Tag: Montana

Daines Urges Colleagues to Support William Mercer as Federal Judge for the District of Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the vote to confirm William Mercer as U.S. Judge for the District of Montana. Watch his remarks here. Read Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery below. Thank you Mdm/Mr. President. I rise today to speak in support of my friend, Mr. William Mercer, and his nomination to serve as the next Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. President Trump made an excellent choice when he picked Bill, and I was thrilled to see him quickly approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Now, today,

Daines, Sheehy Applaud President Trump’s Nomination of Brian Gootkin for U.S. Marshal for Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released the below statements applauding President Trump’s recent nomination of Brian Gootkin to serve as U.S. Marshal for the District of Montana.   “Brian Gootkin is an exceptional choice by President Trump to serve as Montana’s U.S. Marshal. As Director of Montana’s Department of Corrections and Sheriff of Gallatin County, Brian demonstrates a sincere commitment to public safety and the rule of law, and his leadership in our state leaves no doubt that he will continue to serve the people of Montana with excellence. I look forward to his confirmation by the

RECAP: Daines’ Bipartisan Senate Trip to Poland, Germany to Discuss Russian Invasion of Ukraine

U.S. SENATE — Following Daines’ bipartisan Senate delegation trip to Poland and Germany where he met with U.S. military leaders, NATO forces and NGOs to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, he issued the following statement:  “There is good and evil in this world, and we saw that firsthand with Putin’s war of aggression against the people of Ukraine. Meeting with U.S. military leaders, NATO forces and NGOs in Poland and Germany allowed us to gain greater insight into Russia’s invasion, including the terrible humanitarian crisis that it’s created and the importance of having a strong military and energy security,” Daines said. “In Berlin,

Forest Service Responds to Daines’ Demands to Expedite Salvage Projects

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released comprehensive data on recent forest salvage and restoration projects that have taken place due to Daines’ efforts and the efforts of local elected officials and forest collaboratives. The projects will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create jobs for Montanans. “Last year’s wildfires were devastating for Montana’s communities and forests. Our state and towns were covered with smoke for weeks at a time, and our once flourishing forests turned into tinderboxes,” Daines said. “I’m thankful that the Forest Service has responded to my request – and the request of local communities – to complete

Daines Announces Grants for MSU for Rural Healthcare & Asbestos Research

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced Montana State University (MSU) received $190,000 to increase quality healthcare services and for asbestos research.  MSU received $172,000 for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare for rural Montana.  “I look forward to seeing Montana State University use this funding to expand their healthcare services to increase the quality of services for rural Montanans,” Daines stated. Kristin Juliar, Director of Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health: “We find inspiration every day in the work of the healthcare organizations that serve rural and

Daines Announces over $400,000 for Rural Hospitals

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana State University was awarded $428,617 for the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center to improve services at small rural hospitals in Montana – all but one are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). “Ensuring rural hospitals have the tools and training they need will provide a better healthcare system and better care for all Montanans,” Daines stated.  There are forty-eight rural hospitals in Montana which meet the requirements for participation in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP), forty-seven of which are CAHs. Montana is one of the

Daines Announces over $99,000 for Polson Hospital

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that St. Joseph Hospital in Polson will receive $99,023 to address healthcare needs in rural areas.  The grant will be used by St. Joseph Hospital to engage a network of hospitals serving rural communities through development of a Western Montana Rural Nursing Collaborative (WMRNC). WMRNC provides a unique partnership of hospitals that seek to expand, enhance and improve access to services in rural communities and allow patients to receive high-quality care closer to home. “This is a collaborative project and a made-in-Montana solution that supports our nurses, helps lower healthcare costs and

Daines Named ‘Hero of Main Street’

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has received the “Hero of Main Street” award from the National Retail Federation for his support of legislation critical to the retail industry. Daines is part of a bipartisan group honored for their support of a wide range of issues including international trade, infrastructure investment, tax reform and labor issues.  “I’m proud to be recognized for my efforts supporting local Montana business owners that create good-paying jobs,” Daines stated.   “Senator Daines has shown through his support that he cares about retailers big and small, and values the role these businesses play

Daines Makes Important Gains for Montana Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers.  “As a steadfast champion of our state’s number one industry, I work everyday to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are being heard and well represented,” Daines stated. “I was able to secure important provisions to sustain funding for initiatives to help farmers and ranchers with loans, help stop diseases that are encroaching our forests and expand employment opportunities for veterans in agriculture.”  “The Montana Grain Growers Association thanks Sen. Daines’ for protecting the ARS Insect Research Unit in Sidney and for his efforts to secure increased funding for the

Daines, Zinke Introduce Legislation to Give States & Tribes Say in Energy Development

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced bicameral legislation to protect Montana coal jobs from the Obama administration’s recent moratorium on new federal coal leases and ensure that states and tribes have a significant voice in any changes to federal coal, oil, gas royalties or leasing policy. The Certainty for States and Tribes Act, S.2938 and H.R. 5259, provides critical flexibility needed to keep Montana mines open, protect thousands of good-paying jobs and provide needed support for government and community services.  “The Obama administration has completely ignored the will and well-being of Montanans and