Daines Introduces Bill to Delist Grizzly Bears, Put Management Back in the Hands of Montanans
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2021,” which would remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species List, prevent further obstruction in the courts, and return management of the species back to the hands of Montanans. Watch and download video statement HERE. “The science is clear: the grizzly bear population has more than recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Area. Wildlife management must be determined by science, not by activist judges. Montana-led management is what’s best for our communities, public safety, ecosystems, wildlife, and the grizzly bear itself. It
Daines, Tester Introduce National Asbestos Awareness Week
U.S. Senate –U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are teaming up to push a Senate resolution designating the first week of April 2021 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. “Too many Montanans have tragically suffered at the hands of asbestos,” Daines said. “We must continue to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos, and prevent what happened in Libby and Troy from occurring again. We need to work together to protect the health of Montanans across the state and shed a light on the serious medical implications of asbestos exposure.” “Montanans know all too well the dangers of asbestos, but
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Public Safety, Support Montana Small Businesses
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill, the “Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act,” to ensure that legal cannabis businesses have access to banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Today, many legal cannabis businesses must conduct all of their business entirely in cash. “Montana businesses shouldn’t have to operate in all cash—they should have a safe way to conduct business,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill will provide needed certainty for legal Montana cannabis businesses and give them the ability to freely use banks, credit unions and other financial institutions without the fear of punishment. This in turn will help increase public safety, reduce crime, support Montana small businesses, create jobs and boost local
Daines, Tester backing bill to give marijuana businesses access to banking
HELENA — Montana’s U.S. senators are backing a bipartisan bill that would give legal medical and recreational marijuana businesses in the state access to banking. Sen. Steve Daines is the lead Republican sponsor of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, or “SAFE Banking Act,” introduced on Tuesday. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon is the lead Democratic sponsor, and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is among 27 co-sponsors. Cannabis businesses – even those that operate legally in their respective states – aren’t typically able to use banks or credit unions because marijuana remains illegal under federal law. That means much of
Sen. Daines to Newsmax TV: Southern Border Crisis a Montana Crisis on Northern Border
Sen. Steve Daines said the overwhelming number of immigrants crossing the southern border is having a devastating effect on his northern border state of Montana, telling Newsmax TV that drugs and human trafficking are inundating the “Big Sky Country.” “We border Canada in Montana,” Daines said on “Spicer and Co.” on Tuesday. “The reason it’s a southern border crisis for us up in Montana is the drugs that are pouring into our state.” Relating a story told to him only an hour earlier, Daines said a sheriff in Montana had seven Mexican cartel members in his jail as they spoke.
Daines bill would allow cannabis businesses to bank
Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines on Tuesday introduced a Senate bill to grant banks permission to provide services to cannabis businesses, aptly timed for wider participation in Montana’s upcoming recreational marijuana market. Movement on the federal legislation comes as Montana lawmakers are preparing to heave a 264-page piece of legislation through the remaining weeks of the legislative session. As marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, banks are prohibited by federal law from providing cannabis companies with any financial service, including bank accounts, credit cards and business loans. That means businesses are cash-only, which can lead to additional accounting costs
Daines Slams Report of Biden Sending Illegal Aliens Apprehended at the Southern Border to Northern Border States
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines is demanding answers from the Biden administration following reports of plans to transport illegal aliens apprehended at the southern border to northern border states, like Montana, for processing and urging them to stop in their tracks and not proceed with any action of this sort. “The current crisis at our southwest border is a direct result of the actions taken by your Department and by President Biden to undermine the successful programs instituted by the previous administration. On day one this administration sought to institute a pause on deportations, end Migrant Protection Protocols, end construction
Daines Cosponsors Bill to Support Montana Veterans Affected by Burn Pits
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored legislation to help veterans who were exposed to toxins, specifically burn pits, while serving in the military. The bill, “Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act,” would lift a barrier that prevents veterans from receiving care from Department of Veterans Affairs. “Many of Montana’s veterans suffer serious health complications after serving our country and it’s our duty to ensure they receive the care they need,” Daines said. “This bill requires the VA to take proactive steps to protect our Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans, to avoid repeating past mistakes.” The “Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act” would: Acknowledge an
Daines honors farmers and ranchers on National Ag Day
Montana is known for many great things, our national parks, skiing in the winter, fishing in the summer, beautiful mountains, incredible wildlife… and our rich agricultural heritage. Agriculture is the number one economic driver in Montana. From sugar beets, to wheat, to cattle and sheep, Montana relies on its ranchers and farmers. In many parts of Montana, especially eastern Montana, there is farm and ranch land as far as the eye can see. There’s even nearly three times more head of cattle than there are people in Montana. It’s undeniable. Ag is ingrained in the fabric of Montana. We rely