Tag: Agriculture

Daines Slams Senate Democrats’ Failure to Protect Americans from Obama Administration WOTUS Power Grab

Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats after all but four members of the Democrat caucus blocked legislation that would have directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Today the Senate came just a few votes shy of passing legislation to protect our farmers, ranchers and small business owners from major new costs and regulatory burdens. I appreciate the bipartisan support demonstrated today by four key Senate Democrats and am disappointed that others chose instead to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of doing what’s right. Montanans know that this power

Montana Congressional Delegation Secures Reversal of India Restrictions on Pulse Exports

Following pressure from Montana Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Ryan Zinke, India has reversed its regulatory restrictions on pulse crop stock limits – clearing the way for exports of Montana pulse crops to India to resume. India’s policy reversal follows a letter sent last week by the Montana delegation urging the resolution of issues surrounding India’s recent regulatory changes that would have negatively affected Montana pulse producers’ ability to export peas, lentils and chickpeas to Indian markets. “The Indian government’s reversal of these regulatory restrictions is welcome news for Montana pulse farmers whose livelihoods depend on reliable

Daines Pushes to Expand Rural Broadband

Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks.  Senator Steve Daines today pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to close the gap in connectivity between rural and urban areas. Daines called on the FCC to expand connectivity in rural regions to minimize the divide that currently exists in delivery of broadband service. “Access to technology removes geography as a constraint and allows Montanans to start and grow world-class companies,” Daines stated. “But we still have a lot of issues to overcome to connect our unserved communities and the FCC plays a big role.” Last week, Daines

Daines: Nationwide WOTUS Stay is a Victory for States’ Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision to issue a nationwide stay on Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) misguided Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “The Sixth Circuit Court’s nationwide stay on the EPA’s misguided WOTUS rule is a victory for states’ rights, local governments, farmers, ranchers and landowners. This ruling pushes back on the extreme overreach of the Obama administration, which threatened Montana agriculture and natural resources, Montana jobs and Montanans’ property rights. While this is welcome news, it is not the end of the Obama administration’s egregious power grabs. I will continue

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Russ Fullmer of Sidney

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Russ Fullmer of Sidney. Russ Fullmer will be retiring from Sidney Sugars Inc. in December after 30 years of loyal service and hard work. 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 here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’

Daines Applauds Senate Passage of Federal Grain Inspection Reforms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the Senate passage of the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which contains key reforms secured by Daines to ensure Montana farmers are protected from disruptions in federally mandated grain inspections, like what occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines’ provisions maintain continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. The legislation was passed by the Senate today without opposition. The House is expected to take up the legislation in coming days.  “Today’s passage of the U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act is good news for Montana

Daines, 46 Additional Senators Introduce Resolution to Nullify Expanded WOTUS Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, along with 46 Senate cosponsors, today introduced a joint resolution disapproving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which directly threatens Montana agriculture and energy production, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. The resolution would nullify the EPA’s WOTUS rule, which greatly expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. “The EPA’s latest power grab is a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods and must be stopped,” Daines stated. “This ill-conceived rule provides the EPA

Daines Discusses Montana Trade Opportunities With Taiwanese Business Leaders

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today met with Taiwanese business leaders to discuss future opportunities to export Montana goods to Taiwan.  Taiwan is Montana’s fourth largest export market in Asia and seventh largest export market in the world. In 2014, Montana’s exports to Taiwan reached $44 million in exports.  Taiwan is one of Montana’s top foreign markets for agricultural products, especially the state’s hard red winter and hard red spring wheat crops, as well as barley and durum. Taiwan is Montana’s second largest market for grains in Asia, after Japan. “I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss expanding markets for Montana goods

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Riley Slivka of Winifred

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Riley Slivka of Winifried. Riley is a senior at Winifred High School who is working to highlight the work of the Montana farmers through film. 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 here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the

Daines Welcomes Court Delay of WOTUS Regulations

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after a federal district court blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new regulation broadly expanding the definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Today’s order is further proof that the EPA’s latest power grab is not only a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods, but to our Constitutional rights. This rule could have devastating impacts on Montana farmers and ranchers, our natural resource industries, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. I’m thankful for Attorney General Tim Fox’s continued leadership on this critical issue and his