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

Daines, Feinstein Call on Biden Admin to Collaborate with States on Forest Management

October 12, 2022

U.S. SENATE – Today on National Loggers Day and Montana Forest Products Industry Week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Feinstein (D-Calif.) teamed up and sent a bipartisan letter to the Biden administration urging the development and implementation of a transparent and swift process to allocate funds promised to States for implementing effective forest management projects under the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). “We write to ask that you do all in your power to follow through on your commitment to working with state and local governments to improve our forest health and address the wildfire crisis. By mid-summer, your Department was in receipt of $160 million to award grants to States and Tribes

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Steve Daines Demands Veterans Affairs Sec. Denis McDonough Rescind Rule Permitting Abortion Services

October 12, 2022

Source: Daily Caller Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines sent a letter Tuesday to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sec. Denis McDonough demanding he immediately rescind the VA’s new rule that allows for abortion services through the VA healthcare system. In the letter, first obtained by the Daily Caller, Daines demanded the Biden administration reverse a recent rule which would allow VA clinics to provide abortions after the Congressional Research Service (CRS) determined such an action would be illegal. The VA announced in early September it will begin providing abortion counseling and abortions to Americans who qualify for VA services. The rule would make it

Daines co-sponsors bill to complete Continental Divide Trail

October 10, 2022

Source: Helena Independent Record The Continental Divide Trail could finally be completed before it turns 50 years old. A bill introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) would direct land management agencies to prioritize the elimination of gaps in the 3,100-mile continent-spanning path that generally follows the geographic Continental Divide. The trail is 95% complete, according to the Golden, Colorado-based nonprofit Continental Divide Trail Coalition, which lauded the bill on Friday. Heinrich introduced S. 4995, the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, into the Senate on Wednesday, according to Congress’ official website. Daines is an original co-sponsor

Daines Renews Call for Details of Biden’s Vague 30×30 Initiative

October 6, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who serves as the Senate Western Caucus Chairman, sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland renewing his request for details on the Biden administration’s “30 by 30” initiative, or “America the Beautiful.” “As we have warned in the past, the lack of information and transparency leads many Westerners to fear the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative is at best, a thoughtless approach to conservation, and at worst, a top-down land-grab,” the Chairmen wrote. “Healthy and resilient landscapes are the cornerstone of our western way of life. Those who are closest to the land,

Daines Statement on Biden’s Decision to Ease Venezuela Sanctions for Oil Imports

October 5, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released a statement on President Biden’s decisionto ease Venezuela sanctions for oil imports instead of taking steps to increase domestic oil production. “Biden has learned nothing. We need to unleash American energy development–NOT rely on dictators in adversarial countries like Venezuela for oil,” Daines said. In March 2022, Daines introduced a bill to prohibit the United States from importing Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen

Daines Launches New Website to Better Serve Montanans

October 5, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today launched a new and improved website to improve access to services and information for Montanans. “Congress is here to serve, not be served,” Daines said. “Our new and improved website will ensure Montanans have better access to the services and information they need and be able to contact me any time they have an issue.” Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

October 3, 2022

WASHIGNTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation directing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). “The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill ensures the trail will continue to provide public access and a continuous route will finally be completed!” “The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Support Childhood Cancer Research

September 30, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help fund childhood cancer research and assist patients and families battling cancer. “No child should have to grow up battling cancer. I am glad to join my colleagues in fighting for a cancer free future for Montana’s children,” Daines said. Read the full text of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Reauthorization Act HERE. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen

Daines announces bills to expand mental health care workforce

September 29, 2022

Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle A Montana senator has proposed five new bipartisan bills aimed at expanding the mental health workforce in the country. Republican Sen. Steve Daines announced Thursday that he and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, introduced a slate of bills meant to expand the mental health services workforce in the hopes of expanding access to mental health care. Daines said in a release that the bills would “empower and expand” the mental health care workforce, which would grow access for people seeking out those services. “Access to mental health services is critical for our rural communities

DAINES INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN PACKAGE TO EXPAND MONTANA’S MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, CARE FOR MONTANANS

September 29, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee’s Workforce Working Group, today introduced a slate of bipartisan bills that will support Montana’s mental health workforce and boost substance use disorder services, ensuring that Montanans across the state have access to care. “Access to mental health services is critical for our rural communities and veterans—especially in states like Montana where suicide is sadly taking too many lives. We must ensure our health care workforce have the tools and resources they need to serve Montanans across our state. I’m glad to work on these bipartisan bills to empower and

Author: Samantha_Wiesneth@daines.senate.gov