Press
Daines, Zinke Request USTR to Prioritize Montana Issues with Canadian PM
U.S. CONGRESS - In advance of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first state visit to Washington, D.C., Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to prioritize Montana issues in discussions with Canada. In a letter to Ambassador Michael Froman, Daines and Zinke requested that the USTR prioritize Montana issues as they prepare for Prime Minister Trudeau's upcoming state visit including the renegotiation of the expir… Continue Reading
02.17.16
Daines Statement on Reported Surface-to-Air Missiles on Man-Made Islands in South China Sea
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on reports that surface-to-air missiles have been deployed on man-made islands in the South China Sea: "The new reports of surface-to-air missiles being deployed on man-made islands in the South China Sea are deeply concerning. The deployment of these missiles could have serious adverse impacts not only on the stability of the region, but on global commerce. With over five trillion dollars of global trade passing through t… Continue Reading
02.17.16
Daines Travels to Alaska for Senate Energy Field Hearing
U.S. SENATE - This week, Senator Steve Daines traveled to Alaska to participate in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources field hearing to examine opportunities for innovation in America's energy industry. Daines was joined by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Angus King (I-ME), in addition to U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who testified at the hearing. Daines with Murkowski as they prepare to head out from A… Continue Reading
02.16.16
Daines, Zinke Commend Extension of Yellowstone Bison Quarantine Plan Comment Period
U.S. CONGRESS - Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke successfully secured a two-week extension of the comment period for the National Park Service's (NPS) Environmental Assessment of Yellowstone National Park's Bison Quarantine Plan. The previous deadline for the comment period was February 15, 2016. At Daines' and Zinke's urging, NPS recently announced that the comment period would be extended to February 29, 2016. In a letter sent last week to NPS Directo… Continue Reading
02.13.16
Daines Statement on Passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon news of the passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. "Our nation has lost a giant of freedom who leaves behind a legacy of tirelessly defending our Constitution and the principles that make our nation great. Justice Scalia was a man of faith and a brilliant legal mind who dedicated himself to our country with a servant's heart. Cindy and I are praying for his family and are grateful for his servi… Continue Reading
02.12.16
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Beverly Anderson of Conrad
Senator Steve Daines today recognized Beverly Anderson of Conrad, Montana for her ongoing work to better her community. Daines noted that she is a standout in the Conrad community and has a giving spirit for caring for those in need. Through his "Montanan of the Week" initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines' recognition in th… Continue Reading
02.12.16
Daines Statement on Montanore Project Decisions
Senator Steve Daines today commended the United States Forest Service for their full approval of the long-overdue Montanore Project, while expressing his disappointment in Montana Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ) partial approval of the project. The Montanore Project will create much-needed jobs and economic opportunity in Lincoln County. "The Forest Service's long-overdue approval is welcome news for Lincoln County and an important step forward in getting this job-creating project… Continue Reading
02.11.16
Daines Secures Permanent Ban on Government Taxation of the Internet
Senator Steve Daines today secured a permanent ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access. Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act that passed the Senate this afternoon as part of H.R.644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. The Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax o… Continue Reading
02.10.16
Daines Meets Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger
Senator Steve Daines today met with Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger, Patrick Chapman of Great Falls, in the United States Capitol. Daines gave a tour of his office and the United States Capitol to Chapman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Montana Bob Norbie, Chief Marketing Officer for Special Olympics Kirsten Suto Seckler and Special Olympics International's Global CEO Mary Davis. Daines with Chapman at his desk "Patrick is an impressive young Montanan who has shown that with… Continue Reading
02.10.16
Daines Works to Bolster National Security, Strengthen North Korea Sanctions
Following reports of yet another North Korean missile test, Senator Steve Daines today worked to successfully pass bipartisan legislation to bolster national security by strengthening sanctions on North Korea. "We can't sit by idly and allow a dangerous regime to conduct ballistic missile tests without repercussions," Daines stated. "This legislation is crucial to not only strengthening sanctions but outlining a comprehensive strategy to combat North Korea's criminal cyber activities and horrif… Continue Reading
02.10.16
Daines Fights to Ensure Readiness of Montana Military Missions
Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the readiness of Montana's military missions by ensuring the modernization of aircraft at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base. During this morning's Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the proposed FY 2017 U.S. Air Force budget, Daines pressed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh about the Air Force's plan to ensure top security for the transport of nuclear weapons by rep… Continue Reading
02.10.16
Daines Statement on Inexcusable IRS Security Breach
Senator Steve Daines slammed President Obama's failure to expeditiously inform Congress after yet another security breach occurred at the Internal Revenue Service in January. "The President has a duty to inform Congress of cyber attacks on federal infrastructure, yet once again has tried to sweep this under the rug," Daines stated. "It's no coincidence that on President Obama's watch, two federal agencies within the past year have suffered large-scale and inexcusable breaches in security. He h… Continue Reading
02.10.16
Daines, Blumenthal Resolution Recognizes February 17 as Digital Learning Day
Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today sought to affirm the importance of student data privacy by recognizing February 17, 2016 as Digital Learning Day. Last night, Daines and Blumenthal successfully passed a bipartisan resolution recognizing February 17 as Digital Learning Day. The senators' resolution, which passed by unanimous consent, highlights the many ways in which technology can enhance the classroom experience while striking the right balance in protecting the… Continue Reading
02.09.16
Daines Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Issue Nationwide Stay on Clean Power Plan
Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court decision to issue a nationwide stay on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan - successfully blocking implementation of the plan while it's being challenged in court. "The Supreme Court decision to issue a nationwide stay on the Obama administration's misguided, job-killing rule is great news for Montana. The so-called Clean Power Plan will kill Montana jobs and leads our country in the wrong direction-away from… Continue Reading
02.09.16
Daines Statement on President Obama’s Budget Proposal
Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Obama's budget proposal that once again fails to balance: "President Obama's budget is full of the same failed policies that has led our country down a path of reckless bloated spending, burdensome regulations and higher taxes. This is President Obama's eighth consecutive unbalanced budget that only serves to bolster his liberal agenda instead of lifting up hardworking American families. The American people deserve real so… Continue Reading
02.09.16
Daines Reaffirms Importance of Splitting the Ninth Circuit
"We need to ensure all Americans have access to the justice they deserve. It's time to split the Ninth." WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Steve Daines recently took to the Senate floor to bring to light the crushing caseload of the Ninth Circuit and reaffirm the need to split the Ninth Circuit to provide quality service and expeditious justice for the American people. Click here to download Daines' remarks. Click here to watch Daines' remarks. Daines joined Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) last… Continue Reading
02.08.16
Daines Marks Beginning of National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
Senator Steve Daines today marked the beginning of "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" by recognizing the critical role these institutions hold in providing access to high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities for Montana tribal members. Montana is home to seven Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" resolution that unanimously passed the Senate last week. On Wednesday, D… Continue Reading
02.08.16
Daines, Gillibrand Call on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to Act on Their Bill to Help Thousands of “Blue Water” Vietnam Vets
Senators' Call Follows VA Officials' Refusal to Reverse Ruling to Extend VA Benefits to "Blue Water" Vets WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to immediately take up their legislation to ensure "Blue Water" Navy veterans are made eligible for service-connected disability Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Daines' … Continue Reading
02.05.16
Daines, Zinke Fight Latest Effort to Terminate Port of Raymond 24-Hour Operating Status
Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to reverse their latest plans to reduce operating hours at the Port of Raymond and terminate the northeastern Montana border crossing's 24-hour operating status. CBP recently announced new plans to implement a pilot program closing the Port of Raymond for six hours per day, between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. In a letter to CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, Daines and Zinke c… Continue Reading
02.05.16
Daines Slams President Obama’s Plan to Raise Energy Taxes on Montana Families
Senator Steve Daines today slammed President Obama's proposal to place a $10 tax on every barrel of oil-marking a 30 percent tax on oil at current prices. "This is yet another step in President Obama's anti-energy agenda and further proof that he's more concerned about cementing his failed legacy than standing with the hardworking Montana families who will be directly hit by these senseless policies," Daines stated. "We should be encouraging American innovation and energy independence-not plac… Continue Reading
