Daines Statement on the Passing of Lt. Col Ian McBeth
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after learning Lt. Col Ian McBeth of Great Falls tragically died while battling Australian wildfires. “I am saddened to hear about the passing of Lt. Col Ian McBeth,” Daines said. “Lt. Col McBeth passed in service to others, helping the people of Australia battle their wildfire crisis. My prayers are with his wife and family in Great Falls.” ###
Daines Fights to Protect Montanans from Government Spy Programs
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will be introducing bipartisan legislation to protect the civil liberties and privacy of Montanans from government spying programs. Daines’ bipartisan bill reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act which the National Security Agency has used to create a secret mass surveillance program that swept up millions of Americans’ phone calls. “Montanans want their privacy protected. That’s why I’m fighting to protect our civil liberties and stop the federal government from interfering into our lives,” Daines said. Daines’ bipartisan Safeguarding Americans’ Private Records Act reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act
Daines criticizes impeachment trial, says case ‘incomplete’
Sen. Steve Daines on Wednesday criticized the impeachment proceedings now under in the Senate against fellow Republican President Donald Trump, saying it was the most partisan impeachment proceeding in the country’s history. “It reminded me of when I went to high school in Bozeman, Montana. If I turned in a term paper and it was half complete, my teacher would toss it back to me and say ‘You didn’t get it done, it’s incomplete,’” the Montana Republican said during remarks shown on CSPAN2. “That is what I felt like what we saw last night was an incomplete case, they have not
Daines – Tester Release Statements as Impeachment Trial Begins
Montana Senator Steve Daines released the following comment after the first day of the ongoing impeachment process. “I voted to ensure we have a fair impeachment trial of President Trump in the U.S. Senate, one that respects due process, allows arguments from both sides, and gives President Trump the opportunity to defend himself.” Danies’ office said the McConnell Resolution, which passed the U.S. Senate (and is the guideline the Senate will follow moving forward), gives both the House Managers and the President’s team equal opportunities to present their case. Senior Senator Jon Tester tweeted this comment at the start of the trial
Daines at Supreme Court to support plaintiffs in case against state
Sen. Steve Daines said he went to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to support plaintiffs in the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case, in which the state is being sued by parents over a prohibition from using public funds for religious schools. “I am standing in front of the United States Supreme Court about ready to go inside to hear oral arguments about a case very relevant to the state of Montana,” Daines said in a video his office posted. “This is the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue case. This is about the fact that Montana parents
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Linda Rost
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Linda Rost for her 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, this week I have
Montana school-aid case sparks national battle before U.S. Supreme Court
HELENA — A Montana case that’s become a politically charged battle over public aid to church-affiliated schools is before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday, as school-choice advocates ask the court to strike down Montana’s constitutional ban on the aid. The case pits a trio of Kalispell parents whose children go to Stillwater Christian School against Montana and its constitution – but the decision clearly has national ramifications. More than 50 groups and individuals have filed “friend of the court” briefs, advocating for one side or the other. Two-thirds of those briefs are from supporters of private religious schools or “school
NAFTA replacement passes Senate, on the way to President Trump
A signature effort for President Donald Trump passed Congress Thursday, with the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement intended to take the place of the 1990s North American Free Trade Agreement passing the Senate 89-10. Montana Farm Bureau praised the agreement’s passage. “Montana Farm Bureau has long been pushing for this agreement which will greatly benefit our state’s farmers and ranchers,” MFBF President Hans McPherson said in a press release. “Farm Bureau thanks Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte for voting to ratify the agreement.” The release said USMCA is expected to result in a $65 billion increase in gross
Daines Secures Passage of USMCA out of U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for a critical trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, called the “USMCA,” out of the U.S. Senate. The trade agreement now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. “This trade deal is a big win for our farmers, ranchers, and small businesses across Montana and the country,” Daines said. “This deal provides certainty for Montana ag and protects critical access to our two biggest trading partners. I’m thankful for President Trump’s leadership getting this done, and look forward to it being signed into law.” To