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Tag: Safety

Daines Investigates Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Reauthorization at Montana Field Hearing

September 18, 2015

BILLINGS, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today held a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The hearing examined current issues and challenges relating to the inspection and safe management of the nation’s pipeline network, as well as the importance of safely transporting our natural resources through pipelines, highways and rail lines. Daines and witnesses also examined the upcoming reauthorization of PHMSA and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent pipeline ruptures in eastern Montana. “I’m thankful that we were

Daines Secures Field Hearing on Pipeline Safety

September 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured a Senate field hearing on pipeline safety and the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to be held in Billings, Montana next week.  The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee field hearing is entitled “Pipeline Safety: State and Local Perspectives” and will be held on Friday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. MT/Noon ET at Montana State University, Billings.  “Montanans know the importance of safely transporting our natural resources, whether through pipelines, highways, or rail lines,” Daines stated. “This field hearing will allow PHMSA and

Daines Announces Critical Funding for Six Montana Community Airports

July 31, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that six Montana airports will receive more than $2.8 million dollars for critical construction and maintenance needs. Grants will be awarded to airports in Circle, Columbus, Glendive, Lewistown, Sidney and West Yellowstone. “Montana’s community airports provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for their passengers and meeting the long-term economic needs of the communities they serve.” Grants awarded today by the Federal Aviation Administration include: Circle Town County Airport:

Daines, Fischer Call for Field Hearing on PHMSA Reauthorization

July 31, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have formally requested that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the agency’s efficacy in overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials. Before the hearing will be scheduled, the request must receive approval from the Commerce Committee Chairman and Ranking member. In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Daines and Fischer urged the Committee to convene a field hearing on PHMSA’s responsibility in ensuring

Daines: Americans Shouldn’t Have to Pay the Price for Obama Administration’s OPM Hack

July 21, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today highlighted the growing cyber-warfare threats facing our nation, and the incompetence of the Obama administration that led to a massive breach of personal and security information at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that resulted in the resignation of Director Katherine Archuleta. Click here to watch Daines’ speech. Click here to download Daines’ speech. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this evening: “Mr. President, the headlines in the past few months have been enough to paint a startling picture of how our nation is handling cybersecurity and technology issues these days.  “Before I came to

Daines Statement on the UN Security Council Iran Vote

July 20, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the United Nations (UN) Security Council voted unanimously to approve the P5+1 deal with Iran, the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism: “The President taking the deal with Iran to the United Nations before Congress even had its first full day to review the deal is an affront to the American people. The UN’s vote will not corner Congress into rubberstamping a bad deal. The actions taken by the President make clear that he is more concerned with his legacy than ensuring the safety of the American people. This

Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities

June 25, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban

Daines Presses Highway Safety Administrator for Answers on Fire Truck Safety

June 23, 2015

Senator Steve Daines today pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for answers about delayed recall efforts for a failing fire truck component that resulted in a deadly crash outside of Helena, Montana last summer. During today’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing with NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, Daines recalled the crash and pressed Rosekind as to why a full recall of the defective part has taken approximately one year to institute. Daines also pointed out that the component in question was a NHTSA approved solution to a previous recall in 2003, yet still was faulty – ultimately leading

Daines Urges Commerce Committee to Hold Oversight Hearing on PHMSA

June 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines is calling on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to hold an oversight hearing on the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Daines urged the Committee to convene a hearing on the reauthorization PHMSA to examine the federal government’s responsibility in ensuring safe and environmentally sound transportation of natural resources through America’s pipelines, railroads, highways, waterways and airspace. Daines’ calls come in light of the millions of miles of pipeline across Montana and the need to upgrade and better maintain failing pipelines.