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.
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