Tag: Job Creation and the Economy

Daines: Keep Montana Ports of Entry Open During Coronavirus Pandemic for Montana Ag, Trade

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan to consider the impact of the proposed temporary reduction of hours at a number of Montana Ports of Entry on Montana ag and Montana’s rural communities. “While reducing non-essential travel is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting public health, a reduction in hours at these critical ports would harm our farmers and ranchers and disrupt essential services and commerce for the Montana communities that rely upon these ports,” Daines wrote. “I urge you to take into account the

Daines Urges SBA to Ensure That Ag Businesses Receive Coronavirus Relief Funding

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that agricultural businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief programs. “Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses in Montana and across the country are facing substantial market challenges due to the pandemic,” Daines wrote. “Small businesses, whether they are involved in agriculture or otherwise, need assistance in these unprecedented times and SBA can play an integral role in mitigating disruptions to our nation’s food supply and our economy more broadly.”   To read the full letter, click HERE.  Background:    Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress

Daines Pushes for MT Bars and Taverns to be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging the agency to allow the over 2,400 Montana bars and taverns to be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides $350 billion in 100 percent forgivable loans (grants) to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. “These small mom and pop establishments are an integral part of the local tourism economy in my state and are among those businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 and corresponding public health closures,” Daines wrote. “I ask that during this

Daines Secures Over $1 Billion in Aid for Montana During Coronavirus Outbreak

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted and advanced a Coronavirus economic relief package that will provide Montana workers, small business, hospitals, and state and local governments more than one billion dollars in emergency relief to handle the Coronavirus outbreak. The aid package puts Montana workers first, expands unemployment insurance, helps Montana small businesses keep and stay open, supports healthcare workers and hospitals on the front lines fighting the virus, prioritizes rural health, accelerates the development and manufacturing of drugs to treat and prevent the virus, stabilizes the economy and more.   To download the full video, click

Daines: Senate Must Come Together and Pass Critical Coronavirus Economic Relief Package

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate voted a second time against the CARES Act, a Coronavirus economic recovery package that would deliver major relief for millions of workers, working families and small businesses in Montana and across the country.   To download a clip of the quote, click HERE. “This is a time we must get this done for the good of our country… The senate bill before us provides relief for workers, for families, for small businesses, and for healthcare professionals,” Daines said. To download the full speech, click HERE. Phase 3:

Daines: We Must Work and Stand Together to Provide Relief to Workers, Families, Small Businesses and Healthcare Professionals Now

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate voted against a Coronavirus economic recovery package that would deliver major relief for millions of workers, working families and small businesses in Montana and across the country. “The health and livelihoods of the American people are in danger and I’m disappointed the Senate didn’t move forward to support crucial legislation to respond to the health crisis and rescue workers and small businesses across our country. We need to stand and work together during this difficult period in our nation’s history,” Daines said. For audio of the

Daines Unveils Major Plan to Protect Montana Small Businesses, Working Families, First Responders During Coronavirus Outbreak

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Daines today unveiled three more major proposals that will help protect Montana’s workers, families, first responders, healthcare professionals and small businesses during the Coronavirus Outbreak. Daines’ plan includes: a tax relief payment of 7.65% for workers and small businesses, $1,000 payment for all first responders and healthcare professionals and to suspend SBA loan payments for three months. “We are in the midst of a massive public health and economic challenge because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Our economy, our small businesses and the livelihoods of thousands of Montanans are at stake,” Daines said. “In addition to

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation To Provide Unemployment Assistance To People Unable To Work Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the Coronavirus Worker Relief Act. The new bipartisan, bicameral legislation will provide disaster unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak. Assistance will be available to individuals, including self-employed individuals and independent contractors, who are sick, quarantined, furloughed, or whose family circumstances keep them from working or reduce their pay as a result of the coronavirus outbreak or government containment efforts.  “Montana’s working families shouldn’t have to compromise their health or the health of their loved ones over the fear of missing a paycheck and

Daines Urges President Trump to Secure Greater Opportunities for Montana Pulse Crop Farmers in India

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to fight for favorable pulse crop provisions during ongoing trade negotiations with India. Montana is the number one producer of pulse crops in the United States. “The most commonly consumed pulse crops in India are lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas, yet the Republic of India has levied substantial tariffs on American pulse crops,” Daines wrote. “Engaging Prime Minister Modi on pulse crop tariffs as part of larger discussions to enhance the economic cooperation between our countries would be mutually beneficial to American producers

Daines, Gianforte Celebrate President Trump Signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today celebrated President Trump signing a trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, also known as the USMCA, into law. Daines and Gianforte were joined by Montana State Senator Mike Cuffe (SD-1, Eureka) for the signing ceremony.   To download the video, click HERE.  “Just finished watching President Trump sign the historic US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement at the White House,” Daines said. “Great to be here with Greg Gianforte and Mike Cuffe, and it’s a great day for Montana’s farmers and ranchers.”   “What an honor to be here at