Since taking the oath of office, I’ve work tirelessly to ensure that veterans and military families receive the services and benefits that they deserve. The best way to serve our veteran and military communities is to hire those who have been in their shoes. I’ve hired several Montana veterans to serve our state’s veterans, service members and military families.
The men and women of Malmstrom and Montana’s reserve components perform vital missions and are a core part of Montana’s communities. I’ve been fighting to defend Montana’s mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base, which is critical to our national security. I’ve also been fighting to protect and ensure the modernization
of Montana Air National Guard’s C-130 fleet.
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Montana National Guard troops deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan. I met with soldiers from Montana’s 495th CSSB from Kalispell, and spent time visiting with the dedicated men and women who are defending our country.
Montana’s veterans and service members are the greatest examples of why America is the greatest country on earth and why our freedoms and liberties are worth defending. The Montana military community is a strong and powerful family and together we will preserve that tradition for generations to come.
Daines Pushes to Expand Benefits for Service Members Who Pass Away or Become Disabled Due to COVID-19
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sponsored a bipartisan bill that ensures military personnel and their families will be adequately compensated should they pass away or become disabled from COVID-19 during the pandemic. “Our men and women in uniform who are putting their lives on the lines to keep our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic deserve to know their families will be taken care of if they pass away or are severely disabled as a result of contracting COVID-19,” Daines said. “I will always work to ensure our military members and their families get the care and support
Daines to Air Force Secretary Barrett: Come to Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged United States Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett to visit Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls to discuss Montana’s defense priorities and the work Malmstrom Air Force Base is contributing to our national security. “Considering your visit was canceled due to the pandemic, I would like to invite you to Montana again to observe the outstanding work of the men and women of the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom AFB,” Daines wrote. “We would love the opportunity to show you the unsurpassed airspace Great
Daines Successfully Protects Benefits for the National Guard During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he successfully secured extended orders for National Guard members to protect their benefits while serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement follows Daines’ request to President Trump to extend the orders. “Our brave guardsmen and women working on the frontlines of this pandemic every day to protect the health and safety of our communities need the assurance their benefits will be protected as they serve,” Daines said. “I’m glad the President acted swiftly on my request to ensure our National Guard service members are put on orders long enough to
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Extend VA Health Benefits to WWII Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bipartisan bill that would ensure all World War II (WWII) veterans are eligible for health care services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “The fighting men and women of our nation’s greatest generation deserve the utmost respect and care for their service in World War II,” Daines said. “This bipartisan bill is about ensuring that all World War II veterans have access to VA services. It important our veterans who served bravely in defense of our country have access to the care they need.” Daines bipartisan bill will
Daines Pushes to Protect National Guard Members Retirement During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging Senate leadership to temporarily lower the minimum requirement for a satisfactory year of service to accommodate National Guard personnel who are unable to drill and acquire points towards retirement because of the COVID-19 outbreak. “Many guardsmen and women who have dedicated a life of service, face the very real possibility of being a couple points short of retiring with 30 years due to no fault of their own. This is a retirement that, under normal circumstances, would have been assured but is currently in question,” Daines wrote. Currently,
Daines Brings Local Lunch to Montana National Guard Troops, Shares Two Big Announcements
BOZEMAN, MT –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today brought lunch from Bozeman’s Chalet Market to Montana National Guard troops serving at the Bozeman airport to thank them for protecting Montana communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and to share two big National Guard announcements. For a video statement from the Senator click, HERE. For NATVOSOT of the event click, HERE. “It’s an honor to be here today to deliver some free lunches to our Montana National Guard members who are here in the front lines, the Bozeman airport. It’s important we stand with these health care heroes, whether it’s our nurses or
Daines: Montana National Guard Members Should Get Hazardous Pay for Responding to Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to grant Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay to the Montana National Guard who have been activated to support the nation’s response to COVID-19. “As of today, 127 members of the Montana National Guard are on duty screening people who could potentially carry COVID-19,” Daines wrote. “These citizen-soldiers are jeopardizing their own health and safety to keep us safe…I hope you will support my request to ensure the men and women on the front lines get the Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay they deserve.” To read
Daines Urges President Trump to Expand Healthcare Coverage for National Guard Members Serving During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter yesterday to President Trump urging him to permit National Guard members responding to the Coronavirus pandemic in our communities to be eligible for TRICARE coverage. “Day by day, increasing numbers of our National Guard are asked to support the national effort to address this crisis. Many of our guardsmen and women have lost their jobs during this unprecedented situation,” Daines wrote. “During this time, we should do all we can to support the men and women being asked to assist our nation’s response to this pandemic and ensure that they
President Trump Signs Daines’ Bill Protecting GI Education Benefits During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that President Trump signed his bipartisan bill, the Emergency GI Fix for Coronavirus School Closures, into law. This legislation will stop veterans, and those who depend on them, from losing GI Bill education benefits during the Coronavirus outbreak. “During these times of uncertainty, veterans shouldn’t have to worry about losing their GI benefits. I’m glad that Congress came together to pass this important bill,” Daines said. This law authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which oversees the disbursing of the GI Bill, to keep students at their current benefit levels even