Press
Daines Statement on President Obama’s Nominee to the Supreme Court
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement reiterating that the American people should have the opportunity to elect a new President before a new Supreme Court justice is seated: "The replacement of Justice Scalia will have far-reaching impacts on our country for a generation. The American people have already begun voting on who the next President will be and their voice should continue to be reflected in a process that will have lasting implications on our nation… Continue Reading
03.15.16
Daines’ Bill to Reform Veterans Choice Act Receives First Legislative Hearing
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines' legislation to improve health care services for America's veterans today received its first legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Daines' bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 makes major changes to the Veterans Choice Program, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the VA system, and creates a permanent program with advance funding. More information on the legislation is avai… Continue Reading
03.15.16
Daines Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Expand Montana Hydro
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House of Representative's passage of legislation to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana. The legislation would provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. "The Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon D… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Gordon Stoner of Outlook
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today recognized Gordon Stoner, a wheat grower from Outlook on his newly elected position serving as the President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. 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 the Congressional Record is available her… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Daines Announces Over $750,000 to Combat Opioid and Heroin Abuse
U.S. SENATE - Following yesterday's passage of bipartisan legislation to address prescription opioid abuse and heroin epidemic in America, Senator Steve Daines today announced $379,167 in funding for Bighorn Valley Health Center and $379,167 in funding for Billhook Community Health Center to help tackle this crisis. "Tackling our nation's drug epidemic from all sides - to help the victims of addiction dealing with their disease to providing resources for our law enforcement officials - is the … Continue Reading
03.10.16
Daines Statement on Arch Coal’s Announcement to Suspend Efforts to Obtain Otter Creek Mining Permit
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to Arch Coal, Inc.'s announcement that it will suspend efforts to obtain a mining permit for the Otter Creek coal reserves near Ashland, Montana: "Arch Coal's suspension of its pursuit of a permit for the Otter Creek Mine is a devastating loss for Montana's economy and schools - for jobs, tax revenues and made-in-Montana energy. This decision is an unfortunate repercussion of President Obama's all-fronts assa… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Daines Slams Obama Administration on Long-Delayed Admission of Iranian Cyberattack on New York Dam
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration after reports indicate that they will name Iran as the perpetrator of a 2013 cyberattack on a New York dam. "It is downright shameful that it has taken President Obama three years to denounce Iran for a malicious cybersecurity attack on our country while at the same time sitting at a negotiating table with them," Daines stated. "This failure is undoubtedly linked to President Obama's clouded judgment in ushering through h… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Tester, Daines celebrate Montana’s Senate Youth Delegates
(U.S. SENATE) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines met with two of Montana's brightest young students this week as part of the United States Senate Youth Program's (USSYP) 54th Annual Washington Week. Out of hundreds of students from across the state, seniors Mollie Lemm of Polson, and Arthur Pettit of Missoula, were selected to represent Montana on Capitol Hill. Lemm and Pettit joined a group of 102 other student delegates for an intensive week in the nation's capital, where they met with S… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Daines Statement in Opposition to Selling Arms to Pakistan
U.S. SENATE -Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after voting to block the sale of F-16 aircraft to the Government of Pakistan. "The behavior of the Pakistani government gives me great concern regarding their commitment as an ally to the United States as we witness terrorist networks continue to operate freely in their federally administrated tribal areas," Daines stated. "Rewarding Pakistan with U.S. fighter jets would send the wrong message and only harm our efforts to… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Senators Introduce Resolution to Detain ISIL Fighters in Guantanamo
U.S. SENATE - Following the recent announcement that U.S. Special Forces captured an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) leader while carrying out Operation Inherent Resolve, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today led 14 Senators in introducing a resolution to detain ISIL fighters at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Joni Er… Continue Reading
03.09.16
USDA Secretary: Biotech Foods are Safe
U.S. SENATE - Under Senator Steve Daines' questioning, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today stated that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) pose no risk to food safety or threat to plant pest risk. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2017 funding request for the USDA, Daines pressed Vilsack to allow sound science to be preeminent … Continue Reading
03.09.16
Daines Works to Improve Federal Cooperation with Indian Country
U.S. SENATE -Senator Steve Daines today fought to improve Montana's tribes' sovereignty, pressing the Obama administration to work more collaboratively and efficiently with Montana's tribes relating to health care and management of tribal forests. During two different Senate Committee hearings today, Daines called on witnesses to improve stewardship of federal funds while working to alleviate some of the challenges associated with wildfires in Indian Country. U.S. Indian Health Service Fiscal… Continue Reading
03.09.16
Daines Announces over $3.9 Million DHHS Grant for Yellowstone County Health Center
US. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today announced over $3.9 million in funding for Montana community health centers in Yellowstone County. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will provide RiverStone Health Center in Yellowstone County with funding to improve community health and public healthcare services. "Montana's community health centers provide critical health care services to thousands of Montanans," Daines stated. "This grant will give the Yellowstone County community the… Continue Reading
03.08.16
Daines Announces Over $500,000 Grant for Miles City Vocational Training Program
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles Community College (MCC) was awarded an economic development grant for more than $529,000 to stimulate jobs and economic growth in Montana. The Economic Development Administration grant will go towards required renovations, environmental mitigation and Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development (CDBG-ED) matching funds, on a workforce training facility that will allow MCC to expand its vocational training curriculum to … Continue Reading
03.07.16
Daines Helps Introduce Veterans Choice Improvement Act
U.S. SENATE -Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today introduced legislation to improve health care services for America's veterans. Daines' bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 makes major changes to the Veterans Choice Program, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the VA system, and creates a permanent program with advance funding. It makes changes and reforms to address the bureaucratic delays, hassles and confusion that veterans continue to… Continue Reading
03.04.16
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Sergeant Tim Lingle of the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today recognized Sergeant Tim Lingle of the Roosevelt County Sheriff's office who was recently named the Montana American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. 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 the Congressional Record is availabl… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Daines’ Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Senate
U.S. SENATE - This evening, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Daines' bipartisan legislation to help ensure the safety of America's pipeline network. The Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019. The SAFE PIPES Act is also sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Daines Presses FDA Commissioner on Importance of Biotechnology to Food Supply
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines worked to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upholds its duty to ensure that the U.S. has a safe food supply and abstains from marketing or labeling mandates that it determines have no bearing on food safety. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration FDA and Related Agencies hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2017 funding request for the Food and Drug Administration, Daine… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Daines Hails Recovery of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) announcement concerning the recovery of the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear: "It's great news that the Fish and Wildlife Service is taking the important step forward in working to delist the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear after their population has significantly rebounded. I hope this announcement helps clear the way for responsible management of the species and more responsible management of our natural resources, … Continue Reading
03.03.16
Daines Works to Connect Rural Montana
U.S. SENATE - Senator Steve Daines today worked to increase broadband service and improve reliable connectivity for rural Montanans. During two Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearings this week, Daines emphasized the need for reliable broadband service throughout rural America and successfully moved forward bipartisan solutions and ensure that rural communities are not left behind. On Wednesday, all five Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners testified be… Continue Reading
