Press
Daines Condemns SCOTUS Decision on Internet Sales Tax
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today condemned the United States Supreme Court decision allowing states to implement an Internet sales tax on small businesses physically located outside of the state's borders. The 5-4 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair will increase tax burdens on small businesses and raise prices for consumers. This decision could lead to Internet retailers in all states being forced to become tax collectors for over 10,000 tax jurisdictions across the country. "Tod… Continue Reading
06.20.18
Daines Calls for Permanent Reauthorization and Full Funding of LWCF
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, sportsmen, and conservationists in calling for the permanent reauthorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The conservation program expires 100 days from today. Watch press conference HERE. "Since I first came to Congress, I have been committed to permanently reauthorizing the LWCF," said Daines. "The LWCF does not cost taxpayers a penny and is critical to Montan… Continue Reading
06.19.18
Daines Urges Colleagues to Increase Transparency in Senate Campaign Finance Filing System, Save Taxpayer Dollars
Moving Senate candidates to the 'E-file' system would save taxpayers nearly $900,000 a year U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines took to the U.S. Senate floor to urge his colleagues to support moving Senate candidates to electronically file their campaign finance reports. U.S. Senate candidates are currently the only federal candidates that do not use an electronic filing system. Last week, Daines, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, secured a… Continue Reading
06.18.18
Daines Secures Critical Support for Malmstrom AFB in National Defense Authorization Act
NDAA will modernize and secure nuclear mission at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he helped secure critical support for Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base in the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation authorizes vital support for modernizing Malmstrom's ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) infrastructure and replacing UH-1N Huey military helicopters at the base. "This legisla… Continue Reading
06.18.18
Daines Announces $100,000 in Grants for Montana Community Health Centers in Libby and Great Falls
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced $100,000 in grants for Montana Community Health Centers in Libby and Great Falls. "These grants will help residents of Libby and Great Falls get access to critical care," said Daines. "Community Health Centers provide important services and help contribute to the wellbeing of thousands of Montanans." The following Community Health Centers received grants from the Department of Health and Human Services: County of Lincoln, Libby: $50,000… Continue Reading
06.15.18
Daines Secures $825 Million to Address National Park Maintenance Backlog
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured $825 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to help address the National Park maintenance backlog. The National Park Service is currently suffering from an $11 billion maintenance backlog, impacting trail upkeep, cleanliness of facilities and the quality of campgrounds. "Montana's National Parks are part of what makes America special," said Daines. "These critical funds will help prot… Continue Reading
06.15.18
Daines Announces $100,000 in Grants to Combat Drug Use in Great Falls and Lincoln County
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced $100,000 in federal grants to address local drug crises and emerging drug abuses in Great Falls and Lincoln County. The Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance in Great Falls and the Lincoln County Unite for Youth Coalition will both receive $50,000 to support the communities' efforts to combat local drug use, especially among youth. "Montana's meth and drug epidemic has taken lives and destroyed families," said Daines. "These critical funds… Continue Reading
06.14.18
Daines Commemorates Flag Day, Highlights His Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Burning of American Flag
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines commemorated national Flag Day by highlighting his Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the burning of the American flag. He also recognized the sacrifice of American veterans and the symbolic importance of the American flag to freedom and liberty by honoring Flag Day on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Daines issued a report detailing 50 recent offensive acts on the American flag. Read the report HERE. Watch video HERE. Download video HERE. Exce… Continue Reading
06.14.18
Daines Secures $100 Million to Implement STOP School Violence Act
U.S. SENATE - Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill, which includes $100 million to implement the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act. The legislation authorizes Department of Justice grants to states and localities to help schools implement proven, evidence-based programs and technologies that identify and stop school violence before it happen… Continue Reading
06.14.18
Chairman Daines Secures Increased Accountability, Transparency, Security in Congress
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, secured increased accountability, transparency and security within Congress. The Subcommittee passed the 2019 Fiscal Year Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, which includes provisions to create an E-file system for U.S. Senate candidates, investments to help meet the Capitol's security needs, and direct the Congressional Budget Office to be transparent with its studies.… Continue Reading
06.14.18
