In The News
Daines to introduce sweeping legislation to settle CSKT's Flathead water claims
Senator Steve Daines says a newly-developed settlement would bring a permanent solution to the dispute over tribal water rights claims in Western Montana, in a deal worth upwards of $2 billion. The settlement, which forms the framework of a new agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, would replace the pending Flathead Water Compact . News of the agreement came Thursday after recent statements from Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and US Attorney General William Barr gave… Continue Reading
12.05.19
Daines says he’ll introduce new agreement to settle CSKT water dispute
An agreement between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the federal government over long-disputed water rights took a major step forward Thursday when Montana Sen. Steve Daines said he plans to introduce a bill that would implement a new settlement framework. "Today is a really important step. We've reached a historic compromise on a century-old dispute that protects the water rights of all Montanans," Daines said Thursday in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C. "We've reach… Continue Reading
12.05.19
Montana delegation urges pro baseball to reconsider plan to cut minor league teams
Montana's congressional delegation this week joined a growing list of officials urging Major League Baseball to reconsider its plans to slash a number of minor league teams, including those in Montana - home to the Pioneer League. Under the proposal, MLB would reduce its affiliated teams from 160 to 120. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines each sent letters to MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred on Tuesday opposing the plan. "Our communities are deeply invested in our minor league teams," Tester wro… Continue Reading
12.05.19
New Bill to Keep Mussels Out of Lakes and Streams Read More: New Bill to Keep Mussels Out of Lakes and Streams
A new bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester. "Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2019" is targeted at such organisms as zebra and quagga mussels in waterways. In a news release the bipartisan bill was explained as a way to strengthen prevention efforts by the Bureau of Reclamation by partnering with states and cities to fund watercraft inspection and decontamination stations, which have become a common sight along Western Montana high… Continue Reading
12.03.19
Thankful to those who served
The holiday season is upon us. Montana families across our state are giving thanks and enjoying quality time with their families and loved ones. As we gather around the dining table this year to express our gratitude, let us not forget the extraordinary privilege we have as free Americans. I want to give thanks to our Montana service members currently deployed, unable to be home for the holidays this year. Thank you for protecting our nation. I also want to express my gratitude to thei… Continue Reading
12.03.19
Montana deputy received national honor for saving baby
They risk their lives every day to protect our communities-- law enforcement officers, deputies and troopers. On Tuesday, one member of the Missoula County Sheriff's Office received national recognition for saving a baby buried alive in the woods outside Lolo. Deputy Ross Jessop was among 19 men and women to receive the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Policing in front of a packed crowd during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Jessop and U.… Continue Reading
11.27.19
Daines Introduces 'Free Veterans Act' to Battle Pension Poaching
Montana Senator Steve Daines was visiting with a widow of a Montana military veteran recently when he learned about an activity called 'pension poaching'. Patricia Perdue had nearly all of her pension benefits stripped away by a scam artist. After looking at her case, Daines crafted the 'Free Veterans Act' to raise awareness on an issue that is impacting many vulnerable veterans and their families. Daines said there are not only individuals but also organizations that preying on veterans and t… Continue Reading
11.26.19
Rankin post office receives U.S. Senate's blessing
Jeannette Rankin and Charlie Russell are linked again. The U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent a bipartisan bill last week naming the Missoula post office on West Kent Avenue in honor of Rankin (1880-1973), the peace-preaching pioneer and suffragist from Missoula who became America's first Congresswoman. The legislation, introduced last March in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and in the U.S. House by Rep. Greg Gianforte, was unanimously passed in the House on Oct. 16. U.S. Se… Continue Reading
11.25.19
Billings MET Transit receives $840,000 federal grant
The Christmas tree at the Billings MET Transit station is going to have make room underneath for two new buses. The city learned last week it has received a $840,000 federal transportation grant, which will be used to buy two new buses and install several of tech upgrades for its bus fleet to make riding easier for passengers with disabilities. The federal Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program is competitive, and Kevin Ploehn, director of transportation for the city, said it wa… Continue Reading
11.25.19
Montana native, Billings grad joins NASA as senior adviser
NASA's newest senior adviser will tell anyone who'll listen that he grew up in Poplar, Montana. The way Mike Gold sees it, if he can start in rural Eastern Montana, graduate from Senior High and make it all the way to Washington, D.C., then other kids growing up in equally underserved or overlooked communities can do it too. "It's so important that we not leave rural America behind," he said. Gold was sworn in earlier this week by Sen. Steve Daines to serve as NASA's senior advi… Continue Reading
11.23.19
US Attorney General Barr talks meth epidemic with Montana law enforcement
KALISPELL - U.S. Senator Steve Daines hosted U.S. Attorney General William Barr in Kalispell Friday to discuss Montana's meth crisis. Local law enforcement voiced concerns to the Attorney General including Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino and Kalispell Police Chief Doug Overman. Research from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services shows 23 deaths were attributed to methamphetamine in Montana in 2017. The study shows more than 1,800 criminal violations involved meth in … Continue Reading
11.22.19
Bill naming Missoula post office after U.S. Rep. Rankin heading to Trump’s desk
The three members of Montana's congressional delegation on Friday praised the passage of a bill this week renaming the Missoula post office in honor of the nation's first congresswoman, Jeannette Rankin. The U.S. House passed the measure in mid-October and the U.S. Senate followed suit on Thursday, drawing praise from Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines. The bill is going to President Donald Trump for signature. "Jeannette Rankin was a trailblazer for women's rights and a leader for all Montana… Continue Reading
11.22.19
Senate passes bill to rename Bozeman VA clinic for Travis Atkins
The U.S. Senate passed a bill this week to rename Bozeman's Department of Veterans Affairs clinic after local Medal of Honor recipient Travis Atkins. The House must also approve the bill before the facility at 300 N. Willson Ave., becomes the Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. The clinic is one of 14 in the state that provides outpatient services to veterans. "I'm hopeful this bill will be quickly signed into law, so that folks in Bozeman and across this grateful n… Continue Reading
11.22.19
AG Barr unveils plan on missing, murdered Native Americans
PABLO - U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced a new federal strategy to address missing and murdered Indigenous people Friday during a visit to the Flathead Indian Reservation. On his visit, Barr also discussed methamphetamine-related problems with Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, expressed support for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai water compact, and visited an overlook of the National Bison Range, where he heard the tribes' goals for the area. A report released last ye… Continue Reading
11.19.19
Bills to fund LWCF, national parks pass committee
Two pieces of major conservation legislation reached a "milestone" Tuesday, Republican Sen. Steve Daines told the Montana media after a Senate committee advanced legislation that would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and address the maintenance backlog at national parks. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing Tuesday morning to consider the two bills and offer amendments. Tuesday's action follows the passage of a lands package … Continue Reading
11.19.19
Daines helps push funding for LWCF, national park maintenance to Senate floor
With the help of Sen. Steve Daines, the U.S. Senate has the chance to finally consider full funding for a public land and parks grant program and some funding for overdue national park maintenance. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Daines is a member, passed more than a dozen bills out of committee, but two may be of particular interest to Montanans. The first would require Congress to allocate $900 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund … Continue Reading
11.17.19
Mountain-Pacific secured $15.5 million in federal funding for operations
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, of Helena, has secured $15.5 million in federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester both provided aid to the organization in securing this competitive funding over the next five years. However, according to Sara Medley, CEO of Mountain-Pacific, this is about half of the funding the organization received in 2014. Medley described the funding as "insanely competitive" and noted that there are com… Continue Reading
11.14.19
Sen. Steve Daines calls out Google CEO in private letter over health care and privacy concerns
Google should explain why it's collecting mass amounts of health care data on U.S. citizens and ensure the information isn't being taken without permission, said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., in a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai Thursday. In a letter obtained by Fox News, Daines highlights Google's "Project Nightingale," which has the company collecting health data on millions of Americans without sharing the goals of the project. "While I recognize the value of partnerships that are aimed … Continue Reading
11.12.19
Senator Daines in Billings for Veterans Day
Senator Steve Daines will be in Billings on Monday, November 11, to honor veterans. He will be at Will James Middle School (1200 30th Street W, Billings) at 8:15am. He will be speaking at a Veterans Day Assembly that will start at 9am. Veterans are invited to the assembly. Senator Daines will speak at MSU Billings (1500 University Drive, Billings) at 10am in the Petro Theater, along with Superintendent of Huntley Project Schools Mark Wandle. A lunch reception will follow the ceremony at 11:3… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Montana senators deserve credit for their leadership on LWCF in Washington
You have most likely heard plenty in the recent months about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the political football being played back in Washington, D.C. to secure permanent, full, dedicated funding for the program. While we aren't all the way there yet, we are closer than we have been in decades. Montana can be proud that both U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester have been bipartisan champions for reauthorization and funding of this critical program. To say otherwise … Continue Reading
