Daines to Introduce Bill to Honor American Troops Killed in Afghanistan
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will introduce a bill to award the 13 American servicemembers who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Kabul on August 26th Congressional Gold Medals. “The 13 brave service members we lost in Afghanistan following the withdrawal will forever be remembered as heroes. Their service and ultimate sacrifice to protect American lives, our freedoms and our homeland deserves the highest honor. Each and every one of these Americans selflessly answered the call to serve our nation and for that, we are eternally thankful,” Daines said. Daines is pushing for Sgt. Johanny Roasrio Pichardo, Sgt.
Daines Demands Answers from Biden About Americans Left Behind After Disastrous Afghanistan Withdrawal
U.S. SENATE — Following a meeting with several Montana veterans who voiced their frustrations and concerns with President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, U.S. Senator Steve Daines is demanding answers from the Biden administration. Daines is calling for answers about the Americans and Afghan allies left behind and about the vetting process for individuals who are being brought to the United States. “Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of American citizens, permanent residents, and allies who were left behind in Afghanistan. We are also concerned by reports that ineligible individuals, including Afghans with ties to terrorist organizations or serious, violent criminals,
Daines, Stefanik Call for Passage of their Bill to Open the Northern Border
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik are continuing their push to open the northern border, this time calling on Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take action on their bill, the “Restoring Northern Border Travel Act,” which would finally reopen the U.S.-Canada border. “The closure of the northern border was implemented as a temporary measure to limit the spread of COVID-19 in March 2020, yet the restrictions have been extended 17 times without any adjustments or relief for family members or homeowners despite the immense progress we have made in combating the COVID-19 pandemic,” the
Stefanik and Daines demand Pelosi, Schumer advance bill to reopen Canadian border as Biden keeps it closed
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Elise Stefanik are urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call votes on a bill that would force the Biden administration to open the Canadian border, citing economic harm to their constituents who rely on cross-border commerce to make a living. Daines, R-Mont., and Stefanik, R-N.Y., said they “urge immediate action” on the bill “to reopen the U.S.–Canada border for nonessential travel and revitalize American jobs and tourism.” “It is past time for Congress to act and bring long-overdue relief to families and businesses in northern border communities, who have suffered nearly 18 months of hardship and uncertainty due to
Daines Calls on VA to Address Impact of Afghanistan Withdrawal on Montana Veterans’ Mental Health
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of senators calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct outreach to Montana veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism – especially those who served in Afghanistan – and provide them with mental health resources. Their request comes as reports find calls to veterans’ suicide hotlines have increased since the fall of Afghanistan earlier this month. “We write in light of the recent events in Afghanistan to encourage the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to quickly develop a comprehensive outreach plan to connect Afghanistan and Global War on Terrorism veterans to VA benefits and services. More than two
Daines Issues Statement on Conclusion of Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal Following Meeting with MT Veterans
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with Montana veterans, including several who served in Afghanistan. As the meeting wrapped, it was announced that President Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan came to an end with the last U.S. flight leaving the country. “Today, I had the honor to sit down with several Montana veterans, including many who fought in Afghanistan, to hear their thoughts on President Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan—they are outraged and ashamed,” Daines said. “At the same time our meeting wrapped, America’s last flight left Afghanistan, even though we still don’t know the total number of Americans trapped behind enemy
Vets to Daines: U.S. withdrawal needs accountability; Afghan nationals need security
A panel of veterans on Monday expressed dismay over the handling of the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan and urged Sen. Steve Daines to hold commanders accountable. They also urged the senator, who spent the afternoon in Missoula, to ensure those left behind are brought home, including the Afghan nationals who served alongside American forces. “There’s going to be accountability,” Daines told members of the panel. “We’ll find out what decisions were made, why they were made and heads will roll. I’ll demand that.” Veterans, including several who served in a combat theater over the past 50 years, said they’ve been
Daines Calls on Biden Administration to Distribute Remaining COVID-19 Relief Funds to Montana Health Care Providers, Rural Communities
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to distribute funds remaining in the Provider Relief Fund without delay to support health care providers in Montana who continue to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19. “We write today to ask that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide an immediate update on its plans to distribute the unobligated funds remaining in the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and other health care relief programs,” the letter states. “Over the course of the pandemic, Congress has appropriated $178 billion for the
Daines Urges CDC to Listen to Local Montana Leaders & Parents, Reverse Mask Mandate on School Buses
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines is urging the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to withdraw the mask mandate on school buses that infringes on the authority of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to make their own decisions regarding the safety and health of their students. “This fall, a significant proportion of Montana students will return to their classrooms without masks. Forcing young children to wear masks on the school bus, only to arrive at school and remove them makes no sense. Furthermore, it exposes an intrusion of the federal government into the daily operation of local school districts. I am not alone in my concern over this latest