Daines Pushes to Expand Rural Broadband
Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to close the gap in connectivity between rural and urban areas. Daines called on the FCC to expand connectivity in rural regions to minimize the divide that currently exists in delivery of broadband service. “Access to technology removes geography as a constraint and allows Montanans to start and grow world-class companies,” Daines stated. “But we still have a lot of issues to overcome to connect our unserved communities and the FCC plays a big role.” Last week, Daines
Daines: CISA Fails to Protect Americans’ Personal Privacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his disappointment after the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) passed the United States Senate and reaffirmed his concerns that the legislation failed to sufficiently protect Americans’ privacy and civil liberties: “I have serious concerns that this legislation fails to fully protect Montanans’ right to privacy from government overreach. As someone who spent nearly 13 years in the technology sector, I know firsthand the cybersecurity risks facing Montanans and agree that we must adopt real reforms that better protect Americans from these threats. But these reforms must not come at the expense of Montanans’
Daines Fights to Protect Montana Coal Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today went to bat for Montana coal jobs by formally introducing measures to block implementation of new rules on coal-fired power plants and calling the Obama administration’s myriad of anti-coal regulations a direct attack on Montana energy. This afternoon, Daines and 48 other Senators introduced two bipartisan resolutions disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations on new and existing power sources. The Congressional Review Act resolutions of disapproval will block the Obama administration’s regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants. Daines joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues including, Majority
Daines Helps Introduce Bill to Rein in Regulatory Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines has introduced legislation to rein in out of control executive agencies that interpret laws inappropriately to grant themselves more regulatory authority than Congress intended. The Regulatory Authority Clarification Act would allow Congress to provide additional clarification on what regulatory authority has or hasn’t been granted by passing concurrent resolutions. “Montanans know far too well the cost of Washington’s top-down, unchecked ability to issue broad and burdensome regulations,” Daines stated. “This legislation is a good step towards reducing the costly red-tape that hinders the growth and stability of hardworking Montana businesses. It’s far past time
Daines Announces $10 Million in Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Kalispell
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that the city of Kalispell has been awarded $10 million in Transportation, Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds for critical infrastructure improvements in downtown Kalispell. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project will construct rail and road infrastructure at Glacier Rail Park to accommodate existing and prospective customers and remove rail from downtown Kalispell. The project will also increase pedestrian and cyclist access to streets, as well as construct a trail system and parks stretching across the community. “This long-overdue grant is great news for the city of Kalispell and will
Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre for their dedicated service to Montana and the nation. Sgt. Michaela Boushey has served in the Montana Army National Guard for eight years, including four years in the 112th Security and Support Detachment Aviation Unit. Her husband, SSG Shayne Boushey, has completed deployments with both the Infantry Battalion and the Military Police Company. During his deployment to Afghanistan, SSG Boushey helped saved the lives of his fellow servicemembers following a Taliban suicide bomb attack. Next week, Daines’ wife Cindy will present the Bousheys with certificates of
Daines Fights to Block Obama Administration’s Misguided Anti-Coal Regulations
HELENA, Mont. — Following publication of the Obama administration’s new anti-coal regulations in the Federal Register, Senator Steve Daines today announced several efforts to block President Obama’s anti-coal regulations and any future regulations on coal-fired plants. Daines joined Montana Attorney General Tim Fox in Helena this morning to announce that Montana, along with 23 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to halt the Obama administration’s so-called Clean Power Plan. Daines also announced that he has signed onto two Senate measures to block the Obama administration’s job-killing regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plans. “America can and
Daines: President’s Disregard for Our Troops is Shameful
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today blasted President Obama’s unprecedented veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security and passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support: “It is reckless that the Commander-in-Chief is holding hostage critical support for the safety and security of our nation’s service members. Congress sent a clear and strong bipartisan message to the President that the American people support prioritizing and protecting the needs of the brave men and women serving our country. To deny our troops needed stability while serving both here
Daines Works to Remove Barriers to Tribal Energy Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today investigated the barriers holding back Montana tribes from developing energy resources on their lands and called on the Obama administration to improve meaningful consultation with tribes during the federal decision making process. During a Senate Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report on Indian Energy Development, Daines pressed Larry Roberts, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior on the unnecessary bureaucracy and lack of communication that has long-hindered tribal energy development. “As the GAO reports and our witnesses today tell us, energy development on