News

KGVO: Sen. Steve Daines Responds to Senate Democrats Block on Syrian Refugee Bill

Democrats blocked a controversial bill that would curb the flow of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S. Sen. Steve Daines expressed his disappointment with the Senate. “It is Congress’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our nation, but today Senate Democrats proved they would rather play politics than prioritize our national security,” Daines said. “The SAFE Act is commonsense legislation that institutes a much-needed intensive screening process for incoming Syrian refugees. We are at war with radical Islamic extremism and it is irresponsible to accept anything less than a 100 percent verification of these refugees’ backgrounds

Daines: The IRS is Failing Montanans

Daines Underscores Need to Reform IRS Services, Tax Code as Tax Season Begins  WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the first day of tax season, Senator Steve Daines is calling for reforms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations in light of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealing that nearly 62 percent of callers who wanted to speak with an IRS representative were unable to receive assistance.  “As this year’s tax season begins today, we are once again reminded of the consistent shortcomings displayed by the IRS,” Daines stated. “Our tax code is nearly five times as long as the Bible, but with none of

Daines: New Deficit Projections Affirm Need to Rein in Spending

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to reining in Washington’s out-of-control spending after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the federal budget deficit is expected to increase by $105 billion in 2016 – the first increase in seven years. “These projections reaffirm the dire consequences of Washington’s continued bloated spending. Make no mistake – this $105 billion increase in the federal deficit is direct result of the 2000-page trillion dollar spending bill that was cobbled together behind closed doors and forced through Congress last month,” Daines stated. “It’s past time for Washington to get serious about reining in our national

KMMS: Daines: New Deficit Projections Affirm Need to Rein in Spending

Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to reining in Washington’s perceived out-of-control spending after the Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit is expected to increase by $105 billion in 2016 – the first increase in seven years. “These projections reaffirm the dire consequences of Washington’s continued bloated spending. Make no mistake – this $105 billion increase in the federal deficit is direct result of the 2000-page trillion dollar spending bill that was cobbled together behind closed doors and forced through Congress last month,” Daines stated. “It’s past time for Washington to get serious about reining in our

Fairfield Sun Times: Rocky Mountain Rifle Club Receives Recognition

Last week, the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club was formally recognized for their sponsorship and support of the local 4-H Shooting Program. The members of the club joined with 4-H shooters in welcoming Robin Baker of Senator Steve Daines’ office. Recently, Senator Daines took to the floor of the Senate to read his recognition of the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club into the Congressional Record as “Montanan of the Week.” Ms. Baker presented the club with an official copy and read the document, explaining the process of entering the honor into the record. The local 4-H program has some of the top

KULR8: Senator Daines warns 7,000 jobs at risk

A main topic discussed at an energy briefing in Billings today: President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan. Enacted last August, the Clean Power Plan’s goal is to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. Montana Senator Steve Daines said this act will kill 7,000 tribal and union jobs within the state. Additionally, he said it will affect $140 million of tax revenues every year that fund schools, teachers and infrastructure. “It’s going to create a double-digit energy increase for Montanans. To sum it up, the people in Montana who can afford it the least are going

Billing Gazette: With Clean Power rules looming, Daines touts Colstrip benefits at Billings forum

Losing part of Colstrip’s 40-year-old power plant would devastate Montana’s economy through possible job losses and higher power bills, state elected officials and industry backers said Monday in Billings. They urged the business-friendly audience to speak out against federal regulations they say would hurt the coal industry. “President Obama stopped the Keystone pipeline. Next on his to-do list is to kill the coal industry,” U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said at the forum sponsored by Big Sky Economic Development. About 180 people attended the gathering at Crowne Plaza in downtown Billings. Included in the audience were state lawmakers, county commissioners

Washington Times: The pride of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was a man of many remarkable achievements. Drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Secretary of State, and President cover just a few. But within this impressive list, there were only three things for which he most hoped to be remembered—legacies that were so important to him he had them etched into his gravestone. “Because by these,” he wrote, “as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered.” Two of these are probably unsurprising to most modern-day Americans: “Author of the Declaration of American Independence” and “Father of the University of Virginia.” The third accomplishment

MTN News: Daines: Halt of coal leases an “unprecedented assault” on Montana jobs and tax revenue

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday it will “pause” on issuing new coal leases on federal lands. The suspension was ordered while the federal agency reviews the coal lease program “in order to ensure that it is properly structured to provide a fair return to taxpayers and reflect its impacts on the environment, while continuing to help meet our energy needs,” according to press release. The review is expected to take three years, the agency said. The move met with immediate criticism from congressional members in Montana and Wyoming. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines said the move is an “unprecedented assault on one