Samantha_Wiesneth@daines.senate.gov, Author at Senator Steve Daines

Daines Votes Against Fueling Congress’ Spending Insanity

December 22, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against the $1.7 trillion, 4,155-page omnibus spending package that includes $9.8 billion of earmarks, fails to secure the southern border and will spur inflation. “At a time when Montanans are already facing sky-high prices everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, I cannot support a $1.7 trillion package that was written behind closed doors, is packed with wasteful spending and fails to address the crises facing Montana families like the wide-open southern border. Rather than getting Congress’ fiscal house in order, this giant bill will only fuel inflation and big government spending insanity. Montanans deserve transparency and accountability from their

Daines Announces Changes to Leadership, Communications Team

December 22, 2022

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced changes to his leadership team and communications staff. Matt Lloyd will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. Lloyd has more than 25 years of experience at the national and state levels of government in the executive and legislative branches as well as the private sector. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for U.S. Senator Rob Portman. Prior to his time with Senator Portman, he served in senior communications roles in the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, Lloyd served as Deputy Chief of Staff

What Montana Law Enforcement is Saying About Daines’ Bipartisan SAFE Banking Act

December 16, 2022

U.S. SENATE – This week, several Montana sheriffs voiced their support for Senator Daines’ bipartisan “SAFE Banking Act” to promote public safety. “Regardless of how you feel about recreational marijuana, the people of Montana have spoken. Recreational marijuana is legal in our state. It’s our responsibility to make sure we have a safe way for businesses to conduct their business. Every time that I’ve seen a cash-only business exist in any community, there’s a huge element of organized crime that comes with that. Senator Daines is taking a very responsible and logical step to ensure public safety is key. What he’s doing

Daines Delivers Big Wins for Montana Servicemembers, National Security

December 15, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to pass several major Montana priorities in the bipartisan “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) including the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemembers, a pay raise for troops and critical support for Malmstrom Air Force Base. “This year’s bipartisan defense package ends Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers, includes a well-deserved pay raise for our military, protects women from the draft, and strengthens our nuclear triad to ensure America’s military remains the best and most intimidating in the world. This legislation contains a lot of big wins for Montanans who wear the uniform and bolsters our national security. I’m glad to support it,” Daines

Daines Honors December Montanan of the Month: Timmye Crowley of Yellowstone County

December 15, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Timmye Crowley of the United States Postal Service in Yellowstone County for her dedication to serving her fellow Montanans and a unique act of kindness that saved a man’s life. Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines 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 welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Month” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’

Daines Announces Service Academy Nominations

December 13, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today officially nominated 19 Montana students who are applying for enrollment into U.S. military academies. “One of my greatest honors as Montana’s U. S. Senator is to nominate committed Montana students to compete for an appointment to one of our nation’s military academies. Their commitment to serving our nation is a reflection of Montana’s rich legacy of service. I wish them the best as they continue in this extremely competitive process,” Daines said. A congressional nomination is a critical step in the process for Montanans seeking admission to one of the nation’s four military academies: the U.S. Air

Daines Statement on Biden’s Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominee Anthony Johnstone

December 9, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on President Biden’s judicial nominee Anthony Johnstone to the United States Circuit Court for the Ninth Circuit. “Every federal judge in Montana has been chosen by a Democrat president and has repeatedly crushed our Montana way of life. After review of his record and judicial philosophy, I’m concerned that Anthony Johnstone would likely be no different. His record of undermining the Second Amendment and supporting President Biden’s reckless southern border policies are deeply concerning and pose a threat to our Montana values,” Daines said. “Montana’s lone seat on the Ninth Circuit should be held by someone that better reflects where our state has shifted over

Daines Honors November Montanan of the Month: Les Gilman of Madison County

December 8, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Les Gilman of Madison County for his longstanding dedication to protecting the land and people that make up Ruby Valley. Through his “Montanan of the Month” initiative, each month Daines 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 welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Month” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: TRIBUTE

Daines Secures Provision to Protect Servicemembers from COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate in 2023 Defense Bill

December 7, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines successfully secured a provision in the must-pass defense bill, known as the “National Defense Authorization Act” or “NDAA,” which would rescind the Biden administration’s overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers. “Montana servicemembers selflessly defend our nation and our freedoms——now we’re one step closer to defending their liberties and rights to make personal decisions when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” Daines said. Background: On May 13, 2021, Daines introduced a bill to counter the Biden administration’s efforts to coerce and punish Montana servicemembers who decline the COVID-19 vaccine, and include accountability measures in response to DoD efforts to undermine transparency. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake

Daines, Colleagues Call Out VA for Politicizing Veterans’ Healthcare

December 6, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and a group of Republican senators issued the following statement after receiving a late, inadequate response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that failed to address the senators’ concerns with veterans’ access to community care. “Not only does this weak response show a lack of respect for Congress’ role to advocate on behalf of our constituents, including veterans, it shows that the VA under Biden has no intent to move past political differences to better serve America’s heroes or work in good faith with those of us across the aisle. Our veterans deserve better,” the senators said. In July, Daines sent a letter

Author: Samantha_Wiesneth@daines.senate.gov