In The News
Daines: “We are a northern border state with a southern border problem”
Vice President Mike Pence will spend the day in Billings talking about the drug crisis in America and holding a campaign event for U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. Daines and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte traveled on Air Force Two with the Vice President on Wednesday as he made his way to Billings. Daines spoke to MTN News from Air Force 2 about the issues the Vice President will discuss during his visit. "We have a drug crisis, a methamphetamine crisis, and it's flowing in from Mexico," Daines said. "It's … Continue Reading
06.07.19
Vice President Mike Pence will visit Billings Wednesday at Senator Daines' invitation to discuss Montana's meth crisis
BILLINGS, Mont. - Senator Steve Daines announced today Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence will be coming to Billings Wednesday "for a firsthand look at Montana's devastating meth crisis." "Montana has a crisis on its hands. Mexican meth is pouring into our state and tearing our families and communities apart," Daines said. "I've been fighting hard to tackle this growing issue all over our state and I'm very grateful to welcome Vice President Mike Pence to Billings next week t… Continue Reading
06.03.19
Daines’ call convinces Trump to keep Anaconda Job Corps site open
Sen. Steve Daines on Monday said a phone call to President Donald Trump over the weekend convinced the commander-in-chief to keep the Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center open, saying it plays an important role in southwest Montana. Daines told reporters during a media call that he phoned Trump on Saturday to discuss the site's significance to the Montana economy and its top ranking within the Civilian Conservation Corps. "The president gratefully overruled the decision made by Secr… Continue Reading
06.03.19
Daines Recognized as most Transparent – Accountable- Innovative
U.S. Senator Steve Daines was recognized recently as the most transparent, accountable and innovative representative in Washington by the Congressional Management Foundation. Bradford Fitch, President and CEO, Congressional Management Foundation added this comment in a press release: 'As a Democracy Award winner, Senator Daines' office is one of the best in Congress. This designation demonstrates that Senator Daines has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his con… Continue Reading
06.03.19
Daines: Trump reverses decision to close Anaconda Job Corps
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines secured President Trump's decision to keep the Anaconda Job Corps training center open, overruling the closure announced late last month by the U.S. Department of Labor. Daines announced the decision Monday at a 3 p.m. video conference call with Anaconda stakeholders. President Trump's decision followed Daines' telephone discussion with Trump on Saturday. According to Daines' staff, the senator stressed that the Anaconda center was one of the top-ranked in the co… Continue Reading
05.29.19
Daines: Montana businesses well-suited for defense contracts
The U.S. Department of Defense already spends $200 million on services from Montana private contractors, Sen. Steve Daines said Wednesday. But, there are more opportunities for Montana businesses than are being realized, he said during a Billings workshop on government contract work. The event, organized by Big Sky Economic Development of Billings, drew several federal government agencies, as well as defense contractors Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. "I under… Continue Reading
05.28.19
Daines: Anaconda Job Corps Closure Would Be 'Devastating'
Montana's Republican Senator Steve Daines is strengthening his response to the Trump Administration's planned closure of the Job Corps' Civilian Conservation Center in Anaconda. On Friday Daines and fellow Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte sent the U.S. Department of Labor a letter saying that while they appreciate the Labor Department's effort to better align the Anaconda facility's organizational structure with the department's mission, they have concerns about it's closure. The pair urge… Continue Reading
05.28.19
Daines, FCC commissioner tour fire technology center in Missoula
The U.S. Forest Service has deployed land mobile radios on the fireline since the Vietnam War, and the equipment hasn't changed much over the years. But Colin Watts, assistant director for land mobile radio at the Missoula Technology and Development Center, said the future is about to change. "The future is digital and the future is data," Watts said. "Real-time telemetry and data management is going to be a growing concern. The ability to extend that data envelope into the forest where we ope… Continue Reading
05.28.19
FCC Commissioner and Daines meet in Missoula
MISSOULA - FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr visited Missoula Tuesday as part of his week-long trip through Montana and Wyoming where he's hearing from rural areas about internet and cell service connectivity issues. Carr was joined by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) at the Montana Children's Specialist, where they discussed the benefits and roadblocks of telehealth where patients can visit a doctor remotely. Doctors and patients video chat, and can have a full appointment from miles away. "This can save… Continue Reading
05.28.19
Daines Visit Focuses on Montanore
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the Montanore offices in Libby Friday to discuss the progress of the mine project with members of local government and the community. Along with Daines, State Sen. Mike Cuffe, District 1, and State Rep. Steve Gunderson, District 1, were also in attendance, alongside county government and school officials, as well as members of the community associated with various organizations and boards. Doug Stiles, manager of Montana Operations for Hecla Mining, gave a short … Continue Reading
05.25.19
