Senate braces for fight over renewing lapsed surveillance powers
Senate leaders are preparing for what could be a protracted brawl over government surveillance powers during a rare public debate Wednesday over how to reauthorize key national security tools that lapsed two months ago. The two-day floor debate threatens to start a domino effect across the Capitol and down Pennsylvania Avenue — and the Senate’s civil libertarians are girding for a fight that Republican leaders acknowledge could get ugly. “At this point it’s sort of a Wild West, I would say,” predicted Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.), who, like other GOP leaders, is hoping for swift passage of a
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Lead Bipartisan Letter to Trump in Support of State Funeral for Last Surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient
U.S. CONGRESS—U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester, and U.S. Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a bipartisan letter today calling on President Donald Trump to designate a state funeral in honor of the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, and to recognize millions of Americans for their service and sacrifice during the war. “The ‘Greatest Generation’ represents the character and strength of Montana and the United States of America,” the delegation wrote. “For example, Montana’s very own Captain William W. Galt, U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII for gallantry, risking his life, while serving
Daines Secures Over $1 Million for Community Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be directing $1,258,912 to Montana through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. “This critical funding will support Montana’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic including low-income individuals and families and Montana seniors,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have worked to secure these resources for our communities and I will continue working to ensure Montana’s local needs are met during this crisis.” The CSBG funding supports projects that: Lessen poverty in communities Address the needs of low-income individuals including the
Lawmakers, groups mount pressure campaign for LWCF, parks bill
Nearly 120 House members and hundreds of organizations are ramping up pressure on Congress to include mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and billions of dollars to address the backlog in national parks and public lands maintenance in the next round of coronavirus relief legislation. The push shows efforts to enact the bipartisan package remain high on its supporters’ agenda despite having a planned March vote on a package, S. 3422 (116), led by Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Steve Daines of Montana, derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Given the clear bipartisan support in both
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Victory Sewers of Sanders County
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized the Victory Sewers of Sanders County for their tremendous impact on the state of Montana. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: HERE. The following is a statement submitted to the Congressional Record: Mr. DAINES. Mr. President,
Daines: We Must Support the Postal Service, Protect Rural Montana Communities Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Senate leadership urging emergency funding, additional borrowing authority, and debt forgiveness to support the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and help it survive the current national pandemic. “The Postal Service plays a critical role in American society, and its services are needed now more than ever, especially in our rural communities where local access to grocery stores, pharmacies, and other vital services is often limited or nonexistent,” Daines wrote. “Without immediate relief, the USPS may have to limit or cease operations, which would cause significant harm to Americans who
Daines Secures Over $3 Million for Montana’s Health Centers to Expand Coronavirus Testing in Montana
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be directing $3,004,376 to 14 health centers across Montana to expand testing for COVID-19. “As we work to safely reopen the economy, it’s critical that Montana has the ability to conduct widespread testing, and health centers are essential to make testing more accessible,” Daines said. “I will continue working with our health care professionals on the front lines of this pandemic to get them the resources they need to expand testing.” The $3,004,376 will be directed to the following facilities: $249,049 to Bighorn Valley
Daines Introduces Bill to Extend President Trump’s 60-Day Immigration Ban to Support American Workers
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines is introducing legislation to temporarily extend President Trump’s 60-day ban on immigration to support American workers and jobs as the nation begins to safely reopen the economy. Currently, President Trump’s 60-day ban expires on June 23rd, 2020. “I’m proud to back President Trump and his efforts to put the American worker first as we begin to safely reopen the economy and support those who lost their jobs because of the Coronavirus pandemic.” Daines said. “I will always fight to protect and put Montanan and American workers and jobs first.” Daines legislation will extend the
Daines to introduce bill codifying, extending Trump’s temporary immigration restrictions
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is set to introduce legislation that would codify and extend President Trump’s executive order to restrict some immigrants from entering the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fox News has learned. Daines’ bill would temporarily extend the immigration ban until 60 days after the coronavirus national emergency order is lifted, with the goal of giving U.S. workers an advantage to fill necessary jobs before immigration restarts. Trump’s executive order is currently slated to expire in mid-June — although Trump has previously hinted the ban could potentially go for a “lot longer” than that. Fox News is told that other lawmakers are