On the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Daines prioritizes the issue of public safety and economic opportunity for Montana’s Indian nations and fostering a better respect for the federal government’s government-to-government trust responsibility with our Indian nations. The Senator continues to advocate for policies to curtail the missing and murdered indigenous persons crisis, focusing on solutions to improve the safety of Montana’s native communities.
Website: https://www.indian.senate.gov/
Little Shell Federal Recognition Bill One Step Closer to Becoming Law after Push by Daines & Tester
(U.S. Senate) – Federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians has advanced further than ever before after a push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester to successfully include their bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense legislation. The Little Shell Tribe has sought federal recognition for nearly four decades, and has been recognized by the State of Montana since 2000. “Great news today for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “After decades of fighting for the federal recognition they deserved, we’re one step closer to making it a reality. I’m honored to have
Daines: We Must Shed Light on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution designating May 5, 2019 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. “What’s happening in Indian Country must be addressed and brought to the national stage,” Daines said. “We must work together to stop the crisis of missing and murdered Native women and girls. I will continue to strongly voice their stories so that we may commemorate their lives, raise awareness of this issue, and help put an end to this horrible tragedy.” Daines will headline the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s March in Billings, Montana tomorrow, April 5th. To read the full resolution, click HERE. Background: On February 7th,
Daines to HHS: Convicted Pedophile Should Not Receive One Cent of Taxpayer Money
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging he stop Stanley Patrick Weber, a former Indian Health Service (IHS) pediatrician recently convicted for molesting children while working on the Blackfeet Reservation, from continuing to receive a government pension in prison. “If the Department of Health and Human Services cannot stop Mr. Weber’s pension payments, then we stand ready to provide any assistance necessary from Congress that will fix this flawed system,” the letter states. “A convicted pedophile should not receive one cent of taxpayer money while serving
Daines Honors Native Women in Montana, Across the Nation
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. The resolution celebrates the heritage, culture, and history of Native women and recognizes the many contributions Native women have made to our nation. “Native women have made a profound impact in Montana and across our country,” Daines said. “By honoring the importance of their contributions, we can ensure that future generations of young women can learn from the legacies of these great leaders.” The full resolution can be found HERE. ###
Daines Demands Accountability at Indian Health Service
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Rear Admn. Michael Weahkee, the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), demanding answers on Stanley Patrick Weber, a former pediatrician at IHS who was recently convicted of sexually molesting children while working on the Blackfeet Reservation. “While justice is being served in the court of law, accountability must be demanded of IHS and the individuals who enabled Mr. Weber to continue molesting children for over two decades,” the letter states. “Our Native youth are already a uniquely vulnerable population facing severe social and economic challenges. Our Indian population, especially
Daines Successfully Secures U.S. Senate Hearing on Missing and Murdered Persons in Indian Country
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing this Wednesday on the issue of missing and murdered persons in Indian country. The announcement comes after Daines sent a letter to Committee leadership requesting a hearing. “We face tragedies from across Montana where tribal citizens, particularly women and girls, go missing without a trace,” Daines said. “We must do all in our power to curb the crisis of American Indians and Alaska Natives who disappear and whose cases never see justice. I’m glad to see that the committee is treating this issue with
Daines Leads Charge against Harassment within Bureau of Indian Affairs
Daines Secures Interior Nominees’ Commitment to Maintain Harassment-Free Workplace U.S. SENATE — Today, during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, secured Interior Department nominee for Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Mac Lean Sweeney’s commitment to maintain a harassment-free workplace at the Department. During the hearing, Daines highlighted that the BIA reports the highest rate of harassment of any agency within the Interior Department. Ms. Sweeney assured Daines she would maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Watch video HERE. Download
Daines to DOJ: Uphold Your Responsibilities to Indian Tribes
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a bipartisan group of senators in sending a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions regarding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) responsibilities under the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA), urging the DOJ to uphold its responsibilities to Indian tribes and implement the recommendations outlined in that report as quickly as possible. “The DOJ must fulfill its responsibilities to Indian tribes,” said Daines, “There is an epidemic of violent crime in Indian country and action must be taken immediately to strengthen law enforcement and provide justice for victims.” Read the letter below: Dear
Democrat Minority Blocks Daines’ Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Jobs on Indian Reservations and Tribal Sovereignty
U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after a Democrat minority in the Senate blocked his bipartisan bill to promote jobs on Indian reservations and tribal sovereignty, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act. “It is time the federal government step out of tribes’ way so they can make the right decisions for their communities and create good-paying jobs for their citizens,” said Daines. Prior to the vote, Daines spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate, urging his colleagues to support his bill. Watch video HERE Download video HERE ##