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Char-Koosta News: Daines introduces bill to combat meth use in Montana

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced bipartisan legislation, the Mitigating the Methamphetamine Epidemic and Promoting Tribal Health Act, or the Mitigating METH Act, to combat methamphetamine use across Montana and strengthen Indian tribes’ ability to fight this epidemic. “Methamphetamine use in Montana is tearing apart families and taking lives,” said Daines. “This is a crisis that needs immediate attention and more resources.” Background: • In the 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, Congress authorized $1 billion in funding over two years to address the opioid epidemic.  • Daines’ legislation would make efforts to combat methamphetamine use, alongside opioid abuse, eligible for funding under

Clark Fork Valley Press: Missoula International Airport Gains Two More Direct Routes

Sanders and Mineral County residents can get excited as Missoula International Airport is set to pick up two more direct routes. Routes to Dallas and Chicago are all thanks to American Airlines. American Airlines will begin their daily service from Dallas to Missoula on June 7, 2018. A daily summer seasonal service from Chicago to Missoula will also begin on that date. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., applauded the airline for the two new additions when announced last week. “More flights in and out of Missoula also means more choices for Montana families and more business and job opportunities in our

Daines introduces bill to combat meth use in state

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., introduced bipartisan legislation, the Mitigating the Methamphetamine Epidemic and Promoting Tribal Health Act, or the Mitigating METH Act, to combat methamphetamine use across Montana and strengthen Indian tribes’ ability to fight this epidemic. In the 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, Congress authorized $1 billion in funding over two years to address the opioid epidemic. The legislation would make efforts to combat methamphetamine use, alongside opioid abuse, eligible for funding under the 21st Century Cures Act.   Methamphetamine Crisis in Montana: Montana saw a 427 percent increase in methamphetamine violations from 2010-2015. 54 percent of

US News & World Report: State Officials Seek Investigation of Food-Inspection Agency

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — Montana‘s congressional delegation wants an independent investigation of the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Montana Standard reports Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte outlined their concerns about what they termed “alleged misconduct” within the agency in a jointly signed letter to the Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture. The delegation is seeking an investigation of the way the agency has treated Montana meat plants from the Inspector General’s office. The Inspector General is tasked with promoting “economy, efficiency, and integrity in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: The Community of Glasgow

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized the community of Glasgow for leading the way with their generosity during the holiday season. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. 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: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following is the statement submitted to

Capital Press: Senators call to renew voluntary access program in 2018 Farm Bill

Two U.S. senators are proposing to reauthorize a grant program in the 2018 Farm Bill that compensates landowners who open their property to public access. Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introduced legislation Monday to renew the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, which was met with cheers from sportsmen’s groups. Steve Kline, director of government relations for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership in Washington, D.C., said the VPA-HIP is the only federal program aimed at enhancing access to private lands for hunters and anglers. “One of the reasons people stop hunting and fishing is lack of

Seattle Times: Senate advances bills to preserve Montana creek, rename peak

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Senate has approved measures to protect a creek that flows through south-central Montana and to rename a peak in the southwestern portion of the state. The bills approved Wednesday had backing from Montana’s two U.S. senators — Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Steve Daines. The East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act would designate a 20-mile stretch of East Rosebud Creek as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The designation preserves rivers as free-flowing and prevents development. The Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act names a peak in the Madison range after

Congress Votes to Avoid Shutdown, Preserve Important Services for Montanans

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to avoid a government shut down and to preserve and protect services import to Montana’s children, seniors, and local communities. “This is a necessary vote to keep the government open and to fund CHIP,”said Daines. Additionally, the bill will: Provide $2.85 billion for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provide $550 million in funding for Community Health Centers. Prevent $23 million in cuts to mineral royalty penalties. Prevent cuts to Medicare. Provide $4.7 billion in funding for missile defense and other defense priorities. ###

Daines Introduces Bill to Combat Meth Use in Montana

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation, the Mitigating the Methamphetamine Epidemic and Promoting Tribal Health Act, or the Mitigating METH Act, to combat methamphetamine use across Montana and strengthen Indian tribes’ ability to fight this epidemic. “Methamphetamine use in Montana is tearing apart families and taking lives,” said Daines. “This is a crisis that needs immediate attention and more resources.” Additional sponsors include Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Background:  In the 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, Congress authorized $1 billion in funding over two years to address the opioid