Chairman Daines Secures Bill to Increase Transparency in Senate Campaign Finance Filing System, Save Taxpayer Dollars
Moving Senate candidates to the 'E-file' system would save taxpayers nearly $900,000 a year U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, secured a bill to require U.S. Senate candidates to electronically file their campaign finance reports. U.S. Senate candidates are currently the only federal candidates that do not use an electronic filing system. Chairman Daines secured the bill in the 2019 Fiscal Year Legislativ… Continue Reading
06.13.18
Daines Secures Forest Management Reforms, Priorities for Montana Agriculture and Rural Communities in Farm Bill
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured forest management reforms and priorities for Montana farmers, ranchers and rural communities in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Farm Bill that passed out of Committee today. Daines is the only representative of Montana on the Committee. Some of the highlights of the bill include funding for agriculture research critical to Montana farmers and ranchers, crop insurance to help mitigate risks for the agriculture commu… Continue Reading
06.13.18
Montana Delegation Demands EPA Resolve $4 Million Fine Against Powell County
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte are working to protect Powell County from having to pay a $4 million fine to the U.S. Treasury Department. The government sent Powell County the bill to cover the costs of an oil spill cleanup from 2011, initially totaling $3,172,982.89. At that time, Powell County made clear to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Coast Guard that it was unable to foot a multi-million dollar fine and sought alt… Continue Reading
06.12.18
Daines Presses Utility Regulators to Preserve Colstrip
Colstrip critical to U.S. energy security and reliability U.S. SENATE - Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Steve Daines pressed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Neil Chatterjee on the importance of the Colstrip Power Plant to Montana and grid reliability. FERC is an independent agency that regulates the movement of natural gas, oil, and electricity between states. FERC also oversees regulation for natural gas and hydropow… Continue Reading
06.12.18
Daines Attends Historic Ceremony to Sign Documents Implementing the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement and Compact
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Secretary Ryan Zinke and Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes for the historic signing of documents implementing legislation Daines fought for since arriving in Congress: the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act. The Blackfeet water compact will resolve all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses … Continue Reading
06.08.18
Daines, Senators Call on Administration to Restore More Choice for Americans in Health Insurance Markets
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines and 34 other senators today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta, and HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar urging the administration to restore 12-month terms for short-term, limited duration insurance plans, which were available for two decades before being prohibited by Obama administration rules in 2016. The senators also urged the administration to clarify that issuers can offer renewal guarantees for STLD plan… Continue Reading
06.08.18
Montana Delegation Introduces Bill to Name Site of B-47 Crash in Memory of Fallen Heroes
U.S. SENATE - This week, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte introduced the B-47 Ridge Designation Act. This legislation honors Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh who all tragically lost their lives in an Air Force B-47 Bomber crash in Montana in 1962. The bill officially names the unnamed ridge off of Emigrant Peak in Park County where the crash occurred as the 'B-47 Ridge' and allows the placement of a memori… Continue Reading
06.07.18
Committee Passes Daines’ Initiatives to Support Butte Veterans Home, Malta Training Center
U.S. SENATE - Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines' initiative to quicken the construction of the Butte Veterans home by making sure the VA establishes a deadline for its completion and ensuring the VA properly uses the taxpayer dollars that fund the project. "Montana veterans have been waiting for too long for a veterans' home in Butte," said Daines. "After years of mismanagement and inefficient use of taxpayer dollars, it is time the VA put the shov… Continue Reading
06.07.18
Daines Amendment to Protect States’ Rights, Allow Medical Marijuana Use for Veterans Passes
U.S. SENATE - Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines' amendment that protects states' 10th Amendment right and allows veterans' to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The amendment would allow for parity between VA and non-VA facilities in states like Montana, which have medical marijuana programs. It does not change current laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property, but sim… Continue Reading
06.07.18
President Signs Montana Delegation's Bill to Rename Three VA Facilities in Honor of Montana Veterans
Montana VA clinics to honor David Thatcher, Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, and Ben Steele U.S. SENATE - President Donald Trump signed the Montana congressional delegation's legislation to rename three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. This legislation, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte, recognizes the commitment to duty and the personal courage of three Montana veterans by renaming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their ho… Continue Reading
