Agriculture is Montana’s top industry, and the hard work of our farmers and ranchers puts food on the table for families across the country and the world. Protecting and promoting Montana agriculture is one of my top priorities in Congress.
On the Senate Agriculture Committee, I worked hard to pass the 2018 Farm Bill for our farmers and ranchers. It includes Montana agriculture priorities such as protecting crop insurance, expanding broadband access in rural Montana, securing funds for land grant universities, and supporting important conservation programs such as EQIP and CSP. The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2018.
Investigation into Conservation Easement Scandal Underscores Importance of Daines’ Bipartisan Bill
U.S. SENATE – The U.S. Senate Finance Committee today concluded an investigation into the abuse of conservation easement tax benefits, further highlighting the need for reform and Daines’ bipartisan bill. Daines has been a leader on this issue, introducing bipartisan legislation to crack down on bad actors abusing the system. “The abuse of the charitable conservation easement tax incentive must be put to an end. In light of the conclusions of the Finance Committee’s report, I am urging the Senate to take up my legislation and put a stop to this fraudulent behavior once and for all,” Daines said. “My bipartisan
Daines, Gianforte Urge Administration to Streamline COVID-19 Relief for Montana Ag
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) asking it to clarify the rationale behind its lien criteria and loan processes for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. “It is our understanding that SBA is requiring loan recipients to send physical checks via certified mail from Montana to Fort Worth, Texas in order for SBA to endorse purchases made by agricultural producers in the daily course of their business operations,” Daines and Gianforte wrote. “This process imposes excessive burdens on Montana’s agricultural producers. In addition to the hassle,
Daines, Gianforte Call on DOJ to Investigate JBS Acquisition of Lamb Processing Facility
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation on JBS USA Holdings’ acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen (“MSR”) lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. This acquisition could have a major impact on sheep ranchers in Montana and their ability to get lamb to market, as well as result in an increase in lamb imports. “We urge you to immediately open an investigation into this acquisition and demand that JBS cease from any irreversible actions that might harm the ability of American sheep ranchers to
Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act Passes Senate Committee
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of his bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, clearing the way for a Senate vote on the bill. “For decades, the CSKT water dispute has gone unresolved in Montana, leading to uncertainty for thousands of Montanans across our state. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act which permanently settles the CSKT water dispute, protects the water rights of all Montanans, creates jobs, modernizes critical infrastructure needs in Northwestern Montana, protects Montana agriculture, avoids costly litigation and has the Trump administration’s
Daines to USDA: Cattle Market Investigation Update is an Important Step Forward, More Works Needs to be Done
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releasing a report and update on the ongoing investigation into allegations of price-fixing and market manipulation within the cattle market and the meatpacking industry. Daines has been urging the USDA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate this issue in a quickly and thorough manner. “USDA’s findings are an important step forward in the ongoing investigation and provides much needed details on the impacts of COVID-19 on cattle markets and beef prices,” Daines said. “But more works needs to be done and I will continue
Daines Leads Ag Roundtable with USDA Under Secretary, Montana Ag Leaders on Montana Ag Issues
GREAT FALLS, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a roundtable discussion with USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey and Montana’s ag leaders on important Montana ag issues including market manipulation in cattle markets and available USDA resources for farmers and ranchers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. At the roundtable, Daines urged the USDA and the Department of Justice to actively coordinate efforts between the two agencies in the ongoing investigations into allegations of market manipulation and anti-competitive behavior by meat packers in the cattle industry. Daines request was sent in a letter to
Daines Leads St. Mary’s Milk River Project Roundtable with DOI Assistant Secretary, Local Officials, Community Members
CUT BANK, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a roundtable discussion in Cut Bank with community members and top administration leaders on the St. Mary’s Milk River Project following a tour of the damaged drop sites 2 and 5. Daines has actively been working on a solution to fix the St. Mary Milk River Project to protect Montana jobs and the ag operations on the Hi-Line. Daines was joined by U.S Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Dr. Tim Petty, Phillips County Economic Growth Council Co-Chair, Marko Manoukian and Milk River Joint Board of
Daines Secures DOI Response on St. Mary’s Milk River Next Steps
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has determined the Drop 2 and Drop 5 of the St. Mary’s River Project qualify as emergency work which will allow repairs to go forth with less strain on Montanans. This follows Daines’ request to Department of the Interior Secretary Bernhardt to make this decision expeditiously. “I’m glad the administration responded to the St. Mary’s Joint Board and my request to make this decision and do everything in their power to lessen the burden on water-users ,” Daines said. “The St. Mary’s Milk River Project is
Trump Administration Expresses Support for Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act
U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Hearing today, the Trump administration expressed support for U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” which permanently settles the century-long Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) water dispute. At the hearing, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussed the benefits of the bill which will create more than 6,000 jobs, modernize critical NW Montana infrastructure, avoid costly litigation, protect the water rights of all Montanans and provide certainty for Montana’s farmers and ranchers. Daines kicked off the hearing by emphasizing why the bill is necessary, how