Daines, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make Pandemic-Driven Expanded Telehealth Access Permanent
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) that would make pandemic-driven expanded access to telehealth services permanent. Daines originally authored and passed a temporary provision in the “CARES Act” to expand access to virtual care services during the pandemic and unveiled legislation making it permanent today at a Senate Finance Committee hearing focused on health care flexibilities and lessons learned from the pandemic. “I believe we need to make expanded access to telehealth permanent for Montanans and all Americans, especially in rural areas – not cut access back once we’re post
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Package to Support, Revitalize the USPS
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce a bipartisan package that would support the United States Postal Service (USPS), ease its financial burdens, help it to better serve its customers and increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency within USPS. “The U.S. Postal Service is critical for Montana, especially for Montanans in rural communities, Montana seniors, Montana veterans and Montana small business owners. That’s why I’m teaming up with a group of my bipartisan colleagues to introduce a comprehensive bipartisan bill to help rejuvenate, revitalize and support the USPS,” Daines said. “This bipartisan package will increase transparency and unleash the enormous potential of the Postal Service.” The package incorporates Daines’ bipartisan “USPS Fairness
Daines Leading Bipartisan Effort to Protect Montanans from Travel Scams
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action to protect Montanans from travel scams. The Senator highlighted recent reports of incidents involving scammers posing as travel or booking agents and creating fraudulent airline websites to sell fake hotel bookings and airline tickets. “The FTC plays a critical role in protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace, including travel scams. While the FTC posts advisories pertaining to travel scams, we believe that more must be done to protect consumers. Travel reservations made on fraudulent websites can be costly and stressful for travelers, and it is critical to
Daines Statement on SCOTUS Taking Up Major Abortion Case
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today made the following statement after the Supreme Court announced it will consider Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and rule on the constitutionality of Mississippi’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. “Every life is precious and created with dignity and potential. There is no constitutional right to abortion, yet for nearly 50 years since Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, more than 62 million children have been the tragic victims of abortion,” Daines said. “It is long past time for the Supreme Court to right this wrong and I am encouraged to
Sen. Steve Daines: ‘Long Past Time’ for Supreme Court to Reconsider Roe v. Wade
National pro-life leaders, including Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), expressed satisfaction that the U.S. Supreme Court has finally agreed to reexamine “whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional” and if state laws that prohibit most abortions are unconstitutional. The Court has agreed to hear the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health during its term that begins in October, one that could present the most significant challenge to its 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. Daines, chairman of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, said in a statement, “It is long past time for the Supreme Court to right this wrong and I am encouraged to see the
Daines preparing to re-introduce Forest Management Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the continuing trend for hotter fire seasons, Senator Steve Daines believes it’s still critical to reform forest management. And he’s preparing for another run at a bill to make those changes. Senator Daines tells me the U.S. still needs a package of solutions to resolve the conditions that have left death and destruction in the aftermath of recent fire seasons. And he’s ready to take another pass at a measure which got traction in Congress last fall. “I think we’re going to take the same bill and move forward with it. We got very close and
Daines, Tester Continue Fight for First Responders
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) reintroduced their bipartisan bill, the “Putting First Responders First Act,” to clarify the current tax code to ensure first responders do not have to pay taxes on injury-related compensation when hurt in the line of duty. Daines and Tester reintroduced the bill during National Police Week. “Montana’s first responders risk their lives every day while serving our communities,” Daines said. “The last thing our first responders should have to worry about is paying taxes or burdensome audits after suffering an injury in the line of duty. I will always Back the Blue and work to support the brave men
Montana’s senators reintroduce “Putting First Responders First Act”
HELENA, Mont. – Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) reintroduced a bill that looks to clarify the current tax code to ensure first responders do not have to pay taxes on injury-related compensation when hurt in the line of duty. According to a release, the “Putting First Responders First Act,” was inspired by the story of Ladd Paulson, a Billings police officer who is now retired. “In 2002, Mr. Paulson was hit by an impaired driver while he was conducting a routine traffic stop on his motorcycle,” the release says. “He survived the near-death experience, but was left
Daines Leads Senate Hearing on Mental Health, Addiction Challenges Facing Montana
U.S. SENATE — As the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee on Heath Care, Senator Steve Daines today led a hearing on improving mental health and addiction services in our communities, where he highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month – an issue at the top of my mind and many others following a year of isolation for Montanans and Americans across the country,” Daines said. “Since the pandemic, lockdowns, economic hardships, and social isolation have only helped intensify what we already know – we need