Daines said it was a team effort to get Guthrie released
Senator Steve Daines emphasized that it was a team effort to get Guthrie McLean released from the detention center in China. He said he received an email from Jennifer McLean, Guthrie’s mother, at 11:53 AM Mountain Time saying, “Prayers answered. Guthrie is home.” Daines said he has been in contact with the highest level of the Chinese government and is pleased with the outcome. He has had countless phone calls and email threads with Terry Branstad, the U.S. Ambassador to China and Cui Tiankai, the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. They were all working 20-hour days this past week. Daines
US student freed after week in Chinese detention
An American college student is free following a weeklong detention for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that drew objections over the student’s treatment from U.S. lawmakers. Guthrie McLean, a student at the University of Montana, was released from a detention center in Zhengzhou early Monday, according to his mother Jennifer McLean, a teacher who lives in the central Chinese city. “We are very, very very, very happy,” Jennifer McLean wrote in an email to The Associated Press. She said the release — at 2 a.m. local time
Detained college student Guthrie McLean released by Chinese authorities
A U.S. senator announced Sunday that Guthrie McLean, a 25-year-old college student, was released by Chinese authorities after he was arrested a week ago following a dispute with a taxi driver who was allegedly being rough with his mother. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., made the announcement Sunday and said Chinese police released McLean earlier in the day. “I am thrilled to report that we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’” Daines said in a statement. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American officials to secure Guthrie’s freedom from a Chinese
Senator: Chinese authorities have released detained U.S. student
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced Sunday that Chinese authorities have released a 25-year-old American college student detained a week ago. “I am thrilled to report we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’ ” Daines said in a statement. McLean was taken into custody by Chinese authorities after allegedly injuring a taxi driver who had gotten into an argument with his mother a week ago, according to The Associated Press. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American officials to secure Guthrie’s freedom from a Chinese detention facility, he has
Student detained in China has been released, according to senator
An American college student who was arrested in China one week ago after allegedly injuring a taxi driver who was roughing up his mother in a dispute over a fare has been released, according to a U.S. senator. Steve Daines, the U.S. Senator from Montana, released a statement today announcing the release of Guthrie McLean, 25, at 2 a.m. local time in China. “I am thrilled to report that we just received an email from Guthrie McLean’s mother that ‘prayers answered, Guthrie is home,’” Daines said in a statement. “After days of working the phones with top Chinese and American
Daines Works to Improve Montana’s Energy and Water Development
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to improve the future of Montana energy and water development. This afternoon, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bipartisan FY2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. “We need to provide the necessary tools to restore American energy dominance and keep our communities strong,” Daines stated. “I’m thrilled to secure important resources that deliver reliable water to Montanans.” During the mark-up the committee unanimously adopted Daines’ amendment to ensure farmers can use their water rights to grow industrial hemp in states where industrial hemp cultivation is allowed. The Bureau of Reclamation has
U.S. college student being detained in China, his mother says
A University of Montana student is in custody in China after an altercation with a cab driver, the student’s mother tells CBS Missoula, Montana affiliate KPAX-TV. Jennifer McLean says her son, Guthrie McLean, is accused of assaulting the taxi driver – but says it happened after the driver attacked her. Local police in China refused to confirm or deny to CBS News that Guthrie is being held. According to KPAX, Guthrie McLean essentially grew up in China, where Jennifer teaches English. But in recent years, Guthrie has been enrolled at the University of Montana. In late May, Jennifer tells KPAX, he
Daines, Gianforte Announce $187,606 in Funding for the Montana Public Service Commission Towards Pipeline Safety
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte today announced $187,606 in funding for pipeline safety programs awarded to the Montana Public Service Commission. This funding will pay up to 80 percent of Montana’s cost for personnel, equipment and activities to carry out inspection and enforcement of pipeline safety regulations. “Pipeline infrastructure is critical for energy, jobs and protecting the environment in Montana,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased that this funding will ensure proper safety programs for our pipeline infrastructure.” “The safety of pipelines in Montana is critical to the wellbeing of our state’s natural treasures,” Gianforte stated. “These funds will ensure that pipelines
Daines’ office working to help UM student detained in China
Zhengzhou, China – A spokesperson for Senator Steve Daines says they are working with the Chinese government to free a University of Montana student who was detained in China earlier this week. Guthrie McLean is accused of assaulting a cab driver on June 10 in Zhengzhou, China. Daines’ press secretary Katie Waldman says the senator is “Working at all levels of the Chinese Government to free McLean.” Waldman confirmed that the US Consulate in Wuhan will meet with McLean. She says that the US Embassy, Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are all coordinating with police in Henan and Zhengzhou to expedite the