Daines, Zinke Commend Extension of Yellowstone Bison Quarantine Plan Comment Period
U.S. CONGRESS — Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke successfully secured a two-week extension of the comment period for the National Park Service’s (NPS) Environmental Assessment of Yellowstone National Park’s Bison Quarantine Plan. The previous deadline for the comment period was February 15, 2016. At Daines’ and Zinke’s urging, NPS recently announced that the comment period would be extended to February 29, 2016. In a letter sent last week to NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis, Daines and Zinke called on the agency to extend the comment period to accommodate the concerns of Montana ranchers,
Daines Statement on Passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon news of the passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. “Our nation has lost a giant of freedom who leaves behind a legacy of tirelessly defending our Constitution and the principles that make our nation great. Justice Scalia was a man of faith and a brilliant legal mind who dedicated himself to our country with a servant’s heart. Cindy and I are praying for his family and are grateful for his service to our country.” U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was appointed the court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. Scalia was unanimously confirmed by the
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Daines among western Republicans hoping to break up 9th Circuit
Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Bozeman, spoke on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C., this week, advocating legislation that would split the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals because its size has led to a case backlog. Daines said it is a matter of equal access to justice. There are 14,000 cases pending in the Ninth Circuit, three times more than the next largest, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has 4,700 cases pending, he said. “The Ninth Circuit is unable to provide Americans in the West with the service they deserve,” he said. Daines has partnered with Republican Alaska
The Hill: Lawmakers unnerved by reports of new cyber breaches
Lawmakers in both parties say breaches reported this week at the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service are the latest indication of the government’s weak defenses against cyber criminals. While the administration has sought to downplay both incidents, some lawmakers are hitting the White House, arguing the intrusions offer further evidence that the government can’t be trusted to protect its highly sensitive networks. “[President Obama] has neglected to take tangible steps to address these persistent cyberinfrastructure challenges,” Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) said in a Wednesday statement that accused the administration of trying to sweep the IRS breach “under
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Beverly Anderson of Conrad
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Beverly Anderson of Conrad, Montana for her ongoing work to better her community. Daines noted that she is a standout in the Conrad community and has a giving spirit for caring for those in need. 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’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office
Daines Statement on Montanore Project Decisions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended the United States Forest Service for their full approval of the long-overdue Montanore Project, while expressing his disappointment in Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) partial approval of the project. The Montanore Project will create much-needed jobs and economic opportunity in Lincoln County. “The Forest Service’s long-overdue approval is welcome news for Lincoln County and an important step forward in getting this job-creating project across the finish line,” Daines stated. “The Montanore Project will create hundreds of much-needed jobs and provide significant economic benefits and tax revenue to communities across northwestern Montana. I am disappointed that Governor
KGVO: Sen. Steve Daines Finalizes Ban on Internet Taxation
Senator Steve Daines finalized a ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access on Thursday. A press release from Daines’s office says the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would “permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted.” “The Internet is a critical avenue for Montana businesses to compete in the global marketplace and serves as a gateway for economic opportunity,” Daines said. “This permanent ban on taxing the Internet protects small businesses and hardworking families from senseless
Daines Secures Permanent Ban on Government Taxation of the Internet
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured a permanent ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access. Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act that passed the Senate this afternoon as part of H.R.644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. The Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. “The Internet is a critical avenue for Montana businesses to compete in the global marketplace and serves as a
Daines Meets Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today met with Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger, Patrick Chapman of Great Falls, in the United States Capitol. Daines gave a tour of his office and the United States Capitol to Chapman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Montana Bob Norbie, Chief Marketing Officer for Special Olympics Kirsten Suto Seckler and Special Olympics International’s Global CEO Mary Davis. Daines with Chapman at his desk “Patrick is an impressive young Montanan who has shown that with passion and dedication, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” Daines stated. “It is my honor to congratulate Patrick as