In The News
Indian Country Today: Coal Terminal Proponent 'Looking At Options' After Denial of Permit
The proponent of a rejected coal shipping terminal in Lummi Nation's historical territory is "looking at all its options" and "will decide shortly how we plan to proceed," the company's vice president wrote in a letter to ICTMN. Bob Watters of SSA Marine said the Army Corps of Engineers' denial of his company's permit based on the project's potential impacts to Lummi's historical fishing areas is "a political decision rather than a regulatory decision." Col. John Buck, commander of the Army Co… Continue Reading
05.25.16
The Hill: Lawmakers Push to Elevate Cyber Command in Senate Defense Bill
05.24.16
Bloomberg BNA: Senate Commerce Mulls Two-Pronged TCPA Update
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is eyeing a dual-track strategy for moving legislation that would update the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) suggested during a May 18 panel hearing on the law that the committee consider acting on different bills that would focus on alleged litigation abuses and consumer harms, respectively. "If we could figure out how to divide this discussion into those two categories, we're much more likely to find a soluti… Continue Reading
05.24.16
KMMS: Daines' Water Projects Bill Receives Hearing
Senator Steve Daines' bill that would move Montana water projects forward and ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana recently received its first hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "From the crops and grazing fields of our state's agriculture providers, water is our most valuable resource," Daines stated. "Our farmers, ranchers and families deserve access to a reliable water source." The Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act would … Continue Reading
05.22.16
Williston Herald: Bill Includes Language That Would Preserve Sidney's ARS Unit
A successful haymaker has just been thrown in the funding fight for the Sidney ARS unit. The 2017 Ag Appropriations Bill is headed to the floor of the U.S. Senate for a vote with language that ensures the Northern Plains Research Lab in Sidney will remain fully staffed and operational. Senator Jon Tester, who is a member of the subcommittee that authored the bill, said the language should guarantee that the lab in Sidney can continue to research the impact of the wheat stem sawfly, which ann… Continue Reading
05.21.16
KGVO: Senator Steve Daines Offers Hope to Montana Loggers for Future Access to Federal Lands
Montana Senator Steve Daines was in Missoula Saturday morning to speak to a gathering of the Montana Loggers Association at the Holiday Inn, downtown. During his one term as a Montana Congressman and now as the state's junior Senator, Daines has been meeting with representatives of the logging and timber industries on a regular basis. On Saturday, Daines told KGVO News that the federal government continues its dismal performance in managing forest lands in the west. "The federal government is… Continue Reading
05.21.16
Missoulian: Sen. Daines: Management Reform Essential to Bring Montana Forests Back to Life
Forty years after the Montana Logging Association was founded, the group met Saturday morning to look at an industry in limbo and what needs to change so it will thrive. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., addressed the MLA attendees, hopeful that a bill containing forest management reform that passed the U.S. House recently would soon make it through the Senate, into a conference committee and onto President Barack Obama's desk before the end of the year. Either that, he said, or the Senate wou… Continue Reading
05.21.16
Sen. Daines: Management Reform Essential to Bring Montana Forests Back to Life
Forty years after the Montana Logging Association was founded, the group met Saturday morning to look at an industry in limbo and what needs to change so it will thrive. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., addressed the MLA attendees, hopeful that a bill containing forest management reform that passed the U.S. House recently would soon make it through the Senate, into a conference committee and onto President Barack Obama's desk before the end of the year. Either that, he said, or the Senate w… Continue Reading
05.21.16
Independent Record: Delegation Reflects on US Miltary
May is a month to recognize what those who don the uniforms of the country give to their nation. May 8 is the date that marks the Allies' acceptance of the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. May 21 is Armed Forces Day, created in 1949 to replace separate patriotic days for individual branches of military service. May 30, Memorial Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to the nation. These aren't the only significant dates during the month that recognize a… Continue Reading
05.21.16
Tech Times: Female WWII Pilots Can Now Be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Female World War II pilots can now be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. On May 20, President Barack Obama signed a law clarifying the eligibility of these women for such honorable burial. In the past, Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) were denied the honor of having their remains interred in the said famous cemetery. The White House said the move of the president is necessary to give honor to the survivors of the Greatest Generation, including the first pilots, who were on active dut… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Roll Call: Senate Privacy Advocates Seek to Block Expanded Search Powers
A bipartisan Senate coalition led by Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Rand Paul wants to block efforts to make it easier for the government to search computers across multiple jurisdictions. The Justice Department is proposing rule changes that would allow it to use a single warrant to search far and wide, a move the government says is designed to deal with technology. But some senators see the change to criminal procedure rules, which has already been blessed by the Supreme Court, as open… Continue Reading
05.19.16
The Hill: Coal war intensifies with Obama review
Miners and Western Republicans are lining up against the Obama administration and environmentalists in what some consider the next front in the "war on coal." Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced a three-year moratorium on new coal leases on public lands in January, launching a review that could potentially result in mining companies paying higher rates. "It fits tidily into their overall view of coal," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Res… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Military Times: VA docs to be able to recommend marijuana in some states
Congress on Thursday gave veterans the right to discuss medical marijuana as a treatment option with their Veterans Affairs doctors in states where it is legal. The House and Senate approved bills that include amendments forcing VA to lift restrictions that prohibit doctors from talking about medical marijuana or recommending it to their veteran patients. The legislation, tacked onto bills funding military construction and VA, prohibit the department from using funds to enforce the VA's policy… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Mineral Independent: Wyatt Zylawy second family member in the Congressional Record
In April, Wyatt Zylawy was recognized by Montana Senator Steve Daines for his outstanding achievements in his recent Coast Guard training. Through Daines "Montanan of the Week" initiatives, the Senator recognizes an individual in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Two weeks ago, Daines was in St. Regis and presented Wyatt's father, Roman, with the Congressional Record. Roman said that he's very proud of Wyatt's accomplishments an… Continue Reading
05.18.16
The Hill: Second Republican joins push to block federal hacking powers
Sen. Steve Daines is signing on to a bill from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) blocking a Justice Department request to expand its remote hacking powers, an aide from the Montana Republican's office tells The Hill. He is the second Republican to join the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will also co-sponsor, according to Paul's office. "Our law enforcement policies need to be updated to reflect 21st century realities with a process that is transparent, effective and protects our civil liberties," Dain… Continue Reading
05.18.16
Choteau Acantha: Snow storm aid sought
Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Montana's funding request to help rebuild communities across Montana after they were devastated by a mid-April snow storm. "The resulting damage from this storm impacted Montana's rural communities, severely damaged local infrastructure, and left thousands of residents and commercial customers without electricity," Tester, Daines and Zinke wrote in a letter to … Continue Reading
05.18.16
Glasgow Courier: Hinsdale's Delaney Beil Honored by Daines
U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Delaney Beil, a fifth-generation Montana rancher and Hinsdale High School senior. Delaney is a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and will soon be receiving her state certification. Here is Senator Daines' statement to Congress: "Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a Hinsdale High School senior, Delaney Beil. Delaney is described by her EMT instructor, Dorothy Jensen, as, 'a determined team player, who is committed to her communi… Continue Reading
05.16.16
Sen. Daines: Taking care of our veterans
Some in may tell you that the dust is finally settling after over a decade of war. I would say those folks aren't seeing the whole picture - and the 80 servicemembers from Montana's 219th RED HORSE Squadron who recently returned from their deployment to the Middle East might, too. The threats facing our nation are growing - and with it, American servicemembers are more important than ever. Whether it's engaging the enemy, constructing runways for bombers or manning a Missile Alert Faci… Continue Reading
05.16.16
Sens. Daines and Cotton: Shore Up US Nuclear Program
While it may be difficult to imagine given the destructive power they possess, nuclear weapons are a cornerstone of our national security. In fact, our possession of these weapons helps protect the United States and US allies around the world every single day by deterring our enemies. Regrettably, our nuclear capabilities are facing a readiness crisis and we must act to ensure the United States deterrent remains credible. Quite simply, it is imperative that we ensure our nuclear capabilities a… Continue Reading
05.13.16
KXLF: Senator Daines helps family persevere through adoption process
BOZEMAN -Adoptions can be tricky and take a long time, even within the United States. One special little boy was able to meet one of the key players that helped reunite him with his family. Senator Steve Daines played a large role in helping to bring Rocky over from the Congo.… Continue Reading
