Veterans Archives - Page 16 of 18 - Senator Steve Daines

Daines: VA Incompetence Hurting America’s Veterans

September 3, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his deep concerns regarding the latest report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General: “This report paints a disturbing pattern of incompetence at the Department of the Veterans Affairs. It is unconscionable that our nation’s veterans have not been able to effectively access the health care that was promised to them. The level of this failure should outrage every American, and it’s incomprehensible that the VA’s haphazard record keeping system and crippling bureaucracy hides the true scope of this issue. Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect and yet the

Daines, Zinke Stand With American Legion Against Iran Deal

September 2, 2015

Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today released the following statements following a vote taken at the American Legion National Convention by the body to publically and officially oppose the Iran nuclear agreement. “The men and women of the American Legion have experienced first-hand the sacrifices made in times of war,”Daines stated. “I stand with the American Legion in my continuing opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement which keeps Iran on track to obtain a nuclear weapon and will only increase their destructive influence as the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism.” “I am proud to stand with the American Legion

Daines: New VA Service Animal Rule is a “Step in the Right Direction”

August 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has revised its rules regarding veterans’ ability to bring service animals to VA facilities. Veterans in some states, including Montana, have had difficulty bringing their animals into VA medical facilities. The VA’s new rule will put clear guidance in place that allows the presence of service animals at VA facilities across the United States. “While there is still work to be done, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. I’m glad the VA has responded to my calls to ensure our veterans

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Ben Steele of Billings

July 10, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Ben Steele, a World War II veteran of Billings, for his exceptional service to the nation and the Billings community. During the war, Steele served in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March. After World War II Steele studied art at the University of Denver and later taught at Montana State University – Billings. 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

Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Crow Tribe Code Talkers

June 26, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today honored Samson Birdinground, Cyril Not Afraid, Barney Old Coyote and Henry Old Coyote of the Crow Indian Nation for their exceptional service to our country during World War II. These four men were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for serving in our armed forces as “code talkers,” speaking their native Apsaalooké (Crow) language during wartime in order to transmit and receive military intelligence and successfully avoid disclosing information to enemy forces. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official

Daines Recognizes PTSD Awareness Day on Senate Floor

June 26, 2015

To mark National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day, this Saturday, June 27, Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental illnesses like PTSD among service members and veterans. Below are key excerpts from Daines’ floor speech: “PTSD is a serious problem affecting too many of our country’s bravest individuals. We must do more to help our heroes. “There is no greater honor or responsibility than fighting for our veterans. We owe them our freedom. We owe them nothing but our best. Anything less is unacceptable. “We need to have the same

Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Bill

June 18, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. “This legislation is critical to ensuring our men and women in uniform have the funding and support they need to fulfill their missions,” Daines stated. “The NDAA prioritizes the needs of our service members while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national defense.” Daines successfully included an amendment to the NDAA that would protect military couples from abrupt reductions in their housing allowances. Under the NDAA, current dual housing

Daines Works to Ensure Due Process for Veterans Erroneously Discharged

June 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced he has helped introduce two measures to ensure due process for veterans who suffer from mental health illnesses who may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge, rather than an honorable discharge. Daines has joined Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to introduce S. 1567 which ensures active duty members who suffer from invisible wounds, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) aren’t incorrectly administratively discharged. An administrative discharge is often given for minor misconducts, which can be attributed to behaviors seen in those suffering from PTSD or TBI.

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Jim Weber of Helena

June 5, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today recognized Jim Weber, a welding and machining teacher at Capital High School in Helena, Montana. Under Mr. Weber’s leadership his class recently made 15 machined fly rods to donate to the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program. Big Hearts Under the Big Sky allows service members, children with life-threatening illnesses and women battling breast cancer, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors at no cost. 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

Helena Independent Record: Capital High seniors build custom fly rods for charity

May 27, 2015

Glancing back over his shoulder at 15 gleaming fly rods, Capital High senior Kreston Stevens told the crowd assembled in the machining shop Tuesday evening that he and the five other rod builders had learned more than just job skills. “We’ve been part of some really great, amazing projects, but by far this project has outdone anything we’ve ever done both in complexity and meaning,” he said. The fly rods built by the Capital High machining program will go to Big Hearts Under the Big Sky, a charity dedicated to taking veterans, children with life threatening illnesses and women recovering

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