Press Releases

Daines Announces Over $500,000 in Education Funding for Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced more than $500,000 in federal funds for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) to bolster their educational programs and provide additional tools to advance self-determination in an educational setting. The Salish Kootenai College (SKC) was awarded $220,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) the Tribal College Research Grants Program (TCRGP), which was created by the 2014 Farm Bill. The tribe was separately awarded $287,769 through the Department of Education’s State-Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) program. “These grants will provide Salish Kootenai College and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes with additional resources to

Daines: Bipartisan Vote to Move Forward Veterans Funding Bill Is How Washington Should Work

Daines urges Senate Democrats to end block of critical defense funding legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate vote to move forward debate on legislation to fund critical veterans’ services and noted that bipartisan cooperation on spending bills is “how Washington should work.” Daines also reaffirmed the need for Senate Democrats to end their political block on Defense Appropriations legislation, which Democrats doubled-down on earlier today by voting to block consideration of the funding bill.  “It is welcome news that Senate Democrats are joining Republican in prioritizing the needs of our nation’s veterans. These selfless men and women

Daines Calls for Montanans’ Feedback on Trans Pacific Partnership

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today posted the complete text of the newly released Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and is encouraging Montanans to read the trade agreement and provide him with feedback. The bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation passed earlier this year was an important first step in establishing clear guidelines that enforce transparency, maintain Congress’ important role in the process and ensure Montanans’ voices are heard in all trade negotiations. The full text of the Trans Pacific Partnership is available here. The text will be available for several months before Congress considers it for a vote.  “I’m pleased that the

Daines Statement on State Department’s Rejection of TransCanada Request to Suspend Keystone XL Application

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today denounced the State Department’s decision to reject TransCanada’s request to suspend their application’s review to build the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline: “President Obama has made clear that he has no intention of approving the Keystone XL pipeline. The State Department’s rejection of TransCanada’s request to suspend the Keystone application’s review is just another political move in the Obama administration’s long-standing war on American energy. Once again, President Obama is working directly against American energy independence, American jobs and the will of the American people.” Daines has been a vocal proponent of building the

Daines Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation Stopping WOTUS Rule

Reaffirms Commitment to Stopping Obama Administration Overreach WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation nullifying the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and reaffirmed his commitment to stopping the Obama administration’s overreach through any means possible.  “Today a bipartisan Senate spoke loud and clear: President Obama’s Waters of the United States power grab is unacceptable and infringes on the rights of our farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines stated. “But the fight to protect Americans from the Obama administration’s extreme overreach isn’t over. I’m thankful that 31 states, including Montana,

Daines: Montana Counties Set to Receive $2.3 Million in Additional PILT Payments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Department of Interior has allocated nearly $2.3 million in additional Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana rural counties. The Department of Interior has issued nationwide an additional $34,484,000 in payments under the 2015 PILT program. The funds have been made available as a result of a technical fix Daines fought for in the Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 passed on September 30, 2015.  “These payments are welcome news for numerous Montana communities who have suffered from severe economic challenges due to declining timber harvests and natural

Daines Slams Senate Democrats’ Failure to Protect Americans from Obama Administration WOTUS Power Grab

Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats after all but four members of the Democrat caucus blocked legislation that would have directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Today the Senate came just a few votes shy of passing legislation to protect our farmers, ranchers and small business owners from major new costs and regulatory burdens. I appreciate the bipartisan support demonstrated today by four key Senate Democrats and am disappointed that others chose instead to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of doing what’s right. Montanans know that this power

Montana Congressional Delegation Secures Reversal of India Restrictions on Pulse Exports

Following pressure from Montana Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Ryan Zinke, India has reversed its regulatory restrictions on pulse crop stock limits – clearing the way for exports of Montana pulse crops to India to resume. India’s policy reversal follows a letter sent last week by the Montana delegation urging the resolution of issues surrounding India’s recent regulatory changes that would have negatively affected Montana pulse producers’ ability to export peas, lentils and chickpeas to Indian markets. “The Indian government’s reversal of these regulatory restrictions is welcome news for Montana pulse farmers whose livelihoods depend on reliable

Daines Statement on TransCanada Suspension of Keystone XL Application

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his disappointment following TransCanada’s decision to suspend their application to build the commonsense Keystone XL pipeline: “The Obama administration has waged a full on assault on American energy independence that has resulted in TransCanada’s decision to suspend its application to build the commonsense Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline would have created new opportunities for good-paying jobs, helped advance American energy independence and lowered American energy prices. While this suspension is bad news, it is not the end of the line – I will keep fighting for this shovel-ready project that has the overwhelming