Daines Introduces Bill to Update Cultural Educational Program for Native Students
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to update decades-old data the federal government uses to distribute funds to benefit Native American students. The Johnson-O’Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act would make about 500,000 Native students eligible to access federal resources that would help address many of the students’ unique academic and cultural needs. Because of the lack of accurate data in how Native students are counted by the federal government, many Native students in public schools across the country eligible for federal cultural educational support through the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) program have lacked access to such resources.
Daines Strengthens Montana’s Transportation Network
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to strengthen Montana’s transportation network. “Our transportation network from our roadways to our skies to our railways will be a safer form of travel for all Montanans,” Daines stated. “This legislation puts Montanans first and addresses concerns from all corners of our state to increase tourism and encourage economic development projects that create more good-paying jobs.” Daines successfully included important provisions to improve Montana air, rail and surface transportation in the FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and
Daines Defends Montana Farmers, Ranchers and Land Owners
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to defend Montana farmers, ranchers and land owners from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Senate Democrats once again blocked efforts to stop President Obama’s WOTUS rule that is a direct threat to Montana’s agriculture and natural resources industries, jobs and water rights. “It is shameful that once again Senate Democrats would rather defend President Obama’s overreaching policies than stand up for hardworking farmers, ranchers and land owners,” Daines stated. “Montanans who live and work on the land every day know how to best manage our state’s resources
Daily Caller: EPA Head Admits Clean Power Plan Wouldn’t Impact Global Warming [VIDEO]
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy said to Congress Wednesday that there’s “absolutely no reason” to measure the impact of the Clean Power Plan by looking at global temperature reductions. McCarthy admitted during questions by Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana that her agency can’t measure the impact of its proposed Clean Power Plan on global temperatures, because it would likely be incredibly small. McCarthy specified that the plan’s influence on the environment cannot be quantified. The Clean Power Plan would eliminate most cheap coal and natural gas power with expensive sources like solar and wind, costing America an expected $41 billion annually. Yet, the plan likely
Billings Gazette: Senate votes to retain funding for Essential Air Service
When Congressional budget hawks look to attack, the federally subsidized Essential Air Service is usually a sitting duck. The program responsible for connecting small rural communities with airports that have commercial fight connections always seems at risk of having its funding plucked. Cheap flights to Billings from Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Wolf Point and Sidney depend on EAS. The program also connects airports in Butte and West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. In 2015, Montana passengers boarded Cape Air, the EAS provider for rural Eastern Montana airports, 43,663 times. The funding comes from federal general funds and fees collected from commercial
Daines to EPA: Your Regulations are Killing Montana Jobs
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today took Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Gina McCarthy to task on the EPA’s Power Plan all-fronts assault on affordable energy and good-paying union and tribal jobs. During today’s Senate Committee on Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Daines challenged McCarthy to quantify the impacts of the anti-energy regulations on Montana. McCarthy could not give Daines a straight answer. “If the impact on temperature is virtually negligible, what impact are we trying to drive here?” Daines pressed McCarthy. “We are trying to get domestic and international agreements which this Clean Power Plan has helped
Daines Stands Up for Montanans Way of Life
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to tout the importance of permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – an important tool to preserve and protect Montanans way of life. The bipartisan Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 overwhelmingly passed the Senate this morning with a vote of 85-12. This key legislation will help expand Montana energy production and at Daines’ request will permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). In addition to the permanent reauthorization of LWCF, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016: Provides for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal
Lake County Leader: FAA grants Ronan airport $200K
Airport officials will begin a two-year study of the Ronan airport after the Federal Aviation Administration funded a grant for the work. The $202,642 Aeronautical Survey and Airport Masterplan Update grant will be used to define whether the airport is in demand enough to expand it for use of larger firefighting aircraft that could potentially save lives. Lake County Joint Airport Board Chairman Rick Newman said that nothing will change in the Ronan area surrounding the airport. “No shovels will go into the ground in the next two years,” he said. The study is to determine if a need exists
Great Falls Tribune: Bill to rename facility for Medal of Honor recipients passes Congress
The Armed Forces Readiness Center in Great Falls is getting a new name. Legislation passed both houses of Congress to rename the facility as the Capt. John E. Moran and Capt. William Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center to honor the Montana men who received the Medal of Honor. The bill is now awaiting President Barack Obama’s signature. Moran served in the Army’s 37th Infantry during the Philippine-American War and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1910 and died in Great Falls in 1930. Galt of Great Falls served in the Army’s 34th Infantry during World War II and was