Daines Votes to Advance Bipartisan B-47 Ridge, PILT Bills
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to advance two big Montana wins out of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including his bipartisan bill to name the B-47 Ridge in honor of the four servicemen who lost their lives in an Air Force B-47 Bomber crash in Montana. Click HERE to download full video. “This is about honoring and remembering the story of the brave men who tragically lost their lives in a B-47 Bomber Crash in SW Montana in 1962,” Daines said. “After over a half century, it is time we get them the memorial and
Bill to designate B-47 Ridge advances in Senate
A bill to name a ridge on the east side of the Paradise Valley for an Air Force bomber that crashed there in 1962 has advanced in the U.S. Senate. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously backed S. 490, which would name the southwestern arm of Emigrant Peak B-47 Ridge. With the vote Thursday, the bill advances to the Senate Floor. Naming the ridge is meant to honor the four pilots who died in the crash — Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh, Lt. David Sutton and Lt. Lloyd Sawyers. The bill is backed by Montana’s entire congressional
Daines, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Permanently Settle CSKT Water Dispute, Protect Water Rights of All Montanans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced the bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act (MWRPA), a new agreement to permanently settle the century-old CSKT water dispute, and protect the water rights of all Montanans. “After years of hard work and negotiations with the Tribe and other stakeholders across Montana, I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation today that will permanently protect the water rights of all Montanans,” Daines said. “This bipartisan bill and settlement is a good-faith compromise that will bring final resolution to a century long water dispute, avoid years of costly litigation, and save taxpayers over $400
Little Shell Tribe moves closer to federal recognition
The Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa Indians is once again on the verge of winning a generations-long battle to be recognized by the federal government. Legislation granting the Great Falls-based tribe federal recognition is attached to the National Defense Authorization Act. Federal recognition is required for the tribe and its 5,400 members in order for them to be eligible for federal resources for economic development, health, and education. The journey to federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe has been difficult and faced roadblocks over the years. It came closest to passing in the closing days of the 115th Congress, but U.S. Senator Mike
Daines Statement on NorthWestern Energy’s Planned Investment in Colstrip
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip. “NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip is good news for the Colstrip community and all of Montana,” Daines said. “The power coming out of Colstrip is essential to Montanans’ access to more low-cost, reliable energy. NorthWestern’s increased ownership in Unit 4 will ensure affordable rates for their customers and a strong partnership with the Colstrip community. I will continue working with folks in Colstrip and Rosebud County to ensure Colstrip, and Montana’s energy portfolio, remains strong.” Daines has been
Federal recognition likely as Little Shell Chippewa Tribe bill moves forward
The National Defense Authorization Act, which contains an amendment giving federal recognition for the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, cleared a congressional conference committee Monday, bringing optimism from Montana’s federal delegation that the bill will finally pass. Reuters reported the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees said they reached an agreement on the $738-billion spending bill for the Department of Defense, considered a must-pass piece of legislation, after months of negotiations. “I am almost without words — the magnitude of this moment,” Little Shell Chair Gerald Gray said Monday night. He said he had been told the news by Montana’s GOP
Daines Successfully Retains Little Shell Recognition, Montana Defense Priorities in Final NDAA
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he successfully preserved big wins for Montana in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) including the federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and critical defense priorities for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. Daines fought for years to help get federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe. Earlier this year, Daines successfully fought to include federal recognition of the Tribe as an amendment in the Senate passed NDAA. Daines then successfully demanded it be included in the final NDAA. “Today is great news for Montana. After
Daines to introduce sweeping legislation to settle CSKT’s Flathead water claims
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Steve Daines says a newly-developed settlement would bring a permanent solution to the dispute over tribal water rights claims in Western Montana, in a deal worth upwards of $2 billion. The settlement, which forms the framework of a new agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, would replace the pending Flathead Water Compact . News of the agreement came Thursday after recent statements from Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and US Attorney General William Barr gave new indications of movement in the dispute, which had been stalled at the federal level for the past four years. Sen. Daines
Daines’ bipartisan bill prioritizes elimination of invasive aquatic species
Bipartisan legislation introduced on Dec. 4 by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) would prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in America’s western waters, including in his home state of Montana. “Empowering our local communities with the resources they need to ensure our waterways, rivers and lakes remain free from these invasive species is critical to our Montana way of life,” Sen. Daines said. The Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2019, S. 2975, offered by lead original cosponsor Sen. Daines and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), would authorize funding to prevent invasive species from negatively