Tag: National Parks

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bipartisan bill directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is the co-lead on Daines’ bill.  “Our outdoor way of life is something that brings Montanans together, and as an avid hiker and backpacker myself, completing the Continental Divide Trail is a huge win for our state. It will support local jobs, boost economic development for gateway communities, and increase public access to Montana’s

Advocates For Bill Keeping National Cemeteries Open on Federal Holidays U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today chaired a Senate National Parks subcommittee hearing, where he spoke with Mike Caldwell from the National Park Service and urged his colleagues to support his bill requiring national cemeteries to be open on federal holidays. Watch his opening remarks HERE. Daines’ opening remarks:  Today’s subcommittee hearing is the first in the 119th Congress. I want to thank my co-chair, Senator King, for joining me today. I look forward to continuing our long streak of bipartisan work. Specifically, I am excited to continue our work on reauthorizing

Reauthorizes LRF, Addresses Maintenance Backlog on Public Lands Daines, King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan “America the Beautiful Act” Reauthorizes LRF, Addresses Maintenance Backlog on Public Lands U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine) today held a press conference to announce the introduction of their bipartisan conservation bill, the “America the Beautiful Act.” This legislation builds on Daines’ 2020 landmark “Great American Outdoors Act” by strengthening and reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and addressing the serious maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands. “When President Trump signed my “Great American Outdoors Act” into law in 2020, it was the

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine), the Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee, introduced the bipartisan “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act”. The bipartisan bill will support gateway communities and address challenges facing national parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages, boosting visitation at lesser-known parks and recreation areas and requires a digital version of the America the Beautiful annual pass. “Montana’s national parks and public lands are the crown jewels of the United States, and our Montana gateway communities know firsthand the benefits and the challenges they bring. Just as we protect our great

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured $825 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to help address the National Park maintenance backlog. The National Park Service is currently suffering from an $11 billion maintenance backlog, impacting trail upkeep, cleanliness of facilities and the quality of campgrounds. “Montana’s National Parks are part of what makes America special,” said Daines. “These critical funds will help protect Montana’s national treasures and support our outdoor economy.” Daines also secured additional Montana wins in appropriations bills, including provisions to fight Montana’s meth epidemic, prevent school violence, protect

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate in celebration of National Park Week. This follows the recent passage of Daines’ bipartisan resolution which designates April 21 through April 29 as National Park Week.  This resolution encourages people around the country and world to spend time in America’s treasured national parks.  “As a fifth-generation Montanan and as someone who grew up just a short drive from America’s first national park, Yellowstone, I am excited to take this opportunity to celebrate the parks that are so special to us all,” said Daines. Watch video

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Angus King (I-ME) today passed their bipartisan resolution to mark April 21 through April 29 as National Park Week.  This resolution encourages people around the country and world to spend time in America’s treasured national parks. In honor of National Park Week, entrance into all national parks will be free on April 21.   “Our national parks are an important part of the American experience,” said Daines. “Whether you are in Yellowstone or the North Cascades, I’m glad my colleagues joined me in encouraging folks to get out there and enjoy our nation’s treasures.”   “National