Daines Votes Against Big Spending, No Strategy
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after voting against the $1.1 trillion spending deal and lack of strategy to fund the federal government: “We are seven months into the federal government’s fiscal year without a budget. Washington, D.C.’s govern-by-crisis strategy is the hallmark of dysfunction. Congress has repeated this process for 42 years and it has only worked four times. D.C. only knows one thing to do: Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Montana doesn’t operate this way, families don’t operate this way, small businesses don’t operate this way and the federal government shouldn’t operate this way.” The
Daines Congratulates Manhattan Student on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Manhattan High senior Alexa Arthun on her offer of appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Arthun is a ranch hand at Daniel Angus Ranch in Fishtail and is a varsity athlete in track, basketball, and boys’ football. She has volunteered with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honors Society and Vacation Bible School. Daines called Arthun today to inform her of her offer and give his congratulations. “Alexa has proven to be a tremendous leader and an exemplary student inside and outside of the classroom,”
Daines Discusses Crowdfunding for Startups with SEC Chairman
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today reintroduced legislation to better the way entrepreneurs raise funds through crowdfunding by repealing regulatory red tape that keeps startups from getting off the ground. Yesterday, Daines met with Jay Clayton, the newly confirmed Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding his bill. During the meeting, Daines handed him a letter outlining his priorities writing, “I encourage you to review the Crowdfunding Rule for opportunities to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation.” The SEC issued a rule in October 2015 to give entrepreneurs an important tool in their belt to make their
Daines Introduces Legislation Authorizing Move of BLM Headquarters to the West
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week introduced the Bureau of Land Management Headquarters Relocation Act, legislation that would authorize the move of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) headquarters from Washington, D.C. to one of the following Western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. “The folks who make decisions about our land should have a solid understanding of what it means to have the federal government as your largest neighbor,” Daines stated. “In the West, federal land makes up a lot of our states but those who make decisions
Helena Independent Record: House passes GOP health plan that could eliminate Medicaid expansion in Montana
After legislation that could spell the end for Medicaid expansion in states like Montana cleared the U.S. House on a close vote, some are calling on Montana’s senators to defeat a Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The Montana Budget and Policy Center, a nonprofit that researches budget, tax and economic issues, said Thursday the revised version of the American Health Care Act would effectively end Medicaid expansion in Montana, which has extended coverage to more than 70,000 people. “The bill passed by the US House of Representatives is even worse for Montanans and our state
WaPo: Senate approves measure to fund the government through September
The Senate voted Thursday to approve a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September, preventing a government shutdown. President Trump is expected to sign the measure, which passed 79 to 18. It includes more than $15 billion in new defense spending and $1.5 billion in money for U.S. border security, ahead of a deadline to keep the government open past Friday. The five-month spending measure clears the way for Congress to begin talks over spending priorities for the fiscal year that begins in October. Trump has already outlined a request for GOP lawmakers to slash
Daines Calls for Funding for State Veterans Homes
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies urging them to support robust funding for State Veterans Homes that help provide long-term care to our nation’s veterans. Federal funds provided by the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program allow states to make critical facility upgrades or construct new facilities to serve aging veteran populations. For fiscal year 2017, only 10 of the 57 highest priority projects were funded, resulting in a backlog of facilities requiring upgrades or
Washington Examiner: Pence: Obamacare repeal a ‘defining victory for life’
Vice President Mike Pence called a House vote set for Thursday to repeal and replace portions of Obamacare as “one of the defining victories for life.” “When we vote to repeal and replace Obamacare we will finally vote to defund Planned Parenthood,” Pence said to a standing ovation. Pence was speaking at the 10th anniversary “Campaign for Life” gala in Washington, held by Susan B. Anthony List, an organization that lobbies in favor of abortion restrictions. Roughly 650 guest gathered for the event. The bill the House is voting on Thursday to repeal and replace parts of Obamacare, the American
Daines: We Need to Remove Uncertainty from SRS & PILT
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today remarked about the uncertainty in the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs and the need to provide certainty for Montana counties. Daines today participated in a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on federal payments to local governments provided through SRS and PILT, and the need to provide greater fiscal certainty for resource-dependent communities with tax-exempt federal lands. Click HERE to watch Daines’ questioning. Click HERE to download Daines’ questioning. “I hear from Montana counties every year about their frustration with the uncertainty