Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act Passes Senate Committee
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of his bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, clearing the way for a Senate vote on the bill. “For decades, the CSKT water dispute has gone unresolved in Montana, leading to uncertainty for thousands of Montanans across our state. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act which permanently settles the CSKT water dispute, protects the water rights of all Montanans, creates jobs, modernizes critical infrastructure needs in Northwestern Montana, protects Montana agriculture, avoids costly litigation and has the Trump administration’s
Guest view: EPA making progress on Superfund
This is an important year for the Environmental Protection Agency and for America’s environment. This year marks the agency’s 50th anniversary and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Superfund clean-up program, which was created to address America’s most contaminated properties. Throughout July, EPA is highlighting the success of programs like Superfund as part of our “Cleaning Up and Reusing America’s Land” month. During the Trump Administration, criteria air pollutant emissions have dropped 7% — making air quality the best it’s been since modern record keeping began — and our water is among the cleanest on the planet. I am proud
Daines Introduces Bill to Help Montanans Keep Their Health Care Plan If They Lose Their Jobs Due to COVID-19
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill to help thousands of working Montanans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 to retain their healthcare coverage. Daines’ bill would ensure Montanans are able to afford to keep their employee sponsored healthcare insurance by covering up to 85% of the cost of the plan. “Working Montanans and their families are facing serious hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic including losing their jobs and their health insurance,” Daines said. “That’s why I’m fighting to help ensure Montanans can afford to keep their health coverage if they lose their job because of COVID-19. Montanans shouldn’t be worried about not
Sen. Daines and EPA Administrator Visit Kalispell
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler visited with Kalispell city officials and EPA Region 8 Administrator Gregory Sopkin on June 24 to tour several Brownfields sites, which are now part of the Kalispell Core and Rail Redevelopment project. The project, which has paved the way for the Glacier Rail Park and the future Parkline Trail in downtown Kalispell, is a result of a Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grant in combination with a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and public and private funds. The Rail Park, former CHS Country Store, CHS Agronomy Center and
Montana senators focus on health care, business support in 4th COVID-19 bill
As details about a fourth round of the federal COVID-19 relief spending surface in the Senate, Montana lawmakers are putting forth what they would like to see in the bill. U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, a Republican, and Democrat Jon Tester are focused on several proposals ranging from a replacement for the Paycheck Protection Program to getting relief to local governments. Time is expiring on key programs created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress in late March. Better known as the CARES Act, the March bill was a $2 trillion response to a pandemic, which
Daines Questions Medical Equipment Imports From Other Countries
At a U. S. Senate Finance hearing on Tuesday, Senator Steve Daines posed questions to two Department of Homeland Security personnel on importing vital medical supplies from countries like China. “It’s long overdue that we end our reliance on foreign countries like China to produce medical equipment, supplies and life saving drugs,” said Daines. “That’s why I’ve taken swift action to put America first in leading the effort in Congress to support ‘Made in America’ manufacturing as well as jobs. I was able to secure $10 billion in the CARES Act to accelerate the development and manufacturing of drugs and
Top EPA official tours brownfield sites
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler got an up-close and personal look at the federal agency’s impact in Kalispell during a tour on Friday. Wheeler came from Washington, D.C., to join U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and local business leaders on a tour of brownfield sites throughout the city that have been redeveloped, thanks to $2 million in EPA funding. “We’re very happy Administrator Wheeler took the time to come to Kalispell,” said Katharine King, assistant director of Community and Economic Development with the city of Kalispell. “The EPA brownfield program has been a great resource for property owners
Daines Statement on Helena City Commission Vote to Defund Helena Police, Remove School Officers
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Helena City Commission’s voted not to cut $300,000 from the Helena Police Department’s personnel budget and remove School Resource Officers (SROs) from all school campuses. This statement follows Daines’ statement earlier today urging the Helena City Commission to vote against cutting funding to the Helena Police Department. “I’m glad the Helena City Commission decided to stand by our law enforcement today and ensure they have the resources needed to keep our communities and schools safe,” Daines said. Background: Daines is a strong supporter of the men and women
Daines Secures Major Montana Priorities in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the following Montana priorities that are included in the initial Phase Four Coronavirus Relief Package in the Senate. Daines fought for funding for a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic drugs, Montana jobs and workers, and support for Montana child care providers and working parents. “As Montana experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases, I will continue fighting for the health and economic livelihoods of Montana families. This latest COVID-19 relief package includes my provisions to increase funding for a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as supporting getting Montanans back to work and providing support