Missoulian: Brace for change on health care under Trump, Daines predicts
Obamacare will go through some serious changes early in the new Trump presidency, Montana Sen. Steve Daines predicted on Monday. “Now we’re playing with live ammunition,” Daines said during a visit to the Missoulian. “It’s a very real discussion. This time, it needs to be thoughtful and not jammed down.” Officially known as the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare was targeted for complete repeal by Republican congressional candidates and president-elect Donald Trump. While that’s likely to happen, Daines said it would go through a transition process to keep some of the popular parts of Obama’s healthcare program. Those include expanded access
Sidney Herald: Local students ask questions of senator
Sidney High School students received the opportunity to talk with an U.S. senator face to face when U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., took part in a Skype call on Wednesday afternoon. Brad Faulhaber, government teacher, said the call was part of the school’s civic engagement’s opportunities beyond the classroom. The classroom consisted of mainly seniors along with a junior and a couple of sophomores. Daines encouraged students to stay engaged in the political process. “We have an amazing country,” the Republican said. He also said they should consider being in political service. “I never dreamed I would be doing this
U.S. Senate Passes Daines’ Bipartisan Bill to Promote Open Science and Innovation in Government
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill to encourage and increase the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science within the federal government to advance and accelerate scientific research, literacy and diplomacy passed the U.S. Senate this evening. This is the first ever legislation to grant explicit authority to the government to use these methods. Daines’ bill is included in S. 3084 American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. “The best solutions to the challenges facing our country are going to come from hardworking folks – not the federal bureaucracy,” Daines stated. “By encouraging the federal government to pursue citizen-driven solutions we will be able
Daines Secures Provision to Stop Spread of Invasive Mussels
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of legislation to combat the spread of invasive mussels in Montana. Daines secured language in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, clarifying congressional intent that inspection stations are not just intended to be in the Columbia River Basin, they must be strategically located across Montana and the West to prevent transmission of these invasive species from all bodies of water. “If these invasive mussels continue to mature and spread it will have a costly impact on Montana’s ecosystem, obstructing irrigation and hydropower infrastructure and negatively impacting our economy,” Daines stated. “Watercraft
Daines Hails Passage of Blackfeet Water Compact, Applauded By Senate Leaders
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of the Blackfeet water compact in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act. The authorization of Blackfeet water compact is included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The WIIN Act authorizes the Blackfeet water compact and ends decades of litigation and paves the way for more than 400 million of investment water, irrigation and infrastructure projects. “Today is a historic day for the Blackfeet Tribe, Montana farmers, ranchers and families, ” Daines stated. “The Blackfeet water compact will update decades old infrastructure, strengthen
Daines: Port of Raymond Will Remain Open 24-Hours
U.S. SENATE — After more than a year of work by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, today the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the Port of Raymond will remain a 24-hour entryway into Canada. “The announcement that the Port of Raymond will remain open 24-hours is welcome news for Montana farmers and ranchers who need to get their goods to market,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased that the CBP heard my frustration and that of Montanans and reversed their misguided decision to reduce their hours.” On March 5, 2016, Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke met with CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske,
Daines Congratulates Student on Appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Andrew Sorenson on his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland. Daines called Sorenson today to inform him of the appointment and offer his congratulations. Sorenson is an Eagle Scout and entrepreneur who owns and operates his own lawn care business and has earned varsity letters in wrestling, tennis, football, indoor track and cross country. “Andrew has shown himself to be a leader both on the field and in the classroom, and I look forward to watching him become a leader in our armed forces,” Daines stated. Sorenson, whose family
Daines Introduces Legislation to Bring Integrity to Federal Budget Process
U.S. SENATE — As the Federal Reserve is expected to increase the interest rate next week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation that would require congressional budgetary scorekeepers to account for interest costs incurred on borrowed funds needed for legislative proposals. The Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs (BASIC) Act will include the cost of debt in both Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) analysis so that Congress can have the full picture of legislative costs to the American taxpayer. “If I told you that when Congress employs gimmicks to shield you from knowing exactly how
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Lisa Cline of Broadus
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized educator Lisa M. Cline for over 30 years of service as a K-6 STEM educator throughout the State of Montana. 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