Tag: Appropriations Committee

Daines Applauds United Airlines Expansion to Great Falls International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement that United Airlines will begin a summer route from Great Falls International Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  “Increasing reliable and convenient air service for the Great Falls community is great news for our state and will help generate more economic opportunity throughout Cascade County,” Daines stated. “This new route will help increase access to new markets for central Montana and Hi-Line communities —in turn creating opportunities for more good paying Montana jobs.” The route will operate on Saturday and Sunday mornings from June 11 to August 14. In September, the U.S. Department

Daines: Senate Working to Uphold Promises to Our Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended the unanimous passage of critical veterans’ funding legislation that addresses several of Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns. The Senate today passed the bipartisan FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that secures important reforms to increase Montana veterans’ access to health care services and ensure that all Montana veterans are treated with the utmost care and respect.  “Today Republicans and Democrats joined together to ensure our nation’s veterans have access to the services and support they deserve,” Daines stated. “Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect, which is why Congress must

Daines: Bipartisan Vote to Move Forward Veterans Funding Bill Is How Washington Should Work

Daines urges Senate Democrats to end block of critical defense funding legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate vote to move forward debate on legislation to fund critical veterans’ services and noted that bipartisan cooperation on spending bills is “how Washington should work.” Daines also reaffirmed the need for Senate Democrats to end their political block on Defense Appropriations legislation, which Democrats doubled-down on earlier today by voting to block consideration of the funding bill.  “It is welcome news that Senate Democrats are joining Republican in prioritizing the needs of our nation’s veterans. These selfless men and women

Daines: Democrats Blocking Funding for Water, Infrastructure Projects is Shameful

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats for blocking the FY2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which funds critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation – including Montana rural water projects.  “Despite the vast majority of Democrats supporting this bill during an Appropriations Committee vote this summer, once again Democrats have chosen to block legislation that protects Montanans’ interests and strengthens our national security through increased energy and water security,” Daines stated. “This legislation works to enhance our energy efficiency while funding important projects that modernize our nation’s energy and water infrastructure. It’s

Daines Blasts Senate Democrats’ Refusal to Fund the Department of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today blasted Senate Democrats’ obstruction of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which provides critical funding for veterans services:  “Our nation’s heroes should have easy access to the resources, services and medical care that they need and deserve. It’s unconscionable that Senate Democrats would rather make our veterans pawns in political games. This legislation contains numerous important provisions to address Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns and it would be shameful to see these much-needed reforms fall victim to Democrats’ obstructionism. I urge Senate Democrats to quickly pass this legislation, which contains increased

Daines Announces $10.2 Million in Grants for Montana Tribal Colleges

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today announced that Montana’s tribal colleges have been awarded more than $10.2 million in grants through the U.S. Department of Education. Grants will be awarded to tribal colleges in Box Elder, Browning, Crow Agency, Harlem, Lame Deer, Pablo and Poplar. The formula-based grants will provide Montana’s tribal colleges with additional resources to expand academic opportunity for Montana tribal members. “Montana’s tribal colleges provide valuable educational and job training services to Native American students across our state,” Daines stated. “These grants will help our tribal colleges continue

Daines Secures Much-Needed Reforms for America’s Cybersecurity, Postal Service, Financial Services Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured provisions to safeguard American’s cyber infrastructure, protect rural postal service, reduce regulatory burdens and help Montana community banks and credit unions better serve their customers.  Daines joined the Senate Appropriations Committee today in approving the FY2016 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. Daines secured key provisions to maintain six-day delivery through FY16 and urge the U.S. Postal Service to make good-faith efforts to either renew postal contract station agreements or find suitable alternatives to serve rural areas. In light of the Office and Personnel Management’s failure to report on numerous occasions

Daines Fights to Give Montana Farmers Certainty in Federally Mandated Grain Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fought to secure key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers and provide farmers greater certainty in federally mandated grain inspections to protect against disruptions like those that occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines successfully worked to include provisions addressing concerns voiced by Montana’s farmers and ranchers in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2016, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning by a vote of 28-2. “Montana’s hardworking farmers deserve certainty that their grain can get to market in a timely

Daines Applauds Air Force Decision to Maintain RED HORSE Unit at Malmstrom

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded news that the 819th RED HORSE squadron will remain stationed at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. “This is great news for Malmstrom, the Great Falls community and the state of Montana,” Daines stated. “The 819th RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom Air Force Base holds an important role in our national security and is a critical partner for the Montana Air National Guard’s 219th RED HORSE unit. I’m thankful that the Air Force has recognized the importance of maintaining an active RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom, but our work to protect this critical

Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban