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Tag: Agriculture

Billings Gazette: Daines: Fast-tracking trade agreements right for Montana’s economy

May 14, 2015

Because exports to the Asian Pacific are crucial to Montana’s economy, Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Thursday he will support fast-tracking trade agreements for President Barack Obama. The announcement made between votes on the Senate floor was the first time Daines publicly confirmed granting Obama trade promotion authority, or TPA. TPA would bind Congress to an up or down vote on two major upcoming trade agreements, meaning Congressional amendments would be off limits on agreements negotiated by the Democratic president. The first trade agreement coming up, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, would have the biggest effect on Montana, particularly agriculture,

Daines Works to Prioritize State Based Sage Grouse Conservation Plans

April 22, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 Sage Grouse conservation while preventing a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Montana is best equipped to manage and

NBC Montana: MT Republicans push repeal of ‘Death Tax’

April 15, 2015

MISSOULA, Mont. – On tax day, Senator Steve Daines, (R) Montana, Representative Ryan Zinke, (R) Montana, and the Montana Republican Party touted their support of a bill that would eliminate the federal estate tax. Republicans call it the death tax. In a press release, the Montana Republican Party said the measure would “protect 28,000 Montana farms and ranches from being unfairly punished by the federal government and ensure that future generations don’t face bankruptcy when their family farm is passed down to their children.” However, we did some digging and found that the number of people affected by the estate

On Tax Day, Daines Continues Fight to Repeal Death Tax

April 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 undue burden and unnecessary hardship on hardworking Montana families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers,” Daines stated. “The death tax is a direct

Daines Focuses on Solutions to Better Federal Forest Management

March 24, 2015

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 to increase timber harvests after U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell acknowledged to Daines last week that a goal of nearly tripling harvests in Montana’s National Forests is “very reasonable.” The Forest Service

Daines Grills Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Grain Inspections

March 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today demanded the release of the safety reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted during the shutdown of grain inspections at the Port of Vancouver.    During today’s Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the USDA’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, Daines called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to release the three safety reports conducted during the duration of the lockout to ensure that the USDA’s decisions are transparent and accountable to the grain growers across Montana and the nation. “It’s relevant to me and it’s relevant to our grain growers across Montana

Daines Demands Commitment to On-Time Federal Grain Inspection Service

March 10, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today renewed his call to ensure timely and efficient grain inspections from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are conducted so that normal shipments of Montana grain will continue uninterrupted. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Daines underscored the importance of maintaining continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. Daines also highlighted the need for USDA to provide a specific plan in the case of disruptions in grain inspections. “The ability to get one’s harvest to consumers quickly and efficiently

Daines Calls for Prioritized Funding for Tribal Water Projects

March 4, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is working to ensure that Montana tribes have the resources they need to maintain irrigation projects on Montana reservations. During today’s Senate Indian Affairs Committee legislative hearing on S. 438, the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act (IRRIGATE Act), Daines stressed the importance of fixing the maintenance backlog issues facing a number of irrigation projects throughout Indian Country, including five in Montana. Daines also reiterated his support for funding additional authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation, including those on the Fort Peck and Rocky Boy

Daines Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments

January 29, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has been selected to serve on five Senate Appropriations subcommittees. Daines will serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies; Defense; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies. Daines noted that the subcommittees’ focus will address a number of issues of great importance to Montana, including the management of public lands and support for Montana’s mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base by ensuring that our service members have