North Dakota, Montana reaction to Keystone cancellation
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte urged Biden to reconsider. “A symbolic gesture for your fledgling, hours-old administration, this decision has real and devastating consequences in Montana,” he said. “With your executive order, gone are the thousands of good-paying American jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to support our local communities and schools, the opportunity to advance America’s green energy infrastructure, and America’s energy security.” Gianforte added that the decision itself is counter both to Biden’s campaign slogans to “build back better” and to environmental safety itself. “With its construction terminated, the oil will still reach markets in the U.S.
Biden, in a Burst of Climate Orders, Rejoins the Paris Agreement
WASHINGTON — President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Wednesday recommitted the United States to the Paris climate agreement, the international accord designed to avert catastrophic global warming, and ordered federal agencies to start reviewing and reinstating more than 100 environmental regulations that were weakened or rolled back by former President Donald J. Trump. The moves represent a first step in healing one of the deepest rifts between the United States and the rest of the world after Mr. Trump defiantly rejected the Paris pact and seemed to relish his administration’s push to weaken or undo major domestic climate policies. Mr.
Republicans call for Senate review before U.S. re-enters Paris climate deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of Republican senators on Wednesday called on newly sworn-in President Joe Biden to submit his plan to re-engage the United States in the Paris climate agreement to lawmakers for “review and consideration,” moments after Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the accord. Biden’s announcement that he would seek to return the United States to the agreement was the centerpiece of a raft of day-one executive orders aimed at restoring U.S. leadership in combating global warming. However, the senators’ move reflects the deep-seated political divisions over global warming policy that are likely to dog Democrat
Second round of Paycheck Protection Program funds now available
News from the office of Senator Daines U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that beginning this week, Montana small businesses heavily impacted by the pandemic are able to apply for the second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans. “This PPP funding is critical for Montana small businesses who have been hit hard due to the pandemic,” Daines said. “This funding will help keep Montana small businesses open and their workers employed. I’m glad I was able to help secure it.” Montana’s hardest hit businesses can begin applying for their first draw PPP loans, and beginning Jan. 13,
Western Senators Demand Biden Reverse Course On Keystone Pipeline
A delegation of Republican western senators are warning Joe Biden against his decision to axe the Trump administration’s permit for the Keystone Pipeline on his first day in office Wednesday. The pipeline, currently running oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to Illinois and Texas, has consistently been a hot political issue since it was proposed more than a decade ago. Its construction was initially blocked by the Obama-Biden White House. Biden, according to CNN, now appears poised to reverse Trump’s approval and bring an end to the project, costing upwards of 11,000 jobs, 8,000 of which are union, and
Sen. Daines tweets: “Biden has already started his attack on American energy projects”
HELENA, Mont. – Senator Steve Daines took to Twitter Wednesday, speaking out on President Joe Biden’s actions on day one. Sen. Daines tweeted this thread: On day one, @JoeBiden has already started his attack on American energy projects. — Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) January 20, 2021 First, his disastrous Paris Climate Agreement action. Now his decision to kill the Keystone XL pipeline which will jeopardize American energy security & destroy American JOBS. We must do everything we can to keep construction of the pipeline going. — Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) January 20, 2021 That’s why I’m introducing legislation to reverse
Daines to Biden: Save the Keystone XL Pipeline
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged President-Elect Joe Biden to support the completion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. This project is expected to provide approximately 11,000 direct high-paying jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs, generate tax revenue, increase renewable-energy demand, reduce emissions and strengthen North American energy independence. Completion of the pipeline is critical to rural, energy producing states like Montana. “Mr. President-elect, during the campaign you challenged America to “Build Back Better” by investing in new infrastructure and energy technologies, creating high-paying blue-collar jobs, and preparing for the energy mix of the future. With these and other commitments, Keystone XL meets that important test. We
Daines to Biden Treasury Secretary Nominee: Help Support Montana Small Businesses, Do Not Raise Taxes
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pressed President-elect Biden’s Treasury Secretary Nominee Dr. Janet Yellen about the new administration’s plans to raise taxes, urging no new taxes be raised. To watch the exchange, click HERE. “I am concerned by President-elect Biden’s plans to increase taxes, and think that raising taxes in general, but particularly in the middle of a pandemic, is harmful for growth,” Daines said. In the hearing, Daines highlighted the economic growth the nation was seeing before the pandemic hit with historically low unemployment rates. Daines also urged Dr. Yellen to support his bipartisan bill, the “Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act” and
Tester, Daines, Rosendale all plan to attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration
The U.S. Capitol and the surrounding area is on high alert after the riot that took place just over a week ago. Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, Montana legislators are planning on attending the ceremony in person, despite changes. Senator Jon Tester’s (D-MT) office confirmed Monday night that the senator is planning on attending the inauguration in person. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) plans on attending and said it’s a long standing tradition. “I will be attending President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony,” Daines said. “It is a privilege to attend as it is a long-standing tradition, signals a