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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

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

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

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

Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Montana’s funding request to help rebuild communities across Montana after they were devastated by a mid-April snow storm. “The resulting damage from this storm impacted Montana’s rural communities, severely damaged local infrastructure, and left thousands of residents and commercial customers without electricity,” Tester, Daines and Zinke wrote in a letter to the FEMA Administrator. “These communities urgently need federal resources in order to help them restore their infrastructure and way of life.” The storm occurred between April

U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized Delaney Beil, a fifth-generation Montana rancher and Hinsdale High School senior. Delaney is a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and will soon be receiving her state certification.  Here is Senator Daines’ statement to Congress: “Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a Hinsdale High School senior, Delaney Beil. Delaney is described by her EMT instructor, Dorothy Jensen, as, ‘a determined team player, who is committed to her community. She consistently exceeds expectations…I’d trust her with my life.’ Delaney is already a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician, and will soon be receiving her state certification