FAA Heeds Daines’ Request: Provides Medical Certification Exemption From REAL ID
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has heeded Daines’ request and will accept Montana licenses, regardless of REAL ID status, for medical certification purpose. In a letter from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to Daines, Huerta wrote that, “The FAA believes that the requirement to hold a driver’s license to exercise the relief of BasicMed does not require a REAL ID compliant license.” Click HERE to read FAA’s letter to Daines. “It’s good progress to see the FAA recognize Montana licenses regardless of a federal law that Montanans have said they don’t want,” Daines stated. “I will continue working to ensure
Daines, McCaskill Introduce Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Dollars
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced legislation to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS spends over $7 billion on acquisition programs annually. This legislation would codify acquisition best practices, increase transparency and accountability, increase communication and understanding of needs to industry providing these technologies, and require notification to the Inspector General and Congress when certain cost, schedule, and performance objectives are not met. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reviewed 26 acquisition programs at DHS in fiscal year 2016 (FY16) worth $7 billion.
Billings Gazette: Yellowstone investigation finds inappropriate conduct toward female workers
Federal investigators say there is credible evidence of unwelcome conduct toward female workers in Yellowstone National Park. Alcohol, inappropriate contact and remarks that female employees said made them feel “uncomfortable and degraded” were revealed during a seven-month investigation into Yellowstone’s maintenance division. The report was issued Wednesday by Interior’s inspector general, who concluded that harassing workplace behavior by male employees had gone on for years because of actions or inactions of men in charge of the maintenance division. “We found credible evidence that male supervisors and staff in the Maintenance Division unit created a work environment that included unwelcome and
Daines Urges FEMA to Hold Listening Session in Montana
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hold one of its tribal listening sessions in Montana as part of the process of updating its tribal consultation policy. In a letter to FEMA head Robert Fenton, Daines noted that Montana tribal leaders and homeland security directors have expressed a strong desire to provide their input on the FEMA consultation policy and requested that the agency hold a listening session in Montana to ensure their voices are heard. “As you prepare that schedule ahead of the finalization of the renewed policy by August 2017, I
Billings Gazette: Daines secures national parks week
National parks will get a week of observance this month, a gesture U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said should raise awareness later about needed park maintenance. During last year’s centennial of the National Parks Service, roughly 331 million visitors went to national parks. Yellowstone National Park recorded 4.2 million visits. Glacier National Park reported nearly 3 million visits. “They truly are something that sets America apart. It’s part of our national heritage, as Americans,” Daines said. “We’re known for our national parks.” Daines said the Senate’s unanimous vote to recognize national parks for the week beginning April 15 was a
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: The People of Libby
U.S. SENATE — During National Asbestos Awareness Week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized the people of Libby, Montana, for their resiliency and strength in confronting economic, environmental, and public health challenges. Daines is pictured with Dr. Brad Black, Ms. Tanis Hernandez, and Ms. Tracy McNew of CARD. 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
Daines Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Gain Permanent Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which would fully realize LWCF’s promise to conserve parks, open spaces, and wildlife habitat for the benefit of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. “LWCF is a critical tool that helps expand access to our public lands and preserves our Montana way of life,” Daines stated. “By permanently reauthorizing LWCF we can remove uncertainty and protect access to public lands for future generations.” U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO) Susan Collins (R-ME),
Daines: Gorsuch Confirmed for U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Judge Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to be the next U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice: “Judge Gorsuch is mainstream and he’s not going to legislate from the bench. As a fellow westerner, he will uphold our Montana values and defend our Second Amendment rights. The Senate did its job and I look forward now to seeing Judge Gorsuch on the court.” Gorsuch has widespread support from mainstream groups across Montana. Daines has consistently underscored the reasons why Gorsuch belongs on the U.S. Supreme Court. On April 6, 2017, Daines
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Local Governments From Abandoned Federal Buildings
U.S. SENATE —During National Asbestos Awareness Week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation safeguard local governments from having to take ownership of old federal buildings filled with asbestos after bankruptcy. Daines’ bill requires the federal government to take into account commonsense factors when deciding whether a bidder for federal property is capable of fulfilling its financial obligations, preventing local governments from having to take possession of asbestos-filled buildings post-bankruptcy through tax liens. “A promise made must be a promise kept,” Daines stated. “An abandoned asbestos-filled building in downtown Billings could have serious health implications. That’s why I’m taking action