Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Ty Lantis of Prairie County
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Ty Lantis, a distinguished Montana craftsman with deep roots along the Yellowstone Valley. 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 submitted to the
Daines, Duckworth Highlight GSA Cybersecurity Deficiency in Operations
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to the General Services Administration (GSA) highlighting the clear deficiency in GSA’s operations regarding foreign-owned buildings. In a letter to GSA Acting Administrator Timothy Horne, the Senators expressed concern with GSA’s practice of leasing high-security space from foreign owners and the cybersecurity risks created by conducting high-security operations in foreign-owned buildings. Daines also requested a response by March 31, 2017 as to how GSA will address these issues. “Federal agencies are among the top targets for cyber criminals, with many agencies experiencing thousands of attempted attacks daily,” Daines and
Billings Gazette: Montana senators reintroduce East Rosebud Creek protection bill
Montana’s two U.S. senators again introduced legislation that would protect East Rosebud Creek in the Beartooth Mountains. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, and Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, on Thursday reintroduced bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill S. 501, to permanently protect East Rosebud Creek under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, said spokesmen for the senators. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Leslie Ziegler, president of Friends of East Rosebud, said the organization “greatly appreciates” the senators’ bipartisan work to protect the creek. “This area is a special place where many Montanans have
Hirono, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Expiration of Asia-Pacific Expedited Travel Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan APEC Business Travel Card Reauthorization Act to make permanent the APEC Business Travel Card Program, which grants U.S. citizens access to fast-track processing lanes at airports across the Asia-Pacific. Without reauthorization, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cannot issue cards to U.S. citizens after September 30, 2018. Over 200 Hawaii residents are active holders of the APEC Business Travel Card which saves 43 minutes on average in airport wait times. “The APEC Business Travel Card has helped hundreds of Hawaii residents travel and conduct business with ease
Great Falls Tribune: Trump budget isn’t great for agencies with big Montana footprint
The Trump administration proposed Thursday that as part of its new budget it would eliminate federal subsidies for flights from Billings to five rural communities in Eastern Montana. The cuts would target the 39-year-old Essential Air Service, which subsidizes Cape Air flights from Billings to Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Wolf Point and Sidney. Without the program, Cape Air would unlikely be able to afford to continue operating the service, which peaked during the Bakken boom earlier this decade. The program has bipartisan support from Montana’s two senators. In 2016, at least 37,106 passengers boarded subsidized Cape Air flights in Montana, down 15 percent
Zinke Heeds Daines’ Call: Reverses Obama Directive Restricting Hunting and Fishing
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the first actions taken by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to return power back to the people. “I’m pretty certain the bureaucrat that put this regulation in place has never hunted elk in Montana,” Daines stated. “Secretary Zinke is off to a strong start protecting Montana’s and our country’s hunting and fishing heritage.” “Secretary Zinke’s first actions in office also help unlock access to our nation’s public lands. In Montana we know that nearly 2 million acres of our public lands are inaccessible and I am hopeful this action will
The Hill: Interior secretary repeals ban on lead bullets
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed an order Thursday overturning a ban on using lead ammunition on wildlife refuges. Zinke signed the order on his first day in office, overturning a policy implemented by former Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Dan Ashe on Jan. 19, the Obama administration’s last full day in office. Ashe’s policy banned the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on all FWS wildlife refuges that allow hunting or fishing, as well as in all other hunting or fishing regulated by the agency elsewhere. It was meant to help prevent plants and animals from being poisoned by lead left on
Daines: Perry Confirmed as Energy Secretary
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 Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, former Texas Governor Rick Perry. “Secretary Perry will work to make our nation energy secure and I’m excited to partner with him to restore the balance between fossil fuel and renewable energy investments to create more good-paying jobs,” Daines stated. Immediately following Perry’s confirmation, Daines wrote to Perry: “Mr. Perry, I cannot think of a more important place to witness firsthand the need for investments in clean coal technology and grid security
Daines: Carson Confirmed as HUD Secretary
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. voted to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Dr. Ben Carson. “Secretary Carson knows what it is like to grow up in poverty and will use that experience along with his deep devotion to the country to best serve Americans,” Daines stated. “It is only fitting that his career marked by consistent compassion would lead him to this position.” Carson was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development on January 24,