Bipartisan bill to permit interstate sale of inspected meats, poultry introduced by Rounds
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) recently reintroduced a bipartisan bill to allow the interstate sale of state-inspected meats and poultry. “Our bill would allow these high-quality products that pass state inspection standards to be sold across state lines,” Sen. Rounds said, “opening up new markets for our producers and giving consumers greater choice at the grocery store.” Sen. Rounds on Jan. 28 sponsored the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act, S. 107, with 10 cosponsors including U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Joe Manchin III (D-WV), and Angus King (I-ME). Sen. Rounds and several of his colleagues previously introduced
GOP senators promise to oppose attacks on pro-life measures
Nearly all of the Republicans in the U.S. Senate have united to warn the Democratic leadership they will oppose any effort to overturn long-standing bans on federal funding of abortion. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and 47 other GOP senators promised Majority Leader Charles Schumer in a Feb. 5 letter that they will vote to block attempts to eradicate or diminish the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life protections. The Hyde Amendment, first adopted in 1976, bars federal funds in the Medicaid program from paying for abortions. The 48-member commitment is a promising development in efforts to maintain federal pro-life policies. As
Daines ‘deeply concerned’ with nomination of Haaland for Interior Secretary
After speaking with Rep. Deb Haaland, Sen. Steve Daines on Friday said in a statement that he is “deeply concerned with the Congresswoman’s support on several radical issues” and threatened to “block her confirmation.” If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Haaland will be the first Native American to hold the position. A Democratic representative from New Mexico, Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe. When Biden announced her nomination on Dec. 17 tribal members in Montana celebrated the historic pick. Daines cited Haaland’s support of the Green New Deal and President Joe Biden’s oil and gas moratorium as
Daines threatens to hold up Haaland confirmation
Rep. Deb Haaland’s confirmation hearing has yet to even be scheduled, but already at least one Senate Republican is pledging to block her nomination to serve as secretary of the Interior. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced Friday he would take steps to prevent Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, from leading the agency with jurisdiction over activities on public lands — one direct result of the backlash against President Biden’s executive orders to halt construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and pause new federal oil and gas leasing. “After our conversation, I’m deeply concerned with the Congresswoman’s support on several radical
Barrasso may oppose Haaland over Biden agenda
The top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is prepared to oppose Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to serve as President Biden’s nominee to lead the Interior Department, the latest in an ongoing confrontation between oil-friendly lawmakers and the new White House over its climate priorities on federal lands. “Representative Haaland’s radical views are squarely at odds with the responsible management of our nation’s energy resources,” Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming said in a statement to E&E News today. “Her vocal opposition to oil and gas production on federal lands will only encourage President Biden along the illegal
As Trump trial looms, Congress quietly preparing bill to make U.S. Postal Service profitable again
As the U.S. Senate is about to be weighed down with the second impeachment of Donald Trump, a bi-partisan push is quietly underway in both chambers to make the U.S. Postal Service profitable again. “This is the kind of common-sense bipartisan legislation that I came to Congress to try and introduce and I’m proud to be one of the folks who helped introduce and write this bill,” said U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, in an interview on Sunday’s Inside Texas Politics. The bill is called the U.S. Postal Service Fairness Act, and, if passed, would wipe away a massive financial
Daines, 47 Senators to Schumer: We’re in the Fight for Life Together. Will Vote to Block Any Radical, Pro-Abortion Agenda
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines, founder and chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, today led a letter with 47 other pro-life senators to send a unified message to Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer pledging that they will vote to block any bill that would undermine the Hyde Amendment or any other pro-life protections. “We are united in our resolve to guard against any changes to Federal law that would unsettle nearly half a century of bipartisan consensus against taxpayer funding for abortion on demand, or otherwise threaten the lives of unborn children. Accordingly, we are committed to vote against the advancement of any legislation that
Daines Statement After Meeting with Biden’s Interior Department Nominee Rep. Haaland
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after meeting with President Biden’s nominee to head the Department of the Interior, Representative Deb Haaland: “After our conversation, I’m deeply concerned with the Congresswoman’s support on several radical issues that will hurt Montana, our way of life, our jobs and rural America, including her support for the Green New Deal and President Biden’s oil and gas moratorium, as well as her opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline. I am also concerned by the responses I received about the role of the Department and lack of appreciation for issues that impact Montana such as wildlife management and hunting and sportsman access. I’m not convinced the Congresswoman can divorce her radical
Daines to Senate Democrats on Passage of Keystone Amendment: Amendment Vote is Great, Time to Cosponsor My Bill and Let’s Authorize It
U.S. SENATE – Following passage of his amendment showing support for the Keystone XL pipeline, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on his Democratic colleagues to join his legislation to authorize its construction. “I’m glad to see my amendment in support of the Keystone XL pipeline pass the Senate. To the Senate Democrats who voted yes, your support can’t stop here. Now it’s time to cosponsor my bill to authorize the project. Montana and our country need this pipeline. Our workers need this pipeline. Americans have already been given the pink slip. Their paychecks—gone. Let’s pass my bill and get it done,”