News

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

Daines Works to Bolster National Security, Strengthen North Korea Sanctions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following reports of yet another North Korean missile test, Senator Steve Daines today worked to successfully pass bipartisan legislation to bolster national security by strengthening sanctions on North Korea. “We can’t sit by idly and allow a dangerous regime to conduct ballistic missile tests without repercussions,” Daines stated. “This legislation is crucial to not only strengthening sanctions but outlining a comprehensive strategy to combat North Korea’s criminal cyber activities and horrific human rights violations. We must continue to confront the extremist regimes that threaten our global security, troops and allies in the region and that violate innate human rights.” Daines is a

Daines Fights to Ensure Readiness of Montana Military Missions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the readiness of Montana’s military missions by ensuring the modernization of aircraft at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. During this morning’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the proposed FY 2017 U.S. Air Force budget, Daines pressed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh about the Air Force’s plan to ensure top security for the transport of nuclear weapons by replacing Vietnam-era Huey helicopters.  “Malmstrom Air Force Base is currently using Vietnam-era Huey helicopters to provide security for the

Great Falls Tribune: Tester, Daines question Air Force officials on budget

Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester asked questions during a Senate hearing Wednesday on the Air Force’ proposed budget and how it relates to Montana’s military missions. Daines, R-Mont., asked Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh about the status of replacing the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey helicopters that are used by the Air Force’s three missile wings, including Malmstrom Air Force Base. “We are working on that in a rather urgent way,” James said. The proposed Air Force budget includes $18.3 million for the replacement program, and James said

The Hill: Senator blasts Obama for sweeping IRS hack ‘under the rug’

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is slamming President Obama for not alerting Congress to a recent breach of the Internal Revenue Service. “The President has a duty to inform Congress of cyber attacks on federal infrastructure, yet once again has tried to sweep this under the rug,” Daines said in a statement. The IRS announced Tuesday that identity thieves had used an automated bot in an attempt to generate phony login information, using almost half a million stolen Social Security numbers to create 101,000 successful PINs. The breach occurred in December. According to a Tuesday statement revealing the incident, the attack has been

Glasgow Courier: Daines Reaffirms Importance of Splitting the Ninth Circuit

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is joining forces on the Senate floor with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in efforts to improve the federal circuit court system as a whole and expedite the justice process for the people within the overburdened Ninth Circuit. An excerpt of Daines’ remarks from the presentation are below: “At 64.4 million people served, the current Ninth Circuit is the largest circuit by population, as well as the largest land area. It includes Montana and Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, California, and Hawaii – not to mention several U.S. territories (Guam and Northern Mariana Islands). That amounts to