News

Daily Caller: Republicans Completely Blow Off Obama’s Budget Proposal

Congressional Republicans are completely blowing off President Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal, refusing to hold hearings on it because they say it would be a waste of time. Now Democrats are calling that snub “disrespectful to all of the hard work that went into producing this expansive document.” “President Obama’s budget is full of the same failed policies that has led our country down a path of reckless bloated spending, burdensome regulations and higher taxes,” Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines said in a statement. “This is President Obama’s eighth consecutive unbalanced budget that only serves to bolster his liberal agenda

Associated Press: Supreme Court puts Obama’s Clean Power Plan on hold

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to halt enforcement of President Barack Obama’s sweeping plan to address climate change until after legal challenges are resolved. The surprising move is a blow to the administration and a victory for the coalition of 27 states, including Montana, and industry opponents that call the regulations “an unprecedented power grab.” By temporarily freezing the rule the high court’s order signals that opponents have made a strong argument against the plan. A federal appeals court last month refused to put it on hold. The court’s four liberal justices said they would have

Daines Statement on President Obama’s Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Obama’s budget proposal that once again fails to balance: “President Obama’s budget is full of the same failed policies that has led our country down a path of reckless bloated spending, burdensome regulations and higher taxes. This is President Obama’s eighth consecutive unbalanced budget that only serves to bolster his liberal agenda instead of lifting up hardworking American families. The American people deserve real solutions and a balanced budget – not an unworkable liberal messaging document.” The first bill Daines introduced in both the Senate and House is the Balanced Budget

Daines Reaffirms Importance of Splitting the Ninth Circuit

“We need to ensure all Americans have access to the justice they deserve. It’s time to split the Ninth.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines recently took to the Senate floor to bring to light the crushing caseload of the Ninth Circuit and reaffirm the need to split the Ninth Circuit to provide quality service and expeditious justice for the American people.  Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  Daines joined Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) last night to discuss their two recently introduced bills to address failures in America’s system of justice by restructuring the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which,

Daines Marks Beginning of National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today marked the beginning of “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week” by recognizing the critical role these institutions hold in providing access to high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities for Montana tribal members.  Montana is home to seven Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week” resolution that unanimously passed the Senate last week. On Wednesday, Daines will be meeting with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) to discuss issues pertinent to the success of American Indian education.  “I’m pleased to see the Senate recognize the importance

Daines, Gillibrand Call on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to Act on Their Bill to Help Thousands of “Blue Water” Vietnam Vets

Senators’ Call Follows VA Officials’ Refusal to Reverse Ruling to Extend VA Benefits to “Blue Water” Vets  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to immediately take up their legislation to ensure “Blue Water” Navy veterans are made eligible for service-connected disability Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. Daines’ and Gillibrand’s call follows a request urging the VA to reverse a 2002 rule excluding “Blue Water” veterans from the VA benefits to which they should be entitled.

Truck News: Pilot project could reduce operational hours at Port of Raymond

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a battle with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in early December 2015, the offices of Montana Senator Steve Daines and House Representative Ryan Zinke said they are again attempting to stop an effort to close the Port of Raymond’s 24-hour operating status. “Past and present efforts by CBP to reduce operational hours at the Port of Raymond fail to recognize the importance of cross boarder travel to local and regional economic activity,” Daines and Zinke wrote in a letter to CBP. Daines’ office said the CBP plans to implement a new 60-day pilot program starting

Daines, Zinke Fight Latest Effort to Terminate Port of Raymond 24-Hour Operating Status

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to reverse their latest plans to reduce operating hours at the Port of Raymond and terminate the northeastern Montana border crossing’s 24-hour operating status.   CBP recently announced new plans to implement a pilot program closing the Port of Raymond for six hours per day, between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.  In a letter to CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, Daines and Zinke criticized CBP for their short-sighted efforts to once again reduce operating hours following their failed efforts to do so last November. “Past

KULR8: Montana lawmakers react to oil tax proposal

BILLINGS – President Barack Obama will propose $10-per-barrel charge on oil to fund clean transportation projects as part of his final budget request next week. While some in Washington are applauding the president’s proposal, some Montana lawmakers have a different opinion. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are slamming the president’s proposal, and Senator Jon Tester says the proposal won’t go anywhere. Zinke’s statement reads, in part, “too many Montana families are living on the brink, trying to figure out how to pay for groceries, rent, heat and gas.” He said he wants to grow the economy, become energy