Senator Daines has moved up in seniority on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. As an avid hunter and outdoorsman, Senator Daines is committed to increasing public access to public lands for all Montanans, fostering locally driven common-sense conservation and advocating for high paying wages in Montana’s energy, mining, and forestry sectors. Senator Daines prioritizes strengthening Montana’s rich and balanced energy portfolio that includes coal, hydro-electric, natural gas, wind, solar and biomass. Daines also pushes for sustainable, science based active forest management legislative reforms and policies to prevent catastrophic wildfires, restore active management, create healthy forests, protect wood product careers, and protect wildlife habitats and watersheds jobs in Montana.
Daines Fights for Mandatory Funding of LWCF
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). “The historic bipartisan lands package which permanently maintained our commitment to LWCF was a big win for Montana, but now we must come together again to ensure the program is fully funded,” Daines said. “Expanding access to public lands and preserving the rich outdoor heritage of Montana is one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. I will not stop fighting until we get full funding of LWCF.” Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate
Daines: Bernhardt Good for Montana to Lead DOI
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to advance Department of the Interior (DOI) Acting Secretary David Bernhardt to being one step closer to leading the Department of the Interior. “Bernhardt has a proven record of excellence on issues important to Montana such as his work to implement the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and his firm commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Program,” Daines said. “I have full confidence that together we will continue to work on important Montana priorities including increasing access to public lands and fixing the maintenance backlog at our national parks.” In a hearing last week, Daines pressed Bernhardt on his
Daines: We Need to Finalize Cleanup at Montana Superfund Sites, Protect Communities from Asbestos
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pressed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler at a U.S. Senate Hearing on the need to finalize restoration and cleanup at Montana’s Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda Smelter Co. Superfund Sites. Daines specifically stressed the need for a natural stream in Butte and for a firm commitment from Wheeler that the Anaconda site will be secure into perpetuity. Download video HERE At the hearing, Daines also pressed Wheeler on the status of EPA’s current risk evaluation of asbestos. “My communities in Montana are eager for progress… we’ve known for a while the dangers
Daines Locks in DOE Commitment on Future of Colstrip
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing secured commitment from Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry on investment in the Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. Colstrip is a major driver of good-paying energy jobs for Montanans, and is critical to ensuring Montanans have access to reliable, affordable electricity. Click HERE to download “Colstrip Power Plant in Montana is one of the largest economic drivers… and it is very well suited for DOE investment,” Daines said. Daines pressed Perry, “Could I get your commitment to work with me on ways to accelerate DOE investment to Colstrip?” “Yes sir,” Perry answered. To download the full video
Daines Statement on President Trump’s Keystone XL Presidential Permit
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following President Trump’s presidential permit on the Keystone XL pipeline. “President Trump’s announcement today is a big win for Montana and our nation,” Daines said. “After over ten years of review, this pipeline that will create roughly 800 construction jobs and spur millions in revenue for Montana’s rural communities and schools, will finally become a reality. I applaud President Trump for his leadership and commitment in getting this done.” To read more on the President’s permit today, click HERE. ###
Daines Delivers Historic Conservation Win for Montana
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined President Trump at a bill signing ceremony at the White House for a bill signing ceremony of the bipartisan public lands package, which includes the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “What a great day for Montana, a great day for America,” Daines said. “I just came back from the West Wing of the White House, the Oval Office, where I witnessed President Trump sign the lands package. In fact, here’s one of the pens from the signing ceremony that I keep
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Urge Swift Action on Clean Water Bill
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to U.S. Senate and House Committee Leadership urging action on the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act, which would provide access to clean, safe drinking water to citizens of central and eastern Montana. The bill was reintroduced in February 2019. “Montanans deserve clean, safe drinking water,” the letter states. “We ask you to help us pass our Clean Water for Rural Communities Act at the beginning of this Congress… which includes authorization language for two rural water systems in Montana.” The letter was sent
Daines Urges Forest Service to Restore Access on Public Lands
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service demanding they reconsider proposed mountain bike closures in the Blue Joint and Sapphire Wilderness Study Areas on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. “With over $7 billion in consumer spending coming from Montana’s outdoor recreation economy, we should be encouraging adaptive management principles across the Agency that help U.S. Forest Service decision-makers manage different uses across various landscapes, not exclude them,” the letter states. “I am concerned this approach will foster additional closures in areas with historic use and that the greater recreation community will suffer
Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator
U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other