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Tag: Armed Services

Daines Leads ICBM Coalition Urging Defense Department to Expedite Security of Nuclear Weapons

May 18, 2016

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led the bipartisan ICBM coalition urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to outline a clear plan for the security of the nuclear missiles stationed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming following the news that the Department of Defense failed to approve the Air Forces’ request for a faster acquisition process.  In a letter to DoD Secretary Ash Carter, the members expressed their concerns with DoD’s announcement to proceed with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns. “We write to express serious concerns with the absence of an appropriate and timely path to replace

Daines, Zinke Introduce Measures Demanding Answers to Secure Nuclear Missiles

May 12, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced measures that aim to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) secures the nation’s nuclear assets.    Daines’ bill directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to tell Congress within five days how they will secure nuclear missiles made vulnerable by the insufficient capability of the UH-1N, and implement the necessary mitigation with additional resources within sixty days. Zinke introduced a similar bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that aims to address the security shortfalls of

Daines Calls on Air Force to Decide on UH-1N Helicopter Replacement

March 18, 2016

Leads Eight Senators in Letter to Air Force Secretary  U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today led eight Senators in calling on the Air Force to expedite their decision on the course of action to replace Vietnam–era UH-1N helicopters that provide security for our nuclear weapons.  Daines letter was signed by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Deb Fischer (R-NE).  In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, the Senators press the Air Force to decide between a sole source acquisition process

Daines, Gillibrand Call on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to Act on Their Bill to Help Thousands of “Blue Water” Vietnam Vets

February 8, 2016

Senators’ Call Follows VA Officials’ Refusal to Reverse Ruling to Extend VA Benefits to “Blue Water” Vets  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to immediately take up their legislation to ensure “Blue Water” Navy veterans are made eligible for service-connected disability Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Daines’ and Gillibrand’s call follows a request urging the VA to reverse a 2002 rule excluding “Blue Water” veterans from the VA benefits to which they should be entitled.

Daines Calls for Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

October 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes critical support for Montana’s military missions. Daines also called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act and fund the military.   Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon: “Montana has a rich legacy of service to our country— from maintaining our nation’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base, where we oversee one-third of

Daines, Hunter Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Allow Military to Carry at Recruitment Centers

July 21, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today introduced legislation to allow military officers the ability to carry weapons at military recruitment centers. The Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative (SEMPER FI) Act, which was introduced today in the Senate and the House, allows the military to authorize recruiters to be armed when they’re at recruitment centers or allows them to improve structural security at recruitment centers. The bill also limits the carrying of a sidearm to officers and non-commissioned officers.  In February 1992, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued Directive 5210.56, which stated that

Daines Recognizes PTSD Awareness Day on Senate Floor

June 26, 2015

To mark National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day, this Saturday, June 27, Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental illnesses like PTSD among service members and veterans. Below are key excerpts from Daines’ floor speech: “PTSD is a serious problem affecting too many of our country’s bravest individuals. We must do more to help our heroes. “There is no greater honor or responsibility than fighting for our veterans. We owe them our freedom. We owe them nothing but our best. Anything less is unacceptable. “We need to have the same

Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Bill

June 18, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. “This legislation is critical to ensuring our men and women in uniform have the funding and support they need to fulfill their missions,” Daines stated. “The NDAA prioritizes the needs of our service members while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national defense.” Daines successfully included an amendment to the NDAA that would protect military couples from abrupt reductions in their housing allowances. Under the NDAA, current dual housing