Press Releases

Daines Blasts Senate Dems’ Refusal to Allow Debate on Syrian Refugee Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his disappointment in Senate Democrats’ refusal to allow debate on legislation that would increase security and screening measures for refugees seeking to enter the United States.  “It is Congress’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our nation, but today Senate Democrats proved they would rather play politics than prioritize our national security,” Daines stated. “The SAFE Act is commonsense legislation that institutes a much-needed intensive screening process for incoming Syrian refugees. We are at war with radical Islamic extremism and it is irresponsible to accept anything less than a 100 percent verification of

Daines: The IRS is Failing Montanans

Daines Underscores Need to Reform IRS Services, Tax Code as Tax Season Begins  WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the first day of tax season, Senator Steve Daines is calling for reforms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations in light of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealing that nearly 62 percent of callers who wanted to speak with an IRS representative were unable to receive assistance.  “As this year’s tax season begins today, we are once again reminded of the consistent shortcomings displayed by the IRS,” Daines stated. “Our tax code is nearly five times as long as the Bible, but with none of

Daines: New Deficit Projections Affirm Need to Rein in Spending

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to reining in Washington’s out-of-control spending after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the federal budget deficit is expected to increase by $105 billion in 2016 – the first increase in seven years. “These projections reaffirm the dire consequences of Washington’s continued bloated spending. Make no mistake – this $105 billion increase in the federal deficit is direct result of the 2000-page trillion dollar spending bill that was cobbled together behind closed doors and forced through Congress last month,” Daines stated. “It’s past time for Washington to get serious about reining in our national

Daines, Forbes Highlight Resolution to Celebrate Religious Freedom Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA) today highlighted their resolution to celebrate and reaffirm the role of religious freedom as a fundamental human and Constitutional right.  The resolution recognizes the 230th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and commemorates January 16, 2016 as Religious Freedom Day by an act of Congress. The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom was authored by Thomas Jefferson and served as the model for the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.  “America sets the standard across the globe for upholding the fundamental human right to

Daines Blasts Obama Moratorium on New Coal Leases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed President Obama’s decision to place a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal lands, which will likely end coal mining in the west and destroy the thousands of good-paying jobs coal supports in Montana.     “This moratorium is almost exclusively focused at destroying Montana and Wyoming coal. It is an unprecedented assault on one of Montana’s most important sources of good paying jobs and tax revenue that will likely shut down coal development in Montana and Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Rather than forcing his ideology on the American people through executive fiat, President Obama should instead spend his remaining time in office helping America power the

Daines Applauds American Airlines Expansion to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement that American Airlines will expand their air services to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and create an additional travel route for Montanans. “This is exciting news for the Bozeman community and the thousands of Montanans who rely on Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport for reliable air travel,” Daines stated. “This new partnership with American Airlines won’t just increase options for Montanans, but will also make it easier for Montanans to access global destinations at lower costs.  It will further open Bozeman’s door to economic opportunities and job creation, unlocking markets for Montana small businesses.”

Daines to Kerry: Congress Doesn’t Make Laws With Iranian Interests in Mind

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today criticized Secretary of State John Kerry for his recent attempts to placate Iran’s concerns over the United States’ Visa Waiver Program (VWP) restrictions. Daines also called on Kerry to press the Iranian government, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, to cease its support for terrorist activity and provide tangible evidence of such action.  In a letter to Secretary Kerry, Daines and 13 of his colleagues ask the Secretary to make clear to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif that U.S. national security interests, not Iranian interests, were the impetus for changes to the VWP. The letter is

Daines Applauds House Action to Stop Obama’s WOTUS Power Grab

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of bipartisan legislation nullifying the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.  The House today joined the Senate in passing S.J.Res.22, a joint resolution Daines helped introduced to disapprove of the EPA’s new, overreaching WOTUS rules. The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk.  “I’m pleased to see the House join the Senate in passing bipartisan legislation to stop yet another Obama administration power grab that harms our farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines stated. “The EPA’s latest overreach is a direct threat to Montanans’ way of

Tester, Daines continue delivering on their promises to “Blue Water Navy” veterans

(U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are working to deliver on the promises they’ve made to “Blue Water Navy” veterans by restoring their eligibility for service-connected disability benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure.  “Blue Water Navy” veterans served in the waters offshore during the Vietnam War.  In a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald, Tester and Daines urged the VA to reverse a 2002 rule that excluded “Blue Water Navy” veterans from the VA benefits and care to which they should be entitled.  The 2002 rule extended coverage only to Vietnam veterans