Tag: VA

RECAP: Daines’ Bipartisan Senate Trip to Poland, Germany to Discuss Russian Invasion of Ukraine

U.S. SENATE — Following Daines’ bipartisan Senate delegation trip to Poland and Germany where he met with U.S. military leaders, NATO forces and NGOs to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, he issued the following statement:  “There is good and evil in this world, and we saw that firsthand with Putin’s war of aggression against the people of Ukraine. Meeting with U.S. military leaders, NATO forces and NGOs in Poland and Germany allowed us to gain greater insight into Russia’s invasion, including the terrible humanitarian crisis that it’s created and the importance of having a strong military and energy security,” Daines said. “In Berlin,

Daines Delivers Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Montana

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for a COVID-19 relief package to help support Montana small businesses, workers, families, schools, Tribes, and farmers and ranchers impacted by the pandemic. The relief package also includes nearly $20 billion for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.   To download the full statement, click HERE.  “This bipartisan targeted COVID-19 relief package is going to help Montana small businesses, workers, families, healthcare heroes, schools, Tribes and farmers and ranchers. It also provides billions of dollars for vaccine manufacturing and distribution which is critical to ending this pandemic once and for all. This has been a tough

Daines’ Blue Water Navy Veterans Bill Heads to President’s Desk

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today celebrated his bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act unanimously passing the U.S. Senate and heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.   “Our Vietnam vets who served both on land and sea deserve equal care for their bravery in defense of our country,” Daines said. “I am happy to see my legislation pass. It is due time we get our Blue Water Vets the care their sacrifices demanded.”    During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage. This toxic chemical

Daines Addresses Montana’s Veterans Long-Standing Concerns

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

Daines Makes Important Gains for Montana Farmers and Ranchers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers.  “As a steadfast champion of our state’s number one industry, I work everyday to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are being heard and well represented,” Daines stated. “I was able to secure important provisions to sustain funding for initiatives to help farmers and ranchers with loans, help stop diseases that are encroaching our forests and expand employment opportunities for veterans in agriculture.”  “The Montana Grain Growers Association thanks Sen. Daines’ for protecting the ARS Insect Research Unit in Sidney and for his efforts to secure increased funding for the

Daines Rallies Support for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Representatives Chris Gibson (R-NY) and David Valadao (R-CA) to rally support for their legislation to ensure Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans are eligible to receive benefits linked to Agent Orange Exposure. Daines at the U.S. Capitol with Senate and House co-sponsors and veterans. Click here to download.  Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks.  Daines introduced legislation to ensure thousands of Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange will be eligible to receive disability and health care benefits

Daines Tours VA Equine Therapy Center in Helena

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today toured the Montana Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Equine Therapy Center in Helena and learned about how the program helps veterans across Montana.  Daines recorded a video of his experience. Click here to view: Click here to watch the video Click here to download the video Click here to download the picture  Daines was joined by members of his Veteran Affairs team at the Montana VA Equine Therapy Center to learn more about the program and its work to help veterans with service-related illness.   The Montana VA Equine Therapy Center is the only center of its kind

Daines Stands Up for Montana Veterans, WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots & VA Accountability

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today stood up for Montana veterans, WWII Women Air Service Pilots who trained in Great Falls and worked to increase accountability at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Daines secured numerous provisions to address Montana veterans’ long standing concerns in Senator Johnny Isakson’s (R-GA) Veterans First Act, which was introduced earlier today. Daines’ provisions include: Veterans Choice Act Improvement  Major components of Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 were included in the Veterans First Act. Some of Daines’ reforms include an overall reform of the VA to help rural veterans by establishing

Daines Hails New Vet Center in Helena

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ announcement that they will increase veterans access to Readjustment counseling services in Helena and the surrounding area through the creation of a permanent Vet Center in Helena. “Our veterans deserve the best care possible, close to home and without delay. Rural veterans face a higher suicide rate – and it’s welcome news to see the VA prioritize our rural veterans.” Daines stated. “This new Helena Vet Center is an important step forward in halting the tragic issues they face and will provide our veterans with the care they need.”  Daines

Daines’ Bill to Reform Veterans Choice Act Receives First Legislative Hearing

  U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines’ legislation to improve health care services for America’s veterans today received its first legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 makes major changes to the Veterans Choice Program, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the VA system, and creates a permanent program with advance funding.  More information on the legislation is available here. Additionally, the Express Appeal Act of 2016, cosponsored by Daines, received a legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs committee today. The Express