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Tag: Water

Tester, Daines push Blackfeet Water Compact to Senate floor

February 3, 2016

After years of negotiations, Senators lead charge to pass historic water rights agreement  (U.S. Senate)—Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today led the charge to push the Blackfeet Water Compact through the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and onto the Senate floor.  This decades-in-the-making agreement will resolve water rights claims on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses in the surrounding area.  This compact will save taxpayers millions by avoiding costly litigation between the Blackfeet Tribe and the federal government.  “Reliable access to clean

Daines Highlights Key Reforms in Major Senate Energy Legislation

January 28, 2016

“We can’t fully discuss our nation’s energy future without also addressing the President’s moratorium on new federal coal leases and royalty increase attempts for federal coal, oil and natural gas.”  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to highlight important provisions contained in the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, the first major energy policy legislation debated in the Senate since 2007.  This key legislation will help expand Montana energy production, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and rein in the Obama administration’s overreaching anti-energy regulations.  Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Today, the

Daines Statement on Vote to Override President Obama’s WOTUS Veto

January 21, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to gain enough votes to override President Obama’s veto of legislation to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) egregious overreach through newly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:  “Senate Democrats and President Obama have made clear they don’t care about the harmful effects that this overreaching rule will have on our hardworking farmers and ranchers. The EPA’s greatly expanded powers through this new WOTUS rule is a clear effort by the Obama administration to gain control over Montanans’ livelihoods and private property rights. I will continue

Daines Applauds House Action to Stop Obama’s WOTUS Power Grab

January 13, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of bipartisan legislation nullifying the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.  The House today joined the Senate in passing S.J.Res.22, a joint resolution Daines helped introduced to disapprove of the EPA’s new, overreaching WOTUS rules. The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk.  “I’m pleased to see the House join the Senate in passing bipartisan legislation to stop yet another Obama administration power grab that harms our farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines stated. “The EPA’s latest overreach is a direct threat to Montanans’ way of

Tester, Daines continue delivering on their promises to “Blue Water Navy” veterans

January 13, 2016

(U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are working to deliver on the promises they’ve made to “Blue Water Navy” veterans by restoring their eligibility for service-connected disability benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure.  “Blue Water Navy” veterans served in the waters offshore during the Vietnam War.  In a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald, Tester and Daines urged the VA to reverse a 2002 rule that excluded “Blue Water Navy” veterans from the VA benefits and care to which they should be entitled.  The 2002 rule extended coverage only to Vietnam veterans

Daines Applauds Senate Passage of Legislation Stopping WOTUS Rule

November 4, 2015

Reaffirms Commitment to Stopping Obama Administration Overreach WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation nullifying the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and reaffirmed his commitment to stopping the Obama administration’s overreach through any means possible.  “Today a bipartisan Senate spoke loud and clear: President Obama’s Waters of the United States power grab is unacceptable and infringes on the rights of our farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines stated. “But the fight to protect Americans from the Obama administration’s extreme overreach isn’t over. I’m thankful that 31 states, including Montana,

Daines Slams Senate Democrats’ Failure to Protect Americans from Obama Administration WOTUS Power Grab

November 3, 2015

Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats after all but four members of the Democrat caucus blocked legislation that would have directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Today the Senate came just a few votes shy of passing legislation to protect our farmers, ranchers and small business owners from major new costs and regulatory burdens. I appreciate the bipartisan support demonstrated today by four key Senate Democrats and am disappointed that others chose instead to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of doing what’s right. Montanans know that this power

Daines: Nationwide WOTUS Stay is a Victory for States’ Rights

October 9, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision to issue a nationwide stay on Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) misguided Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “The Sixth Circuit Court’s nationwide stay on the EPA’s misguided WOTUS rule is a victory for states’ rights, local governments, farmers, ranchers and landowners. This ruling pushes back on the extreme overreach of the Obama administration, which threatened Montana agriculture and natural resources, Montana jobs and Montanans’ property rights. While this is welcome news, it is not the end of the Obama administration’s egregious power grabs. I will continue

Daines Calls on Senate to Take Up Rural Water Bills

October 8, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to moving forward Montana rural water projects and called on the Senate to take up his bills to ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing on western water legislation, Daines emphasized the challenges associated with inadequate water management in western communities, including many regions in Montana. “My bills would facilitate water delivery to over 23 million acres in Montana and millions more acres across the West for rural communities without good access to quality water supply today,” Daines stated. “If we are going to address

Daines: Democrats Blocking Funding for Water, Infrastructure Projects is Shameful

October 8, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats for blocking the FY2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which funds critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation – including Montana rural water projects.  “Despite the vast majority of Democrats supporting this bill during an Appropriations Committee vote this summer, once again Democrats have chosen to block legislation that protects Montanans’ interests and strengthens our national security through increased energy and water security,” Daines stated. “This legislation works to enhance our energy efficiency while funding important projects that modernize our nation’s energy and water infrastructure. It’s