Press
Daines Secures DOI Response on St. Mary’s Milk River Next Steps
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has determined the Drop 2 and Drop 5 of the St. Mary's River Project qualify as emergency work which will allow repairs to go forth with less strain on Montanans. This follows Daines' request to Department of the Interior Secretary Bernhardt to make this decision expeditiously. "I'm glad the administration responded to the St. Mary's Joint Board and my request to make this decision and do everything in … Continue Reading
07.06.20
Daines Fights to Support Montana Seniors, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the Emergency Support for Nursing Homes and Elder Justice Reform Act of 2020 to support the health and safety of Montana seniors during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and extend funding for vital Elder Justice Act programs. "I'm grateful for the important work being done by Montana's nursing homes and assisted living facilities who care for and help keep our most vulnerable populations safe," Daines said. "This bill is critical to ensuring tha… Continue Reading
07.02.20
Daines Fights to Support the U.S. Postal Service for Montana
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill to provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) with $25 billion in funding to keep their operations afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect Postal workers. "The postal service supports Montana jobs and provides critical access to supplies like life-saving prescription drugs and medicines for Montana's rural communities," Daines said. "This bipartisan bill will e… Continue Reading
07.01.20
Daines Continues to Push to Fix St. Mary’s Milk River Project
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced an amendment to a major defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to repair the St. Mary Canal and Conveyance Works system. "I'm fighting to repair the St. Mary River project however I can," Daines said. "This is about supporting jobs and ensuring Montana farmers, ranchers, and communities on the Hi-Line have this critical water infrastructure project fully restored. Montanans need this project done." On Monday, Daines sent… Continue Reading
07.01.20
Daines Secures $3 Million for Great Falls Transit District
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Transit Administration will be directing $3 million to the Great Falls Transit District to support transit operating assistance and preventative maintenance during the COVID-19 health emergency. "This critical funding will help support the transportation infrastructure needs of the Great Falls community and ensure our transit system in the city has the resources needed to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak," Daines… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Daines Calls for an Investigation on the Mishandling of Montana Veteran’s Remains by USPS
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter requesting the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General investigate an incident where the remains of a Montana veteran, Donald Tyler, were lost in the mail. "While his remains were eventually returned to Mrs. Tyler and the USPS will reimburse her for the damaged urn, it is unacceptable that a federal agency misplaced the human remains of an American citizen," Daines wrote. "I urge you to conduct a full and thorough… Continue Reading
06.30.20
Daines Statement on Montana School Choice, Religious Freedom SCOTUS Ruling
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision ruling in favor of the three Montana mothers, a major win for Montana families, in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case-one of the most important equal protection and religious freedom cases in recent history. To download the full video, click HERE. "I'm very glad the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn the State of Montana's discriminatory action and … Continue Reading
06.29.20
Daines Announces Over $35 Million in PILT Funds for Montana’s Small and Rural Counties
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will be directing $35,166,221 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana's small and rural counties. "PILT payments provide critical support to Montana's rural counties," Daines said. "I've worked hard to support the PILT program which provides critical resources for essential services like emergency response efforts and transportation in Montana's rural counties. Given the impacts of… Continue Reading
06.29.20
Daines Announces Over $35 Million in PILT Funds for Montana’s Small and Rural Counties
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) will be directing $35,166,221 in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana's small and rural counties. "PILT payments provide critical support to Montana's rural counties," Daines said. "I've worked hard to support the PILT program which provides critical resources for essential services like emergency response efforts and transportation in Montana's rural counties. Given the impacts of… Continue Reading
06.25.20
Daines Introduces Bill to Put Pressure on MLB to Save Montana Minor League Teams
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill that would make Major League Baseball (MLB) teams ineligible to participate or benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program or emergency lending programs within the CARES Act if MLB moves forward with eliminating Montana's minor league baseball teams. "Montana's minor league baseball teams are an important part of our community and bring joy to many Montana families during the summer season," Daines said. "It would be devastating i… Continue Reading
06.25.20
Daines Urges Senate to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Restore St. Mary River Project
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee urging quick consideration and passage of his bipartisan St. Mary's Reinvestment Act which would help to repair the St. Mary Canal and Conveyance Works system. "The St. Mary Milk River project has been coined the life-line of the Hi-Line, supplying up to 90% of water for the Milk River Basin during a dry year and providing food for over one million people," Daines wro… Continue Reading
06.25.20
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
