Daines: BIA Dollars Should Support Tribes, Not Bureaucracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today called on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to prioritize Montana tribes’ interests in the agency’s fiscal year 2016 budget request and ensure that federal dollars are being better used to support tribes’ needs – not spent on bureaucracy. During today’s Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on the President’s FY2016 budget request for Indian programs, Daines pressed BIA witnesses to increase the agency’s efforts to promote tribal sovereignty and provide tribes with greater primacy in the management of local health care provided by Indian Health Services. “Montana’s tribes must be empowered to drive
Daines Calls on Obama Administration to Lift Barriers to Montana Energy Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today condemned the Obama administration’s refusal to embrace an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy and called on Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to revise Department of Interior policies that stand in the way of Montana tribes’ ability to develop their coal resources and create good paying jobs. During this morning’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Interior Department’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2016, Daines pressed Jewell to also reduce the bureaucratic overreach limiting new oil and gas permitting in eastern Montana and ensure the state of Montana has primacy in developing and implementing
Daines: Montana Veterans Have Waited Long Enough for New VA Montana Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today aired his frustration with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ongoing failure to name a permanent director of VA Montana. Daines’ comments come in light of VA Montana naming a new acting director to replace John Ginnity, who has served as acting director since June of last year and recently reached his maximum allowable days of service in that role. Under VA rules, an acting director may serve no more than 240 days in that role. “Montana’s veterans have waited long enough. It’s time for a permanent director of VA Montana to be named,”
Daines Secures Extension of Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that following his urging, the Department of Interior has extended the comment period for the Office of Natural Resource Revenue’s proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. SNL Financial reports that “an appeal by western U.S. political leaders for more time to comment on new rules impacting the federal coal lease program was granted Feb. 12, allowing critics of the effort two additional months to make their case.” The Office of Natural Resources Revenue has announced that it will extend by 60 days the public comment period for
Daines Statement on Confirmation of Ash Carter as New Defense Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Senate confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter as the next Secretary of Defense. “I look forward to working with Dr. Ashton Carter to protect American security interests both domestic and abroad, as well as ensuring that America’s nuclear capabilities remain the most advanced in the world and serve as an effective deterrent. As Secretary of Defense, Dr. Carter will be at the forefront of the United States’ response to significant international challenges—from the serious threat of ISIS to Russian aggression in eastern Europe. I hope that Dr. Carter
Daines Introduces First Bill: The Balanced Budget Accountability Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today introduced his first piece of Senate legislation, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, to require that Congress passes a balanced budget – or members won’t get paid. Montana Representative Ryan Zinke and House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Luke Messer have also introduced companion legislation in the House. The Balanced Budget Accountability Act strengthens accountability in Washington and encourages members of Congress to commit to the annual budget process as required by law and pass budgets that balance within ten years. If a balanced budget is not passed by April 15—the legal requirement for Congress
Daines Announces Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has been selected to serve on three subcommittees on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines will serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittees on Energy; Public Lands, Forests and Mining; and Water and Power. Daines noted that these subcommittees will help him work for commonsense policies that help create good-paying Montana energy jobs, protect Montanans’ access to public lands and keep energy prices low for hardworking Montana families. As a member of the Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining, Daines will also be at the
Daines, Zinke Call for Reauthorization of Critical Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today called on Senate and House leaders to swiftly move forward legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner, Daines and Zinke stressed the importance of the federal government honoring its commitment and providing forested Montana counties with much-needed funding for schools and infrastructure. “SRS provides forested counties in Montana and many other states with crucial financial support for roads, schools, and other important services. While we recognize the need for a long-term solution,
Daines Calls for Extended Review of New Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines has called on the Department of Interior to allow the state of Montana, Montana tribes, union members and business owners more time to provide input on the Office of Natural Resource Revenue’s proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. Daines led more than a dozen Senate and House members in calling on Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to extend the comment deadline, as the proposed rule could have serious adverse impacts on domestic energy production and create uncertainty in the value of coal royalties that Montana and other states depend upon.