Press
Daines Works to Prioritize State Based Sage Grouse Conservation Plans
Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce legislation that prioritizes state-created conservation and management plans for the recovery of the Sage Grouse. Daines is an original cosponsor of S. 1036, the Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act, which would require the Department of the Interior to share scientific data with states, assist states in crafting and implementing their plans, and recognize the state plans for a minimum of six years. The Act empowers states to take the lead in S… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Daines Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Human Trafficking Bill
Senator Steve Daines today applauded the long-overdue passage of the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, critical legislation Daines has co-sponsored to help victims of human trafficking. "I'm glad that the Senate finally took the long-overdue step forward and approved this bipartisan legislation to help victims of modern-day slavery. Too often, victims of human trafficking are underserved and fail to get the resources they desperately need. This bill will provide our law enforc… Continue Reading
04.15.15
Daines Votes to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program
Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on his vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for two years - providing rural Montana counties with critical support for schools and community services. "It is critical that the federal government fulfill its long-standing promise to our forested counties, which have faced significant economic challenges under declining timber harvests and the ongoing mismanagement of our National Forests. It's unacceptable that Washington's in… Continue Reading
04.15.15
On Tax Day, Daines Continues Fight to Repeal Death Tax
Senator Steve Daines today marked "Tax Day" by continuing his efforts to stand up for hardworking Montanans and repeal the death tax. Daines has signed on as a cosponsor to S.860 the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, which would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax. This bill would effectively end a long-standing tax on family farms, ranches, and businesses upon the death of an owner. "On tax day, we are once again reminded that our nation's tax code places an… Continue Reading
04.14.15
Daines Secures FAA Commitment to Maintain High Level of Safety in Powder River Training Complex
Senator Steve Daines today secured a commitment from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to maintain a high level of aviation safety in southeastern Montana in the wake of the Powder Riving Training Complex expansion. In today's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on reauthorizing the FAA, Daines pressed FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to ensure that the FAA take steps to maintain safe and secure skies in southeastern Montana and better incorporate Montanans' in… Continue Reading
04.08.15
Daines Investigates Importance of Coal to Tribal Economies
Senator Steve Daines today chaired a Senate Indian Affairs Committee (SCIA) field hearing in Crow Agency, Montana on empowering Indian Country. Daines examined the need to responsibly develop coal resources as a vital component of the tribal economies along with the importance of access to international markets. Daines spoke with Crow Chairman Darrin Old Coyote regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) harmful policies that stand in the way of the tribes' ability to develop their co… Continue Reading
04.07.15
Tester, Daines, Zinke to Host Academy Days
(MONTANA) -- Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are inviting Montana middle and high school students to Academy Days in Missoula, Great Falls and Billings. Interested students can attend these free events to learn about pursuing careers in the U.S. military. Representatives from Tester, Daines and Zinke's office will be joined by officials from the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.… Continue Reading
04.07.15
Daines Meets with Foreign Leaders and U.S. Troops in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan
Senator Steve Daines today announced that he recently returned from an official overseas congressional delegation trip to Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Daines had the opportunity to meet several Middle Eastern leaders and discuss political, economic and security issues facing Middle Eastern nations. Meetings included: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi President Fuad Masum and Afghan President Ashr… Continue Reading
04.07.15
Daines Meets with PHMSA Acting Administrator Butters on Glendive Oil Spill
Senator Steve Daines today met with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Acting Administrator Timothy Butters in Billings about the ongoing efforts to clean up the Poplar Pipeline spill into the Yellowstone River. Daines pressed Butters on the agency's slow hiring process and his efforts to fill over 100 open inspector positions. During the meeting, Daines questioned Butters on their efforts to find safer ways to transport oil as well as other ways to reduce American d… Continue Reading
04.06.15
Daines Statement on Passing of Governor Babcock
Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the passing of Governor Tim Babcock. "I first met Governor Babcock when I was the youngest delegate for Ronald Reagan at the 1984 Republican Convention. Governor Babcock always took time to encourage young leaders and served as a tremendous mentor not only for myself, but countless others. The Governor has always been a tireless servant who dedicated his life to Montana and this country. Cindy and I will be keeping his family in our p… Continue Reading
04.01.15
Daines: Obama Administration Extension Weakens U.S. Security
Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the Obama administration's decision to extend the nuclear negotiations with Iran once again. "The Obama administration's decision to ignore another deadline weakens our security by empowering Iran to continue its dangerous behavior without consequence. Our desire for negotiations to succeed should not blind the Obama administration from the reality that only Iran is benefitting from the current approach. I believe Congress must impos… Continue Reading
03.31.15
Daines, Tester stand with Libby residents by raising awareness about asbestos
Senators sponsor National Asbestos Awareness Week Resolution (MONTANA) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are standing with Libby residents by sponsoring and helping pass a resolution to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos. The resolution - which passed the Senate unanimously - designatesthe first week in April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week." Specifically mentioning the town in northwest Montana, the resolution states, "Whereas people in the small community of Libby, Mont… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Daines Calls for Local Support in Monument Designations, Refutes Democrat Leader Reid’s Remarks
"Protecting the voice of the people should not offend members of this body- it should be our abiding commitment - it should be our priority." WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Daines today took to the Senate floor to reaffirm the need for local support in monument designations, refuting Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid's recent misleading remarks on Daines' efforts. Earlier this morning, Minority Leader Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to a Daines amendment that would work to ensur… Continue Reading
03.25.15
Montanan Confirmed in Senate Commerce Committee, Now Moves to Senate Floor
Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Helena native Dava Newman, whose nomination for NASA Deputy Administrator was reported favorably out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. This afternoon, the Committee unanimously approved Newman's nomination, which will now head the full Senate for a final confirmation vote. "Dava Newman is an incredibly accomplished Montanan who truly exemplifies our state's legacy of public service," Daines stated. "Dr. Newman is uniquely q… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Daines: VA Reforms are Welcome First Step in Ensuring Veterans Receive Needed Care
Senator Steve Daines today commended the Department of Veterans' Affairs for addressing Montana veterans' long standing concerns and taking steps to ensure veterans are able to receive health care services close to home. The VA announced today that it is reforming its calculation used to determine distance between a veteran's residence and the nearest VA health facility when allowing veterans who live more than 40-miles from a VA facility to receive care closer to home. Daines called the ref… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Daines Focuses on Solutions to Better Federal Forest Management
Lincoln County Commissioner testifies about importance of forest management reform for rural jobs, tax revenue WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Steve Daines today pressed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to find solutions to increase timber harvests and called on them to work with local leaders to achieve increased harvests. During today's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on improving forest health, Daines pressed USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie on solutions… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Daines Announces Four Montana Schools to Receive Computers Through Senate Program
Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has helped facilitate a donation of 25 computers to four Montana public schools as part of the United State Senate's Computers for Schools Program. Through the program, four Montana schools have received multiple HP8000 computers to enhance and encourage education and learning. Recipients include: Ashland Public School in Ashland, MT received 10 computers Hays-Lodge Pole School in Hays, MT received five computers Sidney Public School in Sidney, … Continue Reading
03.24.15
Daines Works to Protect Montanans’ Civil Liberties and Right to Privacy
Senator Steve Daines today worked to protect Montanans' privacy from commercial and non-commercial use of drones and other remotely piloted aircraft. During today's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Daines pressed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address Montanans' significant privacy concerns over this emerging technology. "I come from the state of Montana that places a great value in privacy - in fact, you might argue th… Continue Reading
03.24.15
Daines: FAA Decision on Powder River Training Complex is Disappointing, but Fight to Ensure Regional Safety Continues
Senator Steve Daines today expressed his disappointment with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to approve the proposed expansion of the Powder River Training Complex, but reaffirmed his commitment to working with the FAA and Air Force to protect general aviation safety and economic activity in the region. The FAA today announced that it has approved and signed the Record of Decision for the Air Force's proposed Powder River Training Complex. The designated airspace will beco… Continue Reading
03.23.15
Daines: Obamacare Needs to be Repealed and Replaced
On the five-year anniversary of President Obama's signing Obamacare into law, Senator Steve Daines today called for the President's health care overhaul to be repealed and replaced with state-led solutions that put patients in the center of the health care equation: "Here we stand at the five-year anniversary of Obamacare. I remember hearing President Obama and Nancy Pelosi tell us that premiums would go down, that we'd have better access to health care and that if we like our health care plan… Continue Reading
