Senators, governor remember Granite Mountain-Speculator disaster
Montana’s U.S. senators both honored the victims and survivors of the Granite Mountain-Speculator mine disaster with statements on the Senate floor and in the Congressional Record. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines read a Senate proclamation “meant to recognize the strength of those Montanans who sacrificed their lives in support our nation’s military work in World War I, as well as those who jumped to help a fallen brother without question.” He added, “One hundred years after this tragedy, we are also reminded of how far we have come in hard rock mining. Jobs that were once seen as high
From MT to DC, Forest Service budget plan draws fire
The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed 2018 budget presents its public and private observers with lots of rebuilding work to do. On Wednesday, Montana’s Democratic and Republican senators both challenged Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell to replace or re-energize programs slashed in President Donald Trump’s preliminary budget plan. And more locally, Forest Service partners have started bracing for dramatic losses of funding. “This budget is a wreck,” Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana told Tidwell during a hearing before the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, pressed Tidwell for stronger efforts to get national forest timber into local sawmills and maintain
Senator Daines Rails Against Sexual Harassment in Yellowstone
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) railed against bullying and sexual harassment in the National Park system—specifically in Yellowstone National Park. Earlier this year, investigators from the U.S. Department of the Interior released a report alleging “credible evidence” of sexual harassment in the Yellowstone workforce, especially in the maintenance division. The report came after allegations surfaced across the National Park system. Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk has promised broad changes to how the park handles harassment, acknowledging that problems are “not limited to one unit of Yellowstone National Park.” According to the Billings Gazette, Daines voiced his comments during a subcommittee hearing about workplace problems in the National Park Service. “As a son, husband and father of
Daines Takes on Sexual Assault in National Parks
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today chaired his first U.S. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on National Parks hearing. The topic was improving the workplace in National Parks as it relates to sexual harassment. Daines’ hearing follows a report by the U.S. Department of Interior’s inspector general outlining, “unwelcome conduct toward female workers in Yellowstone National Park.” During Daines’ opening statement, he spoke about the need for accountability to ensure that steps are being taken to combat a hostile work environment. “But marring the successes of the Centennial that same year was the growing number of Park
Forest Chief Endorses Daines’ Bill to Provide Litigation Relief
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pressed the U.S. Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell, on forest management reforms to create much needed revenues for Montana counties. During a U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies hearing, Daines questioned Tidwell on reversing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. U.S. Forest Service that negatively impacts forest health, recreation, watershed and habitat protection. “We can’t get logs to the mills – it’s a sad, sad state of affairs and it is because of these extreme environmental groups
Cut Bank International Airport receives $191,003 FAA grant
U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced 20 Montana airports, including those in Cut Bank, Shelby and Conrad, have received $8,989,592.00 in funding for critical upgrades and maintenance. “Montana’s community airports play a critical role in connecting our state,” Daines stated. “Every single dollar makes a huge difference to keeping our rural airports reliable and ready to use.” Daines secured the following provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization: Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars which build and maintain Montana’s critical aviation infrastructure such as runways. Daines has also engaged the FAA to expedite grants to northern states with short construction seasons. The funding
Senator Daines Challenges Forest Service Chief Over Litigation Relief
In a press release issued by Senator Steve Daines, he challenged the head of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell this week to reverse a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that negatively impacts forest health, recreation and wildlife habitat. “We can’t get logs to the mills – it’s a sad, sad state of affairs and it is because of these extreme environmental groups who are litigating many of our sales that we have right now in Montana,” Daines stated. “We aren’t taking care of the forest – then we see them burn. We can reduce the wildfire risk,
Ryan Picks Mnuchin in Debate With Mulvaney on Debt Limit
House Speaker Paul Ryan said that when it comes to negotiating legislation to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is in charge. Internal White House divisions have raised questions about how and when President Donald Trump’s administration expects Congress to authorize more borrowing to keep from defaulting on U.S. debts. Politico reportedTuesday that Trump also stands behind Mnuchin. “The Treasury secretary is and should always be the person in charge of debt-limit negotiations, debt-limit legislation,” Ryan of Wisconsin told reporters Wednesday. “That’s the natural thing.” Mnuchin has said he prefers a clean bill without other conditions attached, while
GOP senator keeps promise, shells out $20 after losing bet on Twitter
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) on Wednesday kept his promise on paying out a bet made over Montana’s recent House special election. Sean McElwee, a policy analyst at Demos Action, and Daines originally made a bet on May 8 over how many points then-GOP candidate Greg Gianforte would win in the Montana race for it’s lone House seat. The bet was made in a series of tweets, so when Daines lost he made sure to tweet at McElwee asking for his Venmo account — a smartphone app that lets users charge and transfer money to friends. Shortly after, McElwee tweeted “OMG” alongside a screenshot of a