In The News
U.S.-Japan trade, crucial to Montana, expected to improve
Struggling U.S. agriculture exports to Japan, which have cost Montana farmers millions in sales since the start of 2019, are a few months away from being resolved, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer testified Tuesday. Lighthizer, taking questions from Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., before the Senate Finance Committee, said his office was working with Japan to smooth out tariff troubles brought about by the United States' 2017 exit from the multinational Trans-Pacific Partnership. Nati… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Daines, Tester advance Senate bill to federally recognize Little Shell Tribe
Montana's congressional delegation made a successful bipartisan push Wednesday to advance legislation that would, for the first time, federally recognize the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. According to a press release sent to MTN News, Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester have stapled their tribal recognition bill as an amendment to must-pass defense spending legislation in the U.S. Senate. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to which the recognition bill has been attached, mus… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Senate panel focuses on missing, slain indigenous women
Lawmakers pressed the Trump administration on Wednesday to respond with urgency in addressing violence against Native American women and children after they say two officials arrived at a key U.S. Senate hearing unprepared to take concrete positions on a slate of legislation. The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held the hearing in Washington to review five bipartisan measures aimed at tackling domestic violence, homicides and disappearances on tribal lands. The hearing followed… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Trapper Creek and Anaconda Job Corps centers to stay open
Bowing to pressure from Congress and communities across the country, the Trump Administration announced Wednesday that it will not close or transfer any of the Job Corps Centers operated by the U.S. Forest Service, including Montana's Trapper Creek and Anaconda centers. "Following a robust engagement with stakeholders and members of Congress regarding the future of the USFS Job Corps centers, USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has notified DOL (Department of Labor) that the USFS will eva… Continue Reading
06.15.19
‘No Brainer!’: Trump Supports Sen. Daines’ Proposed Amendment to Ban Flag Burning
"All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag," Trump tweeted Saturday morning. "A no brainer!" Daines reintroduced the controversial proposal in a press release Friday, on Flag Day. "Our United States flag is a timeless symbol of liberty that tells the story of America, the story of our enduring pursuit of freedom," Daines said. "Remembering the sacrifices of all who carried its colors into battle, our nation should always render t… Continue Reading
06.14.19
Steve Daines Proposes Amendment to Ban Flag Burning
Daines introduced his constitutional amendment to prohibit burning of the American flag as America celebrates Flag Day. "Our United States flag is a timeless symbol of liberty that tells the story of America, the story of our enduring pursuit of freedom," Daines said in a press release Friday. "Remembering the sacrifices of all who carried its colors into battle, our nation should always render the flag the honor and dignity it is due." The Montana Republican has led the way for the movement t… Continue Reading
06.12.19
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
