) - As the National Park System gears up for what is likely to be its most crowded season, lawmakers are trying to bring congestion and overcrowding relief to the some of the country's most popular parks. "We need a breathing place for our national lungs, and a lot of that has to do with intelligent ways of visiting the parks," Ken Burns, a filmmaker who produced a documentary miniseries about the national parks, told lawmakers Wednesday in a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resourc… Continue Reading
05.26.21
Sen. Steve Daines: Biden's tax-and-spend agenda will hurt not help America recover from COVID
As we work to lift ourselves out of the coronavirus pandemic-induced recession, America needs a plan that will reward hard work, boost our small business owners, and help Americans get back on their feet. What President Joe Biden has presented to us instead is a plan for keeping folks at home and dependent on government handouts. We saw in 2017 how tax reform championed by Republicans increased new investment and led to historic economic growth. President Biden is ignoring what we know works… Continue Reading
05.17.21
Daines preparing to re-introduce Forest Management Bill
With the continuing trend for hotter fire seasons, Senator Steve Daines believes it's still critical to reform forest management. And he's preparing for another run at a bill to make those changes. Senator Daines tells me the U.S. still needs a package of solutions to resolve the conditions that have left death and destruction in the aftermath of recent fire seasons. And he's ready to take another pass at a measure which got traction in Congress last fall. "I think we're going to take the same… Continue Reading
05.17.21
Sen. Steve Daines: ‘Long Past Time’ for Supreme Court to Reconsider Roe v. Wade
National pro-life leaders, including Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), expressed satisfaction that the U.S. Supreme Court has finally agreed to reexamine "whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional" and if state laws that prohibit most abortions are unconstitutional. The Court has agreed to hear the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health during its term that begins in October, one that could present the most significant challenge to its 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade… Continue Reading
05.13.21
Montana’s senators reintroduce “Putting First Responders First Act”
HELENA, Mont. - Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) reintroduced a bill that looks to clarify the current tax code to ensure first responders do not have to pay taxes on injury-related compensation when hurt in the line of duty. According to a release, the "Putting First Responders First Act," was inspired by the story of Ladd Paulson, a Billings police officer who is now retired. "In 2002, Mr. Paulson was hit by an impaired driver while he was conducting a routine traffic… Continue Reading
