Press
Daines Calls for Prioritized Funding for Tribal Water Projects
Senator Steve Daines is working to ensure that Montana tribes have the resources they need to maintain irrigation projects on Montana reservations. During today's Senate Indian Affairs Committee legislative hearing on S. 438, the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act (IRRIGATE Act), Daines stressed the importance of fixing the maintenance backlog issues facing a number of irrigation projects throughout Indian Country, including five in Mo… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Daines Slams Obama Administration's Doublespeak on Internet Regulation
Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration's empty rhetoric on job creation and innovation following the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) recent move to impose unprecedented regulations on the Internet. During today's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget request for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Daines stressed the importance of a free and open Internet and shed light on the sever… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Daines, Tester cast support for increasing public land access for Montana sportsmen
(U.S. SENATE) - Montana's hunters and anglers today hailed Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines' support for the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, a bill that increases access for hunting and fishing. Montana's Senators, joined by over one-dozen colleagues, are pushing legislation that increases public access for outdoorsmen and women, supports conservation, protects hunting and fishing rights, and increases Second Amendment protections on public land. "As a lifelong sportsman, I know firsthand the … Continue Reading
03.03.15
Daines Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Joint Address to Congress
Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint address before Congress. "It was an honor to hear today from Prime Minister Netanyahu - a strong leader for whom I have great respect and admiration. As our nations work together to address the growing threat of a nuclear Iran, it is imperative that we hear directly from Israel's leaders. Iran's dangerous nuclear weapons program, persistent support of terrorist groups, and determ… Continue Reading
02.27.15
Daines Invites Montana Students to Apply for Summer Internships
Senator Steve Daines today invited Montana students to apply for summer internships with his Washington, D.C. office and state offices in Great Falls, Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and Billings. "Internships offer Montana students a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience and insight into the legislative process," Daines stated. "I look forward to welcoming Montana's young leaders to our Washington, D.C. and Montana offices and working with them to make our state and nation better." … Continue Reading
02.26.15
Daines Statement on FCC Internet Access Power Grab
Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for voting to place more burdens on Internet access through their 317-page plan to regulate the Internet under Title II of the Federal Communications Act of 1934. "The Obama administration's 317-page regulation is nothing short of a government takeover of the Internet and a power grab that will slap more red tape on Americans' Internet access. Rather than working toward bipartisan solutions that create jobs and promo… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Daines Presses Forest Service Chief on Forest Reforms
Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Forest Service to work together with Congress to move forward common sense forest management reforms to responsibly increase timber harvests, create good-paying jobs and improve forest health across Montana. During today's Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the U.S. Forest Service budget request for Fiscal Year 2016, Daines pressed Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell on the effect of litigation on Montana National Forest timber output… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Daines: No Confidence in Loretta Lynch for Attorney General
Senator Steve Daines today announced his strong concerns regarding President Obama's nomination of Loretta Lynch as the next U.S. Attorney General. "Ms. Lynch has an accomplished career as the United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York and has built a strong and admirable resume. Her capability as a litigator is clear. A strong resume is a necessary but not sufficient qualification for confirmation. "After carefully considering Ms. Lynch's testimony before the Senate Judiciary… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Daines: Naming of Permanent VA Montana Director Is Welcome News
Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to John Ginnity being named as the new permanent director of VA Montana: "This is welcome news for Montana veterans. I'm glad to finally see a permanent director put in place at VA Montana, and I wish John the best as he assumes this role. Now that a permanent director has been named, we need to quickly take steps to address the shortages of health care providers and services facing VA Montana and implement much needed refo… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Daines Fights to Defend Critical Montana Military Missions
Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the modernization of Montana's critical military missions and take additional steps to address Montanans' ongoing concerns regarding the proposed expansion of the Powder River Training Complex. This morning, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held a hearing on the proposed FY 2016 U.S. Air Force budget. During the hearing, Daines pressed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh fo… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Daines: Keystone Veto Solidifies President's War on Jobs, Energy
Senator Steve Daines today blasted President Obama's recent veto of the bipartisan Keystone XL pipeline, condemning the veto as yet another sign of Obama's "war on energy." "President Obama is standing firmly against thousands of good-paying American jobs and domestic energy independence," Daines stated. "Instead of advancing economic opportunity for hardworking Montana families, the President is instead perpetuating his war on energy and standing as a barrier to affordable energy. With one str… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Daines: Obama Administration's Refusal to Acknowledge 'Islamic Extremism' Jeopardizes American Strategy in Middle East
Senator Steve Daines today took the Obama administration to task for its lack of strategy in addressing the rising threat of extreme Islamic terrorism in the Middle East. "The Obama administration's refusal to acknowledge ISIS for what it is - extreme, radical Islamic terrorism - directly jeopardizes our nation's efforts to extinguish this growing threat in the Middle East," Daines stated. "It is irresponsible that Secretary Kerry would rather label these terrorists as 'adventurers and thrill-s… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Daines: BIA Dollars Should Support Tribes, Not Bureaucracy
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… Continue Reading
02.24.15
Daines Calls on Obama Administration to Lift Barriers to Montana Energy Production
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 … Continue Reading
02.24.15
Daines: Montana Veterans Have Waited Long Enough for New VA Montana Director
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 … Continue Reading
02.18.15
Daines Secures Extension of Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs
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 Natur… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Statement on Confirmation of Ash Carter as New Defense Secretary
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 i… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Introduces First Bill: The Balanced Budget Accountability Act
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 proces… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Announces Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee Assignments
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 har… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Daines, Zinke Call for Reauthorization of Critical Secure Rural Schools Program
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 i… Continue Reading
