Daines Makes Important Gains for Montana Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers. “As a steadfast champion of our state’s number one industry, I work everyday to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are being heard and well represented,” Daines stated. “I was able to secure important provisions to sustain funding for initiatives to help farmers and ranchers with loans, help stop diseases that are encroaching our forests and expand employment opportunities for veterans in agriculture.” “The Montana Grain Growers Association thanks Sen. Daines’ for protecting the ARS Insect Research Unit in Sidney and for his efforts to secure increased funding for the
Daines, Tester Call on Congress to Stop Massive Expansion of Government Surveillance and Hacking Power
Stopping Mass Hacking Act Reverses Disastrous Changes to Warrant Procedures; Congress Must Act or Government Will Be Able to Hack Millions of Americans’ Devices with a Single Warrant, Compromising Security and Privacy U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced the Stopping Mass Hacking (SMH) Act to protect millions of law-abiding Americans from government hacking. The Stopping Mass Hacking (SMH) Act, S. 2952, is a bipartisan effort that prevents recently approved changes to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure from going into effect. The changes would allow the government to get a single warrant to hack
Roll Call: Senate Privacy Advocates Seek to Block Expanded Search Powers
A bipartisan Senate coalition led by Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Rand Paul wants to block efforts to make it easier for the government to search computers across multiple jurisdictions. The Justice Department is proposing rule changes that would allow it to use a single warrant to search far and wide, a move the government says is designed to deal with technology. But some senators see the change to criminal procedure rules, which has already been blessed by the Supreme Court, as opening the door to a vast expansion of surveillance by the FBI. And on Thursday, they introduced legislation to
The Hill: Coal war intensifies with Obama review
Miners and Western Republicans are lining up against the Obama administration and environmentalists in what some consider the next front in the “war on coal.” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced a three-year moratorium on new coal leases on public lands in January, launching a review that could potentially result in mining companies paying higher rates. “It fits tidily into their overall view of coal,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “You can call it a ‘war on coal,’ you can call it whatever you want. It is a policy directive coming out of this administration that
Military Times: VA docs to be able to recommend marijuana in some states
Congress on Thursday gave veterans the right to discuss medical marijuana as a treatment option with their Veterans Affairs doctors in states where it is legal. The House and Senate approved bills that include amendments forcing VA to lift restrictions that prohibit doctors from talking about medical marijuana or recommending it to their veteran patients. The legislation, tacked onto bills funding military construction and VA, prohibit the department from using funds to enforce the VA’s policy that limits doctors from recommending medical marijuana. The House voted 233-189 on the amendment offered by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., on Thursday morning; the House later approved the
Mineral Independent: Wyatt Zylawy second family member in the Congressional Record
In April, Wyatt Zylawy was recognized by Montana Senator Steve Daines for his outstanding achievements in his recent Coast Guard training. Through Daines “Montanan of the Week” initiatives, the Senator recognizes an individual in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Two weeks ago, Daines was in St. Regis and presented Wyatt’s father, Roman, with the Congressional Record. Roman said that he’s very proud of Wyatt’s accomplishments and that he is the second family member to be recognized in the Congressional Record. Wyatt’s namesake (Wyatt Augustus Zylawy), August William Lauterbach, was Wyatt’s great-grandfather. He
Daines Rallies Support for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Representatives Chris Gibson (R-NY) and David Valadao (R-CA) to rally support for their legislation to ensure Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans are eligible to receive benefits linked to Agent Orange Exposure. Daines at the U.S. Capitol with Senate and House co-sponsors and veterans. Click here to download. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines introduced legislation to ensure thousands of Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange will be eligible to receive disability and health care benefits
Daines Leads ICBM Coalition Urging Defense Department to Expedite Security of Nuclear Weapons
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led the bipartisan ICBM coalition urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to outline a clear plan for the security of the nuclear missiles stationed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming following the news that the Department of Defense failed to approve the Air Forces’ request for a faster acquisition process. In a letter to DoD Secretary Ash Carter, the members expressed their concerns with DoD’s announcement to proceed with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns. “We write to express serious concerns with the absence of an appropriate and timely path to replace
The Hill: Second Republican joins push to block federal hacking powers
Sen. Steve Daines is signing on to a bill from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) blocking a Justice Department request to expand its remote hacking powers, an aide from the Montana Republican’s office tells The Hill. He is the second Republican to join the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will also co-sponsor, according to Paul’s office. “Our law enforcement policies need to be updated to reflect 21st century realities with a process that is transparent, effective and protects our civil liberties,” Daines said in a statement to The Hill. The measure — set to be released tomorrow, according to a Wyden aide — comes in response to