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American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt was delighted to learn on this historic Flag Day that U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has introduced a bill to give Congress the authority to prohibit physical desecration of the U.S. flag. The measure follows introduction of a similar bill in the House on Feb. 2 by Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark. “Both houses of Congress now have the opportunity to do what most Americans believe should be done – pass a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from deliberate acts of physical desecration,” said Schmidt, leader of the nation’s largest organization of

A Virginia shooting that left five wounded this morning, including House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, rattles Montana’s Congressional delegation but has them sending praise to Capitol police. Both of Montana’s Senators, Republican Steve Daines and Democrat Jon Tester, were in Washington D.C. at the time of the shooting. “The news we received this morning, is something you never, ever want to hear,” Sen. Daines said this morning from his office in Washington. “I’m grateful for the first responders, the Capitol police who took out the gunman, and how they protect us here in Washington every day.” House votes and events

Montana’s congressional delegation offered responses to the shooting at the congressional baseball practice today. “Sharla and I send our thoughts and prayers to Representative Scalise, his family and staff, the capital police officers who bravely protect us every day,” said Senator Jon Tester in a conference call with reporters. “Senseless violence like this reminds us that when tragedy strikes, we’re Americans first.” In a statement released by his campaign, Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte said he and his wife were also praying for those effected. “My heart broke this morning with the news of the shooting in Washington, D.C. Susan and I are praying for U.S.

“I welcome China taking this important step to start allowing U.S. beef imports after shutting them out over 13 years ago”, says U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that China, who imported $2.5 billion worth of beef in 2016, will soon begin importing United States beef. The deal is part of a trade agreement between the two countries. Before the ban, the United States was China’s largest supplier of imported beef. China banned US beef almost 14 years ago because of concerns of mad cow disease. “As we clear away long-standing issues like this one, focusing

It’s an accomplishment more than 13 years in the making. Montana beef will finally be back on the plates of consumers in China. Montana, a beautiful state full of mountain views, rivers, and of course cows. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to these animals. “Cattle prices have been down in the last three years.” Nicole Rolf with the Montana Farm Bureau says. Today, a new trade agreement is opening up a brand new market for Montana cattle producers.  “For the first time in 13 years, Montana beef is now

The U.S. and China have finally reached an agreement on commercial shipments of beef according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the first time since 2003, the U.S. is now allowed to begin beef exports to China. The USDA and Chinese officials finalized the details on Tuesday. The USDA reported that since 2003, the U.S. had been banned from China’s market. They also said until the ban took effect, the U.S. was China’s largest supplier of imported beef, providing 70 percent of their total intake. The U.S. is the largest producer of beef in the world. The agreement is

Several Republican senators have no knowledge of the specific policy proposals GOP leadership is weighing for inclusion in the pending legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system. The lack of widespread knowledge among members about the exact policy under review calls into question whether Republicans will be able to advance a bill before the Fourth of July recess, the timeline that GOP aides say Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is operating under. While there have been thrice-weekly meetings on the legislation to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law, those have mostly focused on broad policy. And while complete legislative text