Secretary Mattis Agrees with Daines: America Must Address China’s Threat to America’s Security, Economy
U.S. SENATE — Following a recent congressional delegation trip U.S. Senator Steve Daines led to China, Daines pressed Department of Defense secretary Jim Mattis on the importance of protecting American innovation from theft and forced technology transfers in China today during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing. The current laws in place do not ensure sufficient protections. During the hearing, Secretary Mattis agreed with Daines about the need to protect American research and development, especially relating to national security. Watch video HERE. Download the video HERE. “The time has passed where America can be complacent,” said Daines. “China poses very
Daines Leads Charge against Harassment within Bureau of Indian Affairs
Daines Secures Interior Nominees’ Commitment to Maintain Harassment-Free Workplace U.S. SENATE — Today, during a hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, secured Interior Department nominee for Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Mac Lean Sweeney’s commitment to maintain a harassment-free workplace at the Department. During the hearing, Daines highlighted that the BIA reports the highest rate of harassment of any agency within the Interior Department. Ms. Sweeney assured Daines she would maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Watch video HERE. Download
Missoula Current: Daines: Water act funds Blackfeet water rights settlement, funds boat inspection stations
Legislation introduced in Congress this week would expand the capacity for water storage and include funding for the Blackfeet Tribe water rights settlement, along with other issues identified as Western state priorities, including floodwater protection. Sens. Steve Daines, chairman of the Western Caucus, and John Barrasso, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said the measures are included in America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. “This is an important first step for Montana families, farmers, ranchers, the Blackfeet Tribe and Western states,” Daines said. “Inclusion of funding for the Blackfeet Tribe water rights settlement and for watercraft inspection stations
Daines, Warren, Shea-Porter, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline National Guard Promotion Process
Legislation Would Remove Bureaucratic Obstacles to Ensure Guard Officers Receive Pay and Benefits They Have Earned U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who was rated one of the Senate’s most bipartisan Senators, and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representatives Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) today introduced the bipartisan National Guard Promotion Accountability Act to address delays in federal recognition of promotions for National Guard members. The bill would compensate Guard officers who serve at a higher rank while waiting for federal recognition by backdating their date of rank to the date at which it was recognized
Daines: Montana Counties Set to Receive over $17 Million in SRS Payments
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Forest Service will allocate over $17 million to Montana’s rural and forested counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. The Forest Service this week released 2017 SRS payment levels for Montana counties following the recent reauthorization of the critical program. “These much-needed funds are critical for Montana’s rural counties who have fallen on hard economic times due to declining timber harvests and natural resource production,” said Daines. “I will continue to fight for long-term solutions that strengthen the health of forests and create good-paying jobs so rural counties
Teen Vogue: What the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day of Awareness Meant to Native Women
On April 25, the U.S. Senate declared May 5, 2018, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The resolution was introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) in honor of Hanna Harris, a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe, whose birthday is on May 5. She went missing in 2013; when her remains were found, authorities discovered that she had been raped and murdered. Missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) is an epidemic in North America. On some reservations, Native women are murdered at a rate of 10 times the national average, and four out of five Native women have experienced violence in
Independent Record: After 26 years with U.S. Marshals Service, Billings native now leads the agency in Montana
Rod Ostermiller is ready to hit the ground running. The 48-year-old Billings native officially took the reins as U.S. marshal for Montana on Wednesday, after being approved by the U.S. Senate and confirmed by President Donald Trump. A formal swearing in ceremony will likely take place in June. Hired onto the force at age 21, he’s worked his way up the ranks. “It’s a huge honor,” Ostermiller said in a recent interview. The post of U.S. marshal is a political appointment, and Ostermiller said it’s relatively rare to see someone like himself — a career deputy — be named to the
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Announce Manhattan’s Alexa Arthun’s Offer of Appointment from the Naval Academy
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte today announced academy nominee Alexa Arthun’s offer of appointment from the United States Naval Academy. Arthun lives in Manhattan, Montana where she attends Manhattan High School. “Alexa has an outstanding academic and athletic record and a passion to serve our country,” said Daines. “I know she will excel at the Naval Academy and inspire her peers through her leadership.” “Alexa is one of the very best Montana has to offer,” Tester said. “She has proven herself to be a dedicated student, athlete, and a leader in Manhattan. I
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Announce Helena’s Madison Ward’s Offer of Appointment from the Naval Academy
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte today announced academy nominee Madison Ward’s offer of appointment from the United States Naval Academy. Ward lives in Helena, Montana. “With her experience living abroad, academic and extracurricular achievements and leadership roles, Madison would be a great fit for the Naval Academy,” said Daines. “She is one of Montana’s finest and I look forward to following her future successes.” “Madison will make Montana proud at the Naval Academy,” Tester said. “As a student and coach, she has demonstrated leadership that will guide her to further success. I wish