The ever-changing growth of technology continues to enhance how we communicate with one another and we must ensure that Americans are protected each and every step of the way. At the same time, we must stand united against Washington D.C.’s attempts to tax the Internet, limit innovation, and put more senseless regulations on Montana-based small businesses.
The Internet is a laboratory of innovation for Montana small businesses – yet Washington D.C. wants to tie our entrepreneurs’ hands by forcing them to collect internet sales taxes for 9,600 different tax jurisdictions, rather than focusing their time and energy on growing their business and creating jobs.
Technology has removed geography as a constraint and has allowed us to grow more good-paying jobs that allow Montanans to stay in the state we love. Yet we must not forget about our rural and underserved communities in Montana. While we continue to innovate, we must work to ensure that all Montanans have access to technology, by increasing their access to rural broadband.
Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Montana, America Remain Global Leaders in Innovation & Technology, Create High Tech Jobs
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce a bipartisan bill, the “Endless Frontier Act,” which is the leading proposal in the U.S. Senate to promote American tech jobs and American innovation, research and development in the race against China. “We must invest in American innovation and technology if we’re going to win the race against China and stay competitive globally in the 21st century. My bipartisan bill will help advance research and create high paying, American tech, energy and manufacturing jobs. It will also advance Montana’s high tech sector and ensure America beats China and remains a global superpower,” Daines said. Senator Daines, an original cosponsor of the bill,
Daines, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Broadband Coverage
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) today introduced the bipartisan “Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployment Act” to increase access to existing infrastructure that will allow easier and faster installation of broadband services. “Broadband coverage is essential to rural states like Montana as we work to close the digital divide. It helps support jobs, connects folks in every corner of our state, and makes life easier for working families,” Daines said. “I’m glad to work across the aisle on this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help expedite broadband deployment across Montana by capitalizing on existing infrastructure.” “Broadband access is not just about
Daines: Amtrak is Critical for Montana Jobs, Montana Travel Sector
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored legislation to restore daily long-distance Amtrak service and reinstate employees who have been furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Amtrak supports Montana jobs, helps connect Montanans across the state and brings visitors from all over the country to Big Sky Country. The Empire Builder is critical to the Hi-Line and I will continue fighting to restore this much needed service,” Daines said. Read the full text HERE. Background: In December, Daines supported the COVID-19 relief package that included $1 billion in emergency funding for Amtrak. In September, Daines sent a letter to Senate leadership to stop
Daines to Big Tech: Stop Censoring the President, Reinstate His Account
U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on Twitter to reinstate President Trump’s Twitter account following their censoring of the President of the United States. This displays a clear and indisputable attempt to eliminate American’s access to important information and their ability to connect with their elected officials. It also further inflames and divides the nation during a time of unrest. “The banning of a duly elected official, especially the President of the United States, will have serious repercussions on the dissemination of information and the right of the people to know what their government is doing,” Daines wrote.
Daines Cybersecurity Bill Signed Into Law
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bipartisan bill requiring commonsense cybersecurity standards for internet connected devices bought by the U.S. government has been signed into law by President Trump. “After years of bipartisan work and strong support, my commonsense bill to increase cybersecurity standards for internet connected devices has been signed into law,” Daines said. “As more and more products have internet connectivity, we must guarantee we have basic safeguards and protections in place to ensure our national security is safe from cyber threats.” Specifically, the “Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act” would: · Require the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to issue recommendations addressing, at a minimum, secure
Judiciary Committee Listens to Daines’ Request, Will Subpoena Twitter, Facebook Following Allegations of Election Interference
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that following his request urging Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein to investigate allegations of election interference against social media giants Twitter and Facebook, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be issuing subpoenas to the two tech giants. Daines’ request followed recent reports of Twitter and Facebook limiting access to a news story dealing with former Vice President Joe Biden’s son and the suspension of a Trump campaign account. “I’m glad the Senate Judiciary Committee listened to my direct request and will investigate Twitter and Facebook following allegations of them interfering in
Daines Fights to Protect Montanans from Government Spy Programs
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will be introducing bipartisan legislation to protect the civil liberties and privacy of Montanans from government spying programs. Daines’ bipartisan bill reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act which the National Security Agency has used to create a secret mass surveillance program that swept up millions of Americans’ phone calls. “Montanans want their privacy protected. That’s why I’m fighting to protect our civil liberties and stop the federal government from interfering into our lives,” Daines said. Daines’ bipartisan Safeguarding Americans’ Private Records Act reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act
Daines , Tester Vote to Hang Up on Robocalls
(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester voted to hang up on robocalls today, helping pass the bipartisan Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act?—also known as the TRACED Act—through the Senate today. “Across Montana, folks are being inundated by illegal robocalls,” Daines said. “It’s long overdue that Montanans are protected from these illegal calls. I’m glad my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle supported this important legislation. We must crack down on these bad actors and stop this abuse once and for all!” “We’ve got to stop the incessant ring of robocalls,” Tester said. “The TRACED Act will do that by empowering regulators to identify robocalls before
Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. “It’s unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security,” Daines stated. “With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear weapons until the permanent solution of an expedited procurement is complete.” Daines secured the following provisions in the Defense Appropriations Bill: Upgrading UH-1Ns: $75 million in the bill for the Air