Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. “It’s unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security,” Daines stated. “With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear weapons until the permanent solution of an expedited procurement is complete.” Daines secured the following provisions in the Defense Appropriations Bill: Upgrading UH-1Ns: $75 million in the bill for the Air
Indian Country Today: Coal Terminal Proponent ‘Looking At Options’ After Denial of Permit
The proponent of a rejected coal shipping terminal in Lummi Nation’s historical territory is “looking at all its options” and “will decide shortly how we plan to proceed,” the company’s vice president wrote in a letter to ICTMN. Bob Watters of SSA Marine said the Army Corps of Engineers’ denial of his company’s permit based on the project’s potential impacts to Lummi’s historical fishing areas is “a political decision rather than a regulatory decision.” Col. John Buck, commander of the Army Corps’ Seattle District, ruled on May 9 that the potential impacts of the coal shipping terminal to Lummi’s usual
Daines Announces over $99,000 for Polson Hospital
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that St. Joseph Hospital in Polson will receive $99,023 to address healthcare needs in rural areas. The grant will be used by St. Joseph Hospital to engage a network of hospitals serving rural communities through development of a Western Montana Rural Nursing Collaborative (WMRNC). WMRNC provides a unique partnership of hospitals that seek to expand, enhance and improve access to services in rural communities and allow patients to receive high-quality care closer to home. “This is a collaborative project and a made-in-Montana solution that supports our nurses, helps lower healthcare costs and
Daines Named ‘Hero of Main Street’
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has received the “Hero of Main Street” award from the National Retail Federation for his support of legislation critical to the retail industry. Daines is part of a bipartisan group honored for their support of a wide range of issues including international trade, infrastructure investment, tax reform and labor issues. “I’m proud to be recognized for my efforts supporting local Montana business owners that create good-paying jobs,” Daines stated. “Senator Daines has shown through his support that he cares about retailers big and small, and values the role these businesses play
Daines Leads Bipartisan Group of Senators in Introducing Measure to Strengthen Cybersecurity
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today lead a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the president to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command. U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command. Congress established U.S. Special Operations Command to address a rapidly growing need, strengthen the warfighter and to unify forces. Today, with cyber threats being one of the fastest growing national security threats we face, the need for another Combatant Command is clear. Daines’ amendment will elevate the command so it
Bloomberg BNA: Senate Commerce Mulls Two-Pronged TCPA Update
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is eyeing a dual-track strategy for moving legislation that would update the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) suggested during a May 18 panel hearing on the law that the committee consider acting on different bills that would focus on alleged litigation abuses and consumer harms, respectively. “If we could figure out how to divide this discussion into those two categories, we’re much more likely to find a solution to both problems,” Blunt said. Committee chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) said the suggestion of splitting TCPA update efforts into two separate initiatives
KMMS: Daines’ Water Projects Bill Receives Hearing
Senator Steve Daines’ bill that would move Montana water projects forward and ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana recently received its first hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “From the crops and grazing fields of our state’s agriculture providers, water is our most valuable resource,” Daines stated. “Our farmers, ranchers and families deserve access to a reliable water source.” The Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act would help improve the efficiency of existing water supply infrastructure, ease the regulatory burden on new projects, and protect water rights that are critical to the prosperity of
Daines, Tester Congratulate Ashleigh Lehotsky of Great Falls on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today congratulated Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School graduate Ashleigh Lehotsky on her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Daines and Tester both nominated Lehotsky and called to congratulate her. Ashleigh Lehotsky is a graduate of Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School and is currently a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. While in high school she was President of Key Club, received the Outstanding Engineering Student Award and was First Chair on the CMR Symphonic Band. Lehotsky was the 2014 AA State Track and Field Shot Put Champion and holds the CMR Shot