Daines: Coats Confirmed for DNI
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, former U.S. Senator Dan Coats. “The threats facing our nation are great and I know Dan Coats will continue to prioritize the safety and security of our nation as Director of National Intelligence,” Daines stated. On February 2, Daines met with Coats in his Washington, D.C. office. During the meeting, Daines hand delivered a letter to Coats inviting him to Montana to deliver a keynote address at the Montana High Tech Jobs
Daines: Senate Needs to Confirm Judge Gorsuch
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the U.S. Senate floor about the importance of confirming Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Earlier today, Daines participated in a discussion at the White House with tribal nations on Judge Gorsuch’s strong judicial record on cases pertaining to federal Indian law, including support for tribal sovereignty and religious freedom. The following tribal nations and groups were represented at the meeting: Navajo Nation, Chickasaw, Central Council of Tingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Choctaw Nation, Caribou Tribe, Native American Rights Fund, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of
Daines Works to Ensure Montana’s Firefighting Needs are Met
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines this week pressed the U.S. Forest Service for answers on their recent decision to reduce the number of Type 1 helicopters. In a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, Daines questioned Tidwell’s decision both from a cost-saving perspective and being best equipped to handle fire season. “I am concerned that these resources may not be available when most needed and may increase costs,” Daines wrote. “As such, I respectfully request a cost comparison for the non-renewed helicopters and equivalent call-when-needed helicopters and an analysis of the Service’s decision-making in terminating the six
Washington Examiner: Bill would expand care for veterans suffering from Agent Orange exposure
Fifteen years ago, the Veterans Affairs Department decided to exclude certain Navy veterans from receiving healthcare treatment related to Agent Orange, a ruling that Sen. Steve Daines is trying to change. In 1991, Congress passed a law requiring the VA to provide coverage to Vietnam veterans with illnesses that the Institute of Medicine has directly linked to Agent Orange exposure. But about a decade later, in 2002, the VA decided it would cover only veterans who could provide they had orders for “boots on the ground” assignments during the Vietnam War. The exclusion prevented thousands of sailors, many of them
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