Indian Affairs Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines, Heinrich, Zinke, Fernandez Call for Completion of Tribal Water Settlements

September 5, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) as well as Representatives Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (N.M.-03) led a letter to Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and additional chairs and ranking members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives calling for the completion of current outstanding water settlements and related technical amendments. “We write as members representing states and districts with pending Indian water rights settlements. Completion of these settlements will save taxpayers millions of dollars, provide water access and certainty to Tribal and non-Tribal water users across the West, avoid years of protracted and costly litigation, and support the

Daines Highlights Importance of Fort Belknap Water Settlement, Tribal Law Enforcement In Indian Affairs Hearing

July 17, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Mr. William Kirkland, nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. Daines emphasized the importance of ensuring Montana tribes have the federal resources they need to support law enforcement, enhance public safety, and advance long-overdue water rights settlements. The Senator welcomed Kirkland’s thoughts and expressed his commitment to working together on behalf of tribal communities across Montana. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines advocated for more resources for tribal law enforcement: Daines: Mr. Kirkland, thank you for coming before this committee today. The Assistant Secretary of Indian

Daines, Smith, Larsen, Zinke Introduce Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Montana’s Tribal Communities

June 5, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Representative Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) today announced the bipartisan “Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act” to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities. The “PROTECT Act” would expand Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) to allow tribal nations to prosecute non-Native offenders for drug trafficking. It would also allow tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material to better combat drug traffickers and other criminals. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve seen strong decisive action to secure the southern border and keep our

Daines, Sheehy Congratulate Kurt Alme on Nomination to be U.S. Attorney for Montana

May 6, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today released the below statements following the news that Kurt Alme has been officially nominated by President Trump for the position of U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana. The President of the United States nominates U.S. Attorneys based on the home state senators’ recommendations. Nominees must then be confirmed by the full U.S. Senate. “There is no better pick than Kurt Alme to serve as our next U.S. Attorney for Montana. Kurt has an exceptional track record, having served as our U.S. Attorney during the first Trump administration and an extensive background working hand in hand with law

Daines, Cantwell Resolution to Raise Awareness on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Passes U.S. Senate

May 6, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D- Wash.) announced that their resolution marking May 5th, 2025 as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate last night. “Protecting our tribal communities has always been one of my top priorities, and it’s important we keep the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis at the forefront of the national conversation. This year on the annual day of awareness, we remember Hanna Harris, who would be turning 33 years old, and all the other lives we’ve lost due to this crisis. I’ll

Two Daines Bills to Support Montana Tribal Communities Closer to Becoming Law

March 5, 2025

Bills Ensure Montana Tribes’ Water Rights U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that two of his bills to support Montana’s tribal communities have passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and are now one step closer to becoming law. The “Northern Montana Water Security Act” will complete the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) Water Settlement, the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana, and the “Crow Tribe Water Settlement Amendment Act” will provide additional support for infrastructure updates. “These bills are critical in ensuring Montana’s tribes are supported with the resources they need, and I’m glad to see them

Daines Calls on Bureau of Indian Affairs to Address Concerns with Montana Detention Facilities

July 26, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) expressing concern about reports that Montana’s BIA detention facilities are turning away detainees and requesting information about the facilities’ contract status and operating bed space. The letter also draws attention to the BIA’s current practice of sending tribal members from Montana to out-of-state detention facilities. “Recently, leadership from the Fort Belknap Indian Community indicated that the BIA has only been accepting individuals into custody who commit ‘serious offenses.’ This poses a significant public safety risk as those who arrested for offenses not deemed as ‘serious’ are released back into the community or kept

Daines Demands Washington Commanders Make It Right with Wetzel Family, Honor Native American Heritage

May 15, 2024

“Make no mistake, this logo was inspired and envisioned by Wetzel as a tribute to Native Americans. It is not a caricature. It is a depiction of pride and strength. Of courage and honor.” U.S. Senator Steve Daines, ranking member of the Senate National Parks subcommittee, today highlighted the story of Blackie Wetzel and the origins of the Redskins logo. Daines then demanded that the Washington Commanders football team and the National Football League (NFL) work with the Wetzel family to honor this legacy and Native American communities. Watch Daines’ remarks HERE. For TV elements click HERE. For pictures from the hearing,

Daines Introduces Bill to Improve Indian Health Service for Montanans

October 30, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce the “Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act” to address persistent failures and increase accountability at the Indian Health Service (IHS). Consistent shortcomings, unmet staffing needs, lack of oversight and longstanding deficiencies at the IHS have resulted in significant gaps in Montana tribal citizens accessing high-quality care. The bill helpsaddress the many issues recipients of IHS care face by improving patient access to safe and reliable health services. “For too long the IHS has failed to provide Montanans with reliable, quality care. It’s time we enact serious reform and hold IHS accountable in order for tribal leaders,

Daines Applauds Decision to Protect Natural and Cultural Resources of the Blackfeet Nation

September 1, 2023

Final Oil and Gas Lease in Badger-Two Medicine Area Relinquished U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Agriculture (USDA) announced that the final federal oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine area will be relinquished in order to ensure the natural and cultural resources of the Blackfeet Nation are protected. “I’m glad to see a solution that all parties were able to agree on to ensure this land that holds such significant cultural and spiritual importance to the Blackfeet Nation is protected. Decades in the making, this agreement will help generations to come

Tag: Indian Affairs