Tag: Ranchers

Daines Applauds Senate Passage of Federal Grain Inspection Reforms

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the Senate passage of the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which contains key reforms secured by Daines to ensure Montana farmers are protected from disruptions in federally mandated grain inspections, like what occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines’ provisions maintain continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. The legislation was passed by the Senate today without opposition. The House is expected to take up the legislation in coming days.  “Today’s passage of the U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act is good news for Montana

Daines Leads Montana, North Dakota Congressional Delegations in Urging Army Corps of Engineers to Prioritize the Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led the Montana and North Dakota congressional delegations in urging the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to prioritize concerns at the Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam.  In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and BOR Commissioner Estevan Lopez, the bipartisan delegations emphasized the economic benefit that the dam provides to both Montana and North Dakota.  On September 8, a federal judge blocked construction of the planned dam along the Yellowstone River near the Montana-North Dakota border due to environmental concerns. “We urge ACE and BOR to address the

Daines, 46 Additional Senators Introduce Resolution to Nullify Expanded WOTUS Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, along with 46 Senate cosponsors, today introduced a joint resolution disapproving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which directly threatens Montana agriculture and energy production, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. The resolution would nullify the EPA’s WOTUS rule, which greatly expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. “The EPA’s latest power grab is a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods and must be stopped,” Daines stated. “This ill-conceived rule provides the EPA

Daines Discusses Montana Trade Opportunities With Taiwanese Business Leaders

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today met with Taiwanese business leaders to discuss future opportunities to export Montana goods to Taiwan.  Taiwan is Montana’s fourth largest export market in Asia and seventh largest export market in the world. In 2014, Montana’s exports to Taiwan reached $44 million in exports.  Taiwan is one of Montana’s top foreign markets for agricultural products, especially the state’s hard red winter and hard red spring wheat crops, as well as barley and durum. Taiwan is Montana’s second largest market for grains in Asia, after Japan. “I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss expanding markets for Montana goods

Daines Fights to Give Montana Farmers Certainty in Federally Mandated Grain Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fought to secure key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers and provide farmers greater certainty in federally mandated grain inspections to protect against disruptions like those that occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines successfully worked to include provisions addressing concerns voiced by Montana’s farmers and ranchers in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2016, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning by a vote of 28-2. “Montana’s hardworking farmers deserve certainty that their grain can get to market in a timely

Daines Statement on AG Lawsuit to Rein in EPA Overreach

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and 12 other states’ lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over the new regulation broadly expanding the definition of the Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS). “I applaud Attorney General Tim Fox for standing up for Montana farmers, ranchers and small businesses against another egregious power grab by the Obama administration. This rule has the capability to cripple Montana agriculture and natural resources, hurt Montana jobs and threaten Montanans’ property rights.  As