Press
Daines and Tester Push Obama to Update ICBM Fleet
(U.S. Senate)-Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are pushing the Obama Administration to take steps forward and update the ICBM fleet at Malmstrom Air Force Base. In a letter to President Obama, Montana's Senators reiterated their support for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, which is scheduled to replace the Minuteman III fleet and provide a next generation land component of the U.S. nuclear triad for decades to come. Tester and Daines both agree that modernizing Malmstrom's IC… Continue Reading
10.24.16
Daines Statement on Obamacare Rate Increases
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Obama administration announced that premiums for Obamacare will increase by an average of 25 percent next year. "Montanans are stuck with insurance rate hikes that are more than the jaw dropping 25 percent national average for next year," Daines stated. "Obamacare isn't affordable and needs to be replaced with state-driven solutions that puts patients at the center of the healthcare equation." Average in… Continue Reading
10.21.16
Daines Demands Response to Lapsed Softwood Lumber Agreement
Moratorium on litigation related to U.S. - Canada softwood lumber trade lapsed at midnight, October 12, 2016 U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined 26 Senators in urging President Obama to prioritize ongoing negotiations to obtain a new softwood lumber trade agreement with Canada. In a letter to President Obama, Daines underscored the need to reach a new deal to prioritize American jobs and help forested counties. "We are disappointed that Canada appears reluctant to follow … Continue Reading
10.20.16
Daines Welcomes Montana Telecom Leaders to DC
U.S. SENATE - This week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines welcomed two Montana telecommunications industry leaders to Washington, D.C. for a forum to discuss rural connectivity. The #Solutions2020 Policy Forum, hosted by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, gathered communications specialists from around the country to discuss connectivity issues facing America. Participants discussed issues such as: digital inclusion, communications affordability, 5G technology and d… Continue Reading
10.19.16
Daines Seeks to Level Trade Playing Field
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of 14 Senators in deriding the Obama administration's decision to increase the costs of production for Montana companies by excluding many Generalized System of Preferences countries from duty relief on exports of backpacks, luggage and other related travel goods. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, Daines pressed for the criteria that were used in making a decision that negatively impacts Montana com… Continue Reading
10.18.16
Daines Marks National Forest Products Week
BOZEMAN, Mont. -U.S. Senator Steve Daines today celebrated National Forest Products Week by highlighting the important impact forestry has on Montana's economy. Montana's National Forests are a treasured part of the state's heritage for generations and provide timber-surrounded counties with good-paying jobs and a vital revenue source to fund schools and infrastructure projects. National Forest Products Week occurs the third week in October as designated by Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), a… Continue Reading
10.18.16
Daines’ Bill to Support Native Children Signed into Law
BOZEMAN, Mont. -U.S. Senator Steve Daines' bill to support Native children was signed into law on Friday, October 14, 2016. The bipartisan Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act creates a Commission on Native Children, which will conduct a comprehensive study on the programs, grants, and supports available for Native children, both at government agencies and on the ground in Native communities. The goal is to develop a sustainable system that delivers wrap-aro… Continue Reading
10.13.16
Daines Statement on Expiration of Softwood Lumber Agreement
BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after the expiration of the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA): "Subsidized and unfairly traded lumber imports continue to severely harm Montana mills, workers and communities. President Obama needs to remain committed to reaching a new trade agreement that prioritizes the American worker and fights for good-paying jobs." The SLA expired on October 12, 2015 with a one-year moratorium on complaints or lawsuits ending on Oc… Continue Reading
10.11.16
Daines Hosts Roundtable in Billings to Protect Consumers from Online Booking Scams
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hosted a roundtable discussion with the leaders of the Montana Lodging & Hospitality Association (MLHA) on growing Montana's tourism industry and protecting consumers from online booking scams. Daines sought to raise awareness and crack down on operators of that trick consumers into thinking they are making reservations directly with hotels. On September 27, Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to address this problem and protect consumers from online boo… Continue Reading
10.11.16
Daines Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Deny Appeal of Cottonwood Case
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today made the following statement after hearing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to deny the appeal of the U.S. Forest Service in challenging the ruling of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cottonwood v. U.S. Forest Service: "I'm very disappointed that the Supreme Court declined to hear this case. Allowing the Ninth Circuit's disastrous ruling to stand will greatly increase needless paperwork on the Forest Service and further delay much-needed restor… Continue Reading
10.07.16
Daines Wraps Up Eastern Montana Tour
