Press
Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs
U.S. SENATE - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when 'new information' is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. "Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest … Continue Reading
06.24.20
Daines Leads Bipartisan Letter to Amtrak Opposing Job Cuts, Reduced Hours of Service
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to the President of Amtrak opposing their plans to terminate one out of every five employees, putting thousands out of work, and reducing the hours of operation of the National Network long distance trains. Daines stressed the need to protect these jobs and the local economy they support on the Hi-Line. "We are deeply concerned by the downsizing plan outlined in your supplemental funding request and believe it to be contrary… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Trump Administration Expresses Support for Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act
U.S. SENATE - At a U.S. Senate Hearing today, the Trump administration expressed support for U.S. Senator Steve Daines' bipartisan bill, the "Montana Water Rights Protection Act," which permanently settles the century-long Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) water dispute. At the hearing, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussed the benefits of the bill which will create more than 6,000 jobs, modernize critical NW Montana infrastructure, avoid costly litigati… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Daines Sends Bipartisan Letter to USDA on Regulatory Relief for the Meat Processing Industry
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to consider four areas for regulatory and programmatic reform in the meat processing industry. "When high-capacity processing facilities experienced outbreaks amongst employees, operations were forced to shut-off or slow down production, leaving the rancher with livestock they could not move and the consumer with either empty grocery shelves or overp… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Daines Announces $1 Million for Montana Department of Justice to Continue Fight Against Meth Epidemic
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Montana Department of Justice will receive a $1 million grant as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Methamphetamine Program under the Department of Justice. This program provides funding to law enforcement to aid them in slowing the purchasing and distribution of meth that is ravaging Montana communities and families. "This funding will help support our law enforcement and give them resources and tools ne… Continue Reading
06.23.20
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs, Support Montana Outfitters and Guides Economically Impacted by COVID-19
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill that will provide economic opportunities for Montana's outfitters and guides impacted by COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. The bipartisan "Trail Stewardship for Economic Recovery Act" will provide funding for outfitters & guides to conduct trail maintenance projects on Forest Service lands. "Montana's outfitters and guides have seen a drastic decline in business due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel … Continue Reading
06.22.20
Daines Secures $834,158 for Healthcare Training in Montana
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is distributing $834,158 to Montana universities to help increase the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities. "I'm glad to have helped secure this funding which is critical to ensuring our rural and underserved communities are taken care of," Daines said. "This funding will help improve the qualit… Continue Reading
06.19.20
Daines: Montana’s Wilderness Shouldn’t Be Used as a Playground for the Rich & Famous
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will be introducing a bill that would increase the penalties for landing any unauthorized aerial vehicles on designated wilderness areas in national forests. His bill will raise the maximum penalty to $20,000. "Montana's wilderness shouldn't be taken advantage of and exploited as a playground for the rich and famous," Daines said. "Montanans value wilderness for the solitude it provides and the adventure that is involved to travel to so… Continue Reading
06.18.20
Daines Signs On To Major Police Reform Legislation in Senate
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored a major police reform bill in the Senate, the JUSTICE Act, which will help restore confidence between communities and law enforcement by increasing accountability, transparency and commonsense training. Click HERE for the video statement. "The men and women who serve our communities in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to protect our families, and a few bad actors have reflected poorly upon the values of their service," … Continue Reading
06.17.20
Daines Cosponsors Bill to Ban No-Knock Warrants
U.S. SENATE -Senator Daines today cosponsored a bill to ban no-knock warrants federally and incentivize states and localities to stop using the tactic by restricting grant eligibility. "No-knock warrants are an unconstitutional tool that often puts the lives of both law enforcement and individuals in danger. It's time that we follow the constitution and end this practice all together," said Daines. This bill would require federal law enforcement officers to announce their authority and purpose… Continue Reading
06.17.20
What They Are Saying: MT Conservation, Public Lands Leaders Applaud Daines’ Leadership on the Great American Outdoors Act
