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
Daily Inter Lake: Sen. Daines honors Osweiler as Montanan of the Week
Sen. Steve Daines has honored former Flathead High School star quarterback Brock Osweiler as one of a pair of Montanans who will be on the roster for Super Bowl 50. Osweiler and Dwan Edwards, formerly of Columbus, were named by Daines as Montanans of the Week. The senator paid tribute to the men in the Congressional Record on Thursday. Osweiler is the backup quarterback for the Denver Broncos, and started seven games for the team earlier this year while Peyton Manning was injured. Osweiler graduated from Flathead High in 2009, and went on to play for Arizona State before being
Daines Slams President Obama’s Plan to Raise Energy Taxes on Montana Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed President Obama’s proposal to place a $10 tax on every barrel of oil—marking a 30 percent tax on oil at current prices. “This is yet another step in President Obama’s anti-energy agenda and further proof that he’s more concerned about cementing his failed legacy than standing with the hardworking Montana families who will be directly hit by these senseless policies,” Daines stated. “We should be encouraging American innovation and energy independence—not placing more regulatory barriers and financial obstacles to it. I have no doubt that this 30 percent tax will face tough bipartisan opposition in
Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Super Bowl Competitors Dwan Edwards and Brock Osweiler
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl 50 matchup of the Carolina Panthers versus the Denver Broncos, Senator Steve Daines today recognized two Montana natives playing on the competing teams: Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards and Broncos backup quarterback Brock Osweiler. Daines wished the two men luck in this Sunday’s game and thanked them for being strong role models for young Montanans. Dwan, a Columbus native, graduated in 1999 from Columbus High School. Brock, a Kalispell native, graduated in 2009 from Flathead High School. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement
Daines Introduces Legislation to Protect Montanans’ Second Amendment Rights from Bureaucratic Overreach
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to stop bureaucratic attempts to strip Social Security beneficiaries of their Second Amendment rights. S.2495, which Daines cosponsored with nine other senators, would prevent information gathered by the Social Security Administration regarding the management and payment of an individual’s benefits from being used to prevent an individual from purchasing a firearm. “The Obama administration is once again infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners,” Daines stated. “This is a violation of both Americans’ Second Amendment rights and our right to due process. It’s deplorable that government bureaucrats can strip Americans of their constitutional