Montana has a rich legacy of service, and I’m proud to represent our state’s veterans in Congress. I’m dedicated to ensuring that our veterans receive the care and benefits that they fought for and greatly deserve.
As the son of a United States Marine, I believe the United States must honor the commitment we’ve made to the men and women of the armed forces, active duty troops and older veterans alike. While we can never repay the debt we owe to those who fight for our freedoms, we must ensure that we uphold the promises we’ve made. I’m dedicated to opening up new employment prospects for returning service members, improving medical care for wounded warriors, and ensuring support for veterans in need of assistance.
Missoulian: VA policy prohibiting medallions on veterans’ grave markers sparks complaints
Phil Drake Jan 26, 2024 Updated Jan 26, 2024 Sen. Steve Daines is objecting to a federal directive that prohibits medallions on government-issued markers in VA cemeteries, calling it a misguided policy that does “nothing but cause more issues than it fixes.” The Montana Republican, in a Jan. 22 letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, focused on what he said was the removal of medallions honoring World War II veterans who served in the Army’s First Special Service Force, though the rule applies to all branches of the military. “For years, the Montanans who served in the FSSF and
Daines Calls Out Biden VA for Disrespecting Montana Veterans
Sends Letter to VA Secretary Following Removal of Honorary Medallions from Veterans’ Headstones U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough following reports that the VA has directed medallions honoring World War II veterans who served in the First Special Service Forces (FSSF) to be removed from headstones in VA cemeteries across Montana. “For years, the Montanans who served in the FSSF and were buried at VA cemeteries in Montana were remembered for their special service with a medallion located on their headstone. However, now, the NCA – citing ‘long
Daines Slams Biden Administration for Using VA Health Care Resources on Illegal Immigrants Instead of Veterans
Sends Letter to VA Secretary Asking For Accounting of Resources Being Used at Border U.S. SENATE – In a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, U.S. Senator Steve Daines questioned the alarming report that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources are being diverted from our nation’s veterans to process the medical claims of illegal immigrants held in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Daines asked the VA for a full accounting of its use of resources at the border including how many VA personnel are being utilized, how long the VA policy has been in place and
Daines Introduces Bill to Honor Montana’s Last Pearl Harbor Survivor
Bill will rename Butte VA Clinic after Charlie Dowd U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill that would designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Butte, Montana, as the Charlie A. Dowd VA Clinic. Charlie Dowd passed away in March 2023 and was Montana’s last survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Dowd was an advocate for his fellow veterans and dedicated to preserving the memory of the events of World War II and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Dowd was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and spoke for
Daines Calls out Senate Democrats and Trial Lawyers for Blocking Veterans’ Benefits
“This is a Scandal in Plain Sight” WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Veterans Day approaches, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called out Senate Democrats and their trial lawyer allies for blocking veterans’ benefits, specifically for Marines who were exposed to chemicals at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Senate Democrats continue to block Daines’ “Protect Camp Lejeune VETS Act,” which would close a loophole that allows trial lawyers to charge veterans 40 percent or more to process veterans’ claims. Current law will cost taxpayers $200 billion and leave Marine veterans without benefits. To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. “I’m not a Marine, but I’m the
Daines Votes to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights
Amendment would prevent unelected bureaucrats from stripping veterans of their right to keep and bear arms U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted today to prevent veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The amendment is based on the “Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act.” “We must protect the Second Amendment rights of our veterans. As we approach Veterans Day and remember those who bravely sacrificed so much so that we can be free, the least we can do is protect them from being stripped of this constitutional right. Unelected
Daines Slams Biden Administration for Continuing to Fail Montana Veterans
Votes against Biden’s pick to oversee EHRM program U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Biden’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Tanya Bradsher, who will oversee the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM). “This confirmation will cost taxpayer dollars, is bad for our Montana heroes and bad for the VA. Since President Biden took office, he has shown our Montana veterans time and time again that their needs are not his priority. Not only does Ms. Bradsher not have the experience or managerial skills
Daines Statement on Second Anniversary of Kabul Terrorist Attacks
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of 13 U.S. servicemembers. “Two years ago today we lost 13 brave servicemen and women during President Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal. The service and sacrifice of these American heroes must never be forgotten, and we owe it to the families they left behind to hold this administration accountable for the disastrous policies that led to this tragedy,” Daines said. Last year, Daines’ bipartisan bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 13 servicemembers killed in Afghanistan
Daines: Biden Admin Failing to Serve Montana Veterans
Daines slams new VA labor agreement for lacking needed reform U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after President Biden’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) signed a master collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) that fails to address significant labor concerns and protects poor-performing employees. “The Biden administration is once again putting Montana veterans last. As veteran confidence in the VA continues to plummet, this new labor agreement will maintain the status quo of poor service and employment difficulties,” Daines said. “I hear from veterans across the Treasure State that they are fed up