Transportation Archives - Senator Steve Daines

ICYMI: Western Montana News: Major Flight Delays Coming as Shutdown Sets Historic Record

November 5, 2025

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with Western Montana News about the consequences of the Schumer Shutdown. Read highlights from the story below. Daines: Major Flight Delays Coming as Shutdown Sets Historic Record Western Montana News Roy McKenzie November 4th, 2025 Senator Steve Daines warned Tuesday that major airline disruptions are imminent as what he calls the “Schumer Shutdown” reached day 35, setting up to break the all-time record for longest closure in American history. Speaking exclusively with Western Montana News hours after Democrats blocked the 14th attempt to reopen the government, Daines said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is warning

Daines Demands Answers from Biden Administration after 19 Months of Radio Silence on SkyWest Charter’s Commuter Application

February 5, 2024

Calls for Review of SkyWest’s Commuter Authority Request Amidst Ongoing Pilot Shortages U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Carol Petsonk today demanding answers from the Biden administration on its failure to review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for Commuter Air Carrier Authorization. Montana communities, especially Butte and West Yellowstone, rely on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has sat unresolved at the agency for 19 months. “I write today regarding my ongoing concerns with the impact declining access to small community air service

Daines Leads Bill to Protect Montana Truckers, Driving Public

July 31, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act,” a bill that would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from implementing any rule or regulation mandating large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) engaged in interstate commerce be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. Studies have shown that speed limiting devices on large CMVs make our roads less safe, increasing congestion and creating dangerous speed differentials among vehicles, leading to higher crash rates. “Montana truckers play an essential role in the Treasure State’s economy and ensuring they stay safe on the job

Daines Provides Update on Train Derailment

June 25, 2023

Daines’ Staff Visits Site, Receives Update, Provides Assistance to Federal, State, Local Officials Click HERE for photos and HERE for TV elements. REED POINT, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines provided the following update today regarding the train derailment over the Yellowstone River Saturday. Daines spoke to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg yesterday and Daines’ senior staff toured the scene of the accident today with Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and his team. Below is a statement from Daines and an update on the situation on the ground from Daines’ staff. “My top priority is protecting our Montana way of life and that means ensuring the health and safety

Daines Fights for Continued Air Service in Montana

June 9, 2023

Calls on Biden administration to review SkyWest’s Airlines’ request to operate certain flights in rural Montana, including Butte U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to urge the agency to expeditiously review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for commuter authority. Rural Montana relies on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has sat unresolved at the agency for over a year. It is past time for the DOT to take action. “I write today to express my concern with the pressing situation facing small community air service in Montana.

Daines Fights for Montana Ag, Pushes for Permanent ELD Solution

March 27, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Appropriations Hearing pressed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao on finding a permanent solution to the harmful Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate that impacts Montana. In the hearing, Daines stressed that in every corner of Montana, from Great Falls to Miles City, he hears concerns from farmers and ranchers on the burdensome ELD mandate. Daines questioned Chao on what measures she is taking to find a workable, permanent solution for Montana’s farmers and ranchers. Click HERE to download “This one size fits all regulation has had harmful effects on Montana’s farmers and ranchers and across the trucking and agriculture industries,” Daines

Daines Fights for Certainty for Montana Ranchers

March 5, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act to provide Montana ranchers with certainty in delaying the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate and reforming Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. “Montana’s ranchers and livestock haulers drive Montana’s economy,” Daines said. “We must find a solution that keeps our roads safe and allows Montana’s agricultural commodities to get to market humanely and on time. I’ll continue pushing to provide our ranchers and livestock haulers with certainty and remove undue burdens from their businesses.” The legislation indefinitely delays the ELD mandate for ag haulers and requires the Department

Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons

May 26, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. “It’s unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security,” Daines stated. “With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear weapons until the permanent solution of an expedited procurement is complete.” Daines secured the following provisions in the Defense Appropriations Bill: Upgrading UH-1Ns: $75 million in the bill for the Air

Daines Moves Forward Investments in Montana Infrastructure

May 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important investments in Montana air, rail and surface transportation. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies in fiscal year 2017. “Infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives, from our roads to the skies to our railways,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to secure investments to increase safety and create more good-paying jobs.” Daines’ moved forward the following provisions to

Daines Addresses Montana’s Veterans Long-Standing Concerns

May 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today moved forward important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to healthcare services. This afternoon, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes many of Daines’ reforms that address Montana’s veterans long-standing concerns. “I am proud to secure important priorities for Montana on behalf of those that served our nation in uniform,” Daines stated. Daines also successfully included an amendment during the committee process protects veterans’ ability to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The amendment would

Tag: Transportation