Press
Daines’ Bill to Protect Small Businesses Passes Commerce Committee
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the overwhelming bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect Montana small businesses from burdensome regulations found in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 317-page "net neutrality" rules. The Small Business Broadband Deployment Act of 2015 passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. It extends a temporary exemption from the FCC's new so-called "enhanced transparency requirements," which… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Daines Works to Stop President Obama’s WOTUS Rule
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today successfully worked to stop President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that seeks regulate virtually every ditch and pond that may be occasionally wet across the United States. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, of which Daines is a member, approved a bill that would prohibit the WOTUS rule. This bill is set to be taken up by t… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Daines Announces Grants for MSU for Rural Healthcare & Asbestos Research
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced Montana State University (MSU) received $190,000 to increase quality healthcare services and for asbestos research. MSU received $172,000 for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare for rural Montana. "I look forward to seeing Montana State University use this funding to expand their healthcare services to increase the quality of services for rural Montanans," Daines stated. Kristin … Continue Reading
06.14.16
Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Legislation
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides critical support for the nation's military and national security. The NDAA passed 85-13. "Authorizing the funding our military needs is more important now than ever as we witness radical Islam continue to take root around the world, and in our backyards," Daines stated. "The tragedy in Orlando was another act of war on our homeland - and it is critical we pro… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Daines Statement on Abhorrent Net Neutrality Decision
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sustained the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) net neutrality rules: "This decision is an affront to hardworking Americans who rely on the internet for economic opportunity and access to critical communication services," Daines stated. "Net Neutrality remains a solution in search of a problem that kills jobs, chills innovation and slows investment. I will continue worki… Continue Reading
06.14.16
Daines Announces $400,000 for Blackfeet Community College
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $400,000 in funding for the Blackfeet Community College (BCC) to train students on heavy equipment to complete highway construction projects. "It's critical we support Montana students with necessary training programs to assist them in getting good-paying jobs upon graduation," Daines stated. "I'm excited that Blackfeet Community College will have additional funds to help their students succeed." The Montana Department of Transportation … Continue Reading
06.13.16
Daines’ PIPES Act Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines' bill to help ensure the safety of America's pipeline network unanimously passed the U.S. Senate this evening. The bill, known as S.2276, the PIPES Act, would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through fiscal year (FY) 2019. The final agreement now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. "A safe, secure and efficient pipeline infrastructure is critical for energy security, creating and maintaining… Continue Reading
06.12.16
Daines Statement on Orlando Shooting
BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement in response to the shooting in Orlando, Florida: "My deepest condolences are with the victims and families of this appalling attack. I'm grateful for our law enforcement officials and first responders who put their lives on the line to save others."The senseless hate of ISIS and radical Islam will not defeat, but rather strengthen our resolve and commitment to freedom." ###… Continue Reading
06.10.16
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Colter Scully of Powell County
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Colter Scully, a rising senior at Powell County High School. Colter is currently preparing for his board of reviews to complete his Eagle Scout application. Three years ago, Colter was inspired to create a frisbee-golf course in his community. Thanks to his leadership and perseverance, the course was opened on May 31st, 2016. Daines' recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Through his "Montanan of the Week" initiat… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Montana Congressional Delegation Pushes Forest Service to Advance Permitting Process for Rock Creek Mine
(U.S. Congress)-Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke this week pushed the U.S. Forest Service to finalize an important document and advance a decades-old permitting process for the Rock Creek Mine in northwest Montana. In a letter to Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Chris Savage, the Montana congressional delegation encouraged the Forest Service to finalize the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in a timely manner. The SEIS must be finalized before … Continue Reading
06.09.16
Daines, Zinke Request Meeting With VA Secretary McDonald on Replacement for MT VA
U.S. CONGRESS - U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today urged Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bob McDonald to prioritize a quick and qualified replacement for outgoing VA Montana Director John Ginnity. The VA Montana went for nine months without a full-time director before Ginnity was appointed director in March of 2015. The members also requested a full congressional meeting with Secretary McDonald to ensure this replacement is timely and with a top c… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Daines Secures Important Healthcare Resources for Montanans
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important healthcare resources for Montanans to improve the quality and reliability of services. "Montanans deserve reliable access to quality healthcare services close to home," Daines stated. "Through my efforts, our health care providers will be able to better serve rural communities across our state and country." The Senate Committee on Appropriations today passed the bipartisan FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and… Continue Reading
06.08.16
Daines Statement on Resignation Montana VA Director Ginnity
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Montana VA Director John Ginnity announced his resignation. "Montana veterans deserve a leader who will ensure their needs are being met and the Montana VA has not lived up to this commitment. The Montana VA needs a strong leader who understands the mission and will not fail Montana veterans." Daines has always fought to ensure that Montana VA leadership is serving Montana's veterans. March 23: Daines sent… Continue Reading
06.07.16
Daines’ Amendment to Provide Security for Nuclear Sites Passes Senate
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines' amendment to provide additional security for land based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sites, like Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB) today unanimously passed the United States Senate and will now be included in the National Defense Authorization Act. It was confirmed this year that the UH-1N Huey helicopter does not meet the security requirements for land based missile sites. The Air Force has known this since before 2001 and is working currentl… Continue Reading
06.07.16
Daines Ensures Due Process for Veterans Erroneously Discharged
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded unanimous Senate passage of his amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military due to negative behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The bipartisan amendment codifies the principles of the Hagel memo, ensuring Discharge Review Boards (DRBs) give l… Continue Reading
05.27.16
Daines Introduces Tribal Forestry Legislation
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced major legislation that will improve the health of both Indian and federal forest land. Daines' bill, the Tribal Forestry Participation and Protection Act helps keep Indian forest land and nearby federal forest land healthy by fostering greater cooperation between tribes and the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. This legislation will empower Montana tribes and federal agencies with a new tool to expedite critical restoration project… Continue Reading
05.26.16
Daines Announces over $400,000 for Rural Hospitals
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana State University was awarded $428,617 for the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center to improve services at small rural hospitals in Montana - all but one are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). "Ensuring rural hospitals have the tools and training they need will provide a better healthcare system and better care for all Montanans," Daines stated. There are forty-eight rural hospitals in Montana which … Continue Reading
05.26.16
Daines Introduces Bill to Temporarily Stop Gitmo Transfers
Nearly Two Dozen Detainees Reportedly Set for Release This Summer U.S. SENATE -U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to temporarily ban the transfer or release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay. The administration reportedly is set to release nearly two dozen Gitmo detainees to several different countries this summer amid efforts to close the prison before the end of the president's term. Daines' bill, S. 2999 would prohibit these transfers until either the end of this year … Continue Reading
05.26.16
Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. "It's unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security," Daines stated. "With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear… Continue Reading
05.25.16
Daines Announces over $99,000 for Polson Hospital
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that St. Joseph Hospital in Polson will receive $99,023 to address healthcare needs in rural areas. The grant will be used by St. Joseph Hospital to engage a network of hospitals serving rural communities through development of a Western Montana Rural Nursing Collaborative (WMRNC). WMRNC provides a unique partnership of hospitals that seek to expand, enhance and improve access to services in rural communities and allow patients to receive… Continue Reading
