Daines: Zinke Confirmed as Interior 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 the Interior, Montana’s U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke. “This is a historic moment for Montana as Congressman Zinke is the first Montanan to ever serve in a President’s cabinet,” Daines stated. “Ryan is a Montanan who grew up in America’s public lands. He knows that we must strike the right balance between conservation and responsible energy development, and he understands more than most that one-size fits all policies from Washington, D.C., never work for
Billings Gazette: Zinke confirmed as Interior secretary; Montana prepares for special election
Ryan Zinke has been sworn as secretary of the Interior. The U.S. Senate’s Wednesday confirmation triggered Zinke’s resignation from Congress and a special election to replace him. Zinke became the first Montanan to serve in a U.S. Cabinet. Approved by the Senate 68 to 31, the Whitefish native is the nation’s 52nd Interior secretary. Montana’s U.S. Sens. Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Steve Daines, a Republican, both voted to confirm Zinke. “First, I want to say thank you to the people of Montana,” Zinke said in a statement announcing his resignation. “It has been an honor to serve you in Congress,
Washington Times: Senate approves Ryan Zinke as Interior secretary
The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly confirmed Rep. Ryan K. Zinke to head the Interior Department, putting in place a secretary who’s poised to reverse Obama-era restrictions on energy development on public lands. The confirmation of Mr. Zinke, a Montana Republican and former Navy SEAL, was held up by Democratic leaders in the Senate for over a month. While Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, voted against him and urged his colleagues to do the same, 16 Democrats ultimately voted in favor of Mr. Zinke. He was approved by a vote of 68 to 31. Mr. Zinke’s confirmation is a major step forward for President Trump’s so-called “America
Trump Heeds Daines Calls: Starts Process to Reverse WOTUS
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s executive actions to revise former President Barack Obama’s overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. The overreaching WOTUS rule seeks to regulate virtually every ditch and pond that may be occasionally wet across the United States and would have a significant negative impact on farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country. “We can protect Montana’s pristine water without harming our agriculture economy and violating Montanans’ private property rights,” Daines stated. “I’m thrilled President Trump has heeded my call to halt this disastrous Obama-era policy and
Daines Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump’s first joint address to Congress. “There is a renewed spirit because Americans know that Washington, D.C. is returning power back to Montanans and back to the people. The strategy that the President laid out tonight is an optimistic, clear vision to create jobs, return education decisions back to families and keep our communities safe. I will continue working with President Trump to deliver real change for the American people making our communities stronger and safer.” ###
Great Falls Tribune: Farm, conservation groups disagree over Trump’s water order
Conservation groups in Montana criticized President Donald Trump for directing federal agencies Tuesday to roll back a rule implemented under the Obama administration that expanded the scope of waters falling under the federal Clean Water Act. They argued Trump’s move is a backward step that could lead to pollution of seasonal streams and wetlands. Business and farm groups, who viewed the Obama-era rule as federal overreach, unnecessary and burdensome, agreed with Trump’s executive order. Here’s the issue: In April 2014, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed the Clean Water Rule, which defined the scope of ‘‘waters
Daines Introduces Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, legislation to allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that also has concealed carry laws, while abiding by that state’s laws. “It is our constitutional right to keep and bear arms,” Daines stated. “This bill protects Montanans’ constitutional freedoms and allows Montanans to exercise their rights when traveling across state lines.” The bill was also sponsored by by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Mike Crapo
Daines to Welcome Montana Attorney General as Guest for Joint Session
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s Attorney General Tim Fox will serve as Daines’ guest of honor at President Donald J. Trump’s first joint address to Congress. Fox is invited to attend the president’s speech while he is in Washington D.C. for the National Association of Attorneys General annual winter meeting, February 27 – March 1. “Tim Fox has led the fight to push back on overreaching Obama administration regulations that have harmed hardworking Montana families and it’s only fitting that he be my guest of honor at the joint session as President Trump outlines his agenda
Daines: Ross Confirmed for Commerce 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 Commerce, Wilbur Ross. “Secretary Ross was a force in the private sector and will undoubtedly be a force at the Department of Commerce,” Daines stated. “He will bring a mountain of ideas to expand opportunities for our producers and manufactures to create more good-paying jobs.” Immediately following Ross’ confirmation, Daines extended a formal invitation to “visit Montana and see our innovative and thriving business community.” Daines’ letter is available to download HERE. On January