Daines Hails House Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of the bipartisan Senate legislation that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline – clearing the way for the President to make a long-awaited decision on the job-creating project. “President Obama is out of excuses. It’s time for him to join the American people and approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline,” Daines stated.“The Keystone pipeline will create new opportunities for good-paying jobs, energy independence, lower energy prices and millions of dollars in tax revenue for Montana counties. This project is good for national security and our global competitiveness. Montanans have been waiting
Daines Works to Protect Americans’ Personal Information
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pushed technology leaders to better address Americans’ rising concerns about personal privacy and safety when using Internet-connected devices. During this morning’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the government’s role in protecting Americans from the “Internet of Things,” Daines raised concerns about what measures have been put in place to ensure that as Americans become increasingly reliant on technology, proper safeguards against major security threats are also implemented. It is estimated that the number of Internet-connected devices will top 50 billion by 2020. “I do have concerns as a consumer, as a
Daines Meets With Montana Tribal College Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today met with representatives from Montana’s tribal colleges to discuss the important role these institutions hold in providing Native American students with the training and skills that they need to obtain good-paying jobs. Today’s meeting comes on the heels of the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation cosponsored by Daines to designate the week beginning February 8, 2015 as “National Tribal College and Universities Week.” The bill also calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to support the nation’s tribal colleges
Daines Statement on Closing of Corette Power Plant
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to PPL Montana’s announcement that it will permanently close the J.E. Corette coal-fired power plant in Billings, Montana. “Once again, good-paying American jobs are falling ruin to the Obama administration’s war on American energy. The closing of the Corette power plant isn’t just a blow to Montana’s economy – it’s devastating news to the Montana families who rely on the plant for a stable income,” Daines stated. “The EPA’s misguided agenda doesn’t just hurt Montana’s coal industry— it directly affects thousands of Montana families, union workers and
Daines Works to Secure Support for Tribal Water Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has helped introduce legislation to ensure Montana tribes have the resources they need to maintain irrigation projects on Montana reservations. Daines today joined Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Jon Tester (D-MT) in introducing the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act, which will fix critical maintenance backlog issues at certain Indian irrigation projects throughout Montana and the West. Montana currently faces the largest maintenance backlog of Indian irrigation projects. “We need a long-term strategy to maintain and address the
Daines Calls on VA to Name New Montana Director, Address Mental Health Care Challenges
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is calling on Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald to quickly name a permanent director of VA Montana and take steps to address the mental health care challenges facing the Montana facility. In a letter sent today to McDonald, Daines stressed that the prolonged delay in naming a new director has prevented VA Montana from addressing serious challenges facing the agency – including the recruitment and retention of qualified mental health care professionals. “Among other adverse impacts, the absence of a permanent director providing clear leadership for the entire organization is an impediment to recruiting
Daines, Tester introduce bill to permanently ban government from taxing Internet
(U.S. Senate) –Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today introduced a bill to permanently ban federal, state and local governments from taxing access to the Internet. The Senators’ bill, the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access that is set to expire on October 1, 2015. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. “The Internet provides instant access to information, allows small businesses to compete in a global marketplace, and strengthens education and health care,” Tester
Daines Congratulates Billings, Helena Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Richmond Paschall and Jeremy Van Dyke on their appointments to the United States Naval Academy. Richmond Paschall, from Billings, received a nomination to the Academy from Senator Daines and was also nominated by Senator Jon Tester and former Senator John Walsh. He is a student at Billings West High School where he is the current Vice President of the student body and a member of the football and track team. Paschall is also a member of the National Honor Society and attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. Jeremy Van Dyke, from Helena,
Daines Demands Answers to Secure Americans’ Personally Identifiable Information
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following today’s announcement that more than 80 million Americans may have had their personally identifiable information compromised after a data breach at Anthem Health Insurance, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is calling on Congress to strengthen victim notifications requirements and ensure that Americans are promptly informed when their personal information may have been exposed. During this morning’s Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on consumer data breach solutions, Daines reaffirmed his commitment to expediting notification requirements and ensuring that data security standards are up to date. “Today’s headlines underscore the absolute importance of moving forward to strengthen our cybersecurity