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured Senate passage of his bipartisan conservation bill, the "Great American Outdoors Act" out of the Senate. Daines' bill provides full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the national park and public lands maintenance backlog. Here's what Montana conservation, sportsmen and public lands leaders and stakeholders are saying about the passage of the "Great American Outdoors Act" out of the Senate. F.H. … Continue Reading
06.17.20
Daines Secures Historic Senate Passage of Major Conservation Bill, the Great American Outdoors Act
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for and secured Senate passage of his bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act. Daines' bill requires full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the maintenance backlog facing the nation's national parks and public lands. Click HERE to download the video. "Today, we passed the most important conservation bill for Montana and the nation in decades - one that will increase public access… Continue Reading
06.15.20
Daines: We Must Keep Expansion of Telehealth for Montanans
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership urging them to make permanent provisions in previous COVID-19 legislation that expanded telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries. "Telehealth has proven to be pivotal for many patients during the current pandemic, ensuring they receive the care they need while reducing the risk of infection and the further spread of COVID-19. We have all heard from our constituents about how effective and convenien… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Daines Announces Helena’s Claudia Downing Offer of Appointment from the Naval Academy
U.S. SENATE -U.S. Senators Steve Daines today announced academy nominee Claudia Downing offer of appointment from the United States Naval Academy. Downing lives in Helena, Montana. "Claudia is an outstanding young Montanan whose future is bright. Between her leadership on the cross country team, volunteering at the Lewis and Clark Humane society, and her service to our country in the United States Marine Corps, Claudia will be a great fit for the Naval Academy," Daines said. "She is one of Mont… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Daines, Gianforte Urge DOI to Rapidly Respond to St. Mary’s River Project Amid Drop Five’s Failure
U.S. CONGRESS - U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to the Department of the Interior's Secretary Bernhardt urging him to continue to address and monitor the St. Mary's Drop 2 and Drop 5 reconstruction projects. "We are grateful for the Bureau of Reclamation's responsiveness to this crisis, but would encourage you to continue monitoring reconstruction closely to ensure timely completion." Daines and Gianforte wrote. "We would appreciate any help your of… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Daines Announces $25 Billion in Funding for Safety-Net Hospitals, Assisted Living Facilities, Providers of Home and Community-Based Services
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is distributing additional relief funds to assist our most vulnerable Montanans. Specifically, HHS will distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs and have not received a payment from the Provider Relief Fund General Allocation. HHS is also distribu… Continue Reading
06.08.20
Daines Advances the Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act in the Senate
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured a successful vote to advance his bipartisan bill, the "Great American Outdoors Act," in the U.S. Senate. This is the first procedural vote needed to get the legislation passed out of the Senate. The bipartisan bill provides full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the maintenance backlog facing the nation's public lands and national parks. For a video statement from the Senator click, HERE. Ahead of th… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Daines Urges Congress to Provide Additional Funding for Community Health Centers in Next COVID-19 Package
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership to provide additional funding for Community Health Centers in the next COVID-19 funding package. "We write to express our support for additional emergency funding for community health centers in the next COVID-19 relief package. Community health centers are vital to our response to the coronavirus pandemic and need appropriate funding to continue their front-line health care work," wrote Daines. "Commun… Continue Reading
06.05.20
President Trump Signs Daines’ Bipartisan Bill for Greater PPP Flexibility to Support MT Small Businesses, Workers Into Law
U.S. SENATE - Today, President Trump signed Senator Daines' bipartisan bill giving greater flexibility under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to support and provide more relief for Montana's small businesses and workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. "The Paycheck Protection Program has already been very effective in Montana, and now with President Trump signing my bipartisan bill increasing flexibility for small business owners and workers under the program, it'll be even better," … Continue Reading
06.04.20
Daines Secures $360,187 for MT’s Upcoming Flu Season Preparation
U.S. SENATE - Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced Montana will receive $360,187 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to prepare for the upcoming flu season, given the increased risk of COVID-19. "As we continue to invest in efforts to develop life-saving drugs to treat and prevent COVID-19, we must also prepare for the upcoming flu season in the fall," Daines said. "I'm glad to have secured this funding to help protect vulnerable Montanans and will continue working to ensure our co… Continue Reading
