Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Public Lands Package with Critical Montana, Conservation Priorities
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored a bipartisan legislative lands package that benefits Montana including permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “This would be one of the biggest accomplishments for conservation and protection of our public lands in Montana and across our country in decades,” Daines said. “Last month I secured commitment for a vote on this public lands package, and I’m pleased to see it is closer to becoming a reality. I look forward to getting these bills signed into law to help protect our public lands, expand sportsman access, and protect wildlife habitat.”
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Gateway of Yellowstone National Park
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to protect one of our nation’s great treasures, Yellowstone National Park. “In Montana, we’re blessed to have so many of our nation’s national treasures in our backyard. But along with that privilege comes the responsibility to protect those treasures,” Daines stated. “Some places are just too special to mine, and the Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin near Yellowstone is one of them. That’s why I’m committed to protecting this area for future generations to come.” The Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act permanently withdraws approximately 30,000 acres of the Paradise Valley and Gardiner
Montana’s Sen. Steve Daines lands rare committee appointments, political clout
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will do something no senator has done in 75 years: serve on both the Senate Finance and Appropriations committees, a move expected to give Montana unusual clout and gird Daines for the 2020 elections. The assignment gives Montana a seat at the table on the committee responsible for prescription drug prices, Medicaid, Medicare, taxes and trade. It also puts Daines on two of the Senate’s most powerful “juice committees,” which boost a lawmaker’s ability to leverage campaign funds. By being on the two committees, Daines will have a first vote on every federal dollar raised and
Daines, Gianforte Introduce First Bill of 116th Congress: No Balanced Budget, No Pay
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today introduced their first bill of the 116th Congress, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, to strengthen accountability in Washington, D.C. “It’s long overdue that members of Congress are held accountable for their dysfunction in government funding,” Daines said. “Just like every hardworking Montana family and small business across this country – members of Congress shouldn’t get paid until they balance the budget.” “With out-of-control spending digging our country into a deeper hole, Congress has to stop digging and show some fiscal discipline,” Gianforte said. “Hardworking Montana families make their ends meet, and the federal government should
Park Service Plan Would Fund Maintenance During Government Shutdown
An unprecedented move by the National Park Service could free up millions of dollars for staffing and cleaning-up trash and restrooms at Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks during the partial federal government shutdown. Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt says many of the burdens facing the two iconic parks in Montana as a result of the shutdown should be addressed within the coming days. The agency says it will tap into the entrance fees park visitors pay to cover staffing during the shutdown. On Saturday Republican Senator Steve Daines wrote Burnhardt requesting to restart lapsed work in national parks, including the
Interior Department approves emergency aid for cleaning national parks in Montana
The National Park Service, faced with overflowing garbage and toilets as the government shutdown enters its third week, plans to tap entrance fees to pay for expanded operations at its most popular sites, the Washington Post reported Sunday. The move came as Sen. Steve Daines urged the Park Service to find a way to ease pressure on communities surrounding the parks, which have pitched in with volunteers at popular places like Yellowstone National Park. Daines wrote acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Saturday, advising him to allow some federal spending to supplement volunteer maintenance efforts. President Donald Trump shut down
Daines Will Withhold Pay During Government Shutdown
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter requesting that the Secretary of the U.S. Senate withhold his pay during the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government. “I believe all sides need to come together to enhance border security and reopen the government.” Daines wrote. “Until that occurs and Border Patrol agents and other federal personnel again receive their paychecks, I think it would be inappropriate for me to receive my pay.” Click HERE to read the full letter. Background: -Senator Daines introduced a bill that would keep the government running and end shutdowns that disrupt critical government services and cost taxpayers billions. -Senator Daines also
Daines Secures Funding to Keep Critical National Parks Services Open During Government Shutdown
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured funding to keep critical National Parks services open during the government shutdown. In a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, Daines urged him to fund critical National Parks services during the government shutdown. After receiving Daines’ letter, Bernhardt ordered the Park Service to use funds for critical those services. “Our communities should not be in danger as a result of the political games going on in Washington, DC,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see the Department of Interior will fund these critical programs while the government is shut down, supporting
Daines Announces Committee Assignments for 116th US Congress
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his committee assignments for the 116th U.S. Congress. Senate Republican leadership has asked Daines to serve on the U.S. Senate Committees on Finance, Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and Indian Affairs Committees. “It is an honor to represent the people of Montana in the United States Senate and I will continue working on their behalf in the new Congress,” Daines stated. “I will continue fighting for balanced budgets, responsible government spending, less taxes, active management of our public lands and resources, and upholding our responsibility to Montana’s tribes. I look forward to working on