News

Daines, Sullivan Introduce Measures to Split the Ninth Circuit Court

Senators author bills to promote equal access to justice, restructure the most populous circuit court to better serve the American people  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) have introduced two bills to address failures in America’s system of justice by restructuring the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which, because of its size and scope, denies citizens in its jurisdiction equal access to justice.    The Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act would split the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals into two circuits: the Ninth and the Twelfth Circuits. The reconfigured Ninth Circuit would then be comprised

The Hill: GOP senators threaten to cut aid for Ghana if Gitmo detainees escape

A group of Republican senators is seeking to cut foreign to Ghana in the 2017 State Department funding bill if the country is unable to hold and monitor two Guantanamo detainees it recently accepted from the United States and ensure they do not reengage in terrorism against the U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (Ill.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), James Lankford (Okla.) and Steve Daines (Mont.) — members of the Senate Appropriations Committee — are proposing to consider reducing assistance to Ghana by $10 million per detainee in the event that either of the detainees escape.  In a letter to Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (Miss.) and State and Foreign Operations and

Daines Applauds United Airlines Expansion to Great Falls International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement that United Airlines will begin a summer route from Great Falls International Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  “Increasing reliable and convenient air service for the Great Falls community is great news for our state and will help generate more economic opportunity throughout Cascade County,” Daines stated. “This new route will help increase access to new markets for central Montana and Hi-Line communities —in turn creating opportunities for more good paying Montana jobs.” The route will operate on Saturday and Sunday mornings from June 11 to August 14. In September, the U.S. Department

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Bruce Bramlette of Fort Benton

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized former Brigadier General Bruce Bramlette of Fort Benton, Montana, on behalf of his lifetime of dedication to the United States and his selfless service on Congressional U.S. Military Academy nomination boards.  Bruce has tirelessly served on nomination boards for 25 years, both as a member and board chairman, and has interviewed more than 1,000 young Montana students seeking a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies. 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

Daines Highlights Key Reforms in Major Senate Energy Legislation

“We can’t fully discuss our nation’s energy future without also addressing the President’s moratorium on new federal coal leases and royalty increase attempts for federal coal, oil and natural gas.”  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to highlight important provisions contained in the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, the first major energy policy legislation debated in the Senate since 2007.  This key legislation will help expand Montana energy production, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and rein in the Obama administration’s overreaching anti-energy regulations.  Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Today, the

MTN News: Malmstrom officer chosen to serve on Daines’ staff

GREAT FALLS –U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced on Wednesday that Air Force Major Benji L. Johnson has been selected to serve as a Military Fellow in Daines’ Washington, D.C. office through 2016.  The Air Force Fellowship Program offers participants the opportunity to work in the legislative branch of the federal government for one session of Congress.  Johnson most recently served as the assistant director of operations for ICBM codes for the 341st Operations Support Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base. In a press release, Daines said, “Major Johnson’s extensive experience will be an asset to our office’s efforts to best

Missoulian: Energy bill debate contains numerous Montana provisions

A legislative package now before the U.S. Senate has a lot of Montana issues woven in, including possible permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 began debate Thursday, and is expected to face amendments well into next week before a final vote. Also known as S. 2012, it affects energy-efficiency standards in buildings and cars, cybersecurity threats, next-generation nuclear plants, recycling and loan programs. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., spoke for the bill on the Senate floor Thursday after it cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a 18-4 vote. “The Energy

Great Falls Tribune: Uncle’s story serves as example for senator

HELENA — When Sen. Steve Daines talked in October to a roomful of people at Fort Harrison about the importance of sharing their military history with others, he spoke from personal experience. Daines had a uncle aboard the SS Dorchester who died when the troop ship was sunk by a German submarine Feb. 3, 1943. The ship is famous for its story of the four chaplains who stood on deck, gave their life jackets to others and held hands praying and singing hymns as the Dorchester went down, killing nearly 700 people. But for some reason, his grandmother never talked

Military Times: Lawmakers push VA to let doctors recommend medical marijuana

Twenty-one lawmakers have written Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald urging him to let VA doctors discuss and recommend marijuana as a potential medical treatment in states where it is legal. Under a VA policy that expires on Jan. 31, VA doctors are not allowed to discuss medical marijuana with their patients or recommend it as a treatment. Senators and representatives — 19 Democrats and two Republicans, including Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada, a physician and Army Reserve brigadier general who chairs the House Armed Services personnel panel — want a new policy that “removes barriers that would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship” in states