Associated Press: Relocation of wildfire aircraft draws criticism
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force is being criticized for a decision to relocate military air tanker equipment used to fight wildfires to Nevada instead of Montana. Montana Sen. Sen. Steve Daines sent a letter to the Air Force asking why Nevada was chosen for the Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, which includes equipment that can be installed in C-130 cargo plans to drop retardant on wildfires. According to the Great Falls Tribune (http://tinyurl.com/z4yhu7g ), the system can be used by governors where the Air National Guard flight crews operate it. That also includes Wyoming. Colorado uses an
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Paul Kanning of Flaxville
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Paul Kanning of Flaxville as Montanan of the Week. This past week Paul testified before the Senate Committee on Appropriations about the importance of assisting veterans find employment opportunities in agriculture. Daines met with Kanning in his DC office this week prior to his testimony. Click here to download a high-resolution photo. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to
KUMV: Paul Kanning Named ‘Montanan of the Week’ by Sen. Steve Daines
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. selected Paul Kanning of Daniels County, as his Montanan of the Week. This past week, the Flaxville native testified before the Senate Committee on Appropriations about the importance of assisting veterans find employment opportunities in agriculture. He is a fourth generation Montana farmer. The retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel talked about how programs like those offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helped provide the training and education he needed on the farm.
KGVO: Daines Press TSA on Montana Absence of Promised Screening Systems
Subscribe to Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 101.5 FM on At a Senate transportation committee hearing yesterday, Senator Steve Daines pressed TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger on delays in screening equipment at rural airports. “As you know, our security is as strong as our weakest link,” said Daines. “Enhancements at rural airports strengthen security of the entire national air space. The bad guys are going to find weak places to come in. At your confirmation hearing I asked about the AIT scanners that were going to be installed in 2012 and Montana airports are still without them.” Neffenger responded by saying that funding
Daines Presses Obama Administration on Security at Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Obama administration on the security of Montana airports. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on transportation security, Daines pressed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Peter Neffenger on procuring necessary security equipment for the Helena and Great Falls airports. Daines also called on the Neffenger to look into TSA’s proposed removal of passenger screening at the airport in Butte due to their choice in screeners. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. ###
Daines to Department of Interior: Conditions at Tribal Schools are Unacceptable
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today passionately implored the Obama administration to improve conditions at tribal schools. During today’s Senate Indian Affairs committee hearing on Indian education, Daines pressed Department of Interior (DOI) Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Lawrence Roberts on his failure to conduct any health inspections at Montana’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities from 2012-2014. “In a recent conversation with Loverty Erickson, Superintendent of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School, my office was horrified to learn that the school has a broken fire alarm system, not a single disability accessible bathroom, and no drinkable tap water on campus,
Daines Pushes to Reduce Red Tape in Forest Management on Federal, Tribal Lands
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pushed to find solutions to increase active forest management by reducing red tape on federal lands, including lands adjacent to tribal lands. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on the U.S. Forest Service’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, Daines commended the Forest Service for progress on implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, while expressing his dismay that it’s not being completed at an adequate pace. “As you are aware, nearly five million acres in Montana were designated as insect and disease areas under the 2014 Farm Bill,” Daines
The Atlantic: Why All Travel Is Local
Transportation Security Administrator Peter Neffenger was headed to Brussels for meetings on March 22, the day of the terrorist attacks against that city. He landed “just as the bombs detonated,” he said, deplaning into a fractured and panic-stricken airport. So when the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing Wednesday morning, the occasion seemed destined for intense or emotional moments. After all, the senators themselves had just traveled to Washington earlier this week from a long spring recess; it seemed reasonable to expect that some might want to know just how safe they’d been in those travels. Plus,
The Hill: Overnight Cybersecurity: White House won’t back encryption bill
Welcome to OVERNIGHT CYBERSECURITY, your daily rundown of the biggest news in the world of hacking and data privacy. We’re here to connect the dots as leaders in government, policy and industry try to counter the rise in cyber threats. What lies ahead for Congress, the administration and the latest company under siege? Whether you’re a consumer, a techie or a D.C. lifer, we’re here to give you … THE BIG STORIES: –I’VE GOT SWINGING DOORS, A JUKEBOX AND A BARSTOOL: The debate over encryption technology has exposed a push-and-pull between federal agencies that support the technology and those that warn