News

Daines’ Bill to Protect Consumers from Backlash Over Online Reviews Unanimously Passes Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the unanimous Senate passage of his legislation to protect consumers who want to write honest online reviews of companies, without fear of financial repercussions from the businesses being reviewed.  Daines’ bill, S. 2044 – the Consumer Review Freedom Act, would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements.  “The Senate took an important step forward in protecting the First Amendment rights of Americans who want to provide honest feedback about the products and services they purchase,” Daines stated. “We should encourage competition and

Missoulian: Cross-border issues abound in Montana congressional delegation’s letters to Canada

Montana’s congressional delegation is still waiting for answers to letters they sent regarding cross-border issues with Canada, but that could be because Canadians are waiting for answers themselves. “With the election of (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau, the tone and outlook of the federal government took a pretty big change,” said political science assistant professor Greg Anderson of the University of Alberta. “And even though (former Prime Minister Stephen) Harper and his people were sourced from Alberta, the conservative government here wasn’t the same as the conservative government in Ottawa. It’s a pretty complicated landscape, with a lot of nuances in

Billings Gazette: Finally, a measure of highway certainty for Montana

After years of passing patches that lasted only months or weeks, Congress finally delivered a multi-year Highway Bill. That’s great news, especially for Montana, because our vast, sparsely populated state depends on federal funding for about 87 percent of our highway construction budget. The other 13 percent comes from the state’s 27 cents per gallon fuel tax. Few other states lean so heavily on federal support. H.R.22 passed with strong bipartisan support, garnering the votes of every member of both the Montana and Wyoming delegations. “For the most part, it’s a very good bill for Montana,” Jim Skinner of the

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Rocky Mountain Rifle Club

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club (RMRC) for their efforts to support the Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports Air Rifle and Air Pistol clubs.  The Rocky Mountain Rifle Club has been a strong supporter of the Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports Air Rifle and Air Pistol clubs, and is currently raising funds to purchase top-of-the-line air rifles and air pistols, in addition to target equipment, for the 4-H program.  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

Fairfield Sun Times: Sen. Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Teton County’s Rocky Mountain Rifle Club

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized the Rocky Mountain Rifle Club (RMRC) for their efforts to support the Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports Air Rifle and Air Pistol clubs. The Rocky Mountain Rifle Club has been a strong supporter of the Teton County 4-H Shooting Sports Air Rifle and Air Pistol clubs, and is currently raising funds to purchase top-of-the-line air rifles and air pistols, in addition to target equipment, for the 4-H program. 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,

Daines Works to Protect American Energy Security

Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today spoke out about the critical role that American energy independence holds in winning the war on terrorism and strengthening American security both at home and abroad.  “Our national security—protecting our families from terrible acts of terrorism—I can tell you is on many Montanans’ minds every day as I travel around the state. It’s telling to us today how important American energy independence and security is to our safety and prosperity—not just ours, but the world’s.” During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on examining terrorism and global

KPAX: Federal grant to help CSKT public transit, road work projects

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes is receiving a $300,000 grant to upgrade public transit services. Montana U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced a total of more than $700,000 in transit funding for three Montana Tribes on Wednesday. CSKT gets $300,000, the Fort Belknap Indian Community will receive $220,000 while the Crow Tribe has been granted $193,731. Jim Skinner with the Montana Department of Transportation says Flathead hasn’t seen this type of funding in over a decade. He also believes that the federal money will support 11,000 jobs across the state. “It’s going to provide stability for our program. It’ll allow us to make a

Ravalli Republic: Local ISPs discuss Internet access with Sen. Daines

Last year, Ravalli County’s state legislative delegation got an earful from people concerned about low-quality Internet services in the Bitterroot Valley. Local businessmen and the county’s economic development coordinator told the politicians that a lack of Internet access and high costs were creating challenges for local entrepreneurs. The delegation tasked Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, and Rep. Ed Greef, R-Florence, to find out why. “We’ve come a long way in learning about Internet in Ravalli County since then,” Thomas said. “We found out that we have phenomenal service right here with our own local providers.” On Wednesday, Thomas, representatives from two

News Talk KGVO: Sen. Steve Daines Pushes to Protect American Energy Security

Today Sen. Steve Daines spoke out about American energy independence as a key role in winning the war on terrorism. Daines said in addition, we also need to strengthen American security both at home and abroad. “Our national security, protecting our families from terrible acts of terrorism, I can tell you is on the mind of Montanans’ minds every day as I travel around the state,” Daines said. “It’s telling us today how important American energy independence and security is to our safety and prosperity, as well as the entire worlds.” Daines said removing oil as the primary source of