Daines Statement on Latest Ninth Circuit Decision
BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals applied their decision in Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. Forest Service to rule against a forest health restoration project near Bozeman. “Today’s disastrous ruling against a commonsense project to reduce wildfire risk and protect Bozeman’s watershed makes it even more urgent that we enact meaningful forest reform that will remove this sort of absurd regulatory burden.” ###
Great Falls Tribune: Berger Named Director of VA Montana
HELENA — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs named Kathy Berger permanent director of VA Montana, saying she will oversee delivery of health care to nearly 35,000 veterans and a budget of $226 million. “We are excited to bring Dr. Berger on board in a permanent capacity as director of VA Montana Health Care System,” said Ralph Gigliotti, Veterans Integrated Service Network 19 director. “She has served exceptionally well as acting director for the past four months and we look forward to great things for Montana in the future under her direction. The announcement brought comment from both of Montana’s
The Billings Gazette: Daines Raises Issue of Colstrip Closure Next Year
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., raised the issue Friday of a secret plan to shut down Colstrip’s oldest units in 2017, much earlier than has been disclosed to the public. In a letter to Talen Energy CEO Paul Farr, the Republican senator said he’s heard from constituents that the decision has already been made to shut down Colstrip Units 1 and 2 next year, but that the company is delaying the announcement. Daines asked Farr to disclose whether the state of Montana is also in the loop on quiet plans to close the units. “It’s imperative for Units 1 and
Daines Demands Transparency Around Colstrip Closure
BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today demanded transparency around the closure of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 to provide certainty to hardworking Montana families who rely on good-paying jobs at Colstrip. In a letter to Paul Farr, the President and CEO of Talen Energy Corporation, Daines sought clarification if a decision had already been made to close Colstrip Units 1 and 2 at the earliest opportunity in 2017 and if the disclosure of this decision is being withheld. Daines requested Farr to confirm that: No decision by Talen has been made to close these facilities in 2017 or any other future date;
Daines Statement on FBI Reopening Clinton Email Investigation
BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey informed the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary that Hillary Rodham Clinton is back under investigation. “Hillary Rodham Clinton’s reckless conduct put our national security at risk,” Daines stated. “The citizens of our country deserve an honest and transparent investigation to hold the former Secretary accountable.” ###
Daines Statement on the Appointment of Dr. Kathy Berger as Director of VA Montana
BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement of Dr. Kathy Berger’s appointment as permanent Director of VA Montana Health Care System. “The appointment of a new VA Montana Director is welcome news for Montana’s veterans and I wish Dr. Berger the best,” Daines stated. “Now that our veterans have a new director I look forward to seeing a commitment and change to ensure their needs are not only being met, but that Montana’s veterans receive the best possible care.” Daines met with VA Secretary Bob McDonald on September 26, 2016 on
Daines Celebrates Completion of the Kalispell Bypass
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon the completion of the Kalispell Bypass. “Downtown Kalispell is an economic engine for northwest Montana and the whole state,” Daines stated. “This engine runs on our transportation network, allowing residents, visitors, freight and natural resources to traverse the state. It’s great to see infrastructure growing in Kalispell. This bypass may only add seven miles of road, but it will increase safety downtown and generate efficiency gains impacting the region. Not only will it enable downtown Kalispell to further flourish, it will support the local and regional economy that relies on moving
Daines, Zinke Work to Ensure Healthcare Delivery for Rural Montanans
U.S. CONGRESS —U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today worked to ensure equitable healthcare delivery for rural Montanans. In a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, Daines and Zinke seek to clarify why certain Montana zip codes are not designate as rural for ground ambulances despite meeting qualifications and having rural designations for most other Medicare programs. There are currently 16 zip codes throughout Montana, which meet criteria, but have not been designated as rural for purposes of ground ambulance reimbursement. “With lower population density and increased travel times, it is
Daines, Tester Fight for Montanans’ Right to Privacy
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today stood up for Montanans’ right to privacy and pressed Attorney General Loretta Lynch to provide Congress with more information about a proposed expansion of government hacking and surveillance powers. In the letter to AG Lynch, Daines and Tester ask for more information about how the government would use the new hacking authority, formally known as amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Unless Congress acts, these new amendments are scheduled to go into effect on December 1. “We are concerned about the full scope of the new