BOZEMAN, Mont. - This week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines traveled 648 miles across Eastern Montana with stops in Malta, Glasgow, Scobey, Westby, Plentywood, Culbertson, Sidney, Glendive, Wibaux, Baker, Ekalaka, Broadus and Ashland. Malta: Daines discussed critical issues facing Phillips County in Malta at breakfast with the Rotary Club and local elected officials at the Great Northern. During the breakfast, the conversation focused on developing Montana's vast natural resources and the good-paying… Continue Reading
10.06.16
Daines, Tester Urge FCC to Approve Application to Expand Broadband to Rural Montana
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve T-Mobile's waiver application to allow them to expand broadband access in rural Montana. In a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, Daines and Tester underscored the importance of ensuring that underserved, rural areas have access to broadband and that T-Mobile has a proven track record building facilities to serve this part of the country. This transaction will provide wir… Continue Reading
10.05.16
Daines Holds Roundtable in Sidney on Law Enforcement Needs
SIDNEY, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today held a roundtable discussion to discuss law enforcement needs, coordination and approaches to combating the continuing criminal activity in the Bakken region, as well as the need for the temporary Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent presence in Sidney to be made permanent. During the roundtable, Daines presented John Dynneson, Richland County Sheriff with a letter he sent today to FBI Director James Comey requesting a meeting to discuss t… Continue Reading
10.05.16
Daines, Zinke Introduce Legislation to Encourage Carbon Sequestration
SIDNEY, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representive Ryan Zinke today announced that they have introduced legislation to encourage carbon sequestration. The CO2 Regulatory Certainty Act of 2016 aligns tax guidelines with existing federal regulations to ensure taxpayers are better able to utilize the Section 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit. By accelerating work on carbon sequestration projects, this bill is helping to provide one of the energy technologies needed to utilize Americ… Continue Reading
10.04.16
Daines, Feinstein Call on Energy Conferees to Accelerate Forest Management, Fix Wildfire Funding
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today called on on Energy Bill Conferees to accelerate forest management reforms and fix wildfire funding. Daines and Feinstein penned a letter to the leadership of the conference committee for S.2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act. "As cosponsors of the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, we urge you to include reforms in the final energy bill to enable the Forest Service to pay for fighting extraordinary wildfires … Continue Reading
10.03.16
Daines Announces $138,878 to Enhance Response to Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents
BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $138,878 in funding to maintain the safety of emergency personnel and the public when responding to hazardous materials related emergencies. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) grant will train emergency responders to respond to pipeline, rail and other surface accidents that cause a release of hazardous materials. This was authorized by the FAST Act. Further, safe transportation of Montana's energy resources is… Continue Reading
09.30.16
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Alan Charles of Miles City
BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Alan Charles of Miles City for his tireless work at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Alan served in the agency's Helena office for the last twenty years, helping maintain Montanans' access to quality hunting grounds: an integral part of our way of life. Daines' recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Through his "Montanan of the Week" initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a stateme… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Daines Announces $198,506 for Educational Training for Fort Peck Community College
U.S. SENATE -U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $198,506.00 in funding for Fort Peck Community College to help train new farmers and ranchers and building on their existing curriculum, especially tailoring it to the Fort Peck community. "Our ag industry is of critical importance to our state, and our farmers play a key role in feeding not only Montana, but the world," Daines stated. "It's important that we support the next generation of Montana farmers and ranchers and I'm glad to see … Continue Reading
09.29.16
Daines Introduces Bill to Enhance Crowdfunding for Startups
BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to better the way entrepreneurs raise funds through crowdfunding, a way that prevents expensive regulatory red tape from keeping startups from getting off the ground. Crowdfunding is the basic idea of raising money by relatively small contributions from a large number of people - combining the best of microfinance and crowdsourcing. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a rule last October to give entreprene… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Daines Encourages Administration to Abandon Proposed Estate Tax Regulations
Proposed Regulations Would Have Severe Chilling Effect on Family Farms and Businesses BOZEMAN, Mont. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today wrote to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew encouraging the Treasury Department to abandon proposed regulations that would significantly increase the estate tax burden on family farms and businesses. The proposed regulations, if finalized, would contradict long-standing legal precedent and greatly discourage families from continuing to operate and grow their farms an… Continue Reading
