Press
Daines: Montana Veterans Have Waited Long Enough for New VA Montana Director
Senator Steve Daines today aired his frustration with the Department of Veterans Affairs' ongoing failure to name a permanent director of VA Montana. Daines' comments come in light of VA Montana naming a new acting director to replace John Ginnity, who has served as acting director since June of last year and recently reached his maximum allowable days of service in that role. Under VA rules, an acting director may serve no more than 240 days in that role. "Montana's veterans have waited long … Continue Reading
02.18.15
Daines Secures Extension of Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs
Senator Steve Daines today announced that following his urging, the Department of Interior has extended the comment period for the Office of Natural Resource Revenue's proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. SNL Financial reports that "an appeal by western U.S. political leaders for more time to comment on new rules impacting the federal coal lease program was granted Feb. 12, allowing critics of the effort two additional months to make their case." The Office of Natur… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Statement on Confirmation of Ash Carter as New Defense Secretary
Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Senate confirmation of Dr. Ashton Carter as the next Secretary of Defense. "I look forward to working with Dr. Ashton Carter to protect American security interests both domestic and abroad, as well as ensuring that America's nuclear capabilities remain the most advanced in the world and serve as an effective deterrent. As Secretary of Defense, Dr. Carter will be at the forefront of the United States' response to significant i… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Introduces First Bill: The Balanced Budget Accountability Act
Senator Steve Daines today introduced his first piece of Senate legislation, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, to require that Congress passes a balanced budget - or members won't get paid. Montana Representative Ryan Zinke and House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Luke Messer have also introduced companion legislation in the House. The Balanced Budget Accountability Act strengthens accountability in Washington and encourages members of Congress to commit to the annual budget proces… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Daines Announces Energy & Natural Resources Subcommittee Assignments
Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has been selected to serve on three subcommittees on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines will serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittees on Energy; Public Lands, Forests and Mining; and Water and Power. Daines noted that these subcommittees will help him work for commonsense policies that help create good-paying Montana energy jobs, protect Montanans' access to public lands and keep energy prices low for har… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Daines, Zinke Call for Reauthorization of Critical Secure Rural Schools Program
Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today called on Senate and House leaders to swiftly move forward legislation to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner, Daines and Zinke stressed the importance of the federal government honoring its commitment and providing forested Montana counties with much-needed funding for schools and infrastructure. "SRS provides forested counties i… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Daines Calls for Extended Review of New Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs
Senator Steve Daines has called on the Department of Interior to allow the state of Montana, Montana tribes, union members and business owners more time to provide input on the Office of Natural Resource Revenue's proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. Daines led more than a dozen Senate and House members in calling on Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to extend the comment deadline, as the proposed rule could have serious adverse impacts on domestic energy production an… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Daines Hails House Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline
Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of the bipartisan Senate legislation that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline - clearing the way for the President to make a long-awaited decision on the job-creating project. "President Obama is out of excuses. It's time for him to join the American people and approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline," Daines stated."The Keystone pipeline will create new opportunities for good-paying jobs, energy independence, lower energy price… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Daines Works to Protect Americans' Personal Information
Senator Steve Daines today pushed technology leaders to better address Americans' rising concerns about personal privacy and safety when using Internet-connected devices. During this morning's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the government's role in protecting Americans from the "Internet of Things," Daines raised concerns about what measures have been put in place to ensure that as Americans become increasingly reliant on technology, proper safeguards against major secur… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Daines Meets With Montana Tribal College Leaders
Senator Steve Daines today met with representatives from Montana's tribal colleges to discuss the important role these institutions hold in providing Native American students with the training and skills that they need to obtain good-paying jobs. Today's meeting comes on the heels of the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation cosponsored by Daines to designate the week beginning February 8, 2015 as "National Tribal College and Universities Week." The bill also calls on the people of the Unite… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Daines Statement on Closing of Corette Power Plant
Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to PPL Montana's announcement that it will permanently close the J.E. Corette coal-fired power plant in Billings, Montana. "Once again, good-paying American jobs are falling ruin to the Obama administration's war on American energy. The closing of the Corette power plant isn't just a blow to Montana's economy - it's devastating news to the Montana families who rely on the plant for a stable income," Daines stated. "The EPA'… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Daines Works to Secure Support for Tribal Water Projects
Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has helped introduce legislation to ensure Montana tribes have the resources they need to maintain irrigation projects on Montana reservations. Daines today joined Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Jon Tester (D-MT) in introducing the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act, which will fix critical maintenance backlog issues at certain Indian irrigation proje… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Daines Calls on VA to Name New Montana Director, Address Mental Health Care Challenges
Senator Steve Daines is calling on Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald to quickly name a permanent director of VA Montana and take steps to address the mental health care challenges facing the Montana facility. In a letter sent today to McDonald, Daines stressed that the prolonged delay in naming a new director has prevented VA Montana from addressing serious challenges facing the agency - including the recruitment and retention of qualified mental health care professionals. "Among other a… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Daines, Tester introduce bill to permanently ban government from taxing Internet
(U.S. Senate) -Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today introduced a bill to permanently ban federal, state and local governments from taxing access to the Internet. The Senators' bill, the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access that is set to expire on October 1, 2015. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. "The Internet provides in… Continue Reading
02.06.15
Daines Congratulates Billings, Helena Students
Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Richmond Paschall and Jeremy Van Dyke on their appointments to the United States Naval Academy. Richmond Paschall, from Billings, received a nomination to the Academy from Senator Daines and was also nominated by Senator Jon Tester and former Senator John Walsh. He is a student at Billings West High School where he is the current Vice President of the student body and a member of the football and track team. Paschall is also a member of the National Hono… Continue Reading
02.05.15
Daines Demands Answers to Secure Americans' Personally Identifiable Information
Following today's announcement that more than 80 million Americans may have had their personally identifiable information compromised after a data breach at Anthem Health Insurance, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is calling on Congress to strengthen victim notifications requirements and ensure that Americans are promptly informed when their personal information may have been exposed. During this morning's Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on consumer data breach solutions, Daines reaffi… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Daines Works to Advance Interests of Montana Tribes
Senator Steve Daines today spoke out about the lack of assistance available for tribal housing loan programs and called on Congress to find solutions to make loan programs more accessible for Montana's tribes. "If you don't have a home, achieving other life needs is difficult. But with these high unemployment rates we see in Indian country, access to loans is very difficult. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, I believe, is an important law to facilitate access to… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Daines Blasts Costly EPA Wood Stove Regs
Senator Steve Daines today blasted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new regulations on wood burning stoves as a direct threat to Montanans' access to affordable energy. This afternoon, the EPA rolled out its final regulations on residential wood heaters, pellet stoves and other wood burning stoves. The new regulations are projected to have a $45.7 million annualized compliance cost, which could lead to higher costs or decreased access to stoves for Montana consumers. "The EPA's shor… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Daines Congratulates Andrew Obst on Naval Academy Appointment
Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Kalispell student Andrew Obst on his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Obst, a senior at Flathead High School in Kalispell, received a nomination to the Naval Academy from Daines last year. Obst has served as a Search and Rescue volunteer in Libby, is a member of Flathead 4-H Shooting Sports, where he was a 2014 State Champion in Small Bore Pistol, and is active in football, track and field and wrestling. "I'm proud of Andrew, a hardworkin… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Daines Lauds Bipartisan Passage of Bill to Address Veteran Suicide
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the bipartisan, unanimous passage of legislation to help prevent veteran suicide and improve veterans' access to mental healthcare services. Daines is a cosponsor of The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to improve veterans' access to mental healthcare and suicide prevention resources and increase accountability and quality of care at VA hospitals. "The tragic epidemic of veteran suicide wil… Continue Reading
