Tag: Veterans

U.S. SENATE — Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ initiative to quicken the construction of the Butte Veterans home by making sure the VA establishes a deadline for its completion and ensuring the VA properly uses the taxpayer dollars that fund the project. “Montana veterans have been waiting for too long for a veterans’ home in Butte,” said Daines. “After years of mismanagement and inefficient use of taxpayer dollars, it is time the VA put the shovel in the ground for this project.” The Committee also passed Daines’ initiative to fully fund the construction of a new

U.S. SENATE – Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ amendment that protects states’ 10th Amendment right and allows veterans’ to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The amendment would allow for parity between VA and non-VA facilities in states like Montana, which have medical marijuana programs. It does not change current laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property, but simply allows veterans to discuss all options that are legally available in their state with their VA doctor. “Veterans should not be discriminated

Montana VA clinics to honor David Thatcher, Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, and Ben Steele U.S. SENATE — President Donald Trump signed the Montana congressional delegation’s legislation to rename three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. This legislation, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte, recognizes the commitment to duty and the personal courage of three Montana veterans by renaming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be renamed in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be renamed in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow

U.S. SENATE – In the hours leading up to President Donald Trump signing the VA MISSION Act into law, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the positive impact that this legislation will have on veterans’ access to critical health care services. This legislation, which Daines helped champion in the U.S. Senate, will overhaul the VA Choice Program and provide better health care for Montana’s veterans. Daines will join President Trump at the White House this afternoon for a bill signing ceremony for this essential reform. Watch video HERE. Download video HERE.   Excerpt from Prepared Remarks:

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today supported and the Senate passed, the VA MISSION Act, which will overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs and fix many of the shortcomings in the VA Choice Program. “Under the Choice Program, our veterans did not receive the healthcare they deserved,” said Daines. “The bipartisan VA MISSION Act will follow through on the promises that were made to our Veterans.” This week, Daines took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to join him in supporting the VA Mission Act. Watch video HERE. Download video HERE. The bipartisan MISSION Act will

U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte’s legislation to designate three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation recognizes the commitment to duty and personal courage of three Montanans by naming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be designated in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be designated in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow (Dakaak

Legislation provides grave liners at no cost for veterans buried at national park cemeteries   U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill, the Veterans Cemetery Benefit Correction Act. His legislation requires the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide outer burial receptacles – also known as grave liners – for veterans buried in cemeteries under the control of the National Park Service. Daines is Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on National Parks. Daines’ bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent and now heads to the U.S. House of

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today presented a collection of 50 veterans’ interviews who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to be preserved in Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project (VHP). To watch a video of Senator Daines’ remarks, clickHERE.   “The sacrifices and heroism of Montana’s veterans must not be lost with the passage of time,” said Daines. “Our future generations must recognize and appreciate what our men and women in uniform did to keep America safe and free.”   Background: The U.S. Congress created VHP in 2000 to preserve and make available personal interviews

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today announced that their legislation to designate three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities passed the Senate.  This legislation recognizes the commitment to duty and personal courage of three Montanans by naming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor.    The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be designated in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be designated in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow (Dakaak Baako) and the Community Based Specialty Clinic located in Billings will be designated in honor of Benjamin

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured numerous provisions in the FY 2018 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to increase Montana veterans’ access to timely care for injuries they sustained while serving our nation.  These provisions will reduce delays for new facility construction, expanding mental health treatment options and expanding access to veterans in rural areas.    “Montana’s veterans have suffered under the status quo for too long,” Daines stated. “We are beginning to make real progress for Montana’s veterans and I look forward to continuing to make progress for them.”   Daines offered an amendment to the bill,