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Tag: Tribes

Daines Calls on Bureau of Indian Affairs to Address Concerns with Montana Detention Facilities

July 26, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) expressing concern about reports that Montana’s BIA detention facilities are turning away detainees and requesting information about the facilities’ contract status and operating bed space. The letter also draws attention to the BIA’s current practice of sending tribal members from Montana to out-of-state detention facilities.  “Recently, leadership from the Fort Belknap Indian Community indicated that the BIA has only been accepting individuals into custody who commit ‘serious offenses.’ This poses a significant public safety risk as those who arrested for offenses not deemed as ‘serious’ are released back into the community or kept

Daines and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Tribal Communities’ Travel Across the U.S.-Canada Border

July 9, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced his bipartisan “Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act,” which would eliminate the 50 percent blood quantum requirement for members of federally recognized tribes when exercising their treaty-protected right to cross between the U.S. and Canada freely.  “For too long tribal members crossing Montana’s northern border have been subject to the discriminatory 50 percent blood quantum requirement that burdens Montanans and opens them up to unjust harassment. It’s time we end this outdated policy and honor Tribal sovereignty,” said Daines. Background: For over 70 years, federally-recognized tribes near the Canada border have been required to carry proof, obtained through the

Daines Celebrates Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Resolve Indian Water Rights Settlement in the U.S. Senate 

July 2, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to resolve the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana passed the U.S. Senate, achieving a fair settlement for Fort Belknap farmers, ranchers and Montanans on the Hi-Line and throughout the entire state. “This is a huge win for the Tribe, farmers and ranchers and the entire state of Montana, said Daines. “As the final Indian water rights settlement in Montana, this bill will help provide clean drinking water to Montanans on the Hi-Line, invest in critical ag irrigation and help prevent costly litigation by codifying existing water rights. Especially after the catastrophic siphon failure at St.

Daines Leads Bill to Support Crow Tribe, Prevent Bull Mountains Mine Shutdown

May 29, 2024

U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the “Crow Revenue Act,” which fixes long-standing inholdings on the Crow Reservation, provides revenue to the Crow Tribe, and helps ensure the Bull Mountains Mine continues to operate and provide jobs and revenue to the local community. “The Crow Revenue Act is a win-win for Montana communities. Not only will we help preserve the jobs and economic impact from the Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County, it will also bring in new revenue for the Crow Tribe to help support their communities.” said Daines. “The Crow Revenue Act benefits all of Montana. It’s a commonsense solution that provides certainty and revenue to

Daines Touts Bipartisan Fort Belknap Water Rights Settlement as a Win-Win-Win for Montana at Senate Hearing

July 13, 2023

Highlights importance of finalizing last Indian water rights settlement, benefits to Tribe, State  U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing highlighted the importance of finalizing Montana’s last Indian water rights settlement with his bipartisan “Fort Belknap Water Rights Settlement Act.” Watch HERE. Daines: Today is historic, it really is. I sometimes wondered if we’d ever get to this point, to have this kind of hearing. When I was first elected to the House 2012 over a decade ago, this is one of the first issues I heard about. I heard about it from the Tribe. I heard about it from the county commissioners, Phillips County, Blaine County.

Daines Slams Biden Administration for Anti-Energy Regulations Devastating American Economy

June 13, 2023

Recent rules will rob the Navajo Nation of hundreds of millions of dollars, force Colstrip to shutdown To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered the following remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference slamming the Biden administration for continued attacks on made-in-America energy production. Earlier this month, President Biden’s Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland quietly issued a mineral withdrawal and prohibition of oil and gas development affecting Navajo tribal members. Daines also called attention to the recent rule from President Biden’s EPA that would shut down coal powered plants like Colstrip costing Montana hundreds of good-paying jobs and raising prices for families. 

What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law

December 29, 2020

U.S. SENATE – On Sunday, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, saves taxpayer dollars, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. Several Montana leaders issued statements in support following the President’s signing of this critical legislation.  “After years of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law. This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects

Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Signed Into Law

December 27, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today celebrated their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. “After years of a lot of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law,” Daines said. “This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects the water rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, creates jobs, modernizes rural infrastructure, protects Montana

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

May 17, 2016

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