Tag: Veterans

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Pete Gardzina of Montana City

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Pete Gardzina from Montana City. Pete is the current Transition Assistance Advisor for the Montana National Guard and works to help Montana veterans transition to civilian life after returning from deployment.  Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by

Daines: Bipartisan Vote to Move Forward Veterans Funding Bill Is How Washington Should Work

Daines urges Senate Democrats to end block of critical defense funding legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate vote to move forward debate on legislation to fund critical veterans’ services and noted that bipartisan cooperation on spending bills is “how Washington should work.” Daines also reaffirmed the need for Senate Democrats to end their political block on Defense Appropriations legislation, which Democrats doubled-down on earlier today by voting to block consideration of the funding bill.  “It is welcome news that Senate Democrats are joining Republican in prioritizing the needs of our nation’s veterans. These selfless men and women

Daines Honors Fort Peck Chairman Rusty Stafne in Congressional Record

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored A.T. “Rusty” Stafne, Chairman of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. Chairman Stafne has completed his term as Chairman and will not be seeking re-election. Daines honored Chairman Stafne by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record:  IN RECOGNITION OF CHAIRMAN RUSTY STAFNE MR. DAINES. Mr. President, I rise in recognition of the loyal service of A.T. “Rusty” Stafne, Chairman of the Fort

Daines Remembers World War II Veteran Charles DeCrane

Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks.  Earlier today, Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor in honor of Montana World War II veteran Charles DeCrane, a member of the Crow Tribe, who passed away earlier this week in Billings, Montana. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “Today I rise in honor of Montana World War II veteran Charles DeCrane, a member of the Crow Tribe, who passed away earlier this week in Billings, Montana.  “Charlie was an incredible person – he was hardworking, he dedicated his life to

Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre for their dedicated service to Montana and the nation. Sgt. Michaela Boushey has served in the Montana Army National Guard for eight years, including four years in the 112th Security and Support Detachment Aviation Unit. Her husband, SSG Shayne Boushey, has completed deployments with both the Infantry Battalion and the Military Police Company. During his deployment to Afghanistan, SSG Boushey helped saved the lives of his fellow servicemembers following a Taliban suicide bomb attack. Next week, Daines’ wife Cindy will present the Bousheys with certificates of

Daines Calls for Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes critical support for Montana’s military missions. Daines also called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act and fund the military.   Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon: “Montana has a rich legacy of service to our country— from maintaining our nation’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base, where we oversee one-third of

Daines Blasts Senate Democrats’ Refusal to Fund the Department of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today blasted Senate Democrats’ obstruction of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which provides critical funding for veterans services:  “Our nation’s heroes should have easy access to the resources, services and medical care that they need and deserve. It’s unconscionable that Senate Democrats would rather make our veterans pawns in political games. This legislation contains numerous important provisions to address Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns and it would be shameful to see these much-needed reforms fall victim to Democrats’ obstructionism. I urge Senate Democrats to quickly pass this legislation, which contains increased

Daines Announces Kick Off of Veterans History Project in Montana

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he will be bringing the American Folklife Center’s Veterans History Project (VHP) to Montana to collect and preserve the stories of Montana’s wartime veterans in the Library of Congress.   Montana veterans who served in the United States military during wartime in any capacity from World War I through the present and are no longer serving, as well as civilians who served in support of a U.S. war effort in a professional capacity, are eligible to participate. “The Veterans History Project’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts

Daines Calls on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee To Help Blue Water Vietnam Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to pass his legislation to ensure that Blue Water Navy veterans who are victims of Agent Orange-related diseases receive the care and compensation they have long deserved. During today’s Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on “Examining the Impact of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals on Veterans and the VA’s Response,” Daines testified on the importance of reversing a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision that cut benefits for Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange.  “As the son of a

Daines Statement on Passing of Former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the passing of former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage: “Chief Justice Turnage was a true public servant who always put Montana and this nation first. As a World War II veteran, a state legislator and Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, he exemplified Montana’s strong legacy of service.  Cindy and I are keeping the Turnage family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.” ###