Tag: Daines’ Work on Coronavirus

Daines Urges USPS to Investigate the Removal of Post Office Collection Boxes in Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to investigate the removal of post office collection boxes in Montana and to express concerns about potential impacts on service times. “The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an essential service for Montanans in both urban and rural towns and is relied upon by Montana veterans, the elderly, and rural communities across the state,” Daines wrote. “Recently, I have received concerning reports that collection boxes have been removed in many Montana communities, including in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Livingston and

Daines Urges HHS to Provide Relief for Montana Senior Living Facilities

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar urging the inclusion of senior living providers in a future allocation from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF). “The healthcare heroes in these communities are on the front lines of this crisis, and while they continue to do everything they can to care for our nation’s seniors and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, they need financial relief,” Daines wrote. “I appreciate the allocations that the Administration has already made to numerous healthcare providers in Montana and

Daines, Gianforte Urge Administration to Streamline COVID-19 Relief for Montana Ag

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) asking it to clarify the rationale behind its lien criteria and loan processes for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. “It is our understanding that SBA is requiring loan recipients to send physical checks via certified mail from Montana to Fort Worth, Texas in order for SBA to endorse purchases made by agricultural producers in the daily course of their business operations,” Daines and Gianforte wrote. “This process imposes excessive burdens on Montana’s agricultural producers. In addition to the hassle,

Daines to Introduce Payroll Tax Cut Relief Bill Following President Trump’s Executive Order

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he would be introducing a bill to forgive employee-side payroll taxes for workers making less than $100,000 through the end of the year following President Trump’s executive action. Daines’ bill supports the President’s executive action and ensures Montana workers will not have to pay back these taxes after the delay is lifted. “This payroll tax cut is about supporting Montana workers who are living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to make ends meet because of the impacts COVID-19 has had on this economy,” Daines said. “As Montanans go back to work, allowing

Daines Fights for Greater Financial Support for Montana Families in COVID-19 Relief Package

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the “Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act” to provide a second round of COVID-19 relief direct checks to Montanans, doubling the amount Montanans with dependents, including children and individuals with disabilities, receive. Under Daines’ proposal, a Montana family of four would receive an additional $600 more than under the “CARES Act.” “This is about putting more money in the hands of Montana families who are struggling to get by because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Daines said. “This will increase the amount of money Montana moms and dads can receive in their

Daines Introduces Bill to Help Montanans Keep Their Health Care Plan If They Lose Their Jobs Due to COVID-19

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill to help thousands of working Montanans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 to retain their healthcare coverage. Daines’ bill would ensure Montanans are able to afford to keep their employee sponsored healthcare insurance by covering up to 85% of the cost of the plan. “Working Montanans and their families are facing serious hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic including losing their jobs and their health insurance,” Daines said. “That’s why I’m fighting to help ensure Montanans can afford to keep their health coverage if they lose their job because of COVID-19. Montanans shouldn’t be worried about not

Daines Secures Major Montana Priorities in Next COVID-19 Relief Package

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the following Montana priorities that are included in the initial Phase Four Coronavirus Relief Package in the Senate. Daines fought for funding for a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic drugs, Montana jobs and workers, and support for Montana child care providers and working parents. “As Montana experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases, I will continue fighting for the health and economic livelihoods of Montana families. This latest COVID-19 relief package includes my provisions to increase funding for a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as supporting getting Montanans back to work and providing support

Daines Secures $26 Billion for COVID-19 Vaccines

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that he secured $26 billion in the initial Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. This follows Daines’ direct request to Senate leadership for more robust funding for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs in any upcoming COVID-19 relief package in Congress. This is in addition to the $10 billion for vaccine manufacturing Daines secured in the CARES Act, which was signed into law in March. “To get back to normal, we have to stop the pandemic, and to stop the pandemic we need a vaccine. That’s why I’ve made

Daines Fighting to Help Montana Families, Expand Access to Affordable Child Care

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week cosponsored a bill to provide assistance for Montana child care providers to help them offer critical, affordable services for working parents during the COVID-19 outbreak. “During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Montana’s working moms and dads need access to affordable child care services so they can work to put food on the table,” Daines said. “My bill provides the critical support needed for Montana child care providers to ensure that their essential services are readily available and affordable for Montana families.” The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 supports the economic recovery

Daines Working to Improve PPP Program to Help Montana Restaurants, Food Supply Chains

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged Senate leadership to increase flexibility for restaurant owners and food supply chain workers under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). “By matching PPP forgiveness to the needs of restaurants, Congress will ensure that these cornerstones of our communities are ready to welcome us back when we all can be together again,” Daines wrote. “Additionally, PPP forgiveness for material costs will support the people who work hard to grow and raise the food that we eat. We urge you to support our food supply chain workers and the restaurants that serve their products.” To