Sidney Herald: Trump’s proposed agriculture cuts not going over well
The White House has released a budget blueprint that calls for deep cuts to USDA, sparking criticism from the MonDak’s Congressional delegates and its major farm groups. The budget released by President Donald Trump proposes a 21 percent spending cut to USDA discretionary spending. The likely effect of such cuts include reductions in staff at USDA field offices, as well as to USDA-ARS research units, of which there are two in the MonDak, one in Sidney and the other in Minot. Chris Christiaens, with Montana Farmer’s Union, said they haven’t yet reviewed the proposal in depth, but in general he
KPAX: Daines, Montana agriculture leaders host roundtable
GREAT FALLS – Montana’s agriculture leaders recently met with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in Great Falls to talk about the future of the industry under the Trump Administration. Sen. Daines discussed a number of issues with ranchers, farmers and livestock owners at a roundtable discussion. A concern felt across the board was the future of trade for Montana’s agriculture industry and export opportunities under the new administration. “There’s so much uncertainty on the direction that we’re headed, we’re looking at renegotiating NAFTA — President Trump has pulled the U.S. out of TPP — both of those agreements,” said Montana Grain Growers
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bicameral Bill to Save Servicemembers Money
GREAT FALLS, Mont. —At the Montana Enlisted Association of the National Guard this evening in Great Falls, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) announced the introduction of a bipartisan bicameral legislation to ensure servicemembers aren’t unduly penalized when they serve their country. Every month, guardsmen and reservists across the country travel hundreds of miles from their homes of record to their assigned duty location. In most cases, these service members must bear the cost of their travel out-of-pocket. Not only does the government not reimburse them, it sets an unreasonably high threshold for what can be claimed as a business-related expense. Daines’
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Leslie Cartner of Billings
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Leslie Cartner, Commander of the Yellowstone Battalion of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Billings. 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 of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The following is the statement
AgWeek: Perdue promises he’ll be ‘tenacious’ fighter for ag
WASHINGTON — Sonny Perdue, President Donald Trump’s nominee for agriculture secretary, pledged to be a “tenacious advocate and fighter” for farmers within the administration and said he would try to address requests for help from dairy and cotton producers ahead of the next farm bill. Testifying at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Perdue promised to work with Robert Lighthizer, the nominee for U.S. Trade Representative, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to protect agriculture’s interests in upcoming trade negotiations. Perdue also distanced himself somewhat from Trump’s budget proposals and expressed support for easing financial restrictions on trade with
Daines: Keystone XL Finally A Reality
GREAT FALLS, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised President Donald J. Trump’s swift action to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. “After too many years of talk and delays, today is a long awaited day for Montana’s counties that badly need the tax revenue of this job-creating pipeline,” Daines stated. “Thanks to President Trump we took a big step towards finally breaking ground and building the Keystone XL pipeline.” Richard Dunbar, President of the Montana Association of Oil, Gas, and Coal Counties: “The oil and gas counties are just glad that this project is finally getting permitted. It has been a long-awaited process. I
Williston Herald: Ag pick appears to win over delegation in confirmation hearings
The state’s U.S. Senate delegation had a laundry list of concerns for former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, who was in the nation’s Capitol Thursday for confirmation hearings before the Senate Agriculture Committee. Three of Montana and North Dakota’s senators are members on the committee, Sens. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D, Steve Daines, R-Mont. and John Hoeven, R-N.D., who is also chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. is not on the committee, but has been a vocal ag advocate, and did not let that stop him from pressing Perdue as well on topics of importance to the area.
Daines to Perdue: Protect & Strengthen Montana Agriculture
Invites Perdue to Montana Ag Summit 2017 in Great Falls U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Governor Sonny Perdue, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during his nomination hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture. Daines invited Perdue to visit Montana and attend the Montana Ag Summit in Great Falls. “Ag production across our nation is diverse and Montana ag presents some unique and especially specific challenges, but great opportunities,” Daines stated. “With that in mind, I would like to extend an invitation to you Governor Perdue to come
Daines, Tester Introduce Bill to Improve Montana’s Rural Water Infrastructure
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced a bipartisan bill to provide much-needed authorization for Montana rural water infrastructure. The Clean Water for Rural Communities Act, authorizes two Bureau of Reclamation rural water projects—Dry-Redwater Rural Water System (DRWA) and Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System (CMRWA). The bill will collectively facilitate water treatment and delivery to 22,500 residents in Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Fergus, Yellowstone, and Musselshell Counties in Montana and McKenzie County, North Dakota. “If I told you that 22,500 Montanans lacked steady safe drinking water you would be