Daines Pushes to Expand Rural Broadband
Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to close the gap in connectivity between rural and urban areas. Daines called on the FCC to expand connectivity in rural regions to minimize the divide that currently exists in delivery of broadband service. “Access to technology removes geography as a constraint and allows Montanans to start and grow world-class companies,” Daines stated. “But we still have a lot of issues to overcome to connect our unserved communities and the FCC plays a big role.” Last week, Daines
Daines Announces Nearly $4 Million in Funding for Glacier Park International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced nearly four million dollars in funding for critical construction and maintenance needs at Glacier Park International Airport. The Department of Transportation’s $3,986,340 grant will fund a full-depth reconstruction of the airport’s existing runway, as well as the rehabilitation of the runway’s lighting system. “Glacier Park International Airport provides critical transportation services to the entire Flathead Valley,” Daines stated. “This grant will ensure the airport is able to serve the region’s growing transportation needs and provide a reliable air service for the thousands of tourists who visit Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Daines Statement on Reported Russian Cyber Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to reports that Russia hacked the Pentagon’s unclassified email system: “Reports that Russian hackers—possibly sanctioned by the Russian government—hacked into the Joint Chiefs of Staff email servers nearly two weeks ago are deeply concerning. This is the third known major cyber attack on the federal government unearthed this summer, and we still have yet to see a full report on the depth of the hack at the Office of Personnel Management. It’s unacceptable that the Obama administration has not yet addressed these serious holes in our nation’s
Daines: Privacy and Security Both Matter in Cyber Reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today underscored the importance of enhancing America’s cybersecurity infrastructure while striking the right balance between protecting Americans from borderless cyber criminals and protecting Americans’ privacy. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “As I like to say, there are only two types of companies: those that have been hacked and those who know they have been hacked. “This was recently seen at J.P Morgan Chase. “Last summer, the company suffered a cyber attack that involved the theft of contact information for about 76 million households. “In the aftermath, J.P. Morgan
Daines Leads 27 Senators in Urging State Department to Halt Misguided ITAR Changes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led a group of 27 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Anthony Dearth in response to proposed changes to definitions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which has the potential to limit Americans’ freedom of speech and negatively impact Americans’ Second Amendment freedoms. On June 3rd, the State Department proposed changes to modify several definitions in ITAR that would empower the federal government to regulate public use of any content that contains information about defense articles, which includes every common hunting and
Daines Announces Critical Funding for Six Montana Community Airports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that six Montana airports will receive more than $2.8 million dollars for critical construction and maintenance needs. Grants will be awarded to airports in Circle, Columbus, Glendive, Lewistown, Sidney and West Yellowstone. “Montana’s community airports provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for their passengers and meeting the long-term economic needs of the communities they serve.” Grants awarded today by the Federal Aviation Administration include: Circle Town County Airport:
Daines, Fischer Call for Field Hearing on PHMSA Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have formally requested that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the agency’s efficacy in overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials. Before the hearing will be scheduled, the request must receive approval from the Commerce Committee Chairman and Ranking member. In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Daines and Fischer urged the Committee to convene a field hearing on PHMSA’s responsibility in ensuring
Daines: Our Country’s Most Sensitive Data Can Be in the Hands of Our Enemies
“We must act more quickly and more nimbly than those seeking to wage a terrorist attack on our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today emphasized the growing threat of a serious cyber attack from the Islamic State— including the potential to penetrate America’s vehicles, like the risk that spurred the recent recall from Fiat Chrysler. “Recent news reminds us that we must also consider the security of the cars that are driving on our roadways. In fact, just in the past week news broke that Fiat Chrysler announced the recall
Daines Secures Much-Needed Reforms for America’s Cybersecurity, Postal Service, Financial Services Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured provisions to safeguard American’s cyber infrastructure, protect rural postal service, reduce regulatory burdens and help Montana community banks and credit unions better serve their customers. Daines joined the Senate Appropriations Committee today in approving the FY2016 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. Daines secured key provisions to maintain six-day delivery through FY16 and urge the U.S. Postal Service to make good-faith efforts to either renew postal contract station agreements or find suitable alternatives to serve rural areas. In light of the Office and Personnel Management’s failure to report on numerous occasions