Press Releases

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

Daines: President Obama Cemented His Failed Legacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines tonight called out President Obama for his empty rhetoric, noting the President’s final State of the Union address was just “politics as usual.” Daines’ full statement is as follows:  “Rather than fighting for solutions that strengthen our economy, tonight President Obama cemented his failed legacy.   “Rather than presenting concrete solutions that bolster our national security, President Obama chose to lead from behind. “Rather than supporting hardworking farmers and ranchers, President Obama doubled down on his administration’s bureaucratic land grabs that infringe on Montanans’ livelihoods. “Rather than using the largest national stage to fight

Daines: Capture of U.S. Navy Boats is Further Proof Iran Can’t Be Trusted

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines tonight released the following statement regarding the recent capture of U.S. Navy boats by Iranian military forces: “This is yet another reminder that the Iranian regime cannot and should not be trusted. Given this latest provocation, it is unthinkable to lift any sanctions on Iran. We cannot placate Iran — the world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism — with its current leadership in place. It should outrage all Americans that President Obama intends to completely ignore this serious issue during his State of the Union remarks tonight and has provided no confidence in his ability

Daines: It’s Past Time to ‘Audit the Fed’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his disappointment following the Senate’s failure to advance to debate on the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015, widely known as “Audit the Fed.”  Daines is an original co-sponsor of S. 2232, which eliminates restrictions on Government Accountability Office audits of the Federal Reserve and mandates that the Federal Reserve’s credit facilities, securities purchases, and quantitative easing activities be subject to congressional oversight.   “We must ensure that the Federal Reserve is transparent and accountable to the American people,” Daines stated. “Americans deserve answers about how our government creates its monetary policy, not the current status quo of making

Montana Delegation Introduces Legislation to Repeal REAL ID

U.S. CONGRESS —Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester and Representative Ryan Zinke today announced that they have formally introduced legislation in the Senate and House repealing federal mandates for driver’s licenses included in the REAL ID Act of 2005. “Montanans have spoken loud and clear: we don’t want REAL ID and we don’t want the federal government infringing on our personal privacy,” Daines stated. “The Repeal ID Act ensures Montanans’ voices are heard and will help strike the right balance that protects our security while also safeguarding Montanans’ civil liberties.” “REAL ID violates the constitutional freedoms of law-abiding Americans and

Daines to Welcome Jason Small, Boilermaker Leader & Northern Cheyenne Tribal Member, as Guest for State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Jason Small, President of Boilermakers Local 11, small business owner and Northern Cheyenne tribal member, will serve as Daines’ guest of honor for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. tomorrow night. “It’s my honor to welcome Jason Small as my guest for the upcoming State of the Union address,” Daines stated. “As President of Boilermakers Local 11 and an experienced labor advocate, Jason is a proven leader in standing up against the Obama administration’s devastating anti-coal, anti-energy agenda that threatens hardworking Montana families, union workers and tribal members.

Daines Discusses National Security with New Regional FBI Leader

HELENA, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today met with Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Eric Barnhart, the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent for Salt Lake City Division, which includes Montana. Daines and Barnhart met in Helena at Daines’ urging to discuss national security issues facing Montana. Daines sought more information regarding FBI Director James Comey’s statement that law enforcement authorities have open investigations of suspected ISIS supporters in all 50 states. Director Comey also estimated that law enforcement authorities have around 900 active homegrown extremist cases, the overwhelming majority of which are related to ISIS.    Click here to download a high resolution

Daines, Zinke Call on Governor Bullock to Issue Full Approval of the Montanore Project

U.S. CONGRESS – Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke are calling on Governor Steve Bullock and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to expeditiously issue full approval for the Montanore Project, which would create much-needed jobs and economic opportunity in Lincoln County.  After more than a decade, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Montanore project was recently completed, clearing the way for the U.S. Forest Service and MDEQ to issue Records of Decision approving of Montanore’s plan of operations and required permits. MDEQ is considering a phased approval of the project, which would be inconsistent with the