Missoulian: Tester, Daines resume effort to overturn lynx decision
Montana senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines have rounded up a lengthy list of supporters for a bill to overturn a federal court decision on lynx protection. Republican Daines and Democrat Tester join Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, on the bill to reverse the Cottonwood decision, which found that the U.S. Forest Service must do a top-level review of new critical habitat for lynx under the Endangered Species Act. The decision name refers to the Bozeman-based Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, which won the case before the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year. The ruling was essentially
Billings Gazette: Montana veterans faced health referral delays half the time
HELENA — Montana military veterans who were referred to health specialists in 2015 faced delays in getting appointments or receiving needed medical services nearly half the time, and those delays may have harmed four patients, according to a report released Friday. The Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General’s Office inspected the VA Montana Healthcare System at Fort Harrison in Helena at the request of U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines. The inspectors were asked to look at how often patients experienced delays in obtaining referrals — called “consults” in the VA system — and how those delays affected the
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Lyle Burgess of Ryegate
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Lyle Burgess of Ryegate. Lyle has been a dependable leader for the people of Golden Valley County for over a generation. 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’
Daines Discusses Trade with USTR Nominee Lighthizer
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after meeting with President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for United States Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer. “As trade ambassador, Robert Lighthizer will play a critical role in developing trade policies that put Americans first, expand opportunities for Montana producers and manufacturers and grow our economy,” Daines stated. During the meeting, Daines hand delivered Robert Lighthizer a letter outlining Montana priorities: Dear Mr. Lighthizer: Congratulations on being nominated as the next United States Trade Representative (USTR). Serving as USTR is a great honor and I look forward to working with
Montana’s Senators Congratulate Three Montana Students on Military Academy Appointments
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today congratulated Missoula Sentinel High student Griffin Line, Kalispell Glacier High student Deagan Muth and Scobey High student Dean Cole on their appointments to America’s prestigious military academies. Line was offered an appointment to the Air Force Academy. He is the captain of his soccer team and student body vice president. He also participates at the Sentinel DECA business club, varsity basketball, and serves as a ranch hand at Line Ranch. Muth was also offered an appointment to the Air Force Academy. He is a varsity soccer player, track long distance
Daines, Tester, Simpson, Peterson Introduce Legislation to Reverse Disastrous Court Ruling
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) today underscored the urgency in reversing the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. U.S. Forest Service by introducing bipartisan bicameral legislation to do just that. The bill seeks to codify the position taken by the Obama administration that federal agencies are not required to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service at a programmatic level when new critical habitat is designated or a new species is listed. “We need to take action
Daines, Tester, Simpson, Peterson Introduce Legislation to Reverse Disastrous Court Ruling
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) today underscored the urgency in reversing the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. U.S. Forest Service by introducing bipartisan bicameral legislation to do just that. The bill seeks to codify the position taken by the Obama administration that federal agencies are not required to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service at a programmatic level when new critical habitat is designated or a new species is listed. “We need to take action
Flathead Beacon: Daines Talks Health Care, Environment During Latest Tele-Townhall
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, fielded questions from Montana residents during a “tele-townhall” phone conference Wednesday night, addressing concerns about health care, his cabinet votes, and environmental regulations. According to the senator’s staff, the evening forum marked the 14th time he’d connected with Montanans since winning the Senate seat. It came on the heels of criticism that he’d shirked constituents’ calls for a live town hall after controversial moves to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education and gavel down Elizabeth Warren on the Senate floor. But Daines was unfazed, and answered questions and criticisms with aplomb during the 90-minute session, hearing
KTVQ: Daines holds tele-town hall, healthcare major topic
BILLINGS – Healthcare and the Affordable Care Act were major topics at the tele-town hall meeting with Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) Wednesday night. The senator gave his thoughts on repealing and replacing the healthcare law. As Daines spoke on the phone in Washington, D.C., about 30,000 listened to the tele-town hall meeting, according to the Senator’s staff. He took questions on the phone for about an hour and a half. Daines said the Affordable Health Care Act has brought rising premiums, unaffordable deductibles, fewer insurance choices and higher taxes. He cited numbers from the Silver or Standard plan on the insurance