Daines, Gianforte thank Shining Honor Project workers
KALISPELL, Mont. - Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember Americans who died in active duty in the military, but one group in the Flathead does that year-round. Residents of the Lighthouse Christian Home participate in the Shining Honor Project, which gives jobs to developmentally challenged adults. Their job is to keep veterans' gravesites clean and tidy at Glacier Memorial Gardens and Whitefish City Cemetery. "It's a great way to get Memorial Day headstones ready for this important day… Continue Reading
05.24.19
Border patrol backtracks on plan to cut hours on Montana’s northern ports of entry
BILLINGS- Agriculture and business are the reasons the U.S. Customs and Border Protection decided to not cut hours at ports entries on Montana's northern border, U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte and Sen. Steve Daines announced jointly Friday. In February, the CBP announced it was decreasing hours that ports would be open. However, after meetings with U.S. citizens living along the border, the agency will hold pat with its original schedule, according to a news release from Daines and Gianforte, both M… Continue Reading
05.18.19
In Missoula, wildland firefighters discuss retention, morale, USFS regs with Daines
Those who jump from planes, provide initial attack deep in the forest or staff an engine line all have a common set of issues related to their federal job classification, which mentions nothing about being a firefighter. Retaining qualified crew members and staying within the hours that wildland firefighters are permitted to work have also emerged as problems, according to Montana and Idaho firefighters who met with Sen. Steve Daines on Friday at Neptune Aviation in Missoula. "We need Congress… Continue Reading
05.17.19
Montana senators say Japan beef deal good for state
Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester reacted favorably Friday on new terms that eliminate Japan's restrictions on U.S. beef exports, saying it would be good for the Treasure State. It's a deal the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates could increase U.S. beef and beef product exports to Japan by up to $200 million annually. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Friday the United States and Japan have agreed on new terms to eliminate Japan's longstanding restrictions on … Continue Reading
05.17.19
Senator Daines meets with Wildland Firefighters to discuss upcoming legislation
MISSOULA- Friday morning Senator Steve Daines joined wildfire preparedness officials and wildland rural firefighters for a round table discussion on this coming fire season, as well as new legislation to benefit wildland firefighters. Issues that were heard today ranged from having the proper job classification, to retirement benefits, as well as compensation during an injury. Wildland fighter fighters and Federal Wildland Fire Service association executives had the chance to sit down with Sen… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Daines’ pro-coal bill signals move toward ‘American energy dominance’
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on May 9 proposed a bicameral Republican measure that would extend the tax credit for production of refined coal to protect critical energy jobs in Montana and around the country. "This bill will protect good-paying energy jobs, support refined coal production, and reduce emissions," Sen. Daines said on May 10. "This is a win for Montana, this is a win for the environment, and this is a win for American energy dominance." Sen. Daines introduced S. 1405 with lead c… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Daines, Gianforte support refined coal tax credit with Colstrip in mind
Montana's congressional Republicans are backing a tax break on refined coal, in hopes of sparking investment in Colstrip Power Plant. Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte are among several lawmakers calling for an extension of a tax credit for "refined coal," meaning coal that's been screened or pre-treated to lower pollutants when burned. The two Republicans mentioned Colstrip specifically Thursday in an email calling for a renewal of the tax credit. "Colstrip and energy jobs are… Continue Reading
05.08.19
Sen. Daines asks FCC when they'll implement additional power towards robocalls
26 Billion Robocalls were placed in the United States last year. Congress recently passed the Traced Act. The legislation extends the time frame in which the Federal Communications Commission can catch companies or individuals that intentionally break telemarketing restrictions from one year, to three. This week Senator Steve Daines asked the FCC Chairman when he can expect the FCC to implement its additional power. Daines: "When do you think we can do that? Pai: "Soon Hopefully. I defer to y… Continue Reading
05.08.19
GOP Sen. Daines to introduce bill reinstating census citizenship question
Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines is set to introduce legislation on Wednesday that would require the census to include a citizenship question, Fox News has learned, in an aggressive new effort that could bolster the Trump administration's legal case for querying residents on their citizenship status. With just weeks to go until the Census Bureau's July 1 deadline to print out the forms, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of the Trump administration's decision to add a cit… Continue Reading
05.08.19
Daines questions BIA over MMIW cases
Senator Steve Daines spent his afternoon on Capitol Hill speaking with the Bureau of Indian Affairs about the ever growing Missing and Murdered Indigenous People epidemic. Sen. Daines questioned the BIA's practices, specifically in Indian Country when it comes to communicating with families. "One of the most frustrating experiences for families is the lack of information being shared from federal law enforcement agencies. It seems like there is a black hole," said Daines Tara Sweeney, Assist… Continue